Sydney dance-rock purveyors INXS played this concert for the German TV music series Rockpalast in 1997, co-headlining Loreley's Open Air Festival along with Simple Minds. That same year, they released Elegantly Wasted, their final CD featuring the group's original lineup. As was often the case, singer Michael Hutchence commands most of the attention, although he plays no instruments. Instead, he struts and shimmies, much like Mick Jagger, while also smoking, swearing, and shaking the camera. His band mates include Andrew Farriss (guitar/keyboards), Tim Farriss (guitar), Kirk Pengilly (guitar/saxophone), Garry Beers (bass), Jon Farriss (drums), and backup singers Jane Dobbins and Shelley Preston. Not surprisingly, INXS's 1980s material, such as “New Sensation” and “Need You Tonight” (from 1987's Kick), works best, since they were running low on inspiration by the '90s, but with the exception of 1985's “What You Need,” the band plays few early hits during the 18-song set. Still, Hutchence is a charismatic performer, and his voice is in good form here, although it's hard to tell whether he's drunk or playing around with the “elegantly wasted” concept. Five months later, he was dead (drugs and alcohol were involved, although the death was ruled a suicide). Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, and Dolby Digital stereo, extras include six bonus tracks from a 1984 Rockpalast Club Concert in Hamburg, in which a mullet-haired Hutchence performs radio staples including “Original Sin” and “Don't Change.” A strong optional purchase. (K. Fennessy)
INXS: Mystify
(1997) 105 min. DVD: $14.98. Eagle Rock Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Volume 26, Issue 2
INXS: Mystify
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