Pulp live, a lot better than watching the telly. Ultimate Live is an experience not to be missed.
Boasting not one but two amazing concerts, this DVD excites before it goes anywhere near the player. Pulp have put together an intuitive tour film called 'F.E.E.L.I.N.G C.A.L.L.E.D L.I.V.E' which includes the first of the two concerts, a performance at Brixton Academy, this is coupled with the seminal gig at Finsbury Park which goes under the title 'The Park Is Mine.'
The concert at Brixton is just bordering on ten years old now, performed a few days before Christmas in a year when Pulp were at their peak career-wise. Interspersed with the fantastic night's music is a six part tour film with amusing anecdotes about strange, seedy arcade games in Japan, the amusing story of Andy Peters sneaking up on the band's tour bus in the BBC carpark, but the band weren't there, and meeting Gary Glitter, then going back home and doing the laundry, both events stressed with the same amount of enthusiasm.
Kicking off with 'Do You Remember The First Time?' Pulp burst into a colourful array of exuberance, which builds and builds as the show goes on. 'I Spy' is shown off with an interesting and twisted camaraderie, Jarvis interacting with the cardboard cutouts of the band at the top of the stage. 'Sorted For E's & Wizz' is of course stunning in it's happy salute to the raves of the early nineties.
'Something Changed' is very good and 'Acrylic Afternoons' is an epic of noise and colour and light, the noises Cocker can conjure up during the song are phenomenal. 'Babies' is brilliant as you can well imagine I'm sure. 'Disco 2000' is the awesome penultimate finisher before the encore, then after 'Mis Shapes' comes, then a little insert discussing the importance of encores to Mr. Cocker, they come back on and Jarvis shares a smoke with an audience member and then it's 'Feeling Called Love.' Very good, the comic genius of 'Underwear' leads up to 'Common People,' which crashes the concert on a high. But just before that, as the frontman is introducing the band members (and 'some lanky git from Sheffield') a heckler tries to get things moving a little quicker. 'Shut up' Cocker snaps back coolly, totally unfazed and continues on, it's the best heckler dismissal you'll ever witness.
Finsbury is home to some fantastic performances from a Pulp aeons away from Brixton, but still essentially exactly the same. Starting with the same song that has lost of it's magic and after the madness of 'Seductive Barry' comes 'Sorted For E's & Wizz' again, subtle differences but another brilliant rendition with all the original energy still present. 'A Little Soul' is just excellent, an absolute timeless classic. 'Help The Aged' is another cool, funny song that moves from place to place in pure Pulp style.
'Sylvia' really rocks out when that unmistakable chorus comes parading in and 'This Is Hardcore' jazzes the razzmatazz into the crowd. 'Glory Days' romps along like R.E.M's 'Hope' and is followed by the ultimate live experience of 'Common People.' The band choose to play the beautiful 'Something Changed' to end it after Jarvis realises he's running out of running time…
Cram-packed full of great moments, Ultimate Live is one to certainly own, you'll never tire of it, there's variety to suit every need with tour tales and unexpected delights here and there and everywhere. Pulp are a band worthy of so much acclaim and this DVD stresses the importance of them as a live act. A great offering from a great group, one to add to your collection without a second thought! It's a lot better than watching the telly.