AC/DC - DVD
MASTERS OF THE HIPPODROME

LABEL:
Genuine Masters GM-AC/DC-27.10.1977-DVD-05
SOURCE:
Hippodrome, Golders Green, London UK - October 27, 1977
FORMAT:
DVD-R, NTSC, 16:9 Widescreen
RUNNING TIME:
41:25 (Bonus CD: 39:07)
SOUND/SOURCE:
Digital Stereo Broadcast/Soundboard; PCM Stereo
PACKAGING:
Clear DVD Clamshell with High Resolution Color Insert Artwork
 

"Masters Of The Hippodrome" Genuine Masters

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SOUND 10 / PACKAGING 9 / PERFORMANCE 9

 
TRACK LIST:

DVD:  1. Intro, 2. Let There Be Rock, 3. Problem Child, 4. Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be, 5. Whole Lotta Rosie, 6. Bad Boy Boogie, 7. Rocker, 8. T.N.T/Credits

CD:  Same tracklisting as above, alternate stereo soundboard source with rating of a bootleg "10". 

 
REVIEW:

As a longtime AC/DC fanatic, I was thrilled when Blackdog at GM said he was taking this project on.  Knowing what GM has done for some famous Led Zeppelin shows, this was a real treat to hear - now, in more ways than one!

The Hippodrome video has been circulating for a long time in trading circles and elsewhere.  I have owned 3 versions of this video, acquired before "Masters" and none of them bad. But it's a video you wish a master was available because you knew how much better it could be!...(this, and the Glasgow '78 show).  Up until this moment, the version on Apocalypse Sound's "Greatest Frontman Ever" DVD compilation was the one.  But, the fourth one is the charm for this perfect Bon Scott-era AC/DC performance video!

I was thrown off by the source here a little bit because this was perfectly captured, digitally, from a Japanese re-broadcast for the RockMasters Series in which some of you may own other performance broadcasts of...I've got the superb FACES "Sounds For Saturday" show from this series as well as LYNYRD SKYNYRD's "Old Grey Whistle Test" appearance.  This particular release appears like it never left the digital environment.  These shows are unbelievable and I wish we got them in the States.  Hell, maybe we do via VH-1 Classic or something but I don't have that particular channel available.  Sorry, I digress.  This "Hippodrome" video transfer to DVD by GM is a natural for the label and they've done their native sons proud - and have formatted the video beautifully to a 16:9 Widescreen aspect ratio (a first for this show) and looks great.  To be cliche, this is a must-have and should be in every Rock N' Roll DVD collection.

This show was filmed in London on October 27th in Golders Green London at The Hippodrome for a BBC Broadcast and caught the band just as they were ready to take the world by storm, country by country.  At this particular juncture they were on the road to promote the release of the landmark LP, "Let There Be Rock".  And with full-scale BBC equipment rigged up to capture whatever this thing was...it was simply perfect.  There are some humorous moments during the show and to supplement my raving and drooling, here's what Jules McTrainspotter from over at the Led Zeppelin site, Underground Uprising, had to share with us on this DVD release:

"This official BBC TV recording has been doing the rounds on DVD for a while, but not in the picture quality as now presented by Genuine Masters. And most certainly not in the stunning sound quality that GM have managed to create on this DVD. This was one of the first times that I ever saw AC/DC when it was first broadcast on the BBC, and what an electrifying effect they had on me! The superb voice and charisma of Bon Scott, coupled with the incredible guitar playing and amazing performance by Angus Young, running all around the stage and the auditorium, are scenes that made me a lifelong fan. Their incredible stage presence, coupled with the down to earth good old fashioned rock and roll music they played, make them unique. What a terrible loss it was when Bon Scott died in 1980. Angus Young, in his hallmark schoolboy uniform, running all over the stage like a man possessed by demons, was and is a fantastic sight. Up in the balcony there was an Angus Young lookalike fan dressed in a schoolboy uniform. He was the most animated person in the audience, everyone else stayed sitting in their seats, full of British reserve no doubt. The enthusiastic applause at the end of each song however must have cheered the band. As a bonus the audio is presented with the DVD, on a separate CD, and both are beautiful picture discs, and the DVD cover art is excellent too. A superbly packaged presentation of AC/DC in their raw prime. Essential for all fans.

Jules McTrainspotter, August 05."

To provide the best there is available on this show, GM decided to include an alternate soundboard of the recording with the DVD.  The single picture disc provides an immaculate recording here, so much so that the audience isn't audible at all.  After experiencing the DVD, I prefer its' audio track myself.  It's just a little livelier.  To each their own.

There you have it.  Or you should.  Let There Be Rock...indeed.  "Masters Of The Hippodrome" is a classic.  It's too bad it's an abbreviated set.  One request, more of this stuff, please?

Just to be clear, Genuine Masters titles are produced on premium DVD-R and CDR.


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Aug 30, 2005 - 9:39:00 PM


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