AC/DC: Live at Donington

There weren't many well filmed gigs in the late 80s/early 90s, and this one does manage to capture a lot of the feeling of being there.

Although nearly half a million fans turned out at Downsview in Toronto in 2003 to see the headlining act -- The Rolling Stones -- all anyone talked about after the show was AC/DC, and how they pretty much blew all the other acts off the stage. That's got to tell you SOMETHING, and this DVD goes a long way toward explaining why that was so: it certainly shows the Thunder From Down Under at their hard-rocking best. Angus Young is (as always) a treat to watch. Not only is his guitar technique almost supernaturally skillful, his whole "slightly whacko" schick (e.g. his "seizure" during that extended guitar solo) is just so entertaining! And the sound... ohmygoodness. You crank up the Dolby 5.1 on a good sound system and you'll FEEL it in your gut, that's a personal guarantee. Oh yes, this is the way concerts SHOULD be recorded. (And isn't it great they performed Jailbreak? That's a kick-ass AC/DC classic that doesn't get anywhere NEAR enough air-play, in my opinion.) I think my only complaint about this concert is that a lot of Brian Johnson's between-song banter seems to me to be awfully forced and insincere. But hey, a guy that can sing like that doesn't NEED to do a lot of talking...

AC/DC: Live at Donington (1992)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Hard rocking concert from AC/DC features all their hits as twenty-six cameras pick up all the action in 35mm. This group has released countless concerts over the years and even the bootleg market has quite a bit of footage out there but I think anyone would be hard pressed to find a better show than this. The original release and current DVD/CD contain a great mix and some wonderful visuals that put the viewer right in the center of the concert. Angus Young steals the show with his frantic guitar playing proving that he's one of the most underrated out there. Brian Johnson's lead vocals are incredibly strong and among the best work in his career. The highlights for me are the underrated "Money Talks" and a really hard hitting "You Shook Me All Night Long". The standard classics like "Back in Black", "Highway to Hell" and "For Those About to Rock" also sound terrific. AC/DC fans are certainly going to eat this up but even non-fans will probably enjoy it as long as they're into classic rock.

Superb performance by one of the best hard rockers ever! The best live recording of the band, even better than Let There Be Rock. Angus Young's (lead guitarist) guitar techniques have been perfected and he is still young enough to fly low around the stage as a winged duck... Brian Johnson's (lead singer) high pitched voice works unexceptionable and his performance are as eminent as Angus'. Steady and tight performance by Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar), Cliff Williams (bass) and Chris Slade (drums). It's a huge party with lightning music. This is AC/DC at their peak. The filming is a chapter of its own. Filmed in 35 mm with 26 cameras it documents AC/DC's performance perfectly. Cameras are placed among the audience, in a helicopter and underneath the stage filming through Plexiglas... The sound is also perfect, far better than for example the No Bull concert. The only thing a real AC/DC fan would miss, is Phil Rudd's (drummer of AC/DC until 1983 and again from 1995)laid-back drumming, but Chris Slade is doing great in his own furious style. A real must-see for all AC/DC fans and others who wants to watch a perfect timed and spectacular concert with a rare trustworthy performance.

HIGHLIGHTS: Back In Black, The Jack, Whole Lotta Rosie and For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

This concer is probably one of the best to be released on DVD!

The sound quality is fantastic. Each song comes through with great clarity.

You get to see Angus run a full marathon from one side of the stage to the other. He kicks out a solo for each of the songs, His solo on Jalibreak is probably one of the best!

The set list is very good consisting of all their great songs.

SET LIST:

THUNDERSTRUCK

SHOOT TO THRILL

BACK IN BLACK

HELL AIN'T A BAD PLACE TO BE

HEATSEEKER

FIRE YOUR GUNS

JAILBREAK

THE JACK

DIRTY DEEDS DONE DIRT CHEAP

MONEYTALKS

HELLS BELLS

HIGH VOLTAGE

WHOLE LOTTA ROSIE

YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG

T.N.T.

LET THERE BE ROCK

HIGHWAY TO HELL

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK (WE SALUTE YOU)

I would strongly recommend this video to any AC/DC fan who does not have it. I would also recommend it for any new AC/DC fan who has just gotten into listening to the band.