Before hitting DVD next month, the excellent new concert film Hall and Oates: Recorded Live in Dublin hits theaters for a special set of screenings on Thursday, February 19, 2015. For those of you in the D.C./Maryland/Northern Virginia area, there are a lot of good choices to see the film. More details on those locations here.
I was lucky enough to see the film already and it's a blast. Really, Hall and Oates: Recorded Live in Dublin seems designed to elicit a sort of "Gee, those guys are still great!" reaction. Now, that's not to slight Hall and Oates but, rather, to suggest that by listening to their hits on the radio or CD, or on your iPod, you might forget what fantastic performers and musicians these cats are.
Supporting an admirably chosen set of songs, Hall and Oates and their superb band really shine here. Frankly, one of my favorites -- "Say It Isn't So" -- has never sounded this great. The song, originally recorded to promote the duo's 1983 Greatest Hits: Rock 'n Soul Part 1, sounds fresh here as it takes on a rockier vibe. Similarly, "Sara Smile" is expanded in jazzier ways, while "She's Gone" now reflects the trippier vibe of the Seventies as much as it does remain a dazzling showcase for the combined vocal talents of Daryl Hall and John Oates. After dipping into their vast back-catalog for a few more obscure cuts -- which sounded like songs that should have been hits, I must add -- Hall and Oates take "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)" and explore the song's hooks as the band follows along. Part jazz, part rock, the song as performed in Hall and Oates: Recorded Live in Dublin is a revelation. Watch it performed here and then play it again and see what a great piece of song-craft it still is.
Look, Hall and Oates could trot out the hits on a bare stage with 2 stools and 2 acoustic guitars and the songs would still sound great but they've done much more here. In Hall and Oates: Recorded Live in Dublin the duo and their ace band-mates have really given old and new fans a big gift. Your favorites cuts are here and you'll be happy to hear those again but you'll also be pleasantly surprised at some bits of this concert film. I can say that some of these hits have never sounded as good as they do in Hall and Oates: Recorded Live in Dublin.
This week Hall and Oates will be on Howard Stern's show on Wednesday, February 18, at 9:00 AM EST. Then on Thursday they will be on "The View" prior to that same night's screening of the film in theaters.
For more details on seeing Hall and Oates: Recorded Live in Dublin at a theater near you, check out the Fathom Events page for the film.
Follow Hall and Oates on their official Facebook page or on their official website.