Ramones: Raw Special Edition
Filed Under: Music, Reviews | Article Tags : dvd review , music on dvd
By: Erik Swift
August 2005
|
Executive Producer Marky Ramone responded positively to questions about the award-winning “Raw” when it was released last year, saying the Ramones DVD was an enjoyable party in many interviews. It prompts more smiles than the warts-and-all “End Of The Century” documentary, mostly because of the volume of previously unseen footage and the knockout full-length bonus program “I Ramones.” A sizzling 28 minutes shot by a trio of cameras outside the Vatican on November 1 1980, the Italian production rises from the vaults and appears here for the first time in its entirety since its initial broadcast. “Nobody has fans like we do,” singer Joey Ramone says during “Raw.” This is obvious as guitarist Johnny Ramone later counters “Don’t kill no fans” when the band’s van tears through an obsessive crowd of autograph seekers blocking their route. This release is for them, each and every Pinhead and Ramoniac, and the quartet’s first officially authorized DVD will convert non-believers.
Produced, directed and expertly edited by uber fan John Cafiero, “Raw” is augmented with a wealth of material from hundreds of hi-8 videos Marky shot on tour during The Ramones’ final 9 years (1987-1996). His amateur shooting is dizzying and the tapes are low quality, but its intimacy complements the professionally filmed pieces well. Much of that reaches as far back as July 16 1979 where the denim- and sneaker-clad band, fresh from filming “Rock And Roll High School” and just before hitting the studio to record the Phil Spector-produced “End Of The Century,” find their way onto “The Uncle Floyd Show.” Floyd Vivino’s goofy NJ series had a regional following but is often credited with giving them critical exposure. The bonus performances included courtesy of Vivino – “Do You Wanna Dance” and “I Just Wanna Have Something To Do” – are early signs of their live prowess. More proof is scattered throughout “Raw”: Marky’s sticks are flying behind the drum kit in a deleted “Chinese Rocks” from Finland in 1988. At the same gig, “I Don’t Want You” totally rips. The band played over 2000 shows in more than two decades, and rabid South American crowds appear their most fervent as “Raw” traipses through stops in Buenos Aires, Brazil and Chile.
The rest of the world bears witness: scenes have Valencia, Berlin, New York, Norfolk and San Francisco as backdrops, and visits to New Zealand, Greece and Australia benefit the commentary by Cafiero, Marky and Johnny. Often a tour triggers a story about The Ramones when a city or country is seen, and this is why DVD commentaries from musicians often blow away ones from filmmakers. Anyone shooting a group is only around them for a limited time, and rarely does that accurately illustrate an inside view (Dig! is one notable exception). Putting a few microphones in front of a band is normal and often loosens up musicians wound tightly like Johnny, who thankfully offered his thoughts before his untimely passing last year. “Nah, I never went to the beach,” he grumbles when asked if he frequented the inspirational shores of Rockaway Beach. He calls Dee Dee Ramone’s rap phase “annoying;” the description of the era surrounding the bassist’s departure from The Ramones and the youthful exuberance his replacement CJ Ramone brought to the fold is frank honesty often unseen in the typical glowing commentary. Tales range from the uninteresting (Johnny’s Yoo-Hoo shirt) to the side-splitting (a recollection of the Red Hot Chili Peppers streaking across their stage in Finland). Marky calls the quartet an “omelet” and he’s right – a pastiche of influences from The Beatles and the Rolling Stones to surf music and girl groups, the musicians’ words harmonize with Marky’s visual glimpse into The Ramones and are thankfully preserved for eons with “Raw.”
It has nuggets to make fans drool: a cover of “Take It As It Comes” turns into a tribute to The Doors as guitarist Robbie Kreiger plays his original licks with the band at the Hollywood Palladium 25 years after he and Jim Morrison tore up the Whiskey with the same song. Gilbert Ramone and the animated video for “Touring” are here, and an ever-present love for cars, horror movies and rock and roll drenches the proceedings. Cafiero assembles the hodge-podge of sources into an engaging work, and he adds a nice touch as the alternate version of “Chop Suey” plays in the background during a Japanese junket. Celebs get in on the action – if anyone asks what Blondie’s Deborah Harry and Chris Stein, Carly Simon, Lemmy, Al “Grandpa” Lewis, U2 and a loopy Drew Barrymore share, the answer is a love of The Ramones.
The DVD’s big story is the boatload of extras. Of the TV appearances, the clip from a Howard Stern special featuring a round of golf between Johnny, Joey and President George H.W. Bush is outrageous. A dozen Easter eggs are easy to find and view but don’t sweat ‘em. They are nothing compared to “I Ramones.” A terrific “Rock And Roll Radio” that the band, and in particular Dee Dee, tears into is its pinnacle. Live at the Castle of St. Angelo shortly after completing “End Of The Century,” even an empty daylight sound check is killer. The gig itself sounds great and looks absof*ckinglutely phenomenal. Its discovery is akin to unearthing a complete Led Zeppelin blues show from 1971 or a Nirvana concert from the “Bleach” tour: an incredibly lucky find that spotlights an integral moment in an influential band’s history. Wow. Simply spectacular, does it ever make me regret that I never saw these guys when I had a chance.
Is it surprising that “Mania” is the band’s only gold album in their homeland? America never appreciated The Ramones until recently. Joey’s untimely death in 2001 made their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame bittersweet. Dee Dee and Johnny have died since then, but Rhino Records started The Ramones’ resurgence with nice reissues of the band’s early albums and is issuing the four-disc “Weird Tales Of The Ramones” this week. In 2003, the Rob Zombie-produced tribute “We’re A Happy Family” was released; the film festival faves “End Of The Century” and “Hey Is Dee Dee Home?” followed. Even a Broadway musical “Gabba Gabba Hey!” will soon light up the Great White Way and Marky’s 2006 autobiography threatens to be THE book about the band. “Raw” hit the Billboard music DVD charts at #5, the highest debut in the band’s history. The Ramones are reaching further than ever into a public that used to care less. That it took this long is unfortunate. That it is finally happening is euphoric. The energetic “Raw” is a DVD to celebrate.
Reviewer’s Opinion: BUY IT!!
Loading ...
Leave a Reply