Roxy Music: Live at the Apollo

Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera mused in a recent interview about being “considered old dogs that were about to be shot and put out of their misery” before the band embarked on this 2001 tour, their first in some 18 years. He needn't have worried: Manzanera and fellow original members Bryan Ferry and Andy Mackay, joined by an array of excellent musicians, singers, and even dancers, are in fine fettle for this near-two-hour concert filmed at London's Apollo theater. The generous 20-song set of stylish, appealing tunes range from early hits like “Virginia Plain” and “Do the Strand” to later fare such as the seductive “Avalon” and “Dance Away.” OK, so the urbane, ever-dapper Ferry may not be the world's greatest singer (although, in all fairness, the front vocals seem to be a bit low in this Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo mix, with the latter being the better-sounding option), and these tunes are hardly world-changers…but with Roxy Music it's all about the vibe, and these folks have it in spades. The DVD also includes a featurette with band interviews, a press conference clip, and rehearsal footage. Recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)