TIRED OF THE FUSS?
(Live at the Town & Country reviewed)

Publication: San Jose Mercury News & The Chicago Tribune
Date Printed: Friday, August 31, 1990
Section: Weekend
Page: 12D
By: LYNN VAN MATRE, Chicago Tribune

THERE'S nothing quite like a live show -- and, even with the summer concert season winding down, there are still plenty of big names on the road, headed for a nearby venue. But what if you've had your fill of teeming crowds, temperamental sound systems and post-performance parking lot gridlock? One solution: Stay home and get your music fix via video. Below, a look at a dozen best bets among the latest crop of in-concert rock, pop, rap and jazz/fusion videos. Unless otherwise noted, all clock in at about one hour.

THE POGUES: "Live at the Town and Country" (Island): The Pogues, whose raucous post-punk approach to traditional Celtic folk music makes them one of the most exciting and original bands around, are in fine form in this St. Patrick's Day performance at a London club. Songs include "Dirty Old Town," "Fairytale of New York," "Rainy Night in Soho" and "London Calling"; guest musicians include Joe Strummer (of Clash fame), who is interviewed backstage and offers capsule comments on each of the band members. The best backstage moment comes when Strummer describes front man and songwriter Shane MacGowan as a "visionary, one of the finest writers of the century," while the camera catches Alfred E. Newman-look-alike MacGowan looking especially goofy.

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