James - Getting Away With It...Live (DVD)

...THIS 'SOUND'
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James have been around since the 80's at least. I discovered their music very late, although I had heard "Sit Down" many times since it was released.

Sit Down, didn't really persuade me to try any other music of theirs, so I only truly "found" them when I heard "Waltzing Along" then "Tomorrow". Persuading me to buy ...
...- Live

James have never really (in my eyes, ears) been "prominent" in the pop rock scene. I listen to all types of music genres, although liking popular groups/artists, I tend to look for the less attractive or popular for my musical hunger. James fit this personal "grouping" for me. An "acquired" taste.

All of the tracks featured here, are from different stages of the groups existence. ... more

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'COME HOME', 'SIT DOWN', WALTZ AWAY WITH THIS 'SOUND'
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James have been around since the 80's at least. I discovered their music very late, although I had heard "Sit Down" many times since it was released.

Sit Down, didn't really persuade me to try any other music of theirs, so I only truly "found" them when I heard "Waltzing Along" then "Tomorrow". Persuading me to buy the chart album "Whiplash". Consequently leading me to their other great material, most of which I've managed to find over five years or so.

To this, their final concert with Tim Booth fronting the band for the last time (officially). Back to their roots in Manchester: Getting Away With It - Live

James have never really (in my eyes, ears) been "prominent" in the pop rock scene. I listen to all types of music genres, although liking popular groups/artists, I tend to look for the less attractive or popular for my musical hunger. James fit this personal "grouping" for me. An "acquired" taste.

All of the tracks featured here, are from different stages of the groups existence. Some of the tracks I would have liked to see here, are also live, but featured on single CD releases. One in particular favourite of mine that is missing, is "Greenpeace", another is, "Honest Pleasure". But then I could wish all their live music was on this DVD. Hopefully, some more live material will be available on DVD soon.

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DVD FEATURES:
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• Picture Format: 16:9 PAL • Promos 4:3 PAL • Total Duration: 165 Minutes Approximately • Region Code: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. • NOT REGION 1 •

• Audio Content - Concert: • (1) Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound • (2) L-PCM Stereo • English Dialogue & Song Lyric Subtitles •

• Language & Audio Concert - Story: • English/Dolby 2.0 Stereo • Subtitles: 1. English. 2. Francais. 3. Deutsch. 4. Espanol. 5. Portugues. •

• Audio Content - Promos: • Dolby 2.0 Stereo • English Song Lyric Subtitles •

• Disc Format: DVD-9 •

• 20 Concert Tracks/Songs • 3 Promo Videos • Band Stories • 'Hidden' Material • Weblinks • Previously Unseen Footage • Interviews • Documentary Material •

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MY TIME TO 'SAY SOMETHING' - 'SHHHH......HE'S A STAR'
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What hits you immediately with this concert, is the importance of Tim Booth fronting the band. He is definitely the star of the group with his strong individuality. His charisma & his earthy vocals are unique. His dancing is somewhat strange, but it fits nicely with his character & adds to the visual enjoyment here.

Of course you have to know the rest of the band are important also, they are all fine musicians. During the concert we are treated to the guest appearances of former band members. It's great! Little niggles, little bites, little moments of genius make this a classic live performance, expressed to it's fullest, displayed on this wonderful DVD media.

To me, if a band / artist can perform so admirably live, then they are truly great musicians. This is / has been / will be, one of those elite few. As you can probably tell, I am a lover of live DVD music!

James perform at their best live, better I think than studio recordings. Perhaps it's the rawness of the live concerts. Or maybe it's their "impromptu" behaviour.

If you know James, but have never seen them live, this is definitely for you, a treat of a DVD. It's been packed with all the essential ingredients of musical talent. A jaunty, moving last concert, not to be missed. Full of impromptu moments that make the music just that little bit more emotional, real, earthy.

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MY INTERPRETATION OF THE LYRICS + MY RATING
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Before I've watched the documentary or the interviews, I've written my interpretations of each track below. These perceptions are probably totally wrong to the way they were meant to be conceived when written. So this is just how I see / hear the lyrics / music.

Also, if I have made these songs sound too depressing by my interpretation of them, they aren't. The music on here is actually very uplifting mostly. Emotionally, they are (to me) very deep, but at the same time, they are fun, exciting, electrically charged, very easy to associate with, very easy to (as long as I can't be heard) sing along to. With the lyrics enabled through the subtitling, you'll soon be singing along with them yourself.

01) SAY SOMETHING
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A song about being able to talk or not (speaking your mind) Trying to get someone to open up, be themselves, not hide behind anything...................I think.

Begins with a nice guitar/drum intro, before Tim Booth bursts into his vocal best. Twangy guitars, some piano/keyboard, nice backing vocals. This song is made to sound happier than it's lyrics might suggest. You immediately feel the energy emanating from the band, especially from Booth. At the end of the track, the "F" word is used once. (Just in case anyone might be offended). I rate this track 9/10.

02) WALTZING ALONG
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Encouragement to fulfil your life, to soldier on through delicate, desperate times, to make it with the knowledge others are with you. Also that there are more wondrous things around us to be positive about...................I think.

This one starts with a stronger guitar intro, plus a much chirpier, happy feeling. I'm always cheered up when I hear this one. The vocals are precise, clear. The chorus is so easy to "stick in your mind". I feel it could make you feel pretty good Bouncy, encouraging words. I rate this track 10/10.

03) SOMETIMES
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I can see more in you than you can see in yourself. You are oblivious to what is going on around you & then you are there, open to everyone...................I think

Again, those uplifting guitars, I love guitars. Booth "talk singing" as I think it. This is very much an imagery thing. It brings images to my mind. A very dramatic sound by everyone. A "clean, fresh" sound, I love it. I rate this one 10/10.

04) LAID
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You make me angry as you want me to be a certain way, we fight, we argue, people around us are aware of our "being", but don't care. Even with all this turmoil between us, when are you coming home? I want you here as I love you...................I think.

Definitely one of my favourites. Strong drumming, feeling the intensity of the meaning this portrays to me. I always have to play this one at least twice, because it is shorter than most of the other tracks, plus I love it :-) Booths vocals this time, stronger than ever, reaching the higher notes nicely. I rate this one 10/10.

05) GOD ONLY KNOWS
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God is the only one who knows what is what, not the ones that pertain to know, the ones who take our souls trying to make us believe we must do their bidding for God, but in reality it is for them, for their benefit. I would rather be away from this aspect of thinking .....................I think.

I'm not too keen on this one. It's a little messy, but it does grow on you slowly (well it is growing on me). Andrew Diagram on trumpet, (guest appearance) It starts off with a good beaty sound, but it's downfall to me, is the da da da, da da da, da da da, da, repetitive chorus. It is dramatically performed once again, "talk singing" part way through. Containing the "F" word again (so you know, if you are offended). I rate this one 7/10.

06) SOMEONE'S GOT IT IN FOR ME
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If I hadn't been so wrapped up in my fears, my problems, I could have made it big or achieved a dream. I should stop my self pitying, let it all fall away. Who cares? I'm just another victim...................I think.

Opening with light "droplets" of music, guitar more acoustic throughout. A slow ballad which is very emotionally performed. For some strange reason, this reminds me of a Bon Jovi song, just less metal rock about it, not that Tim Booth sounds like Bon Jovi either, so that is probably irrelevant. I rate this one 9/10.

07) VERVACEOUS
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I'm high on something, or I'm not existing in this universe. I'm drifting through time with a feeling of freedom, a sense of peace, I don't want to come back down to earth to be trodden underfoot. I'll keep on drifting...................I think.

Acoustic start, quiet vocals again performed emotionally. Booth hitting the higher notes again nicely. You can see the seriousness in his face. Leads into a dreamy electric guitar performance. Slowing at the end, with Booths vocals almost whispering away, as the crowd applaud. I rate this one 8/10.

08) PROTECT ME
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Don't stay in your "hole" because you are afraid, come out, face your fears. You will still fear but you can live your life at a small price. There is no hell, but the hell of our hole. Climb out of it, keep asking to be protected as you continue to climb out of your hole...................I think.

Guest appearance here of former band member, Larry Gott. Real acoustic start, with Tim Booths vocals. Very nice little ballad, an "unplugged" feel to it. I rate this one 9/10.

09) OUT TO GET YOU
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You're not here with me, I can't feel you here with me, I need you here with me, real to touch, to hear, I need to at least hear your voice, not on an answer machine, that isn't really you. I'm alone, I'm falling apart, here they come again, those bad feelings...................I think.

This is a slower starting, again deep emotional song. Guitar lead in once again. Has a restart as it wasn't a perfect star, typical James ("F" word used again, if offended). Restarted this smoothly plays along quietly to a crescendo, an intensity. Guitar once again, dreamy, slide guitar, most of the way through, along with violin, vocals. Fantastic, the way the songs make you feel. I rate this one 8/10.

10) JOHNNY YEN
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A self destructing person, offering himself up to the people, to fight in a war, to be a hero, but he keeps failing, setting himself on fire by his actions. He does fail, he's ridiculed, attacked himself & destroyed by those people, they want to finish him off...................I think.

Impromptu performance of Johnny Yen, due to equipment failure. This one it seems, wasn't in the set list. A "folksy" (different "F" word :-) ) sounding song. Not in the acoustic sense, more electric, with trumpet, violin, "talk singing" again. Good band sound. I rate this one 8/10.

11) GETTING AWAY WITH IT (ALL MESSED UP)
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Although we are messing things up, we are getting away with it, we are living. We mess things up more than we like to believe, but we still get away with it...................I think.

This is one of the best songs they've written. It's on a par with "Sometimes", Waltzing Along", "Tomorrow", "Laid". Musical talent is again performed admirably by all of the band. That "freshness" again. Hand clapping along with keyboards, vocals are really effective here. Puts you straight into the niceness of this track. (If Tim Booth can get away with dancing as he does here, I must be able to dance after all :-) I rate this one 10/10.

12) TOMORROW
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I'm trying to help you rise from your downward spiral, can't you see me, hear me? I'm worried for you, I'm here to help you. There will always be a tomorrow...................I think.

Another classic, bouncy, uplifting song, (Sorry to be repetitive) The group play, sing, so very well, having a cheerful, lively, and self-confident air. Electric performance again. Upbeat through to the end. Love this one. I rate this one 10/10.

13) BORN OF FRUSTRATION
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I'm frustrated with my being unable to make a difference, I want to make a difference, I make no difference. Stop apportioning blame, just put things right, it's frustrating me...................I think.

What can I say, but more of the same. Great vocals, high hitting, emotionally charged song. More vocal, guitar intro, high hitting notes, trumpet, more guitar electric's, Booths vocals, great. He takes a walk into the audience whilst singing this, but the music isn't affected. So down to earth. I rate this one 10/10.

14) RING THE BELLS
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Wake up! Please know that I'm losing my faith in my God. I'm being brainwashed into thinking my ambitions are more important than anything else. My only way out if you don't see me, will be my end...................I think.

Wonderful guitar, drum intro, rising, falling, then rising again vocally, instrumentally. Booth once more hitting the high notes, like a battle cry, backed with those guitars, tempo increasing to the fairly musically aggressive ending. I rate this 10/10.

15) TOP OF THE WORLD
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I've reached the top of the world, achieved my aims. Don't let me be deserted up here. Show me that my friends can be strong enough to be with me on top of the world. Though when they do desert me, I'll meet them when I come back down, my downfall from fame...................I think.

Quiet guitar intro with keyboards making it a deep sound. Tim Booth in the audience singing this slow, slightly doleful ballad. It is quite pleasant, I prefer the livelier tracks though. I rate this one 7/10.

The last five of these tracks were all encores, so it seems. I think they probably planned maybe two or three but not the five. It's a good thing they did perform them though :-)

16) SOUND
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Don't follow everyone else, become yourself, be yourself, do something out of character, don't be afraid of the fear, use that fear to spur you on. Show your emotions, hear the crying of others, cry with them, hear yourself laugh, use this laughter to heal the sound of pain...................I think.

Light drum, guitar intro again. Also megaphone for the vocals start this. It rises up again, slowly to the chorus. The higher notes reached once more by Tim Booth. Quieting again between each chorus, only to rise up to the megaphone, trumpet, guitar, drum, mega sound. Quieting to the end through soothing guitar playing, then finally that last battle cry of vocals mixed tightly with the whole band. raising the tempo for a big finish. I rate this one 10/10.

17) SPACE
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About someone trying to be someone they aren't. Take a look at the real you, the stranger, you aren't even the person your children think you are. Realize this, change yourself...................I think.

This is another wonderful song, with a chorus that makes it stand out from the rest. Starting with those little droplets of music from the keyboards, guitars coming in slowly along with the vocals. Happy, encouraging chorus. One of my big favourites again, it's emotionally charged. I rate this one 9/10.

18) SHE'S A STAR
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She has been hiding away in the dark, now she is beginning to shine, let her shine, don't allow her to fake her "life", allow her to show herself, the true her...................I think.

I expect you have already heard this one before too. It is a melodic, anthem like song. Like most of the others, the song begins with the guitar, drums hooking you in to the song. The chorus is another sing easily along to one. Vocals are hitting the right points again, although Tim Booth must be pretty worn out by now. I rate this one 9/10.

19) COME HOME
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I'm ashamed of who I've become, I push everyone away, I don't want to feel trapped, I'll ignore your feelings, give me some slack, let me walk away from all this for a while. I've done wrong, used another woman, for money, now I know I had love with you, come home come home...................I think.

Keyboards start this one off in a nicely decisive way, catchy, along with guitar pieces to upbeat drums, vocals. The keyboard giving off an electric emergence. It goes through to the end like this. Quite a reliable continuance to the rest of the concert, the chorus again makes this work well. I rate this one 8/10

20) SIT DOWN
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I've been a success, I've been a failure, I pray to God that he does exist. We all have our failings, come, sit down next to me, share our fortunes, our failures, we can sympathize with each other...................I think.

Another jaunty track, appropriate to end on, with it's chorus bringing everyone together. "Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down next to me" Quite a happy song. Though as I said at the beginning, I wasn't too keen on this one. It's probably the one most people will know the best. This live version being one of the best I've heard it played. But their music is so much more than this........ The End........... I rate this one 8/10.

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PROMO VIDEOS
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01) LAID
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02) SAY SOMETHING
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03) SHE'S A STAR
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These videos are pleasantly, visually descriptive of each track. Studio recordings, as they were made at the time of their original release.

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MENU / OPTIONS
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The menu is very easy to navigate, once the Warner Music Vision has introduced you to the DVD by way of it's trademark logo / music. You have a choice to:
1) Start, the concert through to the end.
2) Songs, track by track. This way, you get little titbits of information about the group, snippet interviews, film clips. This also happens when you navigate the DVD menus.
3) Story, the documentary can be played in full or each part separately by chapter.
4) Promos. The three video s. Watch then singularly or play all option.
5) System. Sound: Stereo PCM or Dolby 5.1 option · Icons: Links to documentary clips (can be turned off) · Transitions between menus (can be turned off) · Subtitles. (can be turned on / off here) ·

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THE DOCUMENTARY
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This is THE story of "James". How this oddball group of people have improvised their way to the top, is totally amazing to me. I can see now how they think they have been getting away with it all these years. The revelations made here, make me believe they WILL continue, without Tim Booth fronting the band. He, in his own right, will achieve his next aim by the same methods of improvisation. This very down to earth group of guys, that seem to be embarrassed of their past, will go forward no matter what. They said they are going to continue............. So good luck to them. I hope they can succeed, for they truly are some great musicians.

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As this is my first music DVD review, I found it very difficult to write. I hope you find it helpful. Your comments are appreciated, thank you for reading this opinion :-) 

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