Seeing AC/DC on television has always been a rare occurrence. But when they did grace the airwaves, it was like a bolt of lightning--their energy and spirit transforming a typically staged video into something magical and larger-than-life.
Family Jewels is the definite collection for any AC/DC fan to enjoy the early days, later days and every other little thing that the band has ever had up their sleeve. This amazing two-disc collection does great progress and donest let you miss you a thing. The first disc is what I call the Bon Era, whoch takes you through tons of videos, promo clips, and live performance the boys took part in from the early 70's to late 79', just ten months before Bon's death. The second disc, the Brian Era, starts off with the boys in a studio performance of the best from the Back In Black album, showing off what they can do best. And also includes the 84' short movie, 'Fly On The Wall', which features 5 songs from the album. This DVD collection is not to be missed.Wether you just got into the band and want their biggest hits on DVD, or are the biggest fan out there, no doubt in the world this DVD needs to be in your hands.
AC/DC- Family Jewels
AC/DC-
Angus Young- Lead Guitar
Malcolm Young- Rythm Guitar
Bon Scott (R.I.P) - Vocals
Brian Johnson- Vocals
Mark Evans- Bass
Cliff Williams- Bass
Phil Rudd- Drums
Simon Right- Drums
Chris Slade- Drums
Disc One- "Bon Era"-
Hands down, this is the better disc of the two because you get to see AC/DC getting down how they were always supposed to, without the egos. And without the clean, white, uncrooked teeth (eheh). It starts off with the 75' clip of 'Baby Please Dont Go' which features Bon crossdressing. Very interesting. You can tell theres none and probably will never be any pressure on them for their whole career. The first disc continues through the best of the best from 'Dirty Deeds', 'Let There Be Rock', 'Powerage' and 'Highway to Hell', among other singles off their others. Now, as you may expect from a 70's video clip, the picture isnt the best, but imagine what it would look like if it wasnt remastered. If anything, it helps you imagine how great the production and direction must have been, for it to come out the way it did. Only up to track number six, "Jailbreak", did the boys actually get down to inserting a 'theme' or 'plot' into their videos. The tracks before this one were all live performances and rare live apperances on talk-shows, etc. One of the highlights on the disc, is 'Let There Be Rock',(the best freakin' album) which features Bon in a long white gown at an altar, and Angus styling a halo.As for the vocals, Bon always comes out in front in all of the clips along with Angus, and all he ever does is stare into the camera and makes faces while singing his favorite lyrics. Its a very interesting and maybe funny experience to finally watch Bon on screen performing, as I had never seen it before. As a note, bassist Mark Evans' material thrives within tracks one to eight. Then, replaced by Cliff Williams. I never knew exactly if he got the boot or he left for other purposes, if anybody knows the answer to this, please enlighten me. Anywho, every single clip on here sounds great and has great material jam-packed into it. Bon albums have always been clearly the best This is when AC/DC was at their very top of their game, and they clearly show it too.
Disc's Best- Show Business, Jailbreak, Let There Be Rock, Sin City, Walk All Over You, If You Want Blood
Score- 4.5/5
Disc Two- "Brian Era"-
After Bon's tragic and unfortunate death, the boys grew impatient and had to pick up someone new. Not quite a new taste, but someone with a great set of pipes that would ignite the stage and in this case, your television screen on fire. On early 80' they gave Goardie's vocalist, Brian Johnson a call. Knowing the band well, and being a big fan himself, he was added on board. When I mentioned that the first disc was better, I didnt mean by a landslide. It was a hard decision. This disc is also full of amazing clips and videos. A big plus is the picture this time around. Much more clear and more attractive. But the sound stays the same. Amazing. The disc unfolds with one of the best on the Back In Black album. Hells Bells introduces Brian very well and gives you a new taste of the band. That, followed by other performances from the same album on the same stage, keep on giving you more and more. It ends with Rock & Roll Aint Noise Pollution, and then starts up a later year with Lets Get It Up from For Those About To Rock. It then continues through the albums Fly On The Wall, which consists of a short movie the boys filmed on summer of 84'. It includes the best from Fly On The Wall, which lots of fans seem to hate. But it is actually one of my favorites from the band. Maybe the material will connvince you. Then, through Flick Of The Switch, Blow Up Your Video, and ending with Razor's Edge, the second-best in line for the best AC/DC album. And it includes the goods. The Thunderstruck, Moneytalks, and Are You Ready videos are the best on the disc, and also ends the disc. This disc includes what I call the godamn drummer-shuffle. From Rudd, to the retard, Simon Right, who sounds good, dont get me wrong, but looks like hes spazzing out on the set, and ruins some of the videos. And then to Chris Slade, or Baldy. :lol: Nice choice, but shouldva stayed with Rudd, man. Not to Worry, he comes back later.
The 'Special Features' on the disc are almost nothing. All there is, is the same *** as Live At Donington included. The band's full discography, with full track listing, and this time a bit updated. Worth taking a look at, but they could have packed this thing with so much more....
Disc's Best- Hells Bells, For Those About To Rock, Fly On The Wall movie, Thunderstruck
Score- 4/5
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Pros
+ Finally, see the band in all their glory (unless youd see them live, that is)
+ Great selection
+ Worth your buck! (about 12 bucks for 40 tracks!!!!)
Cons
- Youd wish they included more of 'your' songs
- Nothing after The Razors Edge included
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This collection was released so fans would finally have the honor, or power of having most of AC/DC greatest work in one pretty silver package. Ive actually heard things that another version was released with 'Big Gun', at the end of the second disc. I highly doubt its true, but I'll have to check with some fans to know for sure. Anyways, the collection just, you know, I guess completes your collection, even if you dont have any AC/DC records, Family Jewels IS the collection. I dont know how else to put it. Just ***ing get it. Its the DVD you dont want to miss out on. As far as the 'definite' collections go, this is one of the contenders at the front of the line.
4/5
