DVD Review: The Smashing Pumpkins "If All Goes Wrong"

Last week, I had the privilege to review the Smashing Pumpkins play the Palace Theater here in Cleveland. I had been a big fan as a teenager in the 1990's but had failed to see them live despite wanting to go to a number of shows back in their heyday. When it was announced that Billy Corgan was bringing his band back after a lengthy hiatus I was anxiously awaiting to see the reincarnated band. I had thought of going to the Virgin Mobile Festival, which they headlined in the summer of 2007, but failed to act on the chance when I couldn't find a partner who wanted to put out the money and time to travel several states to see the band. I had thought to myself that it just may not be in cards to see a band in person despite admiring many records and the artistic talents of Corgan.
Luckily, the opportunity came and was blown away by the bands energy and performance. I was astounded when I started to read the feedback on message boards who were deriding the band for their setlist. Corgan chooses to play a lot new material while inner-mixing the set with hits from the past. Some people just don't get it, and what was shocking to me is why they even bother to follow the band so closely anymore if they have became so jaded. As a big Oasis fan, if I were to see Noel Gallagher perform songs that he had just written in mere hours before debuting them live, I would be undoubtedly a happy camper. I enjoy his style of music and would want to here what was on his mind as tour dates progress. Many Smashing Pumpkin fans don't really get what Corgan is doing on his recent tours.
That leads me to why I am penning this piece. The band answers many questions that are on peoples mind on the DVD release of "If All Goes Wrong" which chronicles the comeback of the band and residency tour dates in Ashville, North Carolina, and in San Fransico for their 11 day stay at The FIlmore. While many music DVD's are lacking in substance, this truly is a look at inner-workings of the band and where Corgan receives his inspiration for his prolific songwriting abilities. Along the way, Corgan and his bandmates share their thoughts on the tour and their experiences. Views of the fans are heavily added in the DVD as they are interviewed to add their opinions which make for some interesting feedback.Adding a proverbial cherry on top of the documentary on the first disc of the collection is a Pete Townsend interview which he adds his artistic input of what he feels Corgan is going through during this time frame of his music career. Disc 2 of the collection features 15 tracks new era tracks filmed during the band's residency at the Filmore, including seven unreleased tracks, bonus features the band reheresing material.
The DVD release of "If All Goes Wrong" is a must have for Smashing Pumpkins fans and those who want to see what makes a musical genius tick. The DVD hits stores on Tuesday.
Here is what is on the entire collection of the DVD "If All Goes Wrong":
Disc 1:
01 If All Goes Wrong
02 Voices of the Ghost Children
03 Interview with Pete TownshendDisc 2:
The Fillmore Residency:
01 The Rose March *
02 Peace + Love *
03 99 Floors *
04 Superchrist
05 Lucky 13
06 Starla
07 Death From Above
08 The Crying Tree of Mercury
09 Winterlong
10 Heavy Metal Machine
11 Untitled
12 No Surrender *
13 Gossamer *
14 ZeitgeistLive From the Floor of the Fillmore:
15 99 Floors *
16 Peace + Love *
17 No Surrender *
18 Mama *
19 Promise Me *










Comments
DVD ROCKS
I am in love with this doco, I think it was a little soft on Billy Corgan with no real hard questions about the old band members but I think everyone's over that shit now. But I loved seeing how Corgan put his song together, and to here where he got his inspiration from. The folk song's on the 2'nd DVD are really cool, and I can't get enough of 'Death from Above' Those sweet piano sounds with Corgan's voice always go hand in hand.
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