Pioneers gathering around the yule log

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‘The Story of Roxy Music: More Than This,’ Roxy Music (Eagle Vision, HHHHH)

This Oct. 20 DVD tells the story of the influential band formed by art school graduates Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno. The music and lyrics played by the band mutated over the years due to personnel shifts and Ferry’s hands-on direction, making their later material less groundbreaking while more commercially successful.

The DVD follows them through vintage appearances/videos (“Do The Strand,” “More Than This,” “Love is the Drug” and more), disbanding, reformation, writing, recording and those scandalous album covers, with interviews from vocalist/pianist Ferry, keyboardist/sound wizards Eno and later recruit Eddie Jobson, guitarist Phil Manzanera, saxophonist/oboist Andy Mackay, drummer Paul Thompson and producer Chris Thomas, as well as at least one of the many session/live bassists who worked with the band. The bonus features include three previously un-released live tracks filmed in London 2006, plus lots of background information and fan interviews that fill in the blanks. Younger readers may not remember the cool music and concepts of Roxy Music; but for those who do; this is an excellent DVD package.

‘Double Down Live 1980-2008,’ ZZ Top (Eagle Vision, HHHHH)

This Oct. 20 double-DVD set shows “that lil’ ol’ band from Texas” at two different times in their long career. Disc one, dubbed “THEN,” was filmed in Germany for the Rockpalast TV series. It took place hot on the heels of the famed Deguello album and features most of Deguello’s songs plus older favorites like “La Grange,” “Heard It on the X,” and “Tush.”

Longtime fans remember this era from ZZ Top, right before they discovered synthesizers and sequencers. The later disc, subtitled “ALMOST NOW,” was shot during last year’s European tour; and, its eleven performances, interview clips and backstage footage create a good “ZZ Top on the road movie.”

Disc one highlights aside from the usual suspects include “Precious and Grace,” “She Loves My Automobile” and “Nasty Dogs & Funky Kings;” disc two highlights mostly familiar numbers but adds the tender/salacious “Blue Jean Blues.”

I saw ZZ Top back in the day; then, saw their tour a couple years back at the Coast Coliseum. They’re still great, and their fans will dig this DVD package.