DVD Reviews

The Chieftains: Live At Montreaux 1997

It’s been 35 years since this group was originally formed and the music of The Chieftains is still felt the world over whether directly via the band itself or those that have been influenced by them.

The Chieftains stand as legendary pioneers of Irish music, having paved the way for the likes of U2 and Van Morrison. The ensemble, whose stellar 1997 performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival is featured on this DVD, have thrilled audiences since their inception in 1962. Having won international acclaim for their amazing musicianship and incorporation of traditional Irish instruments on stage, The Chieftains are more than worthy of their impressive reputation.

 The DVD contains the “tracks”

Opening Medley – O’Neill’s March/ Rosin Dubh/ Reels and Dance

Changing Your Demeanour

Donegal Reel/ Ladies Pantalette

Lady Dillon

Album Medley – Have I Told you Lately That I Love You/ mo Ghile Mear/ The Rocky Road to Dublin/ Reels and Dance

Song of Immigration/ Kerry Slides

Galician Overture Medley/ Dueling Chanters

Carrickfergus

Maneo

Murphy’s Hornpipe and Dance

Matt Molloy – A Fir for a Kiss/ Mulhares Reel/ Gravel Walks

Guadalupe

Did you Ever Go a Courtin’ Uncle Joe

Give me Your Hand/ The Trip to Durrow/ Flogging Reel

 Audio comes to us Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS and stereo so you can listen to it however you like. The stereo track was decent and clear but the surround tracks are where it’s at.  Both tracks are full sounding and never distorted.  I found all three tracks to be quite unexpectedly loud.  This isn’t a bad thing but you might want to keep that in mind before you hit play. The video is presented in anamorphic widescreen and though it isn’t as important as the audio Eagle hasn’t forsaken it.  The colours are true and blacks are nice and deep. Detail is decent for a small concert with minimal lighting but long shots of the stage don’t really show much compared to the close-ups. There is some grain and slight aliasing present but for the most part the picture is quite good. And in the end, it really is the audio that’s important.

There are no extras at all available on the disc itself unless you consider being able to select the songs directly an extra. The packaging however does include an insert with information on the band which is nice for those who aren’t familiar with The Chieftains but fans will not find anything new here.

Though The Chieftains don’t do much moving around on stage (they are pretty much sitting down most the time) they do bring in dancers when the songs are appropriate who a la Riverdance, give us a “reel” good performance. The music is at times somber and at others a rompin’ good time but I think it’s safe to say that is always very entertaining. The humour the band members portray whether between themselves or via stories to the audience keeps things lively in between set changes. So get out your spoons, pipes, flutes and fiddles cause The Chieftains are putting on a showcase of Irish beauty.

Review By Robert Harding