Search - Waves Upon the Sand & Crusade on DVD

Crusade RAGE

glen | 12/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll try and clear up some confusion on this DVD best as I can. Including bringing up some further questions on just how this the Mission/Crusade 2006 came about. I ordered this same listing from Amazon, after some research there seems to be a Universal/Argentina pressing. The one I got appears to the Universal/Germany. (or import). There is also a Mission/Crusade out in 2008 on Cherry Red. Normally Cherry Red is fairly good at DVD pressings, but its version is sub-par than this Universal version. Therefore as of now this Universal/Crusade concert is the one to get, it has superior picture and 2.0 stereo/5.1 toggle on the menu. The Cherry Red DOES NOT therefore it's a mystery what sound your getting. The Cherry Red version picture is darker and with a little more snow and fails at the sound reproduction sporting the original VHS hiss (a big no no). But Universal sound and picture appears cleaned up. The sound on this version rumbles in bass and is bright on the highs in 2.0(I don't have a 5.1 system)

Ok with that cleared up. There is no reason to get the Cherry Red version because along with superior sound and picture this DVD has the bonus of 'Waves Upon The Sand' video docudrama showing the band in numerous rare shows, fascinating studio footage (Wayne Hussey recording vocal tracks). 'Waves Upon the Sand' however does NOT include any orginal promo music videos. The real jewel here is the Crusade show of the Mission at their absolute peak of power (1987). The Mission here are showing off their true 'Goth' selves during "God Own Medicine" era, but also at the same time blowing away most of the typical 'Goth' bands at the time. The Mission at this point were a bit more loud and rowdy, rocking thru a blistering set with such ease it's a wonder at times. What really separates the Mission at their peak was the pure musicianship of a complete band, unified as a force and lifted by original song material. The Mission show off here an amazing guitar affront by Wayne and Simon Hinkler. Simon is bordering on psychedelica with the bravado of hmmmm, a less bluesy Jimmy Page. This power duo guitar attack is perfectly backed by a solid bass player (Craig Adams, the Cult) and a banshee of a drummer (Mick Brown, Oasis) going wild at times but always in total control.

One aspect I wonder about is how the heck was Crusade filmed. There is multiple angles, quick edit style which may in fact pre-date the edit style MTV came famous for. That is a something to research, which came first this concert or MTV quick edit style. Look it up and get back to me on that one folks.

Amazingly Crusade's director reveals NO CAMERAS shown in the shots except for a artistic reveal of a camera crane in the last song. How was this done? You see Wayne up close then quickly far way. Where is the camera from the up close shot? It's not there. I suspect the Mission may have played this concert twice, filmed each in different camera set-ups and then the editor sliced both up into one. Still that theory presents a big load of synchronization issues. There is not one 'error' that I notice. The band is always in sync with the music and picture. There seems to be NO real information on this Crusade show I can find. No 'extras' on this DVD. It's like this concert was made, produced and released (on vhs only back in the day) and abandoned only to increase the marvel and mysteries it possesses.

Crusade showcases mostly the 'God Own Medicine' songs with some unfortunate exceptions. 'Love Me To Death', 'Severina' & 'Bridges Burning'. But there some very welcome older songs played 'Wake' & 'Serpents Kiss'. The Crusade DVD here includes a Jukebox option which is fairly useless unless for some reason you want to watch the concert in a mixed up order. I wish there was some extra footage, interviews or anything more about Crusade, but if this is all we ever get I'm more than happy with it. Play it LOUD! Enjoy!

'Waves Upon The Sand' 1991
DELIVERANCE
BUTTERFLY ON THE WHEEL
HUNGRY AS THE HUNTER
GRAPES OF WRATH
LOVELY
INTO THE BLUE
PARADISE WILL SHINE LIKE THE MOON
BIRD OF PASSAGE
MR PLEASANT
BELIEF
SEA OF LOVE
TOWER OF STRENGTH

'Crusade' 1987
WASTELAND
AND THE DANCE GOES ON
GARDEN OF DELIGHT
LET SLEEPING DOGS DIE
SERPENTS KISS
OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY
THE CRYSTAL OCEAN
SACRILEGE
STAY WITH ME
WAKE (RSV)
BLOOD BROTHER
1969"