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List Price: $39.98 | | Label: Rhino / Wea
Salesrank: 9607
Released: November 16, 2004 |
| Our Price: $18.99 |
| Used Price: $14.98 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Any music fan can tell you exactly where they were on July 13th, 1985. There had never been a concert event of such magnitude-the biggest names in music performing in a concert broadcast live from 2 continents to an audience of over 1.5 billion. It is estimated that 85% of the world's television sets were tuned in to Live Aid that day. Now, for the first time on home video, you can own the concert that was arguably the biggest rock event in history-featuring David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Sting, The Who, U2, Neil Young, and many, many more. Over 10 hours of performances in a premium-packaged 4-DVD set. Royalties will benefit Band Aid Trust, which continues to provide direct hunger relief in Africa.
Description of Live Aid (4 Disc Set):
Billed as "the day music changed history," the Live Aid concerts of July 13, 1985, were held to raise money to fight the horrifying famines sweeping Africa. The brainchild of Bob Geldof and representing the efforts of countless musicians and technicians, Live Aid was a genuine and inspiring effort to help the victims of an overwhelming calamity. Twenty years after the twin concerts (one in London, one in Philadelphia) were broadcast worldwide, the 4-DVD treatment furthers the cause, with proceeds going toward the Band Aid Trust.
The DVD set opens with a heartbreaking documentary on the crisis, followed by videos of the two hit songs that represented the collaborative nature of Geldof's efforts—Band Aid' s "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and USA for Africa's "We Are the World." Since Live Aid was never intended to be released in a recorded format, preservation of TV footage has been unreliable, resulting in some glaring omissions. Led Zeppelin's semi-reunion doesn't appear, and neither does a legendary session with Bob Dylan, Ron Wood, and Keith Richards. Some sets by performers who were popular at the time may inspire either nostalgic glee or head-scratching (Kiki Dee fans, you know who you are). Sprinkled amid these performances are a couple real gems, including a performance by Run DMC, the event's sole representative of the ascendant rap movement. Much of the music here was a passing fad, but the sentiment that brought it all together is timeless. -- Ryan Boudinot
Live Aid (4 Disc Set) Reviews:
Amazing quality, Queen at their top 
2008-11-09 - This disk is finally a release of what must be one of the top Queen live shows. Just the four of them, at the top of their fame and strength. Together with the Queen on Fire, this is a must have for any fan.
Freddie's voice is strong, amazing, no shortcuts, no compromises. The band just clicks together. Some beautiful performances here.
The video is very good given the age of the material, too bad more footage was not preserved to re-cut the show. Audio is flawless.
Commentary is entertaining, although best watched as subtitles (available in several languages), since the music is very quiet between the comments which are rather sparse.
Great show, probably the best live concert disk in my collection.
Truly was an Event to Never Forget
2008-11-02 - Live Aid shows the physically terrible and yet the internally passionate people of the '80s. Other people b**** because somey artists are missing from the package, failing to realize that just by purchasing this product they are a helping hand part of a far bigger picture. It was the late '80 with many televised technical difficulties, and it was never Geldof's intention to record the event. Even with that said 9 hours of one of the largest donational collaborations -- promoted by some of the most insane artists of all time -- was able to be salvaged. Some of the artist were past their prime (The Beatles), others hailed the time when MTV actually played music (Sting), and a few just looked downright insulting (Bono), but all made you remember when we rock n roll was just rock n roll.
Queen-Rock Montreal + Live Aid
2008-11-02 - This video was a look back at Queen with Freddie Mercury at the height of their careers in 1981 in Montreal and their appearance at Live Aid in 1985. The concert was just four members of the band at their best showcasing their talent and the spectacular stage presence they had. Freddie Mercury was a fantastic frontman and their Live Aid performance will always be remembered as the best 20 minutes of that show.
It Rocks!
2008-10-29 - SPECTACULAR! For my money, this is the definitive Queen concert film, capturing the band at the peak of its musical powers. Its also a film (originally titled "We Will Rock You") with a long and storied history and with several previous releases - but if you've seen it before, you've never seen it like this! Queen was recently able to acquire the rights to this film and they have overseen its complete top-to-bottom overhaul. The original film elements, shot on 70mm film for the highest quality image, have been completely cleaned, color corrected and restored, re-edited, and the original 24 track audio has been completely remastered and remixed to the band's exacting standards. This means you get a film that has never looked better and never sounded better. The image is gorgeous and looked amazing on my 50" HD TV, with great detail, deep blacks and beautiful vivid color courtesy of the band's bold on stage lighting rig. You really have to see it to appreciate just how good the show looks. The audio is breathtaking, with every nuance captured, from Roger Taylor's relentless drums, to John Deacon's thundering bass, from Brian May's crystal clear guitar to Freddie Mercury's glorious, emotive vocals. And the performance is fantastic - fast, furious, energetic, dynamic - with unsurpassed performances of "Somebody to Love", "Save Me", "I'm in Love with My Car", Dragon Attack", and the first ever public performance of "Under Pressure". This is the real deal, folks. This is Queen at their absolute best. And the addition of the Queen set from Live Aid is tremendous to finally have on its own. Perhaps the single best 20 minutes of the band's career, I am thrilled to be able to have it on a single disc.
Everything you could expect in a concert DVD
2008-10-21 - For those of us lucky enough to have actually seen Queen in concert during their heyday, this DVD is a "Must see" and will bring back all the great memories of those shows.
If you never saw them in concert, you owe it to yourself to see this DVD when Queen were at the height of their careers. Freddie Mercury is at his absolute best and Brian May on guitar is untouchable perfection. Old fan or new...You might find yourself in tears a few times, it is that good ;-)
After Freddie's untimely death....we're only left to imagine the performances that the world would never see and the millions of fans who are left to wonder what could have been. Thankfully, we have these performances to enjoy what once was, and will never be again.
Please...Enjoy one of the greatest bands of all time. Simply put, "Queen, there is no substitute!"
