Uncle G’s FUN DVD Concert Reviews: Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense (2012)

Date Published: 04 September 2012 – Classic Rock Radio (UK)

Uncle G’s FUN DVD Concert Reviews
Spotlight: Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense (1999 DVD Release)

I first got into the Talking Heads, when they were an active band. I was living in New Jersey. I would hear stories about them playing in New York City. One location was a trendy club called; CBGB. I wish I would have attended at least one show. Either in the clubs or even in a concert venue. This was a very cool band. I do have their CDs, and just about a week ago or so, I picked up a DVD of theirs; Stop Making Sense. Released in 1999. If never having seen them in concert, then this will suffice.

Stop Making Sense is a concert film that is really, a motion picture. I think of it as a work of art. Visually it’s stunning, for throughout the film there is plenty of cool shit to look at. They seemed to have paid attention to the smallest detail. It certainly shows. A concert film that exceeds all expectations. Matter of fact, one of the very concert movies that I saw, and I was digging these back in the 70’s. The film, Stop Making Sense, has already been praised, a thousand times over. Top-notch performances by the band members met the high standards put forward for the film. Results that could not have come out any better. Once I pressed the play button, I was totally submerged in what I was hearing and seeing on my TV screen.

So I ask myself. Is the Talking Head’s music, rock?

The answer would be, not in the traditional sense. Yet they are played by every classic rock radio station that is known to exist, including ours I imagine. Back in a time called, the 70’s, people called the Talking Heads music; New Wave. Another band called The Cars, was seen to be in the same category. Joe Jackson, and Elvis Costello. Just to give a general idea. The majority of Talking Head music you can wiggle your butt to. Not to be confused with disco. Hard to say if they were ever influenced by that dance craze. Hard not to be, was so big a movement back then. Anyone knowing popular music from back in the twentieth century knows it didn’t last. Much like the Talking Heads. This band was history by the early 90’s.

David Byrne (Vocals – Guitar)
Chris Frantz (Drums)
Tina Weymouth (Bass)
Jerry Harrison (Keyboards – Guitar)

To help the band present their studio music live, backup singers Lynn Mabry and Edna Holt, keyboardist Bernie Worrell (formerly of Parliament-Funkadelic ) percussionist Steve Scales, and guitarist Alex Weir. All gave superb performances.

The filming of Stop Making Sense spanned four live shows at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles between December 13 and 16, 1983.

Gary “Uncle G” Brown’s Talking Heads Top 10 Fun Facts

01.) The band met while together in art school.

02.) The group formed in New York City

03.) The song ‘Psycho Killer’ — first song written. Influenced by Alice Cooper.

04.) The film ‘Stop Making Sense’ was directed by Jonathan Demme. The same dude who directed the scary, Silence Of The Lambs.

05.) The drum set used in the movie, is currently in the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland. That, and other Talking Heads items.

06.) David Byrne tried to present himself as looking like a normal guy you would see walking the streets in New York City. Think a better part of town; business suits. The BIG SUIT David said was easy to move around in. Very little movement would bring it to life.

07.) The band would listen to the radio when on the road promoting themselves. What they heard while listening to religious programming, and from different religions themselves, would later become topics/inspiration for lyrics in their songs.

08.) Their hit, ‘Take Me To The River’, was written by singer Al Green, and guitarist Mabon “Teenie” Hodges. Rolling Stone magazine at one time, listed the song in their Top 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time list.

09.) Backup singers Lynn Mabry and Edna Holt, both not only excellent singers but also very pleasant-looking ladies, appear to not be wearing bras in this presentation. I could be wrong…caught that in the corner of my eye. A little something for our male teenage readership. I got your back boys.

10.) The drummer Chris Frantz, and the bass/keyboard player Tina Weymouth, are married. Have been since 1977. It was Chris who requested that she join the Talking Heads. They have two sons together.

Conclusion: Lots of great music. Towards the end, David leaves the stage, and the rest of the gang do a Tom Tom Club song; Genius Of Love. Helps demonstrate even further as to just how tight a band this was. Very well rehearsed. The appearance is, that they can stop on a dime.

The DVD I have is very well put together. Attention is paid to sound and picture quality. Nice job! Includes commentary by all four band members (in separate locations), and other bonus features.

I can say your favorite “Uncle G” rates this 5 stars…but it’s obvious and doesn’t need to be said. Nice to have in the collection. Can play in the background while friends are over. Great music! The Talking Heads were a great band! I predict this DVD will get many repeat plays.

End of Article

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