The Jam Album: “Complete Jam [DVD]”

The bottom line is: every JAM fan should own this immediately - the quality/range of the material included on this amazing 2-DVD set is AWESOME...BUT as much as love all the TV clips, archival footage (esp the cool "Meet the Jam" piece!), live segments, and videos, I do wish they would have included the VIDEO version of the Jam's final single, "BEAT SURRENDER" which I sometimes would see on early MTV - it's really polished and exciting, oh well...AND also, where is the stunning, raw set they did on ABC's early 80's late-night "FRIDAYS" show, etc. These omissions are the only reason why I docked it one star - since it's really not "complete" but for any JAM fans, even casual ones, this is a definite MUST-HAVE keeper DVD you will go back to again and again!! Makes you feel nostalgic and even a bit SAD for a time lost in pop/rock music, never to be returned! -

First off: BUY this DVD ! Sell off those iffy CD's you own from all those iffy bands, and put the cash towards this terrific "JAM" DVD. I have been a Jam fan from way back in '79 but never saw a video or anything from them for years no matter how hard I looked - now here's more video and live stuff than I could possibly have hoped for. It has stayed in my player for months now. I watch it everyday and never tire of it. If you are a new fan, I envy you. I had to rely on black&white stills and my imagination for years. While you my friend have a treasure trove here, bursting with colour,energy & great songs.

As a dedicated fan of "The Jam" I was more than pleased by this DVD collection... in fact, I was totally blown away by it! The quality of the archival video was amazing - in particular, the "live" performances from the different television shows. If you are a fan of "The Jam", I guarantee you will instantly label this set a treasure, and will never let it leave your home for fear of losing it! The videos for "In The City", "News of the World" and "Strange Town" alone are worth the price of this 2-disc set.

My first exposure to the Jam was on ABCs "Friday", a Saturday Night Live clone, in 1979 or '80. They performed "Start" and "Going Underground", I believe. The next day I bought every Jam LP that Sound Warehouse had.

Unfortunately, that was the only time I saw them perform until I bought this DVD. The Jam were definitely a band that was meant to be heard live. As much as I still like their albums "Setting Sons", Sound Affects", "In the City" and the rest, their live performances of the songs on these albums blows the studio versions away. The Newcastle City Hall gig, by itself, is worth the cost of this DVD.

Highlights:

Disc 1 Live TV:

Ultra-raw "In the City" on the So it Goes segment.

"In the Street Today", 2nd song from Old Grey Whistle Test

Disc 1 singles:

"In the City"

"Strange Town"

"Butterfly Collector"

Disc 2 Live TV:

Entire Newcastle gig, especially

"Going Underground"

"To be Someone"

"A-Bomb in Wardour Street"

"Tales From the Riverbank" 2nd song on Mandagsborsen

(Sweedish TV) and Weller's interview with clueless host.

"In the Crowd" and "The Modern World" from the Tube

segment.

Long live the Mods

Great collection, with plenty of promo clips, TV appearances, and documentary footage - and very reasonably priced. Not really "complete," though, since it's missing the group's "Fridays" and "American Bandstand" appearances.