Slaves to the Rhythm

This 2004 charity concert for the Prince's Trust, performed in London's Wembley Arena, pays tribute to the then-25-year-long career of producer Trevor Horn, who does triple duty here as host, bass player, and lead vocalist of the Buggles, whose famous MTV-launching anthem “Video Killed the Radio Star” kicks off the proceedings for this 23-song set featuring 13 acts. Hard to say what Prince Charles thought of the faux-lesbian Russian jailbait duo t.a.T.u. skipping across the stage performing “All the Things She Said,” but fans of Brit pop will no doubt find something to appreciate here. Maybe not Dollar (“Give Me Back My Heart”) or ABC (performing three songs, unfortunately) or Propaganda (“Dr. Mabuse”), but who can resist the Amazonian power of a fully-charged Grace Jones performing the title track or Seal (serving up fine renditions of “Killer,” “Kiss From a Rose,” and “Crazy”) or Pet Shop Boys (“Left to My Own Devices” and “It's Alright”)? Despite backing vocalist Paul Rutherford's defiant claim—”We are Frankie Goes to Hollywood”—the band's lead singer here sports impossible six-pack abs (that's because he's not Holly Johnson, but rather twentysomething fill-in Ryan Molloy). No matter: the crowd goes wild for “Welcome to the Pleasuredome,” “Two Tribes,” and Frankie's signature hit “Relax.” And this may be your only chance to see Yes guitarists (of different eras) Steve Howe and Trevor Rabin share the stage for the mega-hit “Owner of a Lonely Heart.” Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, DVD extras include a pair of featurettes: one behind-the-scenes, the other on the re-formed Frankie Goes to Hollywood. A mixed bag, to be sure, Slaves to the Rhythm is a strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)