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AC/DC
Family Jewels


4.0
excellent

Review

by Rudd13 USER (61 Reviews)
August 18th, 2005 | 32 replies


Release Date: 2005 | Tracklist


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


---------------------------------------------------------------------

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


---------------------------------------------------------------------


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



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user ratings (107)
4.1
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
Fabz
August 18th 2005


136 Comments


Nice review, I have never really been into AC/DC apart a couple of songs but I'll try to check them out.

DesolationRow
August 18th 2005


833 Comments


Good review. I am not exactly an AC/DC fan, but it's good.

temporary
August 18th 2005


207 Comments


Good review, nice and concise. I might get this, actually.

DesolationRow
August 18th 2005


833 Comments


Blueprint, go to the site forum and post in the "Ask for Account Merge" thread for help from Jim. He'll respond if you qualify. ;)

NEDM
August 19th 2005


1113 Comments


YAY IM BACK, great review Simmy.

But "Family Jewels"? That's just obscene.

a_flower_blooms_as_i_decay_101
August 19th 2005


39 Comments


this is probly the best dvd you will ever buy it just has everything about ac/dc's musicaical history from the days of "highway to hell" to "thunderstruck"

ReturnToRock
August 19th 2005


4806 Comments


nice review, BUT:

1 - why the hell isn't Highway to Hell included among the best albums?

2 - Simon Wright owns every other AC/DC drummer. He was the only one who could do counter-tempo beats. And he is NOT a retard. I call him the Hobbit *laughs*

Rudd13
August 19th 2005


952 Comments


where did i list the best albums

Rudd13
August 19th 2005


952 Comments


and i said Simon Right just spazzes out. Hes okay. Rudd owns Right
:thumb: no hard feelings :lol:

:pThis Message Edited On 11.11.05

ReturnToRock
August 22nd 2005


4806 Comments


you mentioned let there be rock and then fly on the wall.in my opinion it's H2H, then razor's, then flick of the switch

no hard feelings.

razorsedge
August 30th 2005


41 Comments


good review good dvd. But stop with the acdc reviews its gettin annoying.

Romencer17
August 31st 2005


84 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I got this one. Great dvd. And show business should've been a hit. This dvd really shows how it was more than just the music when they were with Bon. I mean, look at him. He clearly loved what he was doing, and he was doing his best.

Rudd13
August 31st 2005


952 Comments


[quote=Ronmencer17]I got this one. Great dvd. And show business should've been a hit. This dvd really shows how it was more than just the music when they were with Bon. I mean, look at him. He clearly loved what he was doing, and he was doing his best.[/quote]


Youre my kind of person, dude. :thumb:

Romencer17
September 3rd 2005


84 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Thanks man. Good examples are like the part in Its a long way to the top where he sticks his tongue out. And also in T.N.T. When he goes "On your, color tv screen" Or the Dog Eat Dog video at the part where he goes "tooth to tooth" and puts his hand to his mouth. And when the girls jumped on him in dirty deeds was funny.

Romencer17
September 3rd 2005


84 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

glad you got to top 15 by the way.

Romencer17
October 19th 2005


84 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

ROCK'N'ROLL!!!!

Zaine
October 19th 2005


199 Comments


incredible DVD. incredible review. its really amazing when an artist can have a CD (or dvd...) with 40 songs and every one (or almost) of those songs were huge hits. AC/DC pwns. thats all i have to say about that.

DownPaymentBlues78
October 19th 2005


278 Comments


Agreed. I bought this the day it came out and really enjoyed it. Specially the bon stuff, but brian as well. I luurrrvve AC/DC

Aakon_Keetreh
November 10th 2005


448 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

this dvd is awsome

Brewer14
January 30th 2006


24 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

I really wish there were more live tracks on here, especially the 2nd disc. Still a good DVD though



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