VARIOUS

The American Folk-Blues Festival: the British Tours 1963-66 Universal

Pop and rock music is so based on the blues it's a travesty that it isn't recognised or appreciated more. The Beatles and, in particular, The Rolling Stones and The Animals made white British audiences understand that the pop cultural landscape might be somewhat different if it hadn't been for the likes of Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson, Lightnin' Hopkins, Howlin' Wolf, Junior Wells and Big Joe Turner. This intriguing artefact features clips of the aforementioned in performance in front of hip'n'trendy people, polite to a fault and reserved in a typically British way. What they made of the likes of Williamson (accompanied by a brolly, a briefcase and a bowler hat) and Williams (bashing the bejesus out of his guitar) is anyone's guess. Excellent clips (all filmed for use in long- forgotten TV shows), great music. Extras include clips of Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Muddy Waters.

TONY CLAYTON-LEA

PRIMAL SCREAM

Live from London

Liberation Entertainment

Quite unbelievably, this is the first ever Primal Scream DVD. When you consider that some bands put out a DVD after one album, this is quite a wait for a band with such a long history. Most of it is from a gig at London's Hammersmith Apollo last November. What's most remarkable is how many styles the band have successfully toyed with over the years: from the dance beats of the land- mark Screamadelica to the rootsy rock of Give Up But Don't Give In and on to the Kevin Shields- aided sonic excursions on XTRMNTR. Highlights are many here, but Movin' on Up and Rocks really soar on the live stage. Extras include an informative interview with Bobby Gillespie and all the band's videos to date.

BRIAN BOYD