The Pretty Things - SF Sorrow at Abbey Road

Customer Reviews:

ARTHUR BROWN JUST ABSOLUTELY RULES ! THE PRETTY THINGS ARE PRETTY COOL TOO!.......2005-09-07

I received the DVD, exactly seven years after it was recorded 9/6/98 at Abbey Road Studios. Coincidence? Maybe. Probably not being that I also received SJR live at CBGB's the same day but that is for obvious reasons, besides the fact. All that I know is that upon playing this, I was pleased to discover what a true gem this actually is. Being not at all familiar with S.F. Sorrow, let alone The Pretty Things, I took a chance at it and came out on top! Afterall, it has Arthur Brown in it!! The God of Hellfire is still quite the showman even though his only part is narrorator of the story (this is a "rock" opera) and remains seated (much to our dismay) through the extent of the show. Additionally, Dave Gilmore fills in for what I would call appropriately as a"jam session". I am not quite sure if its these two British-gents that give this thing such appeal but it sure does seem to sum up a 30 year period in which I am nontheleast very unfamiliar with. You can tell how emotionally involved the band members are, and its my guess that they have all remained very close over the years. 4 1/2 stars.

Another Great Performance!...........2004-02-29

Who'd thought we'd be living in an age where old (er, "VINTAGE" rather!) GREAT albums of the past would be re-created 'live' by their original artists? (See my review for "LOVE: The Forever Changes Concert" DVD).

This is really a nice DVD with the COMPLETE "S.F. SORROW" album (originally released in 1968) RE-CREATED LIVE on a stage in EMI's Studio Two (in Abbey Road).

There are also lengthy interviews with original band members & a couple extra song performances, and David Gilmour & Arthur Brown in the show too!

I first heard the original S.F. Sorrow album (the 'EDSEL' CD re-issue) in 1994, & quickly liked it. Very unique & original!! (What can I say??) It stands out alongside a few other late 60s British albums [along with The Zombies "Odyssey & Oracle", Love's "Forever Changes" to barely name a few!).

This newer performance took place in September 1998, and the performance is GREAT, considering how the band mentioned NOT performing it for over 30 years (I'd like to see ANY older OR younger band try that!) I sat mesmerized while watching thinking; "I can't believe I'm hearing THIS ALBUM being newley RE-CREATED, and IN the original studio too!" I was playing 'air drums' & 'air guitar' as I sat. The performance of "I See You" really gave me chills -- THESE guys KNOW what they're doing!

My only complaints would be the cameras left John Povey (keyboards) OUT of too many shots (they seemed to be focused on stage right!) He seems to be the band's 'multi-instrumentalist' (like 'Brian Jones' was in The Rolling Stones) but you can hardly see him. (?) And the camera shots during the interviews seemed on the 'amaturish' side(??) But I STILL give it 5 stars!

Beatles fans & early Pink Floyd fans will enjoy all the 'EMI Studio' references to them as well.

Get this DVD because the 'pathetically mainstream' "MTV" & "VH1" will never be hip enough to show it.

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