Album Review
The
Talking Heads' 1984 in-concert movie, 'Stop Making Sense,' is widely regarded as one of the finest films of its kind (renown film critic Leonard Maltin called it 'One of the greatest rock movies ever made'). There are many reasons why 'Stop Making Sense' is so exceptional - the song performances are vibrant and inspired, then-unknown director Jonathan Demme did a brilliant job of capturing the excitement of the show on film, plus
David Byrne's imaginative costumes, charismatic presence, and unique use of staging remain remarkable. For the tour, the 4-piece core of the band (singer/guitarist
Byrne, keyboardist/guitarist Jerry Harrison, bassist Tina Weymouth, and drummer Chris Frantz) was joined by several extras keyboardist
Bernie Worrell, percussionist Steve Scales, guitarist Alex Weir, and back-up singers Lynn Marby and Ednah Holt, who help give the Heads an even funkier edge. The 1999 re-issue of the movie on homevideo (and for the first time, DVD), includes 2 extra tracks not included on the original "Cities" and "Big Business/I Zimbra" - as well as the original theatrical trailer and a humorous clip entitled, '
David Byrne interviews
David Byrne.' And last but not least, you'll find stellar renditions of such hits as "Psycho Killer," "Burning Down the House," and "Once In A Lifetime," the key album cuts "Swamp," "This Must Be the Place," and "Crosseyed and Painless," plus such oddities as
Byrne's solo composition "What A Day That Was" and
The Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love." 'Stop Making Sense' remains one of the best concert movies ever made. Long live the Talking Heads! ~ Greg Prato, Rovi