Talk Talk: Live at Montreux 1986

I've been reviewing concerts for magazines around the world for decades. I've been to literally several hundred concerts, and probably own in the region of 500 music DVDs. I've even seen Talk Talk a couple of times back home in England. This concert does not have the best stage set. It doesn't have the best light show - actually it doesn't really have one. It's not in HD. Some of the camera angles and shots aren't the best. The sound isn't top notch. And yet, this is undoubtedly in my top 10 live music DVDs of all time. If you're a Talk Talk fan, you likely already own this. If you're not, this is a sadly too short concert of a band in full flow. I'd argue this isn't Talk Talk at its creative peak, and the players individually aren't in the 'virtuoso' vein, but sometimes bands simply have one of those nights where it all comes together. This is one of those nights. The playing is good, the togetherness is obvious and the quality of the songs is exceptional. It fits neatly into the 80s pop, almost prog vein, with hairstyles to match. The music, however, is timeless. Talk Talk is great in the studio. This live DVD takes it to a different level. Duran Duran might be an easy comparison, but they never left it out there like this. It's pointless picking out individual tracks as it's strong from start to finish but, as an example, Life's What You Make It, a minor hit in the UK, is a great song. This version more than grooves, the thumping bass, incessant percussion and drums, and Hollis' urgent voice combine to put the band - and the viewer - in the zone where time stands still and you're lost in the music. This cooks. The whole DVD is of similar quality. The only 'complaint' is that, on a song such as this, they could have gone into an extended jam and kept this going for 10 minutes. That they don't simply leaves a desire for more, and each individual performance is impeccable. It's difficult to know who is more wiped at the end of the show - the band or the audience. It's intense, it's got groove, it's about as close to a perfect concert performance as is possible. There are many great DVDs out there, but this simply leaves you spellbound and emotionally spent. That Mark Hollis hasn't recorded in years makes this even more of a gem, and even more essential viewing. Talk Talk fans need no convincing. However, they need to show this DVD to someone who has never heard of the band, or knows the name but not the discography, and simply watch with smug satisfaction as the silence descends and the attention focuses solely on something very, very special. Every home should have one.

We don't normally buy much of physical media anymore. Books, magazines, movies, music -- nowadays they are all available for digital download, rent, or from some streaming service. However, this DVD is a rare gem which absolutely deserves owning since it will be watched and listened over and over again. And the mini poster (size of three DVD boxes) you get with it is also a nice addition. Incidentally, I stumbled on some clips from this DVD on YouTube (obviously, in much lower quality) and that's how I learned that it was out. I just got it from Amazon and have been watching it over the holidays. I recommend you check it on YouTube first to realize how good it is and then come back and buy the DVD -- you won't regret it! Talk Talk actually sounds much better live than in the studio, especially the material from the first two albums (studio versions, although also good, used electronic heavily; on the stage they used more classical instruments including some exotic ones). It's also very possible that their music is more much suited for this type of performance. However, we cannot also underestimate the genius of Hollis, Webb and Harris who boldly extended their music far beyond synthesizers and "radio-friendly" tunes to a really deep musical art and a much deeper experience and, more importantly, were able to perform it flawlessly live on stage. Mark Hollis' amazing vocals are simply perfect, it really makes most of the modern singers laughable when you listen their attempts to sing live or use various voice enhancers and pitch correctors. Another very interesting thing is that they performed 11 songs and said good night. The audience chants brought them back to the stage for the encore and then they performed absolutely stunning versions of "I Don't Believe in You", "Such a Shame" and "Renée"! I don't know if this was planned but these three songs were among their best hits and not even including them in the "regular" song list was really really gutsy! But that's Talk Talk! You are not expected to rationalize, just to watch and enjoy. The passion and focus they exhibit on stage is really captivating, as another reviewer mentioned, just notice how they are completely spent after the show. It's like they knew that this was the last tour and wanted to go in the history with a style...

I have never had the opportunity to see Talk Talk live. I have to admit I am more of fan of pre laughing stock/spirit of eden days. This DVD is full of all great stuff. I like the slight variations of the songs like the acoustic guitar solo in "such a shame" The slower version of "talk talk" is the only weak track on here. The sound quality is great and picture too. while I love watching it Mark Hollis doesn't have much of a stage presence. for any Talk Talk fan this is a must have and a great glimpse into a great band who should still be around pumping out the tunes.

Talk Talk is one of my favorite bands of all time. In 1983-84, when they were a moderately successful pop band, I fell in love with "It's my Life". As for this live DVD: First, when you get past the mullet (Turnbull) and the chunky guy that looks more like a roadie than a musical artist (Ian Curnow), and just focus on the CHEMISTRY and musical energy of this performance, you'll be hooked (Talk Talk was never an image band anyway like Duran Duran was). As for the performances: I'm usually a stickler for wanting bands to keep their arrangements like the album, but this is a worthy exception. Arrangements like "It's you" and "Livin' in another world" have a fresh spark of energy in the live versions. Another treat is the revised "Does Caroline know". It's the one song I used to skip from the original album, but with the stronger beat and those GORGEOUS choir sounds, "Caroline" reaches a whole new potential. As for the players: Harris and Webb are perfection, as always. John Turnbull on guitar is somewhat inconsistent from song to song. He seems to move from playing the parts with a certain mediocrity (and unnatural guitar tone) like "Life's what you make it" to playing brilliant solos and amazing improvisational parts on the acoustic. The two wing men percussionists are incredible, and add a lot of energy to the sound. Curnow on synth and Black on piano/synth are amazing. The textured synth solo on "It's you" is inspired, as is Black's piano intro on "Tomorrow started". Some don't like Hollis' stage presence or sunglasses, but it suits him, and his vocals show how incredible he is; no bad notes or voice struggles. He was just SPOT ON tune after tune. As for the sound: Aside from the live mixing problems (instruments suddenly fading in SUPER LOUD from time to time) the sound quality is overall really good. Overall: There's just some magical *something* in this performance.

I'm really not a big on concerts in general. They're too hit and miss. It too often seems like something is wrong that spoils the effect. Give me a studio album any day. But not with this DVD. I didn't know anything about Talk Talk until I saw a portion of this DVD on Cool TV. Good grief, what an "album". Interesting melodies, nicely arranged. This is a collection of songs that will last for years. The band is clearly having fun, they are completely in sync. None of musicians gets a fit of ego: there aren't any of those "drum solos" where you can get a drink or go to the bathroom, full well knowing you're not going to miss anything - you're gonna have hit Pause. Good sound quality... on and on and on...

Received DVD in good condition with wrap on it. Would not even begin to play on a Toshiba or Samsung player. Was shipped from Spain. Did not see anywhere in product description about regions, so I assumed it would play in the U.S. Hope I have enough awareness to never buy from this seller again.

A must have in any concert DVD collection. We have many, but this one stands out among all of the others. Great Show!

As Americans, today we are now obsessed with the following: Teeth, hair and body fat. Well, upon seeing this AMAZING live performance from a 'peripherally' important band from the 1980's, it really makes me think about the three #1 American health concerns of today. Check out this beautiful video, and tell me you don't agree: Body fat (where??). Hair (plenty to go around!!). Teeth (Lead singer Mark Hollis steals the show; who was this dude's dentist, and where can I get a set like that...?). But, more seriously - the music. Fantastic, as in Peter Gabriel-genius, but without the props and the publicity. I mean to say, that this is a beautiful video; all you see is the passion, and the coming together of the band members. There is nothing fake about this video - what you see is what you get, and it inspires me in some unfamiliar way. That said, I must say that if I were to go to my grave with Mark Hollis' teeth and Lee Harris' hair, then I would feel like I have accomplished something... In any case, lead singer Mark Hollis should be celebrating a birthday right about now, so may he feel the good karma that is rightfully his coming back to him. What a beautiful set of teeth and vocals he was given... and what a beautiful, inspirational live video for us to keep for all time!

Ich liebe die Musik von TALK TALK - gebe aber zu ich war skeptisch, als ich von einer DVD las. Immerhin sind die Aufnahmen 22 (!!!) Jahre alt. Was sollte man da an Sound un Vision erwarten ? Aber ich gebe zu: Für eine DVD, deren Aufnahme 22 Jahre alt ist, ist dies der HAMMER... Das Konzert selbst ist legendär und einfach nur KULT. Mark Hollis zu sehen, wie er "seine" Songs zelebriert ist wirklich Musik-Geschichte. Was mich aber besonders überrascht: Der Dolby 5.1 Ton ist wirklich wirklich gut. Natürlich kann man hier nicht die Messlatte aktueller Aufnahmen anlegen. Vor 22 Jahren hat man Konzerte einfach anders aufgenommen. In den leisen Passagen hört man Übersteuerungen. Ja. Aber das waren halt die 80s. ABER: Wenn die Songs richtig abgehen... ist der Sound UNGLAUBLICH... Jedes Instrument ist im Dolby 5.1 wunderbar klar und genial zu hören. Nein, wenn man das hört hält man es niemals für möglich, dass diese Aufnhamen von 22 Jahre alte Tapes stammen. Man möchte Niedknien vor den Tontechnikern, die das hier abgemischt haben. Einfach irre... Highlight der DVD: Eindeutig die Stimme von Mark Hollis. Sie ist einfach GÖTTLICH... sie ist kristall-klar... er ZELEBRIERT die Songs... seine Band ist klasse: vom Keyboarder bis zum Drummer... Höhepunkt des Konzerts ist sicher SUCH A SHAME. Meine persönlichen Anspieltips sind aber "LIFE'S WHAT YOU MAKE IT" und "IT'S MY LIFE"...

Znakomity występ na żywo, pozycja obowiązkowa dla fanów Marka Hollisa

Fan des années 80, je suis tombé par hasard sur ce DVD, et je l'ai acheté. Je m'attendais à voir un groupe de "jeunots" de la musique, jouant 3 notes à peine justes et balançant leur new-wave à l'arrache... Et bien pas du tout !!!! Je me suis trompé...bien trompé... MAIS ALORS CARREMENT GOURRE !!! En premier lieu, ce qui m'a frappé, c'est une image de très bonne qualité, et un son excellent. Je rappelle que cet enregistrement date de 1986, et des concerts du milieux des années 80, j'en possède "un certain nombre": peu d'entre eux peuvent se targuer d'avoir une image et un son d'une telle qualité ! Ensuite, la (petite) scène du festival de Montreux accueille une formule de TALK-TALK avec batterie, basse, guitare, 2 claviers, 2 percussionnistes, et le chanteur... autant dire qu'elle est plutôt bien remplie ! La prestation du groupe dure 1h27 mn, et comporte 14 morceaux, pour la plupart issus de leur 2e et 3e album, c'est-à-dire IT'S MY LIFE et THE COLOUR OF SPRING, seulement 2 morceaux représentant leur 1er album. Mais ce qui m'impressionne le plus, c'est la façon dont sont joués les morceaux: tous les musiciens sont à fond !!! - Lee Harris, sur son énorme kit alliant batterie acoustique et électronique, s'éclate comme un fou ! - Le bassiste, en plus de changer de basse entre tous les morceaux, est impressionnant de groove, de technique, et d'énergie ! En plus, la basse est mixée devant, elle n'est pas noyée dans la masse... Du bonheur ! - Le guitariste, alternant guitare électrique et acoustique, se permet même un solo avec cette dernière dans "Such A Shame" ! Incroyable, et... excellent !!! - Les claviers ne sont pas en reste, ils restituent en mieux le son des albums, et se permettent des soli sur "Does Caroline Know" notamment: fabuleux ! - Des 2 percus présents, surtout un est filmé régulièrement, l'autre se faisant peut-être plus discret,... sauf sur le solo de congas dans "It's My Life" ! En tout cas les percus collent parfaitement aux morceaux ! - Le guitariste et le bassistes font les choeurs, qui pour la plupart, sont nettement plus aigus que la voix principale. - Mark Hollis chante parfaitement, sa voix est précise, on croirait écouter les albums... Et franchement, je ne pense vraiment pas que les voix aient été refaites en re-re... - Seul le choix de finir le concert par "Renée" est discutable ... Que dire de plus ? Passée la très agréable surprise des premiers passages de ce concert sur ma platine DVD, je ne peux m'empêcher de penser à ce qu'aurait pu devenir TALK-TALK, si Mark Hollis avait aimé ce style de musique, lui qui changera radicalement de cap avec les albums suivants (SPIRIT OF EDEN notamment) et son album solo... Tiens, je vais regarder ce concert une fois de plus... !!! Et vous ??? ;-)

What a great dvd. Sound and picture quality is great. So many good songs done at the height of their career. Worth every penny! For those that remember what a penny is!

Un dvd imprescindible en tu colección si eres fan de Talk Talk. Me encanta.