Search - Then and Now: Making of Pull and Winger IV on DVD

Winger still rocks...

Slick 50 | New York, NY | 06/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Winger was one of the most musically-underrated groups of the late '80s and early '90s. Former Alice Cooper bassist Kip Winger on lead vocals and bass. Reb Beach, one of the best rock guitar virtuosos out there on lead (in addition to Winger, Reb Beach is currently touring with Whitesnake after a long stint with Dokken and a tour with Night Ranger). Rod Morgenstein of the Dixie Dregs on drums. And, former Alice Cooper guitar/keyboardist Paul Taylor.

While their more commercial releases were on heavy rotation on MTV - "Miles Away", "Can't Get Enough","Seventeen", "Madelaine", "Headed For A Heartbreak", "Hungry", etc. - more progressive cuts like "Rainbow In The Rose" and "In The Heart of The Young" featured incredible arrangements and further showcased the group's musicianship. Their career was tainted by - of all things - Beavis & Butthead. When a nerdy character began to appear on the show regularly wearing a "Winger" T-shirt, it negatively affected the band's image with the fickle MTV audience. Granted, some of Kip's ballet-style stage moves and teen magazine photo sessions gave extra ammo to the group's haters, but hey, at least Kip Winger never did 'Rock of Love'. Regardless, the group's music, videos and live shows were exceptional. Then MTV destroyed itself, turning on a dime to no longer air videos by bands like Winger, Bon Jovi and Def Leppard, instead changing all its programming to rap and whiny, depressed grunge bands.

This has always been one of my favorite bands, and I've always enjoyed the interraction between Kip and Reb. Their interviews together are always fun, and they seem to be two talented guys who greatly respect each other's musical ablities, work well together creatively, and seem to genuinely have a good time creating Winger music together. This DVD chronicles the making of "Pull" (the group's third album, recorded during the group's heyday in the early '90s), as well as the recording of "Winger IV" in recent years (featuring one of the best Winger songs of all time, "Your Great Escape"). It's a very funny, enjoyable DVD, but also great on a documentary level, allowing viewers into the entire creative process for both albums, and allowing you to contrast the group then and now. Unlike the recently-released "Anvil" documentary, which is centered around the failings of an aging band from the era, ala Spinal Tap, Winger is still touring and recording, the members of the band are still making their livings in music, and are still having a good time doing it.

I highly recommend it. If you weren't a Winger fan before this DVD, you probably will be after viewing it.
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Winger still has it!

Gregory and Jami Thorpe | wish i knew | 11/14/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love how this video shows pretty much step by step of "the recording a new album" process. They all seem so close and tight like family, and this video shows just how well they all work well together. And play well, shown by the funnier moments that you will see in this video. Some joking around,and some more serious moments, all go hand in hand in this video. A must see for any Winger fan."