The Who At Kilburn 1977
Image Entertainment

Further proof that even in drummer Keith Moon’s decline, the original Who was, without a doubt, one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands ever and a genuine live experience. This two-disc set features the band a touch ragged but still raging in the legendary footage shot at Kilburn, originally planned for the Jeff Stein documentary The Kids Are Alright (songs were re-shot months later at Shepperton Studios). Moon is still all over the map here, Pete Townshend is fierce and furious on guitar, Roger Daltrey the rock god frontman, and John Entwistle the ever-stoic thunderfingers on bass. Was it The Who’s best performance ever? Probably not. “Who Are You” teeters on chaos, but “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again” are anthems of power that still resonate more than three decades later. The second disc features a 1969 performance of Tommy from the London Coliseum by a band that was still young and not quite the cynical yet skilled vets they’d be by Kilburn. A prize from archives and a must for all Who fans.

Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sweet Home Alabama: The Rockpalast Collection
Eagle Rock Entertainment

One of the bands that defined the sound of southern rock, lost members in a tragic plane crash then, and eventually carried on, Skynyrd is legend in some parts.  The key 14 songs here were filmed in 1996 at the Loreley Festival in Germany. The line-up includes Johnny Van Zant on vocals, Gary Rossington and Rickey Medlocke on guitars, Billy Powell on keyboards, Owen Hale on drums, and late guitarist Hughie Thomasson and late bassist Leon Wilkeson on bass, making this a bittersweet look back for Skynyrd fans. You get all the biggies, like “What’s Your Name,” “That Smell,” “Gimme Three Steps” and, of course, “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird” — all songs that influenced a lot of contemporary country today too. Additionally, there are three bonus performances from Hamburg, 1974 featuring the original band.

Parliament Funkadelic
The Mothership Connection Live 1976
Shout Factory

Funk-meister George Clinton is in top form here, leading his dual-personality band through all things rhythmic in sci-fi whacked-out window dressing.  Shot on a Halloween night at Houston Summit, Clinton and associates of funk such as Bernie Worrel and Bootsy Collins deliver the booty-quake goods.  The set list includes “Cosmic Slop,” “Mothership Connection (Star Child),” ”P-Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up)” and their ultimate moment, “Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker).”  This is the roots of the hip-hop, party-time spirit.

Duran Duran
Classic Albums: Rio
Eagle Rock Entertainment

More than just a teen-scream band of the early ’80s, Duran Duran was part of a new British Invasion worldwide and truly made its mark with the album Rio, which was loaded with hits such as the title song, “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Save a Prayer.” This DVD — part of the Classic Albums series — looks at the making of the record in the context of the times in England and the USA, with new bandmember interviews and archival clips. Bonus features include new performances shot in Boston.

Talk Talk
Live at Montreux 1986
Eagle Rock Entertainment

More popular in Europe than the U.S., Talk Talk was always, honestly, a second-string Brit band, though its cult following endures a couple of decades later. This DVD features the band’s only appearance at the famous Montreux Fest, performing their best-known hit, “It’s My Life,” and lesser known but solid songs such as “Tomorrow Started,” “Life’s What You Make It,” and “Does Caroline Know.” Hardly essential, but there is some appeal here.

Shawn Mullins
Live at the Variety Playhouse
Mvd Visual

Best known for his song “Lullaby,” Mullins has been a fairly consistent singer-songwriter since the early ’90s, working solo and also in the fine but short-lived Thorns. Here he plays before a hometown audience at Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse.  The two-part set features Mullins acoustic and solo for the first six songs, then joined by his band for the remaining nine numbers. Stand-outs include “Shimmer,” “Beautiful Wreck,” a version of “House of the Rising Sun,” and that still-winning “Lullaby.”

Happy Mondays
Call the Cops
Eagle Rock Entertainment

Ah, the Manchester Sound — where rock, dance, and house collided.  This release finds the Happy Mondays, one of those Manchester darlings of the late ’80s/early ’90s, on their first American tour in 1990 playing the Sound Factory in New York City.  The energy is kinetic and inviting, frontman Shaun Ryder’s lyrics wry, off-setting the pump-thump music of the band’s album Pills `n’ Thrills and Bellyaches, including “Step On,” “Clap Your Hands,” and “Hallelujah.” A piece of an era for Brit-pop fans.

Down the Tracks: The Music That Influenced Led Zeppelin
Eagle Rock Entertainment

Don’t expect a whole lotta Led Zep love here; this is a look at the bluesmen and other musicians who inspired one of the biggest rock bands ever. There’s footage from Son House, Howlin’ Wold, Muddy Waters, and others, such as underappreciated British folk stylist John Renbourne.  The interviews with music historians and producers are interesting enough, but talks today with Robert Plant or Jimmy Page would’ve been far more revealing.

Cirque du Soleil
The Beatles Love: All Together Now

The Cirque production based around Beatles songs playing at The Mirage in Las Vegas has been adored by some and hated by others. This documentary looks at how it all came together and also features a look at the controversial decision to rework the music for the show, along with behind-the-scenes views at the audio design, art direction, props, screen imaging and such.  The interviews include talks with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, and Olivia Harrison, plus George and Giles Martin. For the Beatles complete-ist, yes. For the Cirque obsessive, sure. For the rest of us, it’s hit or miss. 

Come Together: A Night for John Lennon’s Words and Music
Eagle Rock Entertainment

Filmed just weeks after the attacks of September 11, 2001, this 90-minute concert at New York’s Radio City Music Hall was originally broadcast on the WB TV Network, hosted by Kevin Spacey as various artists offered their readings of John Lennon songs. Though earnest, the performances overall just aren’t as powerful as the Tribute to Heroes and Concert for New York City for that time.  The performers include Dave Matthews on a giving “In My Life” and Alanis Morissette finding the wonder in “Dear Prudence.”  Best of all are Shelby Lynne on the harrowing “Mother” and Lou Reed as the show’s elder musical statesmen for Lennon’s  ”Jealous Guy.”