Alison Moyet - The Essential Alison Moyet (2002) DVD5

goodliife · October 23, 2011

DVD-5 | Runtime: 60 min. | 4,19 Gb | Copy: Untouched

Video: PAL, MPEG Video at 7 377 Kbps, 720 x 576 (1.333) at 25.000 fps | Audio: AC-3 6ch. at 448 Kbps, AC-3 2ch. at 256 Kbps, 48.0 KHz

Genre: Rock, Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock | Label: Sony BMG

? The Essential Alison Moyet is a long overdue video retrospective of one of Britain's finest modern pop singers. To many ears, she has the best vocal equipment of any female pop singer to grace the charts in the last 20 years: a range that can soar from throaty blues to crystalline elegance in a key change. This collection is indeed essential. But it also traces the less satisfactory aspects of Moyet's career. The early videos expose how inept the music industry is at creating an image for a unique and visually unconventional talent. Moyet's talent hasn't always been best served by her choice of material. Still, all those well-produced greatest hits are here: 'Love Resurrection', 'All Cried Out', 'Invisible' and 'Is This Love'. However, her version of 'That Ole Devil' is curiously soulless. Far more interesting are the later songs which reflect her greater input and satisfaction and a palpable relief at leaving the obligations of formulaic pop stardom behind.

On the DVD: you can choose between PCM Stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound (by far the best) to enjoy this wide-ranging set. Moyet's commentary, presented in interview format, offers plenty of insight into the stages of a long career in the business. Of the multiple extras (photo gallery, Web site link and bonus tracks), the most interesting is a BBC guest appearance by Moyet singing a pared-down 'Cry Me A River'

When the driving force behind Depeche Mode, Vince Clarke, left the band just after the breakthrough success of their first album, Speak & Spell, it?s probably quite fair to say that the remaining members were shitting themselves. However, history now shows that Martin Gore took over the songwriting duties, lending a more sombre tone to the band that went on to bring much ? joy isn?t quite the right word ? erm, satisfaction to those with more of a tendency toward the maudlin side of life worldwide. History also shows that Vince was renowned for possessing somewhat itchy feet ? having post-Depeche dalliances with Paul Quinn, former Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey with the fleeting, but very successful, The Assembly, a little combo called Yazoo (or Yaz if you?re a Yank) and then Erasure ? where he finally seemed to feel comfy, most certainly to the delight of his partner in rhyme therein, Andy Bell. But let?s hark back to 1981 and Yazoo, for it was this little duo which introduced the world to Alison Moyet?s simply stunning vocal talents...

The first single from the duo, Only You, was enough to stop most people in their tracks - a fairly minimalist melange of nursery rhyme-styled synth doodles with a voice on top that left most people with a half decent ear simply gaping in wonderment. When the more upbeat Don?t Go followed, it proved a hitherto unheard by the masses versatility in her voice that floored people even more. The debut album, Upstairs at Eric?s, held more surprises, as did future singles such as The Other Side of Love, and notably Nobody?s Diary. It is most unfortunate then that none of these tracks appear on this video collection, especially as they were licensed for two similarly themed CD compilations.

What we do get, however, are videos for most of Alison?s solo singles, spanning the mid ?80s through to 2001 - from the chart-fodder limelight to less prominent, but no less impressive, fare (intriguingly accompanied by an equally noticeable increase in self confidence). Once again looking at the history books we see that Ms Moyet became (justifiably) renowned as one of Britain?s greatest and most award winning female vocal talents, and no further proof as to why is needed than a quick peek at this compilation. From somewhat visually and aurally cheesy beginnings with the likes of Love Resurrection and Invisible, through bluesy, soulful, poppy and raunchier offerings, one thing is always present ? that incredible vocal talent.

Attached to images that sometimes enhance (the calling in of friends French and Saunders, the latter on Whispering Your Name (does anybody else remember our Ignatius Jones? earlier ? and brilliant ? take on the track?) in particular proving a blast, the infectious silliness of Is This Love?, the appearance of her little boy for Weak in the Presence of Beauty, the autumnal psychedelia of Falling etc) and sometimes hinder (any of the clips from her solo debut album Alf just for starters), this collection is both a testament to the woman?s fabulous and enduring talent, and simply a must-have for any of her fans. ?

Tracklist:

01. Love Resurrection

02. All Cried Out

03. Invisible

04. That Ole Devil

05. Is This Love

06. Weak In The Presence Of Beauty

07. Love Letters

08. It Won'T Be Long

09. Wishing You Were Here

10. This House

11. Hoo Doo