Culture Club Album: “Live in Sydney [DVD]”

I was so excited to see another DVD feat. a live performance of Culture Club after I was very happy with the Kiss Across the Ocean concert from the Greatest Videos release. I was a little disappointed tho. His vocals on the first songs like MISTER MAN are not nearly as solid as Kiss Across the Ocean. He ad-libs many of the lyrics and its kinda annoying. (I wonder how far he was into his drug phase at this time). The band as a whole doesn't seem to gel as nicely as they did during the KATO and there is less interaction between Boy George and they other bandmates, besides Helen Terry. The songs come at a very fast pace and he doesn't really introduce the songs, one after another after another. Next, I do not care for the 1984 long hair with a big bow (or the ugly police cap he's wearing) look compared to the hat and the braids.

There are definately some highlights on this DVD tho. The featurette is short but contains some good footage and interviews. My favorite part has to be "THAT'S THE WAY" (I'M ONLY TRYING TO HELP YOU) number with Helen Terry. They rock the vocals together and it is one of my favorite songs off of Colour By Numbers. Also, the song MELTING POT is a great close to the concert. The play list is also a little better then KATO, and he does a much better job on the vocals on most songs. (esp. VICTIMS. I miss the full ochestra they had on that song on KATO as well.) But I still enjoyed myself!

All in all, it's a must have for any Culture Club fan, if the wardrobe and styling is lacking, Boy George more than makes it up with better vocals. It's worth the price too. Im looking forward to more releases of live Culture Club gigs, and DEFINEATELY A DVD CONTAINING APPEARANCES ON TOP OF THE POPS, AMERICAN BANDSTAND, SOLID GOLD, or any other interviews from the early 80s!

This is Culture Club at the peak of their popularity. All the hits from the first two albums are present and the band are in pretty good form. George was never a strong voaclist live but he manages to get by on stage presence and personality as much as anything else.

The reason the banter is at a minimum is that this was filmed for (and broadcast live) on Australian television back in - whatever year it was - God I feel old! There was not time for too much banter. There were songs to be sung and and advertising to be squeezed in - although this is not included in the DVD naturally.

Fans will have no reason to complain.

I never realized what great vocals George Alan O'Dowd has and still has, there are bands that only sound good on their albums like The Stone Roses, but Culture Club surpassed my expectations on what happens when in concert, there music was always up- beat feel good music, I guessed that's why I was always a fan of the music, and a fan of Mr. O'Dowd because he never let his politics get involved in his music. Great DVD to bad there are not many other concert videos of their performances...

I purchased this DVD because this concert was the first ever concert I attended as a 15 year old. It's in my collection for reasons of nostalgia, rather than musical reasons.

It's like looking at old photos. Mikey Craig's hair should have it's own credit and Helen Terry was Culture Club's secret weapon for three albums.

This is an absolutely excellent dvd for anyone that loves THE BOY and CC. It takes you back in time, plus its an excellent coverage of the concert,so.....anyone that missed it.....Get IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!