Live from Amsterdam (DVD)
Encyclopedia
Live from Amsterdam is the first concert film
and live album
by American rock band Alter Bridge
, recorded on December 7, 2008 at the Heineken Music Hall
in Amsterdam
, Netherlands
and released to extremely positive reviews on September 12, 2009 via Amazon
. A Blu-ray
retail version, along with a deluxe box set, was delayed several times by Universal Republic
, Alter Bridge's former record label, causing controversy and the band's eventual split from the label. It was finally released in stores in North America on January 11, 2011, almost two years after the originally planned release date, by DC3 Music Group and Alter Bridge Recordings.
Live from Amsterdam was directed and produced by Daniel Catullo
from DC3 Music Group
and Coming Home Productions, who has also worked with artists such as Nickelback
, Godsmack
, Marylin Manson, Chickenfoot
, Dave Matthews Band
, and The Smashing Pumpkins
.
during their 2007–2008 Blackbird
tour. This was a notable concert as Led Zeppelin
members Jimmy Page
and John Paul Jones
had been in attendance. However, due to scheduling conflicts, the DVD filming was postponed. The filming was rescheduled to December 7, 2008 at the Heineken Music Hall
in Amsterdam. On January 1, 2009, the band announced that they would offer fans a preview of the DVD. Originally, a tentative release date had been set for February 2009 according to a statement made by Alter Bridge's press liaison. However, it was pushed back several times due to the extensive time it took to edit the DVD. In June 2009, a Myspace page for the DVD was launched. Live from Amsterdam was directed and produced by Daniel Catullo
.
The DVD was finally sold venues during Creed
's 2009 reunion tour on September 12, 2009 and later released exclusively on Amazon.com
on October 6, 2009 and became extremely successful. A Blu-ray Disc
version was revealed to be released in stores, along with a deluxe edition, on September 29, 2009 on the DVD's Myspace page. However, one day before the projected release date, it was announced that it had been postponed again at the last minute due to issues between record labels. Singer Myles Kennedy
issued an apology to the fans a few days later. As announced on the DVD's Myspace page, the new release date was February 23, 2010, one full year since it was originally planned to be released, but several delays followed. However, despite continually voicing their frustration, Alter Bridge remained optimistic about its release.
As announced on November 21, 2010, Live from Amsterdam aired on Palladia on December 19, 2010. The same announcement said that the deluxe edition of the DVD would be released in stores worldwide on January 11, 2011. On the same day, it was announced that it would be released in Europe "sometime in December." The message, which was posted on the DVD's Myspace page, also said, " We promise this time the release WILL happen!" It was finally released in stores in North America on January 11, 2011. Universal Republic
and Wind-up Records
, Alter Bridge's former record labels, have not given explanations for the delays.
Included on the DVD is a cover of "Travelling Riverside Blues" by Robert Johnson
, as well as a tribute to The Beatles
where singer Myles Kennedy performs the opening guitar part of The Beatles' song "Blackbird
" as an intro to Alter Bridge's song of the same name
.
and Bon Jovi
and in just eight hours reached #1, where it remained for several weeks. Amazon had reportedly expected to sell only few hundred copies, but instead, "thousands and thousands" of copies were sold. This is a notable feat as it was done entirely by word of mouth
with no official promotion.
The Amazon exclusive version has received praise from several professional reviewers, including Paul Roy from Blogcritics
who called it "spectacular." Another very positive review by The Audio Perv said, "You don't have to be an Alter Bridge fanatic to enjoy the truly mesmerizing performance on this DVD. Shot in several different angles, director Dan Catullo truly captures the band in far more than just a usual gig. You see and feel frontman Myles Kennedy not just singing at you the audience, but singing to you, the individual viewer." The reviewer also praised the production, praising it for being "not only visually appealing with all the high quality shots of the band and incredible stage show and lighting but also superb in sound."
It has received an average four and half stars on Amazon.
Additional musicians
Production
Concert film
A concert movie, or concert film, is a type of documentary film, the subject of which is an extended live performance or concert by a musician ....
and live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
by American rock band Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge is an American rock band that was formed in 2004 in Orlando, Florida by lead guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips, who are all also members of Creed. Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Myles Kennedy, formerly of The Mayfield Four and the frontman...
, recorded on December 7, 2008 at the Heineken Music Hall
Heineken Music Hall
Heineken Music Hall is a concert hall in Amsterdam, Netherlands, near the Amsterdam ArenA .The big hall is used for concerts, has a capacity of 5500 and is 3000 m²...
in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and released to extremely positive reviews on September 12, 2009 via Amazon
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
. A Blu-ray
Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
retail version, along with a deluxe box set, was delayed several times by Universal Republic
Universal Republic
Universal Republic Records is a record label, owned by Universal Music Group. It is based on the now-defunct Republic Records label founded by brothers Monte and Avery Lipman...
, Alter Bridge's former record label, causing controversy and the band's eventual split from the label. It was finally released in stores in North America on January 11, 2011, almost two years after the originally planned release date, by DC3 Music Group and Alter Bridge Recordings.
Live from Amsterdam was directed and produced by Daniel Catullo
Daniel Catullo
Daniel E. Catullo III, is an award-winning, 20-year entertainment industry veteran. Dan Catullo is Co-Founder /CEO of DC3 Music Group, LLC, a Production and Distribution Company, specializing in 3D Films, Music Videos and Live Concert DVDs, where he also serves as executive producer, producer and...
from DC3 Music Group
DC3 Music Group
DC3 Music Group is a multi-media company specializing in exclusive live concerts and behind the scenes content from musical artists, which are distributed through multiple distribution channels, including the latest mobile and digital technology...
and Coming Home Productions, who has also worked with artists such as Nickelback
Nickelback
Nickelback is a Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta. Since 1995 the band has included guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist and back-up vocalist Ryan Peake and bassist Mike Kroeger.. The band's current drummer and percussionist is Daniel Adair who has been with the band since 2005....
, Godsmack
Godsmack
Godsmack is an American heavy metal band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The band is composed of founder, frontman and songwriter Sully Erna, guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill, and drummer Shannon Larkin...
, Marylin Manson, Chickenfoot
Chickenfoot
Chickenfoot is an American rock supergroup, consisting of former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony , solo artist Joe Satriani and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. The band released their self-titled debut album, Chickenfoot, on June 5, 2009...
, Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
, and The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
.
Background
On October 3, 2008, Alter Bridge announced on their website that they would shoot a DVD of their concert on November 8, 2008 at the Brixton Academy in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
during their 2007–2008 Blackbird
Blackbird (album)
Blackbird is the second studio album by rock band Alter Bridge, released on October 9, 2007. The first single, "Rise Today", was released on July 30, 2007. The album peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200, selling 47,000 copies in its first week on the charts. As of December 2008, Blackbird has...
tour. This was a notable concert as Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
members Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
and John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones (musician)
John Paul Jones is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger and record producer. Best known as the bassist, mandolinist, and keyboardist for English rock band Led Zeppelin, Jones has since developed a solo career and has gained even more respect as both a musician and a...
had been in attendance. However, due to scheduling conflicts, the DVD filming was postponed. The filming was rescheduled to December 7, 2008 at the Heineken Music Hall
Heineken Music Hall
Heineken Music Hall is a concert hall in Amsterdam, Netherlands, near the Amsterdam ArenA .The big hall is used for concerts, has a capacity of 5500 and is 3000 m²...
in Amsterdam. On January 1, 2009, the band announced that they would offer fans a preview of the DVD. Originally, a tentative release date had been set for February 2009 according to a statement made by Alter Bridge's press liaison. However, it was pushed back several times due to the extensive time it took to edit the DVD. In June 2009, a Myspace page for the DVD was launched. Live from Amsterdam was directed and produced by Daniel Catullo
Daniel Catullo
Daniel E. Catullo III, is an award-winning, 20-year entertainment industry veteran. Dan Catullo is Co-Founder /CEO of DC3 Music Group, LLC, a Production and Distribution Company, specializing in 3D Films, Music Videos and Live Concert DVDs, where he also serves as executive producer, producer and...
.
The DVD was finally sold venues during Creed
Creed (band)
Creed is an American rock band formed in 1995 in Tallahassee, Florida. Becoming popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the band has released three consecutive multi-platinum albums, one of which has been certified diamond, and has sold over 28 million records in the United States, with an...
's 2009 reunion tour on September 12, 2009 and later released exclusively on Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
on October 6, 2009 and became extremely successful. A Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
version was revealed to be released in stores, along with a deluxe edition, on September 29, 2009 on the DVD's Myspace page. However, one day before the projected release date, it was announced that it had been postponed again at the last minute due to issues between record labels. Singer Myles Kennedy
Myles Kennedy
Myles Richard Kennedy is an American musician and singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Alter Bridge, and as the lead vocalist in Slash's current solo project...
issued an apology to the fans a few days later. As announced on the DVD's Myspace page, the new release date was February 23, 2010, one full year since it was originally planned to be released, but several delays followed. However, despite continually voicing their frustration, Alter Bridge remained optimistic about its release.
As announced on November 21, 2010, Live from Amsterdam aired on Palladia on December 19, 2010. The same announcement said that the deluxe edition of the DVD would be released in stores worldwide on January 11, 2011. On the same day, it was announced that it would be released in Europe "sometime in December." The message, which was posted on the DVD's Myspace page, also said, " We promise this time the release WILL happen!" It was finally released in stores in North America on January 11, 2011. Universal Republic
Universal Republic
Universal Republic Records is a record label, owned by Universal Music Group. It is based on the now-defunct Republic Records label founded by brothers Monte and Avery Lipman...
and Wind-up Records
Wind-Up Records
Wind-up Entertainment, Inc. is a record label based in New York City. It was formed in 1997 by Alan Meltzer, former owner of CD One Stop, following his 1996 purchase of Grass Records. Wind-up is currently the largest independently-owned record label in the world...
, Alter Bridge's former record labels, have not given explanations for the delays.
Included on the DVD is a cover of "Travelling Riverside Blues" by Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson
Robert Leroy Johnson was an American blues singer and musician. His landmark recordings from 1936–37 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that have influenced later generations of musicians. Johnson's shadowy, poorly documented life and death at age 27 have given...
, as well as a tribute to The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
where singer Myles Kennedy performs the opening guitar part of The Beatles' song "Blackbird
Blackbird (song)
"Blackbird" is a Beatles song from the double-disc album The Beatles . Blackbird was written by Paul McCartney, but credited to Lennon–McCartney.-Origins:...
" as an intro to Alter Bridge's song of the same name
Blackbird (Alter Bridge song)
"Blackbird" is a song by the American rock band Alter Bridge from their album of the same name, which was released on October 8, 2007 by Universal Republic. At nearly eight minutes long, it is the band's longest song to date...
.
Reception
The Amazon exclusive version of Live from Amsterdam was overwhelmingly successful, with very positive reviews from fans and critics. On October 22, 2010, it rose 15,000 spots on Amazon's "Bestsellers in Music Videos & Concerts" chart, rising ahead of artists such as Michael JacksonMichael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
and Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
and in just eight hours reached #1, where it remained for several weeks. Amazon had reportedly expected to sell only few hundred copies, but instead, "thousands and thousands" of copies were sold. This is a notable feat as it was done entirely by word of mouth
Word of mouth
Word of mouth, or viva voce, is the passing of information from person to person by oral communication. Storytelling is the oldest form of word-of-mouth communication where one person tells others of something, whether a real event or something made up. Oral tradition is cultural material and...
with no official promotion.
The Amazon exclusive version has received praise from several professional reviewers, including Paul Roy from Blogcritics
Blogcritics
Blogcritics is a blog network and online magazine of news and opinion. The site—a self-proclaimed "sinister cabal of superior writers"—was founded in 2002 by Eric Olsen and Phillip Winn...
who called it "spectacular." Another very positive review by The Audio Perv said, "You don't have to be an Alter Bridge fanatic to enjoy the truly mesmerizing performance on this DVD. Shot in several different angles, director Dan Catullo truly captures the band in far more than just a usual gig. You see and feel frontman Myles Kennedy not just singing at you the audience, but singing to you, the individual viewer." The reviewer also praised the production, praising it for being "not only visually appealing with all the high quality shots of the band and incredible stage show and lighting but also superb in sound."
It has received an average four and half stars on Amazon.
CD
DVD
Personnel
Alter Bridge- Myles KennedyMyles KennedyMyles Richard Kennedy is an American musician and singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Alter Bridge, and as the lead vocalist in Slash's current solo project...
— lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together... - Mark TremontiMark TremontiMark Thomas Tremonti is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the lead guitarist of the American rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge. He is a founding member of both bands...
— lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Brian MarshallBrian MarshallBrian Aubrey Marshall is an American musician and songwriter best known as the bassist and co-founder of the rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge. He also co-owns a bed and breakfast called Mango Moon in Costa Rica.-Early life:...
— bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Scott PhillipsScott Phillips (drummer)Thomas Scott "Flip" Phillips is the drummer and co-founder of the bands Alter Bridge and Creed. Phillips grew up in Madison, Florida. He started out playing in a band called Crosscut at 18. In 2004, he joined Alter Bridge with fellow then-former Creed members bassist Brian Marshall and lead...
— drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Additional musicians
- Ian Keith — rhythm guitar on "One Day Remains"
Production
- Daniel E. Catullo IIIDaniel CatulloDaniel E. Catullo III, is an award-winning, 20-year entertainment industry veteran. Dan Catullo is Co-Founder /CEO of DC3 Music Group, LLC, a Production and Distribution Company, specializing in 3D Films, Music Videos and Live Concert DVDs, where he also serves as executive producer, producer and...
— directionFilm directorA film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:... - Lionel Max Pasamonte II, Daniel E. Catullo III, Peter James Bowers, Michael Tremonti — productionFilm producerA film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
- Brian Lisi, Simon Thierer, Matthew King, Paul GearyPaul GearyPaul Geary is an American rock and roll drummer and manager. He was once the drummer for the Funk metal band, Extreme...
, Steve Wood — executive productionExecutive producerAn executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production... - Michael Romanyshyn — editingFilm editingFilm editing is part of the creative post-production process of filmmaking. It involves the selection and combining of shots into sequences, and ultimately creating a finished motion picture. It is an art of storytelling...
- Brian Sperber — mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
- Brian Gardner — masteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...