Munich, Germany (19-Jul-81)

Now this is why I collect DVDs. Just now and then one of them pops it's head above the mass and just shouts "watch me". (Not that I'd willingly give up any of the others,.. you're speaking about a guy who's proudly got #D518 on his shelves )
OK it's missing a couple of tracks, but what you get is more or less the complete concert, with no breaks other than disc one/two.
It has it's faults, colour's way over to the Red, the black is very black, all movement is followed by an afterimage/shadow, and the focus isn't that sharp at all. But what else do you expect from an '81 recording ? It's only near the end that you realise just how far from the stage our taper was, that he (why do always assume it's a He ?) was able to zoom in as close as he did is a wonder in itself, and a testament to the quality of his machine.
So what do you get ?. Full stage, all the band included for a change, and the picture is rock solid, no movement at all, makes it very easy to watch. And Bob himself ?, well maybe not one of his finest concerts, no real stand-out track, nothing that makes you hit the "back" button, but then there's nothing that'll make you hit the "skip" button either. Just a great '81 concert, the only question being ; Why is there such huge gaps in my '81 tape list ? That after watching this I want to go and fill them is reason enough to give it 5 stars.
Can't let the Sound Upgrade pass without comment, got an excellent source for the sound, and it's patched in perfectly. Quite often you get that feeling that somethings not just spot on, or the tape speeds up/slows down relative to the sound. But here, no. How it was done I don't know, visual clues are few and far apart, but somehow they managed it. (and it's always easier to tell when somethings not right..)
Found one of these early '80's video cameras last year, clearing out some cupboards to get some decorating done, (one of those houses where every new gadget is bought, used once, then stored away.)
Came in, filled, a small armoured suitcase, and the weight ! A "Real Man's" machine. I was offered it, and of course my first thought was "how great to film some of these concerts up here" but sanity prevailed. Only an idiot would even think they could get one of these into any concert hall. And as for setting it up to see/tape the stage ? Well I don't think I'd last beyond the band intros.
The price tickets were still in the box, suffice to say my last van didn't cost as much, - without allowing for inflation.
But our taper here, he not only got one of these machines, "Sorry Kids, Santa's only left an orange again this year, but look what Daddy bought Mummy for her Xmas", he then decided on the aparently kamikaze course of taking it into the hall, "If you loose that recorder, don't bother coming home", and managing that, sets it up to record the concert, all for us. Words fail me.
Just great. 5 Stars.