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Johnny Thunders Live: In Cold BloodDirector: n/a Rating: M 30 mins MVD/Warner The late Johnny Thunders was a pivotal character in the transition to the 'new wave' in the late 1970's and this film offers an opportunity to experience this self-destructive talent. 'In Cold Blood', dedicated to John Belushi, was released in 2002 in the US and is a precious artefact. Recorded live in New York on March 13 1982, it shows Thunders performing ten songs with his band. There are a few classics including Too Much Junkie Business, Pipeline, Sad Vacation and Born To Lose. The sound quality is very good with no overdubs, faithfully preserving a few bum notes. Two skilfully-handled cameras provide images that have been nicely edited to get a close look at all the action. The good lighting means the result is an honest and authentic representation of the time, with the producers resisting any temptation to use special rendering or enhancement effects. The stage for the show is adorned with a very Jolly Roger flag though Thunders himself initially appears quite unwell, especially around the eyes. He fusses frequently with his guitar's tuning, strap and lead, giving a tenuous feeling to proceedings. Nevertheless, once he gets organised he is adept on his instrument. He is also surprisingly spritely on his feet, strutting about in a ripped shirt, looking like a cross between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Thunders play-acts the mock-sexist rock-star, and although he chats to Sid Vicious in Rock'n'Roll "heaven", the music really owes a lot more to R&B and boogie than it does to punk. The band provides good support and is probably Joe Mazzari on bass, Walter Lure on guitar and vocals and Billy Rogers on drums, though there is no information in the artwork or on the video about such things. The whole program is only thirty minutes long with no extras of any kind so it's pretty minimalist fare; but it does document an exciting concert performed before a small, warm, club-crowd and is otherwise a high-quality item, made with care and containing many points of interest for lovers of rock'n'roll. It stands up as an excellent museum-piece of more than just esoteric appeal for enthusiasts. It is an almost shambolic performance kept flying by Thunders' seemingly drug-addled charisma and a workmanlike but spirited rock'n'roll band.  |
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