Offenbach, Germany (19-Jun-91)

DISC D587.su
SOUND Full-bodied audience tape edged intermittently with a burr of distortion due to slight overload, probably when originally recorded. Not the tape that features on D377.su, though equally good.
IMAGE This film’s near full-house DASH-F star guide suggests something special, and it is. After taking a couple of minutes to settle, our taper, back in the right centre balcony, keeps his tripod-mounted lens under perfect control throughout, with heads, shakes and skids all conspicuous by their absence. What’s more, in contrast to the radioactive D377.su, his pictures are mostly clean, bright, pleasantly tinted and occasionally downright handsome, with just the odd gloomy interlude. His success is due in part to the camera’s limited range of movement – thus zoom variation is minimal (see screenshots, which show his preferred frame), whilst panning, though frequent, eases us back and forth between D and JJ in a simple one-two switch, with the other, stage-right half of the band ignored altogether. Though this might sound repetitive and a little dull, the extended look at JJ, given screen time here each time he leads, whether on electric or acoustic, is one of D587.su’s more gratifying elements and I can’t think of any other DVD that better portrays the key, interdependent relationship between D and his main sideman. Fine fare indeed.
RUNNING TIME 104 minutes, complete show.
PERFORMANCE A tremendous Train To Cry (spliced on D377.su but uncut here) kicks this gig into life and the half dozen songs after it are all on the money. Though not everything here is great, still lots to enjoy, not least D's self-deprecating, whimsical and occasionally strange spoken asides.
COMMENT For all its dire content, D623.su was a beautifully turned-out disc and D587.su, from the same stable, has been authored with equal thought, care and attention - thus another four audio tracks from Vienna (VA) ‘97 on the menu pages, flawless AV sync and a slick, professional appearance make for a package that sets an impressively high standard.
THANKS FA + CP
STARS The choice between this and D377.su is tricky because this one looks better and, with so much JJ, gives a more rounded musical experience. A shame about the touches of distortion - maybe you’d just better get them both. A strong four. Recommended.