Stop Making Sense

Starring:Bernie Worrell, Alex Weir, Steven Scales, Lynn Mabry, Ednah Holt, Tina Weymouth, Jerry Harrison, Chris Frantz, David Byrne
Director: Jonathan Demme
Studio: Palm Pictures / Umvd
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video
Over the course of three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theater in December 1983, filmmaker Jonathan Demme joined creative forces with cinematographer Jordan Cronenweth and Talking Heads... and miracles occurred. Following a staging concept by singer-guitarist David Byrne, this euphoric concert film transcends that all-too-limited genre to become the greatest film of its kind. A guaranteed cure for anyone's blues, it's a celebration of music that never grows old, fueled by the polyrhythmic pop-funk precision that was a Talking Heads trademark, and lit from within by the geeky supernova that is David Byrne.

Amazon.com essential video

Over the course of three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theater in December 1983, filmmaker Jonathan Demme joined creative forces with cinematographer Jordan Cronenweth and Talking Heads... and miracles occurred. Following a staging concept by singer-guitarist David Byrne, this euphoric concert film transcends that all-too-limited genre to become the greatest film of its kind. A guaranteed cure for anyone's blues, it's a celebration of music that never grows old, fueled by the polyrhythmic pop-funk precision that was a Talking Heads trademark, and lit from within by the geeky supernova that is David Byrne.

Customer Reviews:

A classic concert performance enhanced.......2007-07-01

I bought this for my nephew to introduce him to my generation of music favorites. Pleasantly surprised by the add-ons included in the DVD which didn't come with the video when I got it years ago. Still a concert worth watching repeatedly. Glad to have the DVD bonus material.

The next best thing to being there.......2007-06-24

Jonatham Demme's concert film captures the Talking Heads at the height of their powers in 1983. Fans of the band will not be disappointed, and I don't think anyone else who comes to this film with an open mind, open ears, and open eyes will, either. It begins with David Byrne alone on a bare stage, where he performs an acoustic version of "Psycho Killer" with a boom box providing the percussion. The band members and supporting musicians come on stage, set up, and join in during succeeding numbers as the music becomes steadily more layered until we arrive at the explosively exhuberant performance of "Burning Down the House" that ends the picture. Byrne's quirky personality, the exquisite musicianship of the band, the varied influences of the songs, and everyone's sheer love of making music are on full display here. Highly recommended.

Is this MY Beautiful DVD?.......2007-06-13

This recorded concert of David Byrne and The Talking Heads may not be the greatest concert ever captured on film (as the DVD jacket claims it to be) - but it's a very good concert.

The concert includes many of the classics Byrne is known for as well as several songs I hadn't heard before. The DVD should have made captioning available for the songs though, because, as with a lot of music of the past few decades, the words get smothered by the amplification, by crowding the mike, and by the background wall of sound. And with Byrne especially, you want to hear the words. He is the e.e.cummings of rock lyrics - skewering, lamenting the humdrumness that people work themselves into. His "Once In A Lifetime" is like cummings' "Anyhow Town."

The lighting is well-done and evocative though, and conveys the mood of the songs even when you can't hear all the lyrics.

But best of all is the choreography. Byrne once again transforms himself into a live and lanky puppet, yanked on my unseen strings, buffeted and punched by forces that remain hidden behind-the-scenes. Several of his background singers are equally talented at that loose-limbed sort of pantomime. They become masters of topsy Terpsichore. They hang it like rag doll prizefighters - never quite getting the best of their opponents, but getting their licks in nonetheless.

el mejor concierto grabado, por mucho.......2007-06-08

Amo la musica. En todas sus vertientes, mientras me parezca buena. Y eso me ha convertido en un buscador de perlas dentro de lo grabado aqui y alla. No he podido encontrar algo que se acerque siquiera un poco a este concierto. Se lo he mostrado a teen agers que nada sabian de esa epoca esa musica. Y se les volo la cabeza. Sin excepciones.
En un marco tecnico y conceptual de primer nivel (sonido/video/bonus/ disenio) El concierto se desenvuelve con una coherencia y calidad inusuales. Uno de los secretos de talking heads es una increible habilidad para generar melodias que no pueden sino tararearse tras escucharlas un par de veces, con una base ritmica ante la que es imposible no mover el cuerpo. Y no hablo de musica disco. hablo de una creatividad acompaniada de un concepto musical extraordinario. No pueden perderse este concierto. Es casi un pecado.

cool intro to a cool band.......2007-05-14

i'm only casually into the talking heads, but i really enjoyed this movie!

i put it on while cleaning my room -- great music, perfect tempo

Average customer rating:

A classic concert performance enhanced
The next best thing to being there
Is this MY Beautiful DVD?
el mejor concierto grabado, por mucho
cool intro to a cool band

Stop Making Sense [Region 2]
Starring: Bernie Worrell , Alex Weir , Steven Scales , Lynn Mabry , and Ednah Holt
Director: Jonathan Demme
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

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