Red Hot Chili Pepper: Live at Slane Castle [DVD] [2003]

Is Slane the greatest concert film ever? Though this is for you and you alone to decide you'll be able to tell two minutes into the show when John Frusciante literally rips the Irish air into shreds. In the concert intro, Frusciante pulls some of the most awesome notes known to man from the strings of his electric guitar. It is absolutely unreal to watch and listen to what he can do with that guitar, as he takes his trademark sound to new heights and defines guitar heroics for you right in your own home. From here on in you know that you're in for a special treat. The Peppers display that even dudes well into their 40's are still capable of creating majik on stage on par with what they do in the studio. By the Way, which I've never found to be a strong track, gets a new lease on life in Slane as tens of thousands of Irish fans sing along to it. The segue into Scar Tissue is audio ecstasy, as the band pulls together into a jam based on the song's melody with Frusciante's guitar creating soulful sounds best described as epic. He harmonizes beautifully with Anthony on the aforementioned greatest comeback song of all time. Another song that I never liked on record that is given the royal makeover here is Throw Away Your Television. To my delight I discovered that is actually a great song, augmented by the passionate playing the guys put into it for Slane. I love the tricked out guitar effects, which sound like they were made by a synthesizer and I love the guitar solo that ends the song. I could go on and on and write capsule reviews for each and every song performed on this DVD, but that would take up the entire page. Let's put it this way: Anthony rarely sounds this good on record, Frusciante hasn't played guitar like this since he was eighteen, Chad absolutely wails on the drums, and Flea has taken a necessary supporting role, which only strengthens the band's new, melody-driven sound. All of the band's greatest "new" songs are here, including perenial favorite, the Zephyr Song and of course, Under the Bridge. The 50's ditty John sings after Scar Tissue and the Fugazi homage are two of the many highlights. I won't lie, I'm a monsterous John Frusciante fan. To the person who said he can't play guitar, please go back and give this dvd another go. If this isn't rock guitar playing at it's finest and most identifiable then I haven't been listening to rock for the past 23 years. This is essential.

I went to see the RHCP in early December ’16 for the fourth time. All three previous RHCP concerts I’ve been to involved John Frusciante who brought me to their music. I will always be interested in what they do, but my love has changed. It was a good, if brief concert, from a different band than the one I hear in my mind. I was left with a thirst for a more permeating, deeper sound, and backing vocals that enrich and lift the overall RHCP experience to something transcendent.It led me to this DVD. Ignore the awful cover, it is not a reflection of what truly happened on August 23, 2003 as other commentators confirmed. The setlist is inspired. Songs I only partially like such as ‘Around the World’, act as a counterpoint and add uniqueness and unexpected dimensions. The Fugazi intro of Parallel Universe is simply beautiful. The band seemed deeply moved by the incredible audience they had that night and as someone else wrote, John Frusciante poured his heart and soul into Slane Castle from the first second. He appears to be channelling the atmosphere around him. Havana Affair (Ramones cover) is slowed down and reinvented. Venice Queen is a thing of pure wonder.My only critique goes to Warner Music who should have focused solely on producing an expressive DVD cover to complement and reflect a magical night of music. Taking out ‘Soul to Squeeze’ because of a broken guitar string and ‘perfecting’ everything dims the authenticity and humanity of this seminal moment in time and shows a misunderstanding of what live concerts are to most of the music fans who attend them. Why rewrite history? Regardless, your imagination will take you there.

please ignore the poor box art on the dvd as the actual content is brilliant. Its part of the "By The Way" tour so is heavy on that album but has many classics such as "Give It Away" and "Power of Equality" aswell as a John Frusciante cover of "Maybe". The camera work can be a bit frustrating at times although I would strongly recomend it to fans and anybody whos intrested in the Red Hot Chili Peppers.Live in Hyde Park

what a dvd ,the chilli,s at there best the quality on my tv and the sound system i have here on my speakers all linked up is truley some thing to see and here, most of there best hits are performed here to a great live act , i agree with all the other reveiws , it does not say on my dvd but to my eyes the picture looks like it in in hd , i saw the r.h.c.p. at hyde park but for me this is the best performance , ............... i agree it might even be one of the best dvd of a live show ever ? as i say simply awesome and would recommend any one to buy this , words can not decribe it , and it has hardly been off my dvd player ,if your looking to buy a great chilli dvd this is the one with a great song selection what more can i say just wish i were there right a the front but this is the best next thingbuy this you will not be dissapointed ...................

What an incredible concert to have been recorded!You’ll find that nothing will warrant skipping forward and you’ll want to experience it again after you’ve watched it.Love the chilli’s - what a performance by all!

This is the chilli peppers at their best! Quality from start to finish

This is a good show, great energy and production is OK. It has three sound tracks, DD 2 channel, DD 5.1 and DTS 5.1. The best sound track is the DD 2 channel in my opinion. There is a bit of swearing but not to prominent. The Band are on top form, jumping about and giving their all.Meridian and B&W nautilus 802 surround system.

Excellent - the Chili's at their best.