Music lovers with Blu-ray players have plenty of reasons to celebrate, including the release of a trio of fantastic new titles available now.
Title: Meeting The Beatles In India (Unobstructed View)
You might like if you enjoy: The Beatles, George Harrison, John Lennon, music documentary films
Tell me more: The release of the Peter Jackson documentary "Get Back" in 2021 focused an in-depth look at the monumental talent and undeniable chemistry of the Beatles and the British band's otherworldly ability to create some of the greatest songs of the rock era. Now the release of Canadian filmmaker Paul Saltzman's "Meeting The Beatles In India" provides a similarly compelling look at the Fab Four — this time focusing on their mythical time spent in India a year before the "Get Back" sessions. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, the documentary finds Saltzman vividly sharing his memories of his time befriending John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr at the Beatles Ashram (also known as Chaurasi Kutia) located in Rishikesh, a city in Northern India. The short period that the Beatles spent in India resulted in the writing of 48 songs in approximately 48 days, including favorites that fill the band's 1968 album The Beatles (better known as "The White Album"). In addition to his first person account of his time with the Beatles, Saltzman's amazing photographs of the Beatles add depth to the film, as do his reflections on his own spiritual journey that fatefully led him to study transcendental meditation alongside the Beatles with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The documentary features interviews with film director David Lynch, pre-eminent Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn, Pattie Boyd (married to George Harrison at the time of the trip to India) and even the real "Bungalow Bill." The Blu-ray edition of "Meeting The Beatles In India" includes 57 minutes of extra scenes, as well as the trailer for the 79-minute documentary. A must-see for fans of the Beatles. Information: unobstructedview.com or thebeatlesinindia.com.
Title: Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd (Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Pink Floyd, David Bowie, David Gilmour, music documentary films
Tell me more: Nearly 20 years after his death, Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett remains a tragic figure as mythical as he is influential. A compelling newly-released documentary — "Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd" — provides a deep dive into Barrett's life as a musical and visual artist; the Roddy Bogawa and Storm Thorgerson-directed film also explores the demons that derailed Barrett's professional career and happiness. Through a wealth of previously-unseen photographs and film footage as well as new interviews with the surviving members of Pink Floyd (Roger Waters, David Gilmour and Nick Mason), Barrett's childhood friends, ex-girlfriends and contemporary musicians, the story of Barrett's life is presented with artful grace and candor. Barrett's creative genius and early success is sadly matched by his breakdown, exit from Pink Floyd and disappearance. The two-disc DVD+Blu-ray version reviewed here includes an exclusive poster designed by StormStudios. Bonus materials include commentary of the film with Bogawa, Julius Beltrame and Rupert Truman, as well as a 2007 performance of Pink Floyd's 1967 single "Arnold Layne" with Gilmour, Richard Wright and Mason, and a 2006 performance of that same Barrett-penned classic featuring Gilmour and David Bowie in a performance at The Royal Albert Hall. Information: mercurystudios.co.
Title: Liars — Live (Cleopatra Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Todd Rundgren, Utopia, Nazz, Thomas Dolby, Peter Gabriel
Tell me more: Recorded live at the Egg Performing Arts Center in Albany, New York on June 9, 2004, the new Blu-ray concert film "Liars — Live" is a powerful showcase for the formidable talents of groundbreaking singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/producer Todd Rundgren. Backed by a top-tier band (including his Utopia bandmates Kasim Sulton, Jesse Gress, and Prairie Prince), the 160-minute concert focuses on material from Rundgren's return-to-form 2004 album Liars and beloved favorites from across his wide-ranging career. Early standouts include the synth-swept opener "Truth," introspective rocker "Buffalo Grass," electronica "Mammon," and sumptuous R&B-tinged version of "God Said." The energy of the marathon-length concert film continues with the jazzy "Soul Brother," soulful ballad "Sweet," dance styled "Love Science," beautiful "Hello It's Me" and gospel saturated closer "Just One Victory." Rundgren and company bring bona fide chills with a potent take on the George Harrison-penned Beatles classic "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Produced, edited and mixed by Rundgren, "Liars — Live" captures the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer at the top of his powers. The Blu-ray includes bonus trailers, a slide show, Japan video diary and more. Information: cleorecs.com.
Robert Kinsler
