Almighty Blues is the title of the latest Wishbone Ash DVD-release. After watching this DVD, an alternative title: Almighty Bungle seems more appropriate. The video footage on this disc is a combination of two performances. This should not be a problem, but Wishbone Ash decided to combine an indoor show with an open air performance. The viewer is swept from warm and atmospheric indoor images, to the cold and very bright reality of the outdoor gig.

The quality of the outdoor footage seems to have been shot with a handycam, with far below average quality as a result. The band is shot from behind, which means that most of the time you find yourself scanning the crowd. As if this isn’t enough, they even added some practice and interview footage.

I can be short about the camera work in general; unstable pictures and weak camera angles. The fact that every close-up from the drummer is a static image from exactly the same view point is characteristic. However, there are also some positive points. The music on the DVD sounds great, as well in stereo as in Dolby. But foremost: the bonus material is well worth watching. The footage on the bonus DVD features one of the 20th anniversary shows from back in 1989. Although the pictures are dated and the music is in plain stereo, this DVD makes the entire release worth your while. So in conclusion: nice sound, nice pictures on the bonus disc but crappy video footage on the main feature.