Return To Bangleonia[DVD]

I'm only a couple of years older than these ladies so I had every opportunity to follow them during their heyday. But, after John, Paul, George and Ringo, I didn't follow any bands closely. I'm very happy to re-discover the Bangles--for the first time.Working out in the yard the other day, a song popped into my head, as often happens. This one happened to be Manic Monday. Now, if my life was at stake, I couldn't have told you who performed this song, though I knew that it was very popular at some point. Checking You Tube later, I watched the video of The Bangles performing the song. I checked out a few of their other videos and then found the Return to Bangleonia video. After watching and listening to it, I had to buy it.Now, I knew of the Bangles but, I couldn't have named any of these ladies, nor how many were in the band. Return to Bangleonia was an amazing education for me. The energy, the sound, the enthusiasm had me glued to the screen. I recognized some of the songs, but others were new--to me. From what I was able to find, the second song-*Live*- wasn't a hit, and I sure don't know why not. I think that the performance of *Hero Takes a Fall* was terrific. The bonus commentary was pretty good, especially, for me, when Vicki broke a guitar string. The quality of the audio and video is first rate, and for someone like me, helped to introduce me to each of these amazing artists. Because of this dvd, I did some looking around for other music and information about The Bangles. I'm in the process of listening to, and buying, as much of their music that I can find, both pre-split as well as more recent. Though they were very successful, I am left to only imagine the heights that they would have achieved if they hadn't split up for 11 years.I am happy that I found Return to Bangleonia, but I'm a little saddened since it doesn't appear that I'll ever have the opportunity to attend one of their live performances. But, if they should ever appear anywhere near the east coast, I'm there. I hope that they haven't stopped producing new music. Also, because of this dvd, I got to "meet" Susanna, only to discover that she is happily married, and has been for quite a while. Oh, well...................Thanks to Return to Bangleonia, I'm able to experience the somewhat delayed discovery and enjoyment of this terrific band.

Good as ever, the sound recording is lacking real quality for the performance, still, glad to have it.

I thought the video and sound quality were excellent. Any complaints about the song performances that were left off the DVD should be overshadowed by the commentary, interview, and acoustic performance. It would be impossible to create a product that satisfies everybody - in particular the fans that want everything suited to their own tastes and expectations. For the true fan, this is a "must have" addition to the collection. The band, understandably, shows a little bit of rust and a broken string at one point adds to the "raw" feel of the concert. No overdubbing or do-overs here. "Live" DVDs which are a mish-mash of concerts may help bring viewers "the best", but often lack flow and detract from the ability to feel like you're there. No such problem here.There's a nice mix of new and old songs including the obligatory hits ("Manic Monday", "Walk Like An Egyptian" and "Eternal Flame" - three I could live without ever hearing again).It's too bad that Michael Steele apparently didn't want to be involved with the commentary or interview, but fans do get to see her in the live performances - including the fantastic "Between the Two" on which she sings lead.The only thing I was disappointed with was the amount of time it took to receive this DVD. What was the point of offering "pre-ordering" if it was going to take a week and a half to arrive? Certainly a minor blip in the grand scheme of things, but Shout Factory has dropped the ball in the distribution of this.

For the Bangles only concert DVD, I thought the song selections were just, ok. I mainly got this DVD to watch Susanna Hoffs as she's always great to look at, but of 18 songs the Bangles performed, I only liked half the selections. I wished they had performed "Be With You" along with the classics they performed. And from the "Doll Revolution" selections I wished "Tear Off Your Own Head" and "Something That You Said" were played. Now to the hits that they did perform that I like, most weren't perform in its original way. I don't mind if a song or two gets a revamped, but not most of them. Maybe it was just me, but it sure didn't sound like they originally were. Maybe because it's performed live, or I need a few more watching to get used to. Those were my only two gripes, if it weren't for that, this would have been a 5 star rating for me. The special features are good, get to see more of Susanna Hoffs in an interview and perform a couple of acoustics.

While the Go Go's were the first female band to play their own instruments, The Bangles were head and shoulders above them. Their song catalog is extensive and great rock. Take a listen and watch a very professional band in action. If you like rock and are not aware of this band. now is your opportunity!

In 2000, after over a decade apart being mums and doing other musical projects, The Bangles re-grouped and played a hometown gig at the House of Blues in LA. This, their first live concert DVD is the result and what a welcome release it is.I remember seeing them live in the UK on several occasions in the 1980s and they were always an act worth the admission price. It seems nothing much has changed only now they have a much broader set list to pick from. All the hits are here (although I could live without hearing `Manic Monday' and `Walk Like an Egyptian' ever again) interspersed with old album tracks and new material that would eventually form part of `Doll Revolution' released a couple of years later. Tellingly, the new material sits more than comfortably amongst the older songs.Their instrumental prowess is still more than competent but it is their vocal harmony singing that really impresses. Time has not dimmed those voices and all four of them sing beautifully either together or individually. Who said Susanna Hoffs was the only singer in the band?Sure they seem a bit rusty at first, there are a few bum notes and a broken string wrong-foots one of Vicki Peterson's solos but it is the `warts and all' presentation that endears you to this performance. No overdubs or later tampering here, just an honest and engaging concert from a band that sets out to have fun and doesn't take itself too seriously.Still well worth the admission price.

Good little concert by the greatest all-woman rock n' roll band of all time. It was a delight to see that all the performances were by all four Classic Bangles. In addition to the concert, and 2 acoustic songs, there is a little interview session with the three current Bangles, Susanna Hoffs and the Peterson Sisters. All in all a good concert dvd. Wouldn't have minded more extra material, but what is on is good.

Return to Bangleonia. Great Band, just caught up with them from the eighties. Didn't know about Doll Revolution and Sweetheart Of the Sun. Yeah Its a GREAT dvd. But then how can you not like the Bangles, Music for everyone. . {Very sad Micheal Steele has left the band.} Hope this is relayed back to the Bangles

Smashing!

Questo video mostra le Bangles in perfetta forma, alla viglia della perdita della loro bassista, riitiratasi dalle scene. Spigliato e ben suonato il DVD mostra la bravura di questa band di professioniste serie, sottostimate in Italia. I brani più belli non sono a parer mio le hit, ma gli altri brani.