BMS Shopping Guide: Music DVDs of 2009

Waiting for the last minute to do all of your Christmas shopping? Wondering what to get the music fan in your life? Well, we have some easy to find gift ideas for those precious few shopping days left. Here’s a rundown on the top new music DVDs of 2009.

It Might Get Loud – An absolute must-see for any guitarist. Three generations of rock’s greatest guitarists – Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, The Edge of U2 and Jack White of The White Stripes – come together in this documentary directed by Davis Guggenheim. The film follows the stories of each guitarist, their love for music, and their unique styles before ending with all three together chatting and jamming together on a Hollywood sound stage.

Anvil: the Story of Anvil – Labeled by many as the real Spinal Tap, this documentary chronicles Canadian metal rockers Anvil. The band rocked some of the biggest rock festivals of the 80′s and they’ve been cited by the likes of Metallica as a major influence, yet their careers went nowhere. Through it all singer/guitarist Steve “Lips” Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner promised to rock together forever. That means the local pubs until they get a call to tour Europe. The film follows the band on what becomes a disastrous tour but delivers a greater message to supplement the many laughs. Praised by critics everywhere, the band has since enjoyed a rebirth of sorts.

Wilco: Ashes of American Flags – Filmed during their 2008 US tour, this film follows the band from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Washington D.C., capturing their finest moments on stage. More than just a typical concert DVD, Ashes of American Flags also serves as an awesome travelogue of the band’s life on the road. From checking out landmarks to rocking out at soundcheck, it’s all here.

Lil Wayne: The Carter – An in-depth look at the rap superstar before and after the release of his acclaimed album, Tha Carter III. Directed by Adam Bhala Lough, the documentary contains a series of interviews and candid moments from Lil Wayne. It premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival and later became the subject of a lawsuit from the rapper himself, who attempted to block its release. He lost the case and the film hit store shelves in November.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live – This 3-disc set features rare, one-of-a-kind performances from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, filmed over the past 24 years. There’s way too much here for us to list but safe to say that there is something for everyone. And if that’s still not enough, there’s always the more expensive 9-disc box set too.

Phish: The Clifford Ball - Chances are the Phish fan in your life is still recovering and maybe even paying off the bills from following the band across the country for their reunion tour this year. If that’s the case, then splurge and get them this 7-DVD box set of Phish’s first festival. The set features all the complete performances from the 1996 festival in upstate New York. Over nine hours of live music plus a bonus documentary with soundcheck and behind-the-scenes footage.

Elvis Costello: Spectacle: Season 1 – We love this show! Spectacle, which airs on the Sundance Channel, features intimate interviews between Costello and various musical guests intertwined with performances by Costello, the guests, and duets between the two. Season one guests include Elton John, Lou Reed, Bill Clinton, James Taylor, Tony Bennett, The Police, Rufus Wainwright, Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash, Norah Jones, John Mellencamp, Herbie Hancock, She & Him, Diana Krall and Smokey Robinson.

James Brown: The Night James Brown Saved Boston – On April 5, 1968, just one day after Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, James Brown delivered a historic performance at the old Boston Garden. The show was bigger than music itself and this documentary examines its social and cultural history of the country. The film contains actual performance footage and the personal recollections of Brown’s band, those that were at the show, historians and more to tell this compelling story.

Playing For Change: Peace Through Music – You’ve probably seen the YouTube clips of “Stand By Me” and “Don’t Worry”. Now catch the whole film that uses innovative technology to unite musicians and vocalists from all across the world to create one seamless collaboration. Its a film that proves how powerful the impact of music can be.

Chris Botti: In Boston – The extraordinary jazz trumpeter came to Boston last fall for two very special nights at Symphony Hall with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra. This concert DVD is the byproduct of those shows, which featured special guests Josh Groban, John Mayer, Sting, Steven Tyler, Katharine McPhee, Lucia Micarelli and  Yo-Yo Me.

Sting: A Winter’s Night…Live from Durham Cathedral - This is a Christmas shopping list so if you’re looking for a way to bring the spirit of the season to your loved one, check out this new 2-disc release from Sting. The first disc is a concert filmed at England’s most famous cathedral with a diverse setlist of songs, carols and lullabies spanning the centuries. The second disc is a documentary with a behind-the-scenes look at the concert and everything leading up to it.

Neil Young Archives Volume 1 (1963-1972) – A must for the serious Neil Young fan in your life. The price is hefty but that’s cause this a really a massive DVD box set. Produced by Neil Young himself, This is the first volume of the Neil Young Archives series. There’s so much going on here over 10 discs. No wonder this project has been talked about for years. Rare songs, videos, live concerts, interviews and so much more. And that’s just what’s on the actual discs. The package also comes with a digital download card to access MP3 files of all 128 audio tracks, a 236 page full color hardbound book that features more rare goodies, a foldout poster and more.

Other quick suggestions:

Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music Director’s Cut – The Academy Award winner for Best Documentary was remastered as a Two-Disc Special Edition in celebration of its 40th Anniversary. Check out the music event that changed the world in 1969.

Woodstock Diary 1969: Friday Saturday Sunday – Keeping with the Woodstock theme, this is similar to the classic documentary but includes a lot of performances that were missing. Unlike the documentary, this follows the music of the festival in its chronological order.

Paul McCartney: Good Evening New York City – Sir Paul delivered one of the best shows we saw all year at Fenway Park this summer. Here is his historic return to New York City’s Shea Stadium. The show was very similar to Boston with an added bonus of Billy Joel guesting on “I Saw Her Standing There”.

The Black Crowes: Cabin Fever – Footage from when the band recorded their new album, Before The Frost… Until The Freeze, before a intimate live audience over a series of five nights at Levon Helm’s Studios in New York.

Rush: Working Men – A best of their previous three live concert DVD releases. If you’ve been indecisive on which one to buy, here’s the perfect compromise.

Leonard Cohen: Live In London – He was amazing in Boston earlier this year but the tour that nobody expected started with this show in England.

Van Morrison: Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl: The Concert Film – Van the Man works his magic in California with what many call his best album.

Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood: Live from Madison Square Garden - If you couldn’t make the trip to New York to catch one of their handful of shows last year, now you can enjoy the action from the comfort of your living room.

Elton John: The Red Piano – His residency in Las Vegas has come to a close but the shows live on in this DVD.

Nirvana: Live at Reading – One of the legendary band’s most historic shows finally comes to DVD.

The Killers: Live From Royal Albert Hall – The Las Vegas group on top of their game before a captive audience in London.

Keith Urban: Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy World Tour Live – One of country’s best is captured on tour in support of his best album.

Metallica: Orgullo, Pasion y Gloria – The title translates to “Pride, Passion, and Glory: Three Nights In Mexico City” and it’s just that as the band performs for 155,000 fans at Foro Sol Stadium this past summer.

Kings of Leon: Live at the O2 London, England - No band enjoyed a greater year than Kings of Leon in 2009. Catch the band performing for an audience that adored them well before those here in America.

Taylor Swift & Def Leppard: CMT Crossroads: Taylor Swift & Def Leppard – And no single artist had a better 2009 than Taylor Swift. Here she is with 80′s favorites Def Lepppard. Unique, indeed.