Well it's the morning after, my ears are still ringing, my neck aches from repeated headbanging, my ankles are sore from uncontrollable foot-tapping and I'm nursing a slight hang-over........and I haven't even been to a gig.

Thanks to the kind people of Kerrang magazine, Coalition PR and Warnervision I was lucky enough to win a place at a special screening of STIFF UPPER LIP LIVE at the famous Abbey Rd. Studios in London. And all I can say is WOW. What a DVD and what a great place!!

After meeting Dan who produced the DVD and the girls from Warner and Coalition, myself and the four other lucky people donned our complimentary glowing devil horns and were taken on a guided tour of the studios. The highlight has to be standing in Studio 3 on the very same spot where The Beatles recorded much of their best work - they haven't altered the set-up in the studio at all, you can smell the history in there.

A trip to the bar and many beers later we were led to the interactive department and sat down in front of the most amazing home cinema system you have ever seen....I mean the speakers were bigger than me!!

So, on to STIFF UPPER LIP LIVE, in all it's widescreen, Dolby Digital DTS 5.1 surround sound glory. The menus are much the same as the NO BULL DVD with clips of the gig playing on a decorated background with songs playing over the top. First of all we watched the bonus material which was a short behind the scenes documentary, and a very good one at that. The band are in high spirits being interviewed at the Olympiastadium in Munich and there is footage of them backstage, getting ready, soundchecking, meeting press, signing etc. Star of the show has to be Brian Johnson who constantly plays up to the camera - a born comedian. A short and sweet little extra for the package.

The main show does indeed start with the giant Angus statue film........but not the one everybody saw at the live shows. This time around (due to events in New York ) we have a spoof TV news article in which a German channel reports on the giant Angus fast approaching Munich with clips of fans going mental . The reporter gets very excited as helicopters circle Giant Angus as he marches down the motorway towards the stadium. He then towers over the stadium and duckwalks around it. Cut to opening chords of STIFF UPPER LIP.

The show is very well shot with millions of cameras covering the action from every conceivable angle and the sound quality is absolutely amazing, it's the closest you'll get to being there........ without actually being there !!

All the hits come roaring out of the speakers, Angus duckwalks, Brian swings from the bell and races around like a maniac, the statue blows smoke and fires rockets, Rosie dances away at the back almost crushing Phil Rudd with her tits and the cannons fire. We all know the order of events and we aren't disappointed. We even get a second encore of SHOT DOWN IN FLAMES.

What stands out here is the quality of the production. As mentioned the photography and editing are brilliant as is the sound quality. I have to say this is a massive improvement on the NO BULL film. Dan the producer commented that it is the best concert film he has ever seen and the most exciting one to work on. It really does capture the atmosphere perfectly.

The other fans in attendance all agreed that it was a fantastic package and a great film. So see for yourself and go buy it as soon as it comes out. Re-live the rock.

Off we all go, free copies in hand as we bid farewell to the lovely people at Abbey Rd. studios.

A great evening and a great film. Just wish I could take all that expensive equipment with me and annoy my neighbours.

LET THERE BE ROCK !!!!

Review by David Allcock from London ( david@mobfilm.com ) Thursday, 15 November 2001

Stiff Upper Lip Live USA The DVD and video can be ordered via Amazon USA and also at CDNow.com UK Release Video VHS PAL The video can be ordered via 101cd.com and also available at Amazon UK and also at Black Star UK Release DVD The DVD can also be ordered at 101cd.com and also available at Amazon UK also at Black Star