The Long Ryders - Rockin' at the Roxy Live in L.A. DVD

This DVD features an enthusiastic and energetic live set by one of the pioneers in alt-country as they approach their prime, warts and all, although the warts are few. The intro and outro are admittedly cheesy and dated and the intro in particular cuts into the first song "Lights of Downtown." Perhaps surprisingly the sound is full and well-mixed, somewhat better than I expected for a live concert recorded in 1986. The songs are a nice mix of crowd-pleasers and selected album tracks, although it lacks the seminal country-punk rave-up "(Sweet) Mental Revenge" by Mel Tillis. The five songs performed by bandleader Sid Griffin solo acoustically in storyteller form in a recording studio are impressive, especially with his generous verbal annotation of each; I appreciated hearing Griffin's respect and affection for his Ryders bandmates. As likely the only video recording of the Long Ryders in their heyday available, this is an invaluable document and provides a complement of sorts to the Ryders 2004 UK reunion tour recording "State of Our Re-Union'. Both avid Ryders fans and the casually curious should purchase a copy, new or used, before they are no longer widely available - I surmise this is already out of print and the Amazon Market Place vendors are clearing their warehouses and backrooms of old new stock.

Great glimpse at a great american band in their heyday. Too bad it has all production values of a cable access show ......still the guys are "rockin " and play with all the fire and fury you'd expect from them during this era

VERY NICE DVD

Great band-great recording and spot-on service.

I've been a fan of this group since the late 80's and have seen them live a few times in London and was knocked out by the shows-hence buying this DVD. The band are trying hard - but both the production and post production leave a lot to be desired. The sound is lack-lustre with Sid's guitar way down in the mix. It looks like the gig was filmed with the house lights up - thus creating zero atmosphere.... The audience seem lame and like a bunch of preppy, soon to be accountants.Having seen the band at the Hammersmith Clarendon Hotel in London - I actually found this pretty unwatchable.