Red Hot Chili Peppers: Live at Slane Castle (2003)

The greatest movie ever made..!

Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

In the midst of eighty-thousand screaming people, the ruthless screech of John Frusciante's guitar swoons through the air. In response, Chad Smith attacks the drums with unrivaled ferocity, and pauses. John repeats his feral outcry, and Chad returns, this time with the familiar funk of Flea's bass, and the concert begins. Towards the end of the jam, Antwon the Swan himself storms up to the front of the stage, and starts into their latest hit, 'By The Way'. For those who aren't savvy on the history of the band, suffice it to say that these guys have been through it all. All of the struggles of self-discovery, all of the past blunders, all of the pain of losing their beloved Hillel Slovak (their first guitar player)--these experiences show in each note they play and sing. There's something for everyone in this concert, because the peppers sound varies from album to album. Their versatility demands respect and appreciation--they'll play an angst-ridden ballad in one moment, and follow it up with an up-beat funk number the next, and not skip a beat. But it's not what they play, so much as HOW they play it. Flea's bass-playing is so beautifully complex, yet he makes it look so simple. Watching him jump around, kicking his legs out at the audience with his bass at ankle-level, all the while maintaining a ridiculous bass riff.. what can I say? It's bad-ass. Meanwhile, Chad Smith slams his drums with the fierceness of a beast, and all the sensibility of a jazz drummer. The two of them together are a formidable rhythm section in the Rock and Roll world. Anthony's vocals, while they lack the polish of some other singers, are the best they've ever been. An important thing to keep in mind is that he began the band with the intention of being a rapper, more or less. Seeing how far he's come is definitely goose- bump-inducing. All the while, John Frusciante acts as the icing on the funk-rockin' cake. His less-is-more approach to guitar- playing sets him apart from the other instrumentalists, and his gorgeous falsetto has great chemistry with Anthony's melodies. Due to his hard drug use in the past, the mere fact that he's on stage with them at all is nothing short of a miracle. For my fellow Chili Pepper fans, obviously this concert will be a religious experience for you. For those of you who aren't sold on my favorite funksters yet, well, just try and refrain from head-banging... I dare you.

Before this DVD I was a casual Red Hot Chili Peppers fan. I own Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik and Californication but never really thought much of them. Then I got my hands on this wonderful DVD.The first thing I noticed being a guitarist myself was John Frusciantes part in the band. His playing on this DVD is absolutely mind blowing. He is by no means the fastest or most technically skilled player but there is really something special about it. The feel. Every time I heard him go off into his own world and improvise some of the worlds greatest solo's I was just completely drawn in. His playing is like none other. Also his vocals are really improving. Great performance on his part.Next I noticed how strong Anthony's voice has gotten over the years. Also the vocal melodies he is able to come up with really show just how creative this man really is. Also he is a great showman and really looks like he is enjoying himself up there.Of course Flea completely stole the show in pure showmanship. His on stage persona is just as hilarious as ever. Constantly cracking off little jokes, playing some of the funkiest bass lines, and always interacting with the crowd in someway. A real showman and his bass playing as expected is the strongest I have seen it in sometime.Now for Chad. Very solid drummer. Very accurate, well timed drummer. He also plays some very intricate, flashy, and funky beats and seems to pull them off with complete ease and a constant grin. Very good player.The highlight of the night for me is Johns and Flea's improvised jam just before Californication. They show what can really be done when the band members are completely in sync with each other on a musical level. When they can literally feed off each other musically. It is one of the most beautiful moments in music that I have seen. In fact throughout this entire show the band plays as if they are one. They are all very aware of each other and only let it drive them more.From a production point of view this DVD is very well made. The camera seems to focus on each member at the right time. When a certain member is really doing something spectacular, the camera is there. This is what has ruined concert DVD's in the past for me if not properly done.It also allows for 5.1 surround as well as DTS.In closing this is the best concert DVD made so far.

RHCP at Slane Castle is simply great. It starts out with a great jam - what do you expect from Flea and John? Plenty of awesome tracks in this video.From By the Way to Californication to Power of Equality. RHCP are all about improvisations so every song has a certain new tune or solo to it. Check Don't Forget Me - the last two minutes of it is very melodic and reminiscing-quality tune. Or the customary intro into Californication is one of the best the Chili Peppers has managed. This video has several covers too. A full length Havana Affair to a shortened Maybe. This video has everything. It makes you jump to the bass-slapping, sit to the enigmatic Frusciante playing, hitting to Chad's drumbeats and sing to Kiedis's ever-improving singing. It is as good as being there! Check this out!

Since i bought this DVD i have to admit i have been watching it once and again.You can't find any boring moment in this new RCHP concert. Songs such as Universally Speaking,Otherside or Don't forget me sounds even better than in their original releases.Frusciante's guitar is absolutely magic in Throw away your television or the now classic Give it away.Anthony Kiedis sings even better than the old days and Flea makes the humorous line adding his magical bass play too.The rhythm section by Mr Chad Smith is gorgeous too making one of the best faithful drummers in the RCHP history.People from all ages will find this DVD very entertained and showing one more time that rock and harmony has always been compatible.The Red Hot Chili Peppers are without a doubt the best band for me actually and this dvd can confirm it.One more thing...don't lose the intro by Flea and Frusciante in Californication...John Frusciante is by far the best guitarist in all music history along with Jimi Hendrix...of course it's only my opinion.