Best of 2011: Tim Livingston’s Top 5 Music DVDs

5. “Ray Charles: Live In France, 1961”
A true musical genius at his peak!

4. “The Rolling Stones: Some Girls – Live In Texas ’78”
IMO not as good of an era as last year’s release of “Ladies & Gentlemen…,” but 1978 finds the Stones responding to punk by stripping it down while touring in support of their last good album.

3. “The Hollies: Look Through Any Window, 1963-1975”
Cool doc about one of the all-time great pop bands that is strengthened by the inclusion of over 20 songs shown in their entirety.

2. “Six Ed Sullivan Shows Starring the Rolling Stones”
All of the World’s Greatest Rock & Roll Band’s performances – plus full episodes of each show featuring a plethora of guests and kitschy vintage TV commercials.

1. “The Ballad of Mott the Hoople”
An extraordinary and touching documentary that takes an in-depth look at the highs and lows of a band that DJ/A&R man/mad genius Guy Stevens put together to combines the smart lyricism of Bob Dylan and the rock & roll swagger of the Rolling Stones. The filmakers present brillant archival footage and photos – in addition to present-day interviews – that chronicle Mott the Hoople from their early days as a legendary, hard-driving, live rock & roll band to forecasting punk with their “Brain Capers” album to having their career saved by David Bowie with “All The Young Dudes” through their greatest album (1973’s “Mott”) and on to the final days with Ian Hunter suffering from exhaustion and walking away from it all right before embarking on what would have been the band’s biggest tour. All of the original members (except Pete Watts) are interviewed, and Ian is especially candid – and sometimes down-right hilarious – as he tells it like it was. Bonus footage includes extra interviews and three complete songs from their 2009 reunion shows. The story behind Guy Stevens and his days at Island/Sue Records is a fascinating tale in and of itself. Essential!!!!

By Tim Livingston, Nippertown contributor

MORE BEST OF 2011 LISTS…

Fred Rudofsky’s Top 10 Theater Concerts
Paste Magazine’s Top 20 New Bands
J. Eric Smith’s Top Album
Rolling Stone’s Top 10 Albums
Brian Patneaude’s Top 5 CDs
American Film Institute’s Top 10 Movies
Stanley Johnson’s Top 10 Concerts
Richard Brody’s Top Books
Sebastien Barre’s Best of the Year
New York Magazine’s Top 10 TV Shows
Fred Rudofsky’s Top 10 Bar/Club Gigs
Steve Nover’s Top 10 CDs
Greg Haymes’ Top Music Video
Paste Magazine’s Top 10 Albums
The New York Times’ Top 10 Books
Mike Hotter’s Top 10 Albums
Kirsten Ferguson’s Top 10 Live Cover Songs
The A.V. Club’s Top 10 Comedy Albums
Ed Conway’s Top 10 Concerts
The Los Angeles Times’ Top 10 Pop Albums
J Hunter’s Top 10 Live Shows
Mr. Eck’s Top 10 Albums
Richard Brody’s Top 10 Concerts
Mike Hotter’s Top 5 Songs
Fred Rudofsky’s Top 20 Albums
Greg Haymes’ Top 15 Theater Productions