Lamonte Van Hook
This concert Blu-ray sees Phil Collins take his superb new album Going Back into the live arena. Filmed in June of this year in the intimate surroundings of New York s famous Roseland Ballroom, this is a real chance to get up close and personal as Phil Collins faithfully recreates the soul and Motown classics that he loved as a teenager. His band includes three of Motown s original backing band The Funk Brothers: Bob Babbitt on bass and guitarists Eddie Willis and Ray Monette, as well as two stalwarts of Genesis live shows: Chester Thompson on drums and Darryl Stuermer on guitars. Phil Collins performs a number of Motown covers during the course of this high-energy show performed at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. The setlist of over a dozen tunes includes "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone,"and "Going to a Go-Go."
"In 2004 I came to a major decision in my life. I decided to stop my seemingly endless days of touring. I had been on the road for the last 30 years, and now with 2 young children I decided that enough was enough. It was time to say goodnight. This film documents the last stage of that goodnight tour. It covered many places I'd never played before, and some places NO ONE had played before. The result was that we encountered many remarkable obstacles. Sadly it was during this tour that my marriage slowly disintegrated before my eyes... and there was nothing to be done but continue. Filmmaker Anthony Mathile was with me from the first day of rehearsals to the last date in Prague. Therefore he captured many moments, good/bad... happy/sad. For me it is a film of mixed emotions, but it is also a film that touches me more than anything I've done before." - Phil Collins
In 2004, Phil Collins began the first leg of an international concert tour which Collins announced would mark his retirement from live performing. Phil Collins: Finally...The First Final Farewell documents the Paris date on his last set of live shows, in which the internationally famous musician was joined by a superb backing band for a set of his greatest songs. Selections include "In the Air Tonight," "Against All Odds," "Sussudio," "Don't Lose My Number," "Take Me Home," "One More Night," and many more.
Phil Collins has made a number of appearances at Montreux over the years as a solo artist, with his big band or as a guest performer with the likes of Eric Clapton and Quincy Jones. In this performance filmed at the 2004 festival, he performs all of his best known hits from his solo career. Bonus footage of a performance by the Phil Collins Big Band at Montreux from 1996 is also included. This is the first time any of Phil's big band material has been made available and features Tony Bennett on a track. This combination of all his classic songs coupled with rare big band material shows the breadth of musical genres Phil has covered in his career and makes a perfect celebration of Phil's association with Montreux.
Phil Collins planned this as his final tour performing his greatest hits and favorite songs.
