The Plastic Ono band consisted of John and Yoko, Eric Clapton, bassist Klaus Voormann and future Yes drummer Alan White and this concert represents the only footage ever shot of the band. The concert is historic for another reason too; rock historians mark this show as the official end of the Beatles. Several of Lennon's childhood heroes open the show; Bo Diddley reels off a stomping, mesmerizing version of his signature tune "Bo Diddley" followed by Jerry Lee Lewis performing "Hound Dog" and an oversized pompadour-sporting Little Richard belting out "Lucille." The Plastic Ono Band then takes the stage and Lennon continues the salute to the early days of rock'n'roll with covers of "Blue Suede Shoes," "Money" and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy." The only Beatles song performed is "Yer Blues" followed by a bluesy version of "Cold Turkey;" the song has yet to take on the hauntingly ominous bite that the studio version displays. "Give Peace a Chance" closes Lennon's vocal portion of the show and interestingly enough he has to read the lyrics off crib sheets that are held for him by Ono. Lennon then turns the microphone over to Ono saying, "Now Yoko's going to do her thing." Ono's work has been critically redeemed now but at the time her caterwauling must have been laughed at by any audience member that wasn't stoned out of their mind. Lennon and Clapton coax feedback and various other noodlings out of their guitars while Ono howls out "Don't Worry Kyoko" and "John, John (Let's Hope for Peace)." Overall the film does an excellent job of capturing the anything-goes spirit of the era as well as a major turning point in Lennon's career.

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Slaves to the Rhythm---A Concert for the Prince's Trust
Wienerworld

The concept behind this 2004 concert held at London's Wembley Arena was fairly unique. Musician and producer Trevor Horn brought together a dozen acts that he had worked with over a twenty-five year span and presented them in revue fashion, all for the benefit of Prince Charles' youth-assisting Prince's Trust. The show begins with Horn and band mate Geoff Downes performing their MTV-launching Buggles hit "Video Killed the Radio Star" before joining in with the house band to back up performances by ABC, Seal, the Pet Shop Boys, Lisa Stansfield and the first act Horn ever produced, Dollar. A couple of Horn's newer prot�g�s, Belle & Sebastian and Tatu perform as do German group Propaganda and Art of Noise. Yes plays a medley that includes "Owner of a Lonely Heart," Grace Jones wows the crowd with vocal work and one of her typically revealing stage get-ups and the evening comes to a spectacular close with several hits from Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Prince Charles is in attendance for this surprisingly cohesive show.

Steve Hogarth
H: Naked in the Chapel
Poison Apple

Hogarth is the singer and keyboard player with Marillion; a position that he's held for twenty years. The "naked" in this film's title refers to the fact that here Hogarth performs alone and acoustically, playing piano and singing mostly songs from his long career with Marillion. Hogarth seems to make the set list up as he goes, telling stories between songs and occasionally bantering with the packed house at London's Union Chapel. A cover of Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed" is as raucous as the show gets; Hogarth reveals the thoughtful side of Marillion's music with quiet versions of "The Hollow Man," "Afraid of Sunlight," "When I Met God," "Fantastic Place" and half a dozen others.

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