The latest releases reviewed.
JOHN CALE John Cale Warner Music Vision ***
One of rock's great troubled relationships - between John Cale and Lou Reed - is elucidated on in this biographical documentary of the underrated Welsh musician. Beginning with Cale's Welsh upbringing, this traces his musical life before the forming of the Velvet Underground, and there's plenty here about his early avant-garde work. The Velvet Underground years are covered in some detail, but what most interests is Cale's oft-neglected post-VU work. It's probably best to glaze over the ill-fated reunion and go straight to an exclusive interview with Lou Reed, where he talks at length about his former musical partner. A good bit of archive footage of the Velvet Underground rounds out this good-quality production. Brian Boyd
PAOLO NUTINI These Streets Atlantic **
Twenty-something Scottish singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini was last year's young lad to watch out for. Fresh from serving fish'n'chips in his parents' caff, Nutini took all the praise, plaudits and female sighs in his stride as he stormed the charts with his debut album, These Streets. This DVD, recorded in London's Bush Studios last April, in front of a select small crowd, makes you understand why Nutini has garnered such acclaim: there's a sensitive soul inside everyone, as songs like Rewind, Last Request, New Shoes, Jenny Don't Be Hasty and Autumn prove. Nutini's on-stage presence, meanwhile, is low-key and deliriously received, but you'd wonder how many other good songs he has in his locker, and how much longer his appeal will last in the face of younger, fresher, less talented people. Extras include a record company EPK (Electronic Press Kit). Like, wow. Tony Clayton-Lea
MARC ALMOND 12 Years of Tears - Live at the Royal Albert Hall Warner Music Vision ****
One of life's survivors from the murky mess that was 1980s pop, Marc Almond has rarely been restrained. Hissy-fit gestures are part of his stock in trade, allied with flourishes and the occasional flamboyant costume change that might make Rufus Wainwright positively verdant with envy. This DVD, the title of which sets a template for an unfolding series of melodramas, is a recording of Almond's return to musical duties in September 1992. The resultant two-hour show is a garish, highly entertaining mixture of Soft Cell hits (including Say Hello, Wave Goodbye, Tainted Love, Bedsitter, Torch) and solo tunes (including covers of Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart, Jacky and The Days of Pearly Spencer). Add in a dance troupe and an orchestra, and you've got a provocative, camp and emotive display of fine songs from an underrated pop star. No extras but, really darling, on this occasion you don't need any. Tony Clayton-Lea
