Secret World Live [DVD] [2012] [NTSC]

"Secret World Live" is a fantastic live concert film originally released on video in 1994. That was the version I was familiar with. It first appeared on DVD in 2003 with re-mixed audio which was criticized for not having a great picture transfer (I never saw it myself). Now the film has been fully restored from the original 16mm negatives, re-scanned at 2K cinema resolution and the colour/contrast fully restored frame by frame. The result? As you might expect, a vastly improved image with much more visual information than was evident in the original VHS. The audio is also fantastically clear and much improved (better than the double CD, even), supposedly this uses the same audio as the previous 2003 version. There are some overdubs and re-mixing that are noticeably different to the original in places, but on the whole I was too busy being impressed with the picture quality to have any real issue with that. Of course, this is just the DVD, it has also been released on Blu Ray which I imagine looks even better than this!There is also a selection of bonus features, a short yet interesting documentary on the show and timelapse footage of setting up the stage/the concert/dismantling the stage which is amusing and gives you a glimpse of just how much work went into setting up this elaborate stage show night after night. You also get a photo montage of the tour set to the "quiet" remix of "Steam". These were included on the previous DVD release, however. The real bonus here is at last, the footage of "Red Rain" which wasn't on the previous versions of this film (like "San Jacinto" was never on the album), which makes it feel more complete. I'm not sure why they didn't integrate it into the main feature, but whatever. There's also a preview of the "New Blood" DVD. I am a huge Peter Gabriel fan and have always viewed this film as a high point of his career, and now it can finally be seen as it should be seen.

Peter Gabriel is, I feel, much maligned and under appreciated as an artist in his own right but anyone with even a passing interest in his more well known hits will be blown away by this record of his live work. Not only is it a brilliant recreation of his music in the live environment, it features a large number of world class musicians. Though perhaps they're not familiar to everyone, they simply excel here.Additionally, the backing singers, particularly Paula Cole, she of 'Where have all the cowboys gone' fame, knocks it out of the park, no question. Apart from some rather dubious 'choreography', this concert is a must see, everyone clearly enjoying themselves, both the artists, musicians and of course the crowd! The quality of the performance is all the more remarkable given it was recorded in 1993, when musical technology wasn't anywhere near as sophisticated as today - no auto tune ! None needed here, this is how it should be done - todays 'artists' would do well to appraise themselves of this performance. Only criticism I have is of the picture quality for the concert, due perhaps due to low transfer resolution between the original recorded format and that shown here. That issue is the only reason for four and not five stars

Was worried that the Blu-ray of this iconic concert would not match the sound and vision quality of the old VHS version that I bought after attending the concert in Glasgow in May 1993: no need to worry! The Blu-ray has more clarity and has certainly had its sound tweaked, but in a good way. Watching the Blu-ray at times was akin to seeing the concert with new eyes! It has been cleaned up so well that I could even spot audience members at the back of the hall finding their seats. Indeed, if they had been in an identity parade I would have been able to point them out!I swear I could also hear subtle sections of music that I had not noticed on my beloved VHS version! So, in conclusion you can rely on the Blu-ray, the inclusion of Red Rain is a bonus, oh yeah I can also recommend Peter's Growing Up Live DVD which complements Secret World and is all you will need for representation of his best live work.

Putting a smile on my face. Really great music

Yes, like many, I cut my teeth as a teenager on early Genesis, and Gabriel has lived on musically with me to this day, through all his modified musical styles, and never tires.I love listening to his music, but seeing him perform in concert footage takes it to another level.As is to be expected with a professional musician who has been at the top of his game for so many years, he gives everything he does 110%.The choreographed moves Gabriel has, particularly with long time stalwarts Levin and Rhodes, makes me laugh. Very whimsical.The stage and set is (as ever) designed with lot's of moving walkways, reveals, pyrotechnics, imaginative lighting etc etc.His interpretation (intro's particularly) of his songs goes some way off the mark in his live performances at times, but nonetheless doesn't suffer for this.And the female vocalist Paula Cole is really very good indeed, especially on the song Don't Give Up.A great way to spend a couple of hours, well worthy of the 5 stars I award this.

I have the original VHS of this performance which is truly ground-breaking. It's a well-known repertoire to Peter Gabriel fans but delivered wonderfully with incredible gender-balance, this time, by the immaculate Paula Cole. The DVD now means I have something that should not disintegrate with time (like the VHS tape) but there is something peculiar about the digital re-mastering ( we've all had to get used to the clarity loss in sound recording for the sake of being "cleaned up") because this version seems like an animation movie rather than the direct effect of the VHS - hence, regretfully, only 4 stars.

It was what I was looking for and enjoyed