This addition of Disraeli Gears to the acclaimed Classic Albums series features brand new interviews with Clapton, Baker and Bruce, along with lyricist Pete Brown, Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, John Mayall and Manfred Mann. Also included on the DVDare acoustic performances, original studio tracks and archival live footage. Included are additional interviews and analysis of the tracks, Exclusive acoustic performances, exclusive solo piano performance and previously unreleased full live performances. Though they were only together for two brief years (1966-1968), the London-based power trio Cream changed the face of rock with their jazz-schooled psychedelic blues--and never more so than on their 1967 classic DISRAELI GEARS. This program offers a critical review of the landmark album through archival footage, rare live performance clips, and interviews with rock critics, musicologists, and band members.

This installment of the Classic Albums series looks at the making of Lou Reed's seminal glam-rock solo album, Transformer, featuring a relaxed Reed (though decidedly less glam than he was in '72) looking like he's having the time of his life as he reminisces and isolates separate tracks to illustrate how the album came together. Bassist Herbie Flowers demonstrates how he recorded the swingy, impossibly catchy bass riff in "Walk on the Wild Side," and coproducer David Bowie makes a brief appearance, as do many of Reed's contemporaries and fellow musicians. Many express delight that the tracks sound as fresh as they did when they were recorded, especially "Vicious" and "Perfect Day." DVD bonus interviews include a fascinating tale from Reed on how he first met Andy Warhol--while he and the Velvet Underground were playing in a seedy Village café, being attacked by drunken sailors offended by one of their songs. --Anne Hurley Lou Reed with the help of Andy Warhol at the 'Factory', made The Velvet Underground a massively influential band. However it was Transformer, Lou Reed's second solo album, which took him from cult hero of The Velvet Underground to international superstar status. The program takes a track-by-track look at the album, which was produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson. In an exclusive interview in New York, Lou Reed talks of the making of the album and together with Ken Scott, the original engineer, takes us through the multi-track tapes of "Perfect Day" "Vicious", "Satellite Of Love" and "Walk On The Wild Side" amongst others. In London Herbie Flowers shows us how the bass line on "Walk On The Wild Side" was recorded, creating what is one of the most famous riffs in popular music. Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics talks of Lou Reed's influence on him as a songwriter and musician. The program is illustrated throughout with archive footage of Lou Reed in concert, The Velvet Underground, Andy Warhol and the 'Factory' and features exclusive new acoustic material from Lou. This program provides a unique insight into the process behind the recording of Transformer, which perfectly captured the spirit of the early 1970's, and illustrates why today it is still considered a truly Classic Album.

This entry in the Classic Albums series examines RIO, the 1982 release that put Duran Duran on the road to stardom. Looking back at the creation and release of the hit singles "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Save a Prayer," and many others, the critical retrospective analyzes the album's overall effect on the musical landscape of the early 1980s. The optimistic and celebratory album generated a string of hit singles and groundbreaking videos, catapulting the band to global stardom. This DVD tells the story behind the writing, recording, and subsequent success of the album through newly filmed interviews, musical demonstrations, and both new and archival performances.

SKY ARTS presents Suede's Coming Up (released on Nude Records in 1996) in the Classic Albums series.

Formed in 1975 from the remnants of a British blues band and a California soft-rock duo, Fleetwood Mac evolved into one of the most successful pop-rock groups of the 1970s--a reputation no doubt cemented by their 1977 masterpiece RUMOURS. One of the bestselling albums of all time, RUMOURS' impeccable songwriting, lush vocal harmonies, and polished production stand as testament to the band's cohesive powers--a fact made even more remarkable by the romantic tensions roiling amongst its members at the time (Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks were ending their long-term romantic relationship; Christine and John McVie were getting a divorce). This episode of the CLASSIC ALBUMS series recounts the making of Fleetwood Mac's career-making opus through interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and live performances of timeless gems such as "Don't Stop," "Dreams,""Go Your Own Way," "You Make Loving Fun," "The Chain," and more.

In this 1999 documentary, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle discuss the making of what many consider the Who's greatest testament to Townshend's songwriting talent: their classic album "Who's Next." Others close to the group weigh in with insights about the late Keith Moon's importance to the band. The retrospective also features unseen performances of tunes from the platter, including "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Baba O'Riley."

Primal Scream's seminal album Screamadelica was released in 1991, and synthesized the band's rock 'n' roll roots with the dance culture of that time; for many, the album's sound and imagery came to be regarded as quintessential symbols of the acid house era, perfectly catching the spirit and mood of the early 90s. Using rare archive footage and special performances, this film tells the story of Screamadelica and its hit singles and dance anthems Loaded, Movin' On Up, Come Together and Don't Fight It, Feel It. From the formation of the band in Glasgow to winning the first-ever Mercury prize, the band members explain the record's inception with insights from main producer Andrew Weatherall, Creation Records founder Alan McGee and many others involved with or inspired by this joyful record. Screamadelica both defines a generation and transcends its time, and is a true Classic Album. .

Jimi Hendrix的英年早逝，叫乐评人认定这是摇滚乐坛在十九世纪的最重要损失之一，他迷幻的吉他手法，将个人灵气与音乐结合得叫听者动容，能够将吉他弦变成如人类的舌头，会讲话，会令人开心，落泪。今之这张Electric Lady land的VCD，就制成一张Jimi Hendrix自传式的影像纪录，收入Hendrix演出的片段，在音乐制作时的认真态度，完全是冲破时空活现眼前。而且也访问了不少乐坛中人，例如 Steve Windwood，Eddie Kramer(他是ElectricLadyland大碟的录音师)，亦有Hendrix的经理人Chas Chandler，亦即是Animals的bass手，从他们的说话中，皆对这位天才给予极高赞赏，更可看出他们是言出于心。VCD中，当然也少不了收入 Hendrix的live performance，在台上他就如著了魔的投入，这里面就有All Along The Watchtower，Gypsy Eyes，Crosstown Traffic，Voodoo Chill……看见他完全投入的演出，指法如飞在吉他弦线上勾划出灵魂，当今之世，已没有一位吉他手有此能耐；这张Electric Lady land肯定是Hendrix迷的珍藏品，甚至是他一个音乐图监；就算你是初接触这名字，也可从这VCD中对他了解更多。这就是一个音乐必修课，课题是： Jimi Hendrix。

Disraeli is a British four part serial about the great statesman and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Benjamin Disraeli.

The beginning, the farewell, the reunion. Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce tell how it was... and how it is. Cream, the world's first supergroup, stunned the pop world when it burst on the Swinging '60s. Produced with full cooperation from the band, this fascinating documentary tells their full amazing story. Exclusive new interviews with band members and industry insiders, archival footage and live performances.