AC/DC
Live At River Plate
ColumbiaTrack listing:
For most diehard AC/DC fans anything over six months would be far too long between live performances from the Australian greats. Magnify that tenfold for the average Argentinian fan and then consider the 13-year wait for the always-supportive South American punters and what happens is a riotous response from the 200,000 in a attendance across three sold out shows at River Plate in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As luck would have it, you too get to experience the 19-song set from the "Black Ice" world tour by way of the "Live at River Plate" DVD, which captures the electric performances of these classic cuts with 32 cameras in HD.
If you've ever witnessed a concert filmed in front of South American fans, then you already know that they are unmatched in the love shown for "their" bands. Singing every note in unison and showing off homemade banners and clothing too numerous to count, the response from the Buenos Aires crowd could only be described as the polar opposite of polite applause.
The concert itself is one of great songs tightly performed by true rock 'n' roll showman. Included is the ADHD-on-wheels Angus Young who covers every inch of stage and runway, a lean-'n'-mean rabble rouser in Brian Johnson, and a fabulous stage show that features pyrotechnics, big-screen animation, a giant inflatable Rosie (for "Whole Lotta Rosie"),the deafening "For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)" cannon shots, Johnson swinging from a gigantic bell ("Hells Bells"),and Angus Young rising from the depths (below the stage) to perform "Highway to Hell". The vast majority of the songs are taken from Bon Scott- and Brian Johnson-era albums up through "For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)". "Thunderstruck" from "The Razor's Edge" and a few tunes from "Black Ice" make up the remainder. The only real surprise of the bunch is the inclusion of the lesser-known "Dog Eat Dog" from "Let There Be Rock".
The concert itself is all the reason you need to pick up a copy of "Live at River Plate", but a little bonus material never hurts. "The Fan, The Roadie, The Guitar Tech, & The Meat" consists of behind the scenes footage of technical and stage preparation for the shows, as well as commentary from devoted fans and the band members themselves. John Murray's excellent show-opening animation is also featured as a bonus segment. If you're an AC/DC fan, how could you possibly go wrong with this one? You couldn't.