Music DVDs

The latest releases reviewed

Julian Temple and Joe Strummer were early punk mates before the former went off to work with The Sex Pistols. Reunited years later, director Temple had the advantage of knowing The Clash's frontman in his pre-band, band, and post-band days. Affectionate but not sentimental, Temple draws in an array of big names (Martin Scorsese, Bono, etc) to shed further light on Strummer. With someone as complex as Strummer, not everything is explained. But by approaching him from so many different angles, this film gets close to the essence of the man. It's beautifully made and serves as yet another reminder of what an inspiration Strummer continues to be - and the archive footage of The Clash at full throttle remains as incendiary as ever. Glory days indeed. BRIAN BOYD

Well, if you insist . . . Wolfmother are a new breed of metal/rock/prog act from Australia, a three-piece who use the basic drums/vocals/ bass template, to the scorched-earth delight of their fans. They're a bit prog because they have no problem utilising Deep Purple-like organ flourishes and occasional Focus-like flute solos. That said, they rock like, well, mothers, as can be be engagingly witnessed at the series of 2006 gigs on this highly entertaining DVD. Venues include Sydney's Hordern and London's Brixton Academy. A clip from an Aussie awards ceremony (performing top rock song Joker & the Thief) is a hoot, while the brief documentary, Meet the Mother(say hello to Andrew Stockdale, Myles Heskett and Chris Ross), is insightful regarding the band's collective sense of ambition. Extras include five videos (Joker & the Thief, White Unicorn, Love Train, Minds Eye and Woman). TONY CLAYTON-LEA