The Cars Live - Musikladen 1979
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List Price: $19.98
Our Price: $12.95
Your Save: $ 7.03 ( 35% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
Starring: Ric Ocasek, Ben Orr, Greg Hawkes, Elliot Easton, David Robinson
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0603497660520
Format: Color
Label: Rhino / Wea
Number Of Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Rhino / Wea
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2000-10-24
Running Time: 93
Studio: Rhino / Wea
Theatrical Release Date: 2000-10-24
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: The Early Cars at their Best
Comment: I can't pretend to be a 'bonafide' Cars fan, so to speak, but I can say that I definitely liked their early lp recordings. With this in mind, I recently purchased this dvd and was pleased that I did. The concert recording (in Germany) is of a reasonable sound quality. Although the concert (videoed) is rather short, the choice of songs is great. I always preferred the more stylish voice of bassist Benjamin Orr's to that of the more eclectic style of Ric Ocasek's, and it is a pity that we don't hear him sing on more songs. I remember the first time I heard the Cars here in Australia way back in 1978 and thought they were actually another band - Be Bop Deluxe, a British rock band of the time with lead vocalist Bill Nelson. I went out and bought the Cars first album on the strength of my liking their songs that received considerable airplay on a community radio station of the time. That first album was a brilliant beginning for the band, and like most bands, unfortunately, the sequels to that effort somewhat paled in comparison. That's not to say that the Cars subsequent albums weren't good, they were, it's just that they didn't quite hit the mark like that first effort did. Over the years, I continued to pay attention to the bands releases, but it wasn't until living and working in Korea 6 years ago that I bought a compilation album of the bands material that resurrected my interest in them. Unfortunately then, I read the news (on the cd liner notes) of the sad and rather early death of singer/bassist Benjamin Orr. It quite shocked me I must admit. Therefore, on obtaining the dvd decently, seeing the bonus interview of the band with Ben only months before his death, was touching. The interview was done quite well, with all members of the band contributing; perhaps Elliot Easton and Dave Robinson more than the others. It was apparent in the interview how sick poor Ben was and I think that affected the general tone of respect and gentle good humour that permeated throughout it. The closing comments from all band members was quite emotional in a way, as they all paid respect to one another, with Ben's comments carrying a little more poignancy and melancholy considering his fate. This dvd is a worthwhile memorabilia of one of the late '70's/ early/mid '80's best pop/new wave rock bands in concert, and a touching farewell to one of it's best singers.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Gut Wrenching.
Comment: The Cars "IMHO" were one of the greatest rock bands ever. The Live Music part was great, but the Interview part was very sad. Seeing Benjamin Orr in that condition was very painfull to watch. I am all messed up. I feel like my heart has been ripped out.
R.I.P. Benjamin Orr
Yours Truly
Jon Robbins
Customer Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Comment: I have put this DVD back on heavy rotation. Every once in a while I just have to have a "hit" of the Cars! I have been trying to think of adjectives to describe this performance. I have my definite favorites--Take What You Want, You're All I've Got Tonight, Candy O--those are at the top. I refer to Elliot on Take What You Want as Elliot Hendrix. His playing is top-notch, daring and I can't help but think that if they had played this song, like they did on the DVD, at Live Aid--it would have garnered all sorts of praise. But Live Aid pretty much sucked, as all Cars fans will remember. David, despite his state of "green-ness" played his drum kit with ease, although I noticed a few times between songs, it does appear he is about to fall off the stool! Poor guy. He was just being polite by drinking a dozen or so shot glasses of Schnapps. The interview section is still quite painful to watch, even after all these years without Ben. Elliot and David do most of the talking, which is cool because I don't ever remember hearing David speak at all back in the day. They all seem very friendly towards one another--with maybe an air of regret and sadness because of Ben's state of health. The only annoying thing about the interview is Ric's lack of coming up with what he wanted to say--with several broken sentences, like he was kind of censoring himself as to what he wanted to say. Aggg!!! Just say it already! Still it was nice to see him smile--don't know if I'd ever seen that the entire time the Cars were together! Greg seemed very quiet but when he did speak, I couldn't help but smile-for some reason that guy always makes me laugh. When he talks about hearing Just What I Needed for the first time, the camera pans out to all the guys and David has this funny look on his face, like he wants to laugh, then he shakes his head and grabs his drink and takes a sip, I think to keep from laughing out loud. I believe something was edited out between the time that Greg was speaking and when he finished. The German audience was very receptive, but very subdued. If I were there, I can assure you I would have been jumping up and down during each number. This is a MUST HAVE for any Cars fan out there.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Less Review than Homage to Ben
Comment: Even though I probably cannot add a thing to the many deeply considered and felt, and insightful comments on this Cars' Musikladen video - I cannot help myself. I totally agree with tashcrash's 7-18-01 comment that "this is my all-time favorite recorded performance of any band ever". I could watch it every day and never fail to be totally absorbed and MESMERIZED by their fresh, really rockin, energetic, fully engaged, really memorable performance that night, early in their career before a lucky few TV engineers, cameramen and crew (and no doubt largely their friends and acquaintances), in the small Radio Bremen TV studio in November 1978.
You get the feel of what it would have been like to see the band in their early days in a small club atmosphere, without being overproduced by studio engineers, and before the addition of all the techno wizardry to come. It couldn't be more thrilling, and I don`t think they were ever better, and that is saying everything. Many think their peak was Heartbeat City days, but so early in their career they are fully in command of their music and their instruments, putting on the most memorable show...ever. How I would have loved to have been there.
I have absolutely no complaint about the sound or picture quality. In fact, I loved that you could distinctly hear and follow each instrument, and that allows for your full appreciation of their musicianship. What adds to this is the camerawork. Its not quick edits so you really get to watch them playing their instruments. In many camera angles you can see how each band member is contributing to the whole...perfect little complete pieces of visual and aural art. And they usually manage to catch important individual contributions, instrument-wise and vocal-wise.
David was green, didn't even remember playing that night, and still never misses a beat. Elliot's guitar playing is simply at another level, commanding, concise, beautifully crafted, moving. Ric, well Ric is Ric, detached, cool, collected as ever. You get to see a lot more of Greg's wizardry, on the synth as usual, but also on the special effects gadgets and even guitar. But about Ben there just is not the words to express the effect this performance can have on you. His voice is always pure, silky, tonally embracing, but here it is so strong, at its finest, and he really lets you have it. I have never heard it more full of force (equally so on "Bye Bye Love" and "All Mixed Up" in "Rock Goes to College" video) . You get to see that he is not a usual bass player...much more accomplished, melodic and lyrical than others. I couldn't disagree more with tashcrash's comment that he has an arrogant swagger. What I see is a true star who moves unaffectedly, unegotistically, naturally, just happens to move naturally sensually. He is almost shy when twitchingly introducing a song, always defers to Ric by glancing his way to make sure he is not going to say anything before actually saying something himself, moves back out of the way when Ric crosses the stage, does a little twirl at the back of the stage when grabbing his towel because that is just what he would do were no one watching, waves at the camera to the side of the stage when he sees it is on, thanks the audience by saying "thank you very much, thank you, and (pointing) you, and you, and you". Now, that is surely not arrogance...couldn't be more the opposite. He is just at his finest, visually, instrumentally, and vocally...and that is saying a lot. All of his youth and beauty made it wrenching to watch the interview...to see firsthand the life being stolen from him.
I must go...to watch the Musikladen video for the 100th time. I hope you enjoy it and appreciate it as much as I do for it is a real blessing that we have it to remember them...and him...by. Thank you, and, I miss you, Ben.
Customer Rating:
Summary: a worthwhile keepsake
Comment: For any cars fan - this is a highly recommended video. The first part of the video is old footage from the concert in Germany. Sure it was not very professional looking or sounding - but it was the band in their early days and you could still see the potential and musical ability/talent in their performance and music. In my opinion, the Cars were one of the greatest and yet underappreciated pop bands from the past twenty years or more. Everyone in that bad were solid musicians. The other part of the video is the poignant interview which I understand took place in 2000. It is evident that all the band members had fond memories of being in the Cars. They talk about the early days, their image as a band, some of their concerts, how they came together, as well as touch on what being in the band meant to them personally. Benjamin Orr at the time of the interview was battling cancer and is visibly ill and half the person he once was physically. Orr passed away a few months after the interview and that is what makes this video so precious. It was the last time the 5 would be together, and I sensed they knew it. As a result of that, there is in some sense, a certain tone of sadness that underlies the interview. No doubt, had Orr lived on , I believe we would have seen a reunion of the Cars by now. I recommend this video, of one of, if not, THE greatest pop band of the eighties at least!
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Editorial Reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: The Early Cars at their Best
Comment: I can't pretend to be a 'bonafide' Cars fan, so to speak, but I can say that I definitely liked their early lp recordings. With this in mind, I recently purchased this dvd and was pleased that I did. The concert recording (in Germany) is of a reasonable sound quality. Although the concert (videoed) is rather short, the choice of songs is great. I always preferred the more stylish voice of bassist Benjamin Orr's to that of the more eclectic style of Ric Ocasek's, and it is a pity that we don't hear him sing on more songs. I remember the first time I heard the Cars here in Australia way back in 1978 and thought they were actually another band - Be Bop Deluxe, a British rock band of the time with lead vocalist Bill Nelson. I went out and bought the Cars first album on the strength of my liking their songs that received considerable airplay on a community radio station of the time. That first album was a brilliant beginning for the band, and like most bands, unfortunately, the sequels to that effort somewhat paled in comparison. That's not to say that the Cars subsequent albums weren't good, they were, it's just that they didn't quite hit the mark like that first effort did. Over the years, I continued to pay attention to the bands releases, but it wasn't until living and working in Korea 6 years ago that I bought a compilation album of the bands material that resurrected my interest in them. Unfortunately then, I read the news (on the cd liner notes) of the sad and rather early death of singer/bassist Benjamin Orr. It quite shocked me I must admit. Therefore, on obtaining the dvd decently, seeing the bonus interview of the band with Ben only months before his death, was touching. The interview was done quite well, with all members of the band contributing; perhaps Elliot Easton and Dave Robinson more than the others. It was apparent in the interview how sick poor Ben was and I think that affected the general tone of respect and gentle good humour that permeated throughout it. The closing comments from all band members was quite emotional in a way, as they all paid respect to one another, with Ben's comments carrying a little more poignancy and melancholy considering his fate. This dvd is a worthwhile memorabilia of one of the late '70's/ early/mid '80's best pop/new wave rock bands in concert, and a touching farewell to one of it's best singers.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Gut Wrenching.
Comment: The Cars "IMHO" were one of the greatest rock bands ever. The Live Music part was great, but the Interview part was very sad. Seeing Benjamin Orr in that condition was very painfull to watch. I am all messed up. I feel like my heart has been ripped out.
R.I.P. Benjamin Orr
Yours Truly
Jon Robbins
Customer Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Comment: I have put this DVD back on heavy rotation. Every once in a while I just have to have a "hit" of the Cars! I have been trying to think of adjectives to describe this performance. I have my definite favorites--Take What You Want, You're All I've Got Tonight, Candy O--those are at the top. I refer to Elliot on Take What You Want as Elliot Hendrix. His playing is top-notch, daring and I can't help but think that if they had played this song, like they did on the DVD, at Live Aid--it would have garnered all sorts of praise. But Live Aid pretty much sucked, as all Cars fans will remember. David, despite his state of "green-ness" played his drum kit with ease, although I noticed a few times between songs, it does appear he is about to fall off the stool! Poor guy. He was just being polite by drinking a dozen or so shot glasses of Schnapps. The interview section is still quite painful to watch, even after all these years without Ben. Elliot and David do most of the talking, which is cool because I don't ever remember hearing David speak at all back in the day. They all seem very friendly towards one another--with maybe an air of regret and sadness because of Ben's state of health. The only annoying thing about the interview is Ric's lack of coming up with what he wanted to say--with several broken sentences, like he was kind of censoring himself as to what he wanted to say. Aggg!!! Just say it already! Still it was nice to see him smile--don't know if I'd ever seen that the entire time the Cars were together! Greg seemed very quiet but when he did speak, I couldn't help but smile-for some reason that guy always makes me laugh. When he talks about hearing Just What I Needed for the first time, the camera pans out to all the guys and David has this funny look on his face, like he wants to laugh, then he shakes his head and grabs his drink and takes a sip, I think to keep from laughing out loud. I believe something was edited out between the time that Greg was speaking and when he finished. The German audience was very receptive, but very subdued. If I were there, I can assure you I would have been jumping up and down during each number. This is a MUST HAVE for any Cars fan out there.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Less Review than Homage to Ben
Comment: Even though I probably cannot add a thing to the many deeply considered and felt, and insightful comments on this Cars' Musikladen video - I cannot help myself. I totally agree with tashcrash's 7-18-01 comment that "this is my all-time favorite recorded performance of any band ever". I could watch it every day and never fail to be totally absorbed and MESMERIZED by their fresh, really rockin, energetic, fully engaged, really memorable performance that night, early in their career before a lucky few TV engineers, cameramen and crew (and no doubt largely their friends and acquaintances), in the small Radio Bremen TV studio in November 1978.
You get the feel of what it would have been like to see the band in their early days in a small club atmosphere, without being overproduced by studio engineers, and before the addition of all the techno wizardry to come. It couldn't be more thrilling, and I don`t think they were ever better, and that is saying everything. Many think their peak was Heartbeat City days, but so early in their career they are fully in command of their music and their instruments, putting on the most memorable show...ever. How I would have loved to have been there.
I have absolutely no complaint about the sound or picture quality. In fact, I loved that you could distinctly hear and follow each instrument, and that allows for your full appreciation of their musicianship. What adds to this is the camerawork. Its not quick edits so you really get to watch them playing their instruments. In many camera angles you can see how each band member is contributing to the whole...perfect little complete pieces of visual and aural art. And they usually manage to catch important individual contributions, instrument-wise and vocal-wise.
David was green, didn't even remember playing that night, and still never misses a beat. Elliot's guitar playing is simply at another level, commanding, concise, beautifully crafted, moving. Ric, well Ric is Ric, detached, cool, collected as ever. You get to see a lot more of Greg's wizardry, on the synth as usual, but also on the special effects gadgets and even guitar. But about Ben there just is not the words to express the effect this performance can have on you. His voice is always pure, silky, tonally embracing, but here it is so strong, at its finest, and he really lets you have it. I have never heard it more full of force (equally so on "Bye Bye Love" and "All Mixed Up" in "Rock Goes to College" video) . You get to see that he is not a usual bass player...much more accomplished, melodic and lyrical than others. I couldn't disagree more with tashcrash's comment that he has an arrogant swagger. What I see is a true star who moves unaffectedly, unegotistically, naturally, just happens to move naturally sensually. He is almost shy when twitchingly introducing a song, always defers to Ric by glancing his way to make sure he is not going to say anything before actually saying something himself, moves back out of the way when Ric crosses the stage, does a little twirl at the back of the stage when grabbing his towel because that is just what he would do were no one watching, waves at the camera to the side of the stage when he sees it is on, thanks the audience by saying "thank you very much, thank you, and (pointing) you, and you, and you". Now, that is surely not arrogance...couldn't be more the opposite. He is just at his finest, visually, instrumentally, and vocally...and that is saying a lot. All of his youth and beauty made it wrenching to watch the interview...to see firsthand the life being stolen from him.
I must go...to watch the Musikladen video for the 100th time. I hope you enjoy it and appreciate it as much as I do for it is a real blessing that we have it to remember them...and him...by. Thank you, and, I miss you, Ben.
Customer Rating:
Summary: a worthwhile keepsake
Comment: For any cars fan - this is a highly recommended video. The first part of the video is old footage from the concert in Germany. Sure it was not very professional looking or sounding - but it was the band in their early days and you could still see the potential and musical ability/talent in their performance and music. In my opinion, the Cars were one of the greatest and yet underappreciated pop bands from the past twenty years or more. Everyone in that bad were solid musicians. The other part of the video is the poignant interview which I understand took place in 2000. It is evident that all the band members had fond memories of being in the Cars. They talk about the early days, their image as a band, some of their concerts, how they came together, as well as touch on what being in the band meant to them personally. Benjamin Orr at the time of the interview was battling cancer and is visibly ill and half the person he once was physically. Orr passed away a few months after the interview and that is what makes this video so precious. It was the last time the 5 would be together, and I sensed they knew it. As a result of that, there is in some sense, a certain tone of sadness that underlies the interview. No doubt, had Orr lived on , I believe we would have seen a reunion of the Cars by now. I recommend this video, of one of, if not, THE greatest pop band of the eighties at least!
This complete, live, television concert, recorded for the long-running German pop music series Musikladen, captures the Cars in their late '70s ascendancy, offering ample evidence of the young Boston quintet's rock-solid performing skills and formidable instincts as writers and arrangers. Poised between arena-rock bombast and punk aggression, the Cars were canny, concise stylists who proudly unleashed hit singles in an album-dominated era, an achievement that could mislead serious-minded rock aesthetes to assume the band was a studio invention. In fact, their major-label deal arose only after the band had honed its playing in Beantown clubs and cracked local airwaves with self-produced prototypes of the songs that popped up on their self-titled debut album. The 11 songs here tilt toward that collection, with a nod to its sequel, and all share the band's shrewd synthesis of tightly crafted songs that explore a tension between romantic yearning and neurotic anxiety. Principal songwriter Ric Ocasek swaps vocal leads with bassist Ben Orr, establishing their familiar yin and yang, with Ocasek mining neurosis while Orr plucks the heartstrings. David Robinson's muscular, uncluttered drumming transcends its frequent use of electronic drums, Greg Hawkes's keyboards deftly stretch the sci-fi possibilities of then- primitive synths, and not-so-secret weapon Elliot Easton, a southpaw guitarist, tightens the clockwork interplay between his versatile lead guitar and Ocasek's crisp rhythm work. If the band's choral work sounds thinner than on their recordings, it's less an indictment of the band than a measurement of how far producer Roy Thomas Baker carried the heavily layered vocal stamp he had refined with the Cars' labelmates, Queen. The original program source confines the audio to a monaural mix, and the video transfer suffers from some intermittent raster patterns. Such artifacts are minor handicaps given the caliber of the performance. --Sam Sutherland
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