The latest releases reviewed
BELLX1 Tour de Flock Live at the Point BellyUp Records ***
Now that BellX1 have severed links with Island Records and sallied forth into the indie sector (complete with their own record label, the jokingly titled BellyUp), it's only a matter of time before fresh material will seep through. In the meantime, to keep the fans satisfied there is this live CD/DVD, recorded at Dublin's Point last December. Like BellX1 itself, the footage is smart, stylish, subtle - just the right visual touches and hints here and there as a veritable greatest hits set is ripped through with aplomb. The extra features are just as good: the band singing The Cake Sale's sublime Some Surprise; Tour de Flock (a tiny but perfectly formed film by DVD director Ian Thuillier) focusing on the Flock tour; The Making of Flock (by lead singer Paul Noonan); and a photogallery featuring images by Annika Johansson vfrom the stage show. All in all, a cute package. Until the new album, then. wwwbellx1.com
THE TRAVELLING WILBURYS Where's There's a Wilbury, There's a Way Rhino ***
Bob Dylan looking serious and point blank refusing to be interviewed. George Harrison orchestrating proceedings in a chipper fashion. Roy Orbison holding court in a Southern Gentleman manner. Jeff Lynne feigning surprise at being in such exalted company. Tom Petty as cheery as cheery can be. Welcome to The Travelling Wilburys show and a documentary first recorded and shown in 1988. The Wilburys were, for a while, a bona fide supergroup, a mature bunch of successful artists in their own right who joined forces to politely kick ass. The DVD documentary, which accompanies reissued product, features lengthy outtakes from various recording sessions and the band (sans Dylan) talking about how wonderful each constituent member is. Say what you like about the old codgers, but they certainly knew how to have a good time. The footage of the recording sessions, in particular, highlights people comfortable in their own skins, individually and collectively. Extras include promotional videos.
TONY CLAYTON-LEA
