"Actor: The Allman Brothers Band"

• The Allman Brothers Band - Live At The Beacon Theatre | DVD | (12/05/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  It takes an aircraft-carrier of a release such as Live at the Beacon Theatre to remind us just how unique the Allman Brothers Band always was and still is. Traditionally a byword for down-home R&B/country blues-rock, the reality is that the band's gigantic sound is almost a musical form in itself. Make no mistake, the Allmans are still making big music, now with a two-guitar front line as well as their trademark two-drummer rhythm section (augmented these days with an additional percussionist), plus Gregg Allman's Hammond cutting through all of this like a serrated knife. The only anomaly is his voice, which has always had a strange, recessed quality, as though he sings without actually breathing. That said, his vocal style is a distinctive element of what the band's all about, so hey. This release offers a massive set filmed in New York in March 2003 which is chock-full of things you'll need to hear (especially "Desdemona" and "Whipping Post"). The concert footage alone lasts about three hours and the whole thing is immaculately produced without detracting from the atmosphere of the event in any way. Never mind the ponytails, the Allmans give you the whole pony. On the DVD: Live at the Beacon Theatre two-disc set has generous extras that turn what was already a good deal into a veritable bargain. The lengthy interview material gets off to a shaky start by focusing at embarrassing length on how much more sober and generally together the band is than it used to be, but when the apologies are over we get some genuine insights into both the personalities and the music involved. There's also behind-the-scenes and rehearsal footage (much of which is both funny and poignant) and a photo gallery. The DVD is in 4:3 aspect ratio and has stereo, Dolby 5.1 and DTS 5.1 sound options. --Roger Thomas

• Great Performers Tom Dowd and the Language Of Music | DVD | (08/10/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £4.99

  Tom Dowd And The Language Of Music profiles the extraordinary life and legendary work of music producer/recording engineer Tom Dowd. Historical footage vintage photographs and interviews with a who's who list of musical giants from the worlds of jazz soul and classic rock shine a spotlight on the brilliance of Tom Dowd whose creative spirit and passion for innovative technology helped shape the course of modern music.Tom Dowd's credits include recording sessions with Aretha Franklin Ray Charles Eric Clapton Otis Redding John Coltrane The Allman Brothers Band Tito Puente Dizzy Gillespie Thelonious Monk Cream Rod Stewart Lynyrd Skynyrd Booker T & the MG's and countless other musical luminaries.

• The Allman Brothers - At The Beacon | DVD | (03/08/2013) from £20.23   |  Saving you £-9.24 (-84.10%)   |  RRP £10.99

  The Allman Brothers live in concert in New York City March 2003. Tracklist: 1.Ain't Wastin' Time No More 2.Black Hearted Woman 3.Statesboro Blues 4.Woman Across The River 5.Change Is Gonna Come 6.Maydell 7.Come and Go Blues 8.Rockin' Horse 9.Desdemona 10.Don't Keep Me Wondering 11.Midnight Rider 12.Soulshine 13.The High Cost Of Low Living 14.Leave My Blues At Home 15.Old Before My Time 16.The Same Thing 17.Melissa 18.Instrumental Illness 19.Worried Down With The Blues 20.Dr