Legendary producer George Martin assembled some of the world's greatest music stars in this benefit concert for the island of Montserrat. Performing their hits in this all-star show are Elton John, Sting, Paul McCartney, Arrow, Jimmy Buffett, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, and Carl Perkins in one of his final appearances. A full 112 minutes.

There is a lot to listen to on this DVD, with brief introduction going for Phil Collins opening with his best of song Take Me Home followed by Arrow and his Band with a song we have heard a lot Hot Hot Hot to Carl Perkins with Blue Suede Shoes and the music flows. Mark Knopfler performing Brothers in Arms and Money for Nothing are fantastic and puts you in retro mode. The former is simply jaw dropping; an incredibly haunting and moving performance accompanied perfectly by the full Philharmonic orchestra.

Sting does nice versions of two of his own songs, Message in a Bottle and Magic, and while Clapton takes an acoustic guitar to Knopfler's electric in a low key but swinging sit down interpretation of Layla, you get a feeling that the music is everlasting. Extremely wonderful to listen to this piece. Clapton also brings his magic on songs like Broken Hearted and Some Old Blues with Mark Knopfler, Phil Collins. Throughout the proceedings, percussionist Ray Cooper receives a lot of quick cut camera time, as he demonstrates an eye catching variety of embellishing movements while tapping his trusty tambourine on this and many other songs.

Although Mark Knopfler's version of Money For Nothing (with modified lyrics, and featuring Sting on lead vocals) may be a high point for many, it's Elton John, accompanying himself on piano who 'steals the show' with a superbly unadorned trio of songs Your Song, Live Like Horses Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, that fill the large hall in memorable fashion. Paul McCartney at the end brings in his dose of lots of great songs, as he wraps up the show with four songs, a simple, acoustic rendition of Yesterday, followed by group assisted takes (including Eric Clapton, Sting, Elton J. Phil Collins and others) of beginning with Golden Slumbers backed up by Phil Collins, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Roy Cooper and the orchestra conducted ably by George Martin. You then have McCartney bringing on Hey Jude and ending with Kansas City.

You just can't go wrong with this DVD.Organized as benefit concert at The Royal Albert Hall on 15^th September, 1997, the event featured on Music For Montserrat was also a pay per view fundraiser hosted by producer and ex Beatles studio guru George Martin. This DVD looks fantastic and sounds terrific especially on a DTS capable system. The DVD gives you the option of three sound formats, Dolby Stereo, Dolby 5.1 Surround and DTS Surround. In Dolby Stereo the sound brakes up badly a bit, select Dolby 5.1 and it is 98 percent perfect and DTS is even better, every instrument is as crystal clear as when it was heard at that time.

Director ‏: ‎ Julia Knowles

Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, London

Date: 15^th September 1997.

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira