The new EMI DVD is the third video release of the 1969 Concert film. Sadly it doesn't contain any more footage than either of its predecessors, but it is certainly worth buying again.The Concerto was originally filmed by British Lion Films, and edited down to a 52 minute programme eventually broadcast by BBC2 in April 1970 as "The Best Of Both Worlds". This DVD is not taken from the 35mm film footage but is actually the edited television video master. Therefore it misses an orchestral chunk from the First Movement (just before Blackmore's guitar work out), and part of Paice's drum solo. The film masters (most probably complete) were unfortunately stored in colour separated reels, and as a consequence restoration was well beyond EMI's budget for the project. Still, let's look at what we have got..Even though it's a little soft in places, the picture quality is actually very clear, a big improvement on the video tapes, though the format differences may account for a lot. What really hits you is the incredible sound quality, extremely sharp. For me it was like hearing and seeing the show for the first time, which is what I would want from any DVD of already familiar material. So rather than gathering snippets for a detailed review, I ended up just sitting back and becoming engrossed in the whole thing.Having attended the 1999 Concerto, the differences between the two nights are striking. In 1969 the (mostly young) audience downstairs are standing, much as at Proms concerts, making for a very close atmosphere in the hall. The orchestra for the most part seem unimpressed by the view in front of them, both of the virtually unknown young band letting rip, and beyond them the tightly packed ranks of teenagers dancing to the rockier parts of the music.The band themselves all play extremely well, and it's interesting to see just how integrated the two newcomers from Episode Six are. Personally I much prefer the band's contribution in the 1969 Concerto to the 1999 repeat, particularly the fabulous sound from Blackmore's Gibson. The supposedly duff performance of the orchestra has never bothered me, and still doesn't.As already mentioned, the DVD contains the full "Best of Both World" TV broadcast, including a fascinating opening three minute introduction. (Not listed in the package... more about that later..) After the opening titles (drunkenly letracetted at some wacky angles) this shows clips of the afternoon rehearsals; conductor Malcolm Arnold chatting with Jon Lord, and Deep Purple running through 'Child In Time'. If only more existed. Sadly we don't get to see Deep Purple's 'More Shades..' Concerto support slot at all, it simply wasn't filmed.As for extras, we get an audio commentary by Jon Lord, recorded in 2001. It's an interesting listen. The photos are ok, though I still don't really see any use for them.Finally, the packaging. I quite like the acid mock poster cover, the front of the original programme reproduced for the internal leaflet, and the Harvest logo on the disc. Unfortunately attention to detail is lacking elsewhere, with Gillan's photo missing from said leaflet. Not good. Niggles apart, I know I'll be playing this DVD more than I ever played the videos and previous audio releases; it has never looked or sounded better.This dvd does not have DEEP PURPLE doing the much liked songs. Instead, it has the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra(very good) doing the music for them instead of Deep Purple doing their own on a few, or adding to the Orchestra. Ian sang just a few songs. This dvd is not what you think it is.I,ve had this concert on vynil for years and I,ve always wanted it on film and I was not disapointed it is brilliant.First, I must confess I'm not a Deep Purple fan. However, when I first listened to "Third moment: Vivace Presto" on the radio around 1999, I was thrilled. So I got the recording, and I can truly say to you that this DVD has almost ELEVEN MINUTES CUT OFF the First Movement. This completely ruins the continuity of the music, in much the same way as Disney did with "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" on Fantasia.I had been searching for the CD version of the 1969 performance, but what I found instead was the DVD. I used to own it on vinyl in 1973, but it got stolen. This was very exciting to find and for the most part I am very pleased. But the video directing and editing was obviously done by people that had no foreknowledge of the piece nor the musicianship. Example: in the first movement, they skipped over an important part of the orchestra's perfomance. And during the guitar solo, the camera work focused not on the quickest guitar player ever, but rather on people on stage that weren't doing anything! If you've ever seen Blackmore live, you know what I'm talking about. So if anybody out there can find me an unchopped up version CD of this performance, please let me know. I bought the 1999 version thru the mail thinking it was the 1969 version. It's O.K. but Steve Morse is not Blackmore.[...]
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