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Band name: Depeche Mode
Title: Touring The Angel - Live In Milan (2-DVD + CD)
Genre: Pop
Release Date: 22nd September 2006
Record Company / Label: Mute records



Introduction

Their current single “Martyr” and the corresponding “Best of…” album are hitting top positions in European charts (number one in Germany) and at the MTV European Music Awards they were awarded with the prize as best band (rightly!). Andy Fletcher, who was taking the award and presented the acceptance speech, was visibly excited. DEPECHE MODE are looking back on a successful year 2006 – even though the band was virtually only on tour. Also the biggest open air festivals – like i.e. “Rock am Ring” and “Rock Werchter” – had been played. In September, the DVD about the “Touring the Angel” tour was released. The two gigs in the “Fila Forum” in Milan on 18th and 19th February had been recorded.


Line-Up

David Gahan – vocals, song writing
Martin L. Gore – song writing, vocals, guitar, keyboard
Andrew Fletcher – keyboards

Additional live musicians:
Christian Eigner – drums
Peter Gordeno – keyboards, backing vocals


Website

http://www.depechemode.com/
 
 
Detailed Review
 
Two DVDs and an Audio CD are contained by the elaborate designed folded inlay which itself was put into a paper slipcase. The concerts of DEPECHE MODE are really calling for being recorded and released. And so, Blue Leach – who also worked with REM before – was asked to take over this job. The five musicians on stage really impressed their fans with numerous hits and several tracks from the current album “Playing the Angel”. And they were all excited. The whole gig – all in all 21 songs – was eternized on DVD1. Additionally, “A Question of Lust” and “The Damaged People” – both sung by Martin on the second day in Milan – were put on that DVD as bonus tracks. Remarkable for the whole show is that the band did not fell back on the both number one hits “People are People” and “Dream on” because songs such as “Enjoy the Silence”, “Walking in my Shoes”, “Personal Jesus” and of course “Never let me down again” are longest THE highlights on every concert of the Brits. After long absence from the Setlist, older classics like “Shake the Disease”, “Just can’t get enough” and “A Question of Time” were taken back into the program - just one sign that shows how much material those guys have in stock.



But not it’s time for the visual part – and this is something I find quite difficult. Anton Corbijn, who recorded other shows so far and put DEPECHE MODE ingeniously in scene on the both DVDs “Devotional” and “One Night in Paris”, was only responsible for the stage design during that tour. So, both DVDs by Anton Corbijn have to serve as comparison. Just to avoid any misunderstandings I have to add that also Blue Leach and his team filmed the band perfectly – partial in unusual perspectives. New is the post-processing which I first have to get used to slowly. Just during the intro, coarse-grained photos are faded in which show the band preparing for the gig. But you just don’t recognize it at the first view. Also “A Pain that I’m used to” has been “spiced up”. The partly slowed motions fit to the song. But what was the director thinking when fading out the color and show the song black and white in parts? That really reminds me of my old – and defect – VHS cassettes. Later on, when Martin sings “Shake the Disease”, those b/w parts underline the mood of the song in a wonderful way. What I think is really well done are some close-ups of the single musicians. Partly you only can see the eyes on the screen. And there, I am fascinated by the demonic look of Dave at the end of “A Question of Time”. After tight two hours the energetic show ends with “Goodnight Lovers”. It is always wonderful to see how Martin and Dave celebrate this song. Just the hug and the fraternal kiss make one thing sure: This is not the end of DEPECHE MODE for a long time yet.



The second DVD contains an interesting twenty minute grasping tour documentation. There, all musicians – also Peter Gordeno and drummer Christian Eigner - have their say. Steady photographer Anton Corbijn explains his stage design and Blue Leach his perception and way of working. Furthermore, the “Playing the Angel EPK” and excerpts from the press conference in the LTU arena Düsseldorf to announce the world tour are pressed onto the DVD. Just that press conference shows how quick-witted and humorous Dave, Fletch and Martin are. The stage projections of some songs also were put onto the DVD. Unfortunately these are only those scenes which were recorded and shown directly on location. I am missing the little films showing the stick-figures from “Enjoy the Silence” or the stripping lady from “I feel you”. These also did not show to advantage on DVD1. Probably that’s the reason for the PG-6 rating.



The audio CD contains eight live tracks which were taken from the “Playing the Angel” album – similar to the “Songs of Faith and Devotion – Live” CD. But at that time, all songs from the current album “Songs of Faith and Devotion” had been played live on tour, were recorded and then released as live CD in exactly the same order as on the original album.


Tracklist

DVD1
01.  A Pain That I'm Used To Video Live 2006 Milan 
02.  John The Revelator Video Live 2006 Milan 
03.  A Question Of Time Video Live 2006 Milan 
04.  Policy Of Truth Video Live 2006 Milan 
05.  Precious Video Live 2006 Milan 
06.  Walking In My Shoes Video Live 2006 Milan 
07.  Suffer Well Video Live 2006 Milan 
08.  Macro Video Live 2006 Milan 
09.  Home Video Live 2006 Milan 
10.  I Want It All Video Live 2006 Milan 
11.  The Sinner In Me Video Live 2006 Milan 
12.  I Feel You Video Live 2006 Milan 
13.  Behind The Wheel Video Live 2006 Milan 
14.  World In My Eyes Video Live 2006 Milan 
15.  Personal Jesus Video Live 2006 Milan 
16.  Enjoy The Silence Video Live 2006 Milan 
17.  Shake The Disease Video Live 2006 Milan 
18.  Just Can't Get Enough Video Live 2006 Milan 
19.  Everything Counts Video Live 2006 Milan 
20.  Never Let Me Down Again Video Live 2006 Milan 
21.  Goodnight Lovers Video Live 2006 Milan 
22.  A Question Of Lust Video Live 2006 
23.  Damaged People Video Live 2006 

DVD2
01.  Documentary Touring The Angel 
02.  Tour Announcement Touring The Angel 
03.  Electronic Press Kit Playing The Angel 
04.  Behind The Wheel Video Touring The Angel Screens 
05.  The Sinner In Me Video Touring The Angel Screens 
06.  Walking In My Shoes Video Touring The Angel Screens 
07.  World In My Eyes Video Touring The Angel Screens 
08.  Never Let Me Down Again Video Touring The Angel Screens 
09.  Credits Touring The Angel: Live In Milan 

Audio CD
01.  A Pain That I'm Used To Live 2006 
02.  John The Revelator Live 2006 
03.  Precious Live 2006 
04.  Suffer Well Live 2006 
05.  Macro Live 2006 
06.  I Want It All Live 2006 
07.  The Sinner In Me Live 2006 
08.  Damaged People Live 2006


Extras

Additional Audio CD with the limited Edition


Cover Artwork




Conclusion

Compared with other live DVDs, the “Touring the Angel” live DVD must not hide; it passed the test with flying colors. It is just the above mentioned way of working of director Blue Leach which shows the concert from another point of view. It is interesting to see who Mr. Gahan goes along during the song “Home” performed by Martin. Another scene is perfectly captured too: Dave is standing in the middle of the audience and in the background you see a fan dressed exactly as Dave in the “Enjoy the Silence” video. It would have been perfect if that show had worked out exactly during that song; but it was during “Just can’t get enough”. But the greatest on the whole DVD is the sound. With the real sound system your neighbor can take part in a great concert!


{jos_sb_discuss:19}
Written by Jörg Rambow (Terrorverlag), translated and edited by Daniela Vorndran
With friendly authorization by Terrorverlag

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