The Performance
Dueling Telecasters, shuffling boogie rhythms, and double-lead vocals -- UK band Status Quo have been cranking out guitar-driven hits for over forty years, ever since their beginnings as a flower power band in the 1960's with hits like "Pictures of Matchstick Men" and "Ice in the Sun." By 1970, however, the musical landscape had shifted and Status Quo's hippie sound had become old hat. Pretty much abandoned by their management and left to fend for themselves, that is when the band developed the beefier, bluesy guitar-driven attack that would come to define them throughout the 1970's and for the rest of their careers.
This period would spawn some of their biggest radio hits, like "Big Fat Mamma," "Down Down," "Down the Dustpipe," and the John Foggerty-penned "Rockin all over the World." In 2009, Status Quo played the Montreux festival while in the midst of their Pictures tour and it is captured here in this live concert disc from Eagle Rock Entertainment. The band has to be one of the loudest, hardest rocking group of performers I have ever had the opportunity to review as a Montreux release. There's no faux-jazz influence here; no pretenses of funk or avant-garde; Status Quo is simply balls-out, down a pint rock and roll.
They ran through all the aforementioned hits as well as some energetic classic rock cover tunes, like the instantly recognizable "Rock 'n' Roll Music" and "The Wanderer" in a twenty-one song set list that hardly lets up for air. For some, Status Quo's songs may sound a bit too "sameish," to say the least, but that could be said about a lot of hard rocking bands who have stuck to their roots, like AC/DC, for instance. The reality is, these blokes can still grind out an onslaught of electric energy that puts some younger acts to shame.
The Picture
Status Quo looks excellent on this Blu-ray release from Eagle Rock. Detail is strong in close-up shots showing a fine amount of lines in skin and scratches on instruments and it extends well into the background. The 1080i/60 MPEG-4 encoding has natural flesh tones, consistent black levels and an overall clean, lifelike look unhindered by video noise and artifacts. It is certainly one of the better-looking presentations I've had the opportunity to review from Eagle Rock.
The Sound
To go along with the solid picture quality is a strong audio presentation as well. Presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0, the twin guitar assault of Status Quo comes through with energy and great separation across the front soundstage. The DTS-HD 5.1mix is big, with tons of ambience and some crowd noise in the surrounds for a real live feel. The midrange sound just a little weak, but there is a surprising amount of lower frequency extension that acts as a good foundation for this band's sometimes thin, "high ended" sound.
A Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is also provided.
The Extras
Final Thoughts
Put it in and crank it up! Status Quo -- Pictures: Live at Montreux 2009 has got party and bar band written all over it. It sounds and looks really good too. It's a solid effort from Eagle Rock Entertainment and it comes highly recommended for those who like their r'n'r lean and mean.
Product Details
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