Before I dive further into why people don’t express preferences, let’s look at what official stuff is out on video/DVD. There is a ton from almost every era and everything from live performances to interviews to documentaries and more. Here’s what I have:
*1st album era-
DVD that came with remastered edition
*Rio era-
Classic Album (band members discuss each song and perform)
Hammersmith Odeon ’82 show
*Seven and the Ragged Tiger era-
Sing Blue Silver
Arena
DVD that came with remastered edition
*Power Station/Arcadia era-
Arcadia videos and making of the videos that came with remastered edition
Power Station DVD that came with remastered edition
*Notorious era-
Three to Get Ready (documentary)
Working for the Skin Trade that came with remastered edition
*Big Thing era-
Big Thing Live that came with remastered edition
Decade
*Medazzaland era-
Greatest
*Astronaut era-
Astronaut documentary with the album
Dual Disc documentary
Live from London
The Ultimate Review (documentary)
Something You Should Know (documentary on fans)
*Red Carpet Massacre era-
DVD that came with deluxe edition of album
*All You Need Is Now era-
A Diamond in the Mind
DVD that came with the deluxe edition
*Other-
John Taylor movies including Sugartown, A Diva’s Christmas Carol, The Flintstones: Viva Rock Vegas, Vegas: City of Dreams.
John’s solo career: John Taylor Terroristen: Better Off Alive
As you can tell by this list, most eras have been covered by official releases of some sort, as least, according to my catalog. So, the question comes in. How do I get people to choose what to watch? In most cases, I think people have many eras or many types of Duran related footage that they like to watch. There are definitely times that I would prefer to watch more recent stuff and other times that I’m dying to watch Sing Blue Silver to remember what the insanity of the 1980s looked like. Likewise, there are times that I’m in the mood to watch a great live performance and times that I would prefer more interviews. Also, I know that who I am with makes a huge difference, too. I remember watching the Big Thing concert that is included on the remastered edition at Rhonda’s birthday a few years ago. It was so fun because of the friends we were with! Plus, you don’t necessarily want to watch a lot of interviews if you would be talking or making comments during them. Thus, the setting and the people do make a difference. Still, I don’t want to spend a lot of time having people say, “It doesn’t matter to me” or “I don’t care”. Thus, I’m hoping that I can, at least, get people to say an era and/or what type of footage they want to watch.
So, what am I in the mood to watch in a couple of weeks with a bunch of Duranie friends? I am usually partial to either the latest era (All You Need Is Now) or early Duran. Thus, I wouldn’t mind putting in the DVD that came with All You Need Is Now or the DVD that came with the first album remastered edition. I wouldn’t want to watch A Diamond in the Mind, though, since we will be watching it on the big screen for the convention! That said, I also adore showing people footage that they have never seen before. I like watching their reactions. It gives me a little sense of what I felt like when I had first seen something. Now, of course, another of my favorite things to do while watching Duran is to make a drinking game out of it! For those of you who aren’t familiar with drinking games, this is how I typically do it. Each person gets 4-5 things that they have to watch for or the whole group has 4-5 things that they watch for. When one of those items gets shown, a drink is taken. For Duran footage, I have a number of ideas all ready written down. For example, one item could be a funny Simon dance move. Another item might be Nick taking a photograph. Sometimes, the what to watch for is specific to the exact footage. Sing Blue Silver’s items might include screaming fans or limos, for instance. To me, a game makes it a little more fun!
So, readers, what do you think I should suggest to people to watch, if they don’t voice an opinion? Should I encourage a drinking game (which can be done with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, by the way)? What are your favorites to watch?
-A
One of my faves that I used to watch was a collection of their videos released together..it was called “Dancing on the Valentine” if I am not mistaken..I am not sure if you mentioned it under a different name. I also recall something that I remember seeing on tv and I think it was called As the Lights Go Down..I think it was live performances?? I could be dreaming that one bc my memory is very vague bc it was a long time ago! At any rate, I like watching videos if i want to talk over them since I know how the songs are going to go. Interviews I have to be able to hear what they are going to say. Plus with videos, and live performances I still know exactly where to pause it to get that perfect still pic of JT looking into the camera! Not bad after all these years! Have fun at your get together! 🙂
I do remember Dancing on the Valentine. While I don't have the actual video, all of those video versions are on Greatest, if I'm not mistaken. As the Lights Go Down is a good one and on the DVD for Seven and the Ragged Tiger's remastered edition.
I like know where to pause, too! ;D
-A
mmmm…. I'd suggest to watch extraordinary world the video ep.
it was a very interesting piece of documentary.
As for Roger,since he was the first one to post a pic from the studio, I hope during the Kafé this month he'd tell us more on what they have made together so far.