'Daryl Hall & John Oates Live in Dublin' [Blu-ray]
(Daryl Hall & John Oates / Blu ray / NR / 2015 / Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Overview: Daryl Hall and John Oates are one of the most successful recording duos of all time with a string of hit singles and gold and platinum albums to their name including six US No.1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, all of which are included in this superb live show. Filmed at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin on 15th July 2014, this was the first time Daryl Hall and John Oates had played a live show in the city.
Blu ray Verdict: I have to fully admit here that I have been a HUGE fan of Hall & Oates' music now ever since Private Eyes came out in the UK back in the early 80's. More than that, I speak with John Oates a few times every year via email, always meeting up with him backstage before a show if they are playing local.
Ergo, I am a bit biased when it comes to reviewing, or even speaking about all things Hall & Oates. That said, Daryl Hall & John Oates Live in Dublin is just brilliant for all its worth, trust me! Jam-packed with chart hits, almost hits, and personal album favorites, this brand new Blu ray from the show filmed recently at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin on 15th July 2014 is simply perfect for all H&O fans; or just fans of great, solid, honest music, of course.
As the most successful rock and pop duo take to the stage to a standing ovation, both men beaming broadly, both dressed casually (a lot of black going on there, guys!), they immediately break out the hip swaying 'Maneater.' Under blazing and flickering purple lights we next get a solid 'Out Of Touch' (which has always been one of my favorites). Complete with an early crowd singalong, and Hall freely admitting that even he is "amazed that Hall and Oates have never played in Dublin before," next come 'Say It Isn't So' and the darkly fun 'Family Man.'
One of those almost hits, 'It's Uncanny' is next. Straight-up R&B, the song focuses in on every significant influence that surrounded H&O’s early years — from the Spinners to the Four Tops to the O’Jays to the Temptations. The follow-up to 'Rich Girl' (back in 1976, single release wise) 'Back Together Again' is then sung to the baying crowd, and then the 1973 flashback golden days cut 'Las Vegas Turnaround (The Stewardess Song).'
A delightful back-to-back pairing of 'She's Gone' along with 'Sara Smile' make for a quietly relaxing mid-tempo lull to the proceedings, before the Philly soul-oriented ballad 'Do What You Want, Be What You Are' (which barely made the Top 40 back in 1976) is performed live. 'I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)' sees Hall take to his keyboard again, where he stays put for a bathed-under-red-lights, luscious 'Rich Girl.'
A fun and bouncy 'You Make My Dreams' (a song, did you know, with only 19 oh-so-short lines to it), before the R&B groove swing of 'Kiss On My List' brings the crowd up closer to the stage. The show then ends on a massive musical high as Hall proves he still has the high note range to accomplish their early 80's hit single, 'Private Eyes.' This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.77:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Feature of Interviews with both Daryl Hall and John Oates.
www.eagle-rock.com