Finally...The First Farewell Tour (US Release)

Phil Collins has always graciously bothered to record a "memento" show to document his successful world tours...Berlin in 1990, Paris in 1997, Dallas in 1985. A nice reward for some of us who got to see them in person. His 2004 "First Final Farwell Tour" was no exception. If anything, this DVD reminds me how disappointing it is Collins has chosen now to "retire"; he has always packed his shows with top-notch production, both in visuals and sound. However, this couldn't always be captured on VHS (or even DVD rereleases of VHS). This DVD does capture it though. DVD technology has caught up to him...and now he's leaving!Still, he has left us something truly wonderful on this DVD. Filmed in Paris in June 2004, the musical performances are fantastic, most notably topped with great sax solos by Gerald Albright. Helmed by director Hamish Hamilton, who worked wonders with Peter Gabriel's "Growing Up Live" DVD in 2003, the video footage is likewise sweeping in its scope, covering the massive stage, loads of band members, and the vast audience present. Collins is enjoyable to watch, but so too is everyone else around him.The DVD is also packed with bonuses. A few performances from the concert come with the "multi-angle" feature and it is used here to good effect. Most tracks are also accompanied by their original music videos, which are nice to finally have in a digital format. There are also several other rare live performances culled from the archives that really make this DVD a must-have for all Collins fans.Great visuals and great music, along with tons of extras, make this DVD a great buy. Sadly, Collins is part of a slowly-disappearing class of musicians who combined stunning visual styles with musical substance and produced fantastic rich shows that never tire on repeated viewing. Yet, thanks to great DVDs like this one, the show will always go on.

When I ordered this DVD I mistakenly told my wife I had done so. I placed the order on Saturday and she was on my case by Monday. Thanks to Amazon's shipping policy it was in her hands by Tuesday afternoon (Thank you oh Thank you Amazon). This is a unique collection of Phil. The songs are the same as most concerts, however, the stage and players are different. I miss Phil Banks and Mike Rutherford. In many ways this is the Caroussel Concert updated. Unique with this DVD is the ability to view it from different angles. My original player did not offer this option, however, after purchasing an upgrade I can now switch the angle/view of the show. There are six to seven songs in which you can change your viewpoint during the show. It is worth utilizing. Aside from the updated songs this is nothing more than theCaroussel album reproduced in better quality and effects. That said, it, the DVD, is a tremendous copulation of Phil's best works. Truly is worth the money and a keepsake. Let us hope his Second Farewell Concert includes more/any of his original works.

I saw Phil do this same concert live in Phoenix AZ back in 2004 (I think it was.) It was the most amazing concert! I often wished I could relive it. Then, I discovered this DVD set, and it is almost exactly the same as the concert I saw live. The live drum solo after the intermission was a bit longer than the one on the DVD, but the costumes, lighting, sets, etc. were all the same. I've watched it dozens of times and never get tired of it. Where does Phil get all that energy? He was non-stop! I also loved the extra interviews and set angles. I highly recommend this set.

I at 51 love Phil more as the years go by, with the pain of his hands you can't take your eyes off the best Drum Solo then to 2 then 3 to open this Concert. I am so sad for him that as a musician and music lover since I was born the pain it must cause over the ear problems (not related to the music it's viral) and now the nerve pain in his hands is so bad that on Going Back which I have is so good. He had to have the sticks taped to his hands, according to his site. That broke my heart as I have severe nerve damage all over but like Phil I am still standing. From the Beginning of The Drums to The Unbelievable duet on Separate Lives what a voice she has. It is a 2 Disc set. I have watched daily since I got it last week I just love it. I think Phil has had to take a lot of heat over the years so unfair, wives that think they have a sense of ownership in his hard work 46 Million higher than Paul McCartney. If being married didn't work out you shouldn't automatically think cash machine. Back to his Music you can't go wrong on any of the DVD's but this one is hot hot hot, and Phil Anytime You want to You've definitely got the Groovy thing still going on. Hope to see him again. Love Journeylovingirl

I pre-ordered this DVD over a month ago and waited anxiously in anticipation. I went to two of the concerts from the tour in Ann Arbor and Columbus. I am a loyal fan. HOWEVER, this whole Paris taping it wasn't the best selection. One of my favorite duets by Phil is Separate Lives and in it he sang with both (I believe) Amy Keys and maybe Lamont Vanhook? Anyway he used two of his singers in the song and it was AMAZING. I only wish he would have used the same trio in his DVD. Does anyone know where I can get ahold of that song???? My only other complaint about the tour in general was the lack of songs from Both Sides of the Story, which was a good album. Anyway the rest of the DVD is perfect and a must-have for any and all Phil Collins fans.

Wer Phil Collins mag... Ein absolutes Muß.

superbe concert merci

Este concierto lo tenía ya desde hace muchos años, pero como vivo en clima tropical y playa, es posible que por ello se haya dañado el DVD y tuve que reponerlo.El material es de primera, pero tiene una calidad de audio insuperable. De lujo.

Ça m'a rappelé des souvenirs. Très bien

Eins vorweg: ich bin kein bedingungsloser Phil Collins Fan, ich mag einfach gute (Pop-)Musik. Was Phil Collins hier abliefert ist schlicht unglaublich.Technisch ist die DVD über jeden Zweifel erhaben. Hervorragender Ton und Bild. Selbst Kameraführung und Bildregie sind sehr gekonnt gemacht und liefern praktisch immer einen interessanten Blickwinkel, ohne jemals etwas zu verpassen. Das Bonusmaterial ist toll, zu fast jedem Titel gibt es das original Musikvideo.Was mich aber hauptsächlich begeistert ist die Art und Weise, wie hier Menschen zusammen Musik machen. Vollblutmusiker, die so perfekt zusammen spielen, dass man meinen könnte, das Ganze wäre klanglich ein Fake. Nach dem Motto: "Super, da läuft nur eine im Studio produzierte Aufnahme ab!" Aber weit gefehlt. Die guten Kamerablickwinkel fangen diese Gedanken immer wieder ein, und beweisen, dass hier alles echt und live ist. Wenn auch natürlich mit modernster Tontechnik.Für die Qualität der Musik spricht auch die bloße Anzahl der Besetzungen. Gleich mehrere gute Blechbläser und Drummer plus Percussioner spielen zusammen. Eine glückliche Auswahl, die heute aus Kostengründen meist wegrationalisiert wird. Schließlich könnte man den Ton auch elektronisch einspielen. Doch nur echte Menschen können diesen lebendigen Klang produzieren.Es wirkt auf mich sehr sypmathisch wie der Weltstar mit der großen Band in bester Laune und ohne jede Spur von Allüren Musik macht. Alle kommen sie in normaler Kleidung daher, kein Firlefanz, nur Musik. Jedes Bandmitglied ist im Grunde auch ein hervorragender Solomusiker. Ein bunter Haufen gut gelaunter Meschen aller Coloeur, rein optisch ist allein der lässige Bassist mit dem ZZ-Top-Bart eine Schau für sich. Und wenn die Chorsänger und Sängerinnen Solo ran dürfen, gehen alle Nackenhaare hoch.Die moderne Bühne mit wunderschönen Lichteffekten ergänzt das Geschehen, ohne sich jemals in den Vordergund zu drängen.Wer sich nur etwas mit der Produktion von Musik und Bühnenshows auskennt, bekommt ob der Perfektion schnell Tränen in die Augen. Chapeau!Über das Repertoir muss ich mich nicht auslassen. Mir gefällt es sehr gut, schließlich sind alle großen Hits dabei. Details sind im Inhaltsverzeichnis zu lesen.Für Fans, Popmusikhörer und Showästheten gilt: KAUFEN! Das ist DIE DVD für die einsame Insel.