Written by Susie Salva
‘80’s British Pop Icon’s Duran Duran releases “Rio” Special Limited Edition CD collection and the previously unreleased “Live at the Hammersmith ’82 concert” on CD/DVD both on Capitol/EMI Records. “Rio,” contains expanded 2 CD deluxe package with original U.K. & U.S. album mixes, demos, B-sides. It even includes other rarities like digital releases adding two exclusive bonus tracks. “Live at Hammersmith ’82 concert,” is released on CD/DVD with music videos for “Rio”, singles and TV performances. Full concert audio also to be released digitally.
Rio
“Rio,” new 2CD special limited edition will be housed in a deluxe, 52 page case-bound book with canvas cover finish. Released in 1982 “Rio,” was Duran Duran’s second album. Fueled by their ground breaking cinematic music videos, leading man looks and staggeringly heavy rotation on MTV and radio for the albums singles including the title track, “Hungry Like the Wolf,” and, “Save A Prayer,” Duran Duran shot to superstardom, topping the charts around the world. In the US the Double Platinum album spent 129 weeks on Billboard’s Pop Album charts. It’s fantastic to have a vast collection of their work in one place on this 2 CD disc set.
Live At Hammersmith
“Live at Hammersmith ’82” as in London, England, has long been sought after by Duran Duran fans. Previously unreleased, the 1982 concert was filmed and recorded at London’s famed Hammersmith Odeon as Duran-mania was sweeping the world. The performance features signature hits including, “Rio,” Hungry Like A Wolf,” “Girls on Film,” and “Save A Prayer,” as well as fan favorite, “Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)”, among others. The set’s DVD includes the full concert, as well as music videos for tracks from the “Rio” album and two previously unreleased “Top of the Pops,” TV performances from 1982. There is a small leaflet with pictures of all of the original band members slipped inside the DVD case.
Included on the DVD
The DVD starts off with their legion of screaming fans as Duran Duran dives right into their massive hit “Rio,” as their opening song. They have the big hair that was characteristic on the ‘80s and they are dressed in the regalia of that era. The Hammersmith concert features all of the original members of the band Simon Le Bon, Vocals, John Taylor, bass guitar, Nick Rhodes, keyboards, Andy Taylor, guitar and Roger Taylor drums. Duran Duran explored the use of the synthesizer that became the signature of the band giving them their characteristic sound. The problem with the DVD is that the quality of the disc is less than stellar. At times it looks like amateur video. Duran fans will be pleased that all of their favorite songs are in one place on the DVD.
Besides the concert footage the DVD contains videos from the “Rio” period exploring “My Own Way,” “Hungry Like A Wolf, “Save A Prayer,” “Lonely in your Nightmare,” “Rio,” and “The Chauffeur.” All of the videos carry an island motif featuring beautiful, exotic women. These videos set the standard and bar for videos of future recording artists. Nothing was ever the same for future videos to come.
Two more performances are featured on the DVD. They include songs featured on the Top of the Pops…the English version of American Bandstand. “Hungry Like A Wolf,” and “Rio,” were performed where the band and concert goers wear clothing that have now come full circle.
In a career spanning 30 years, Duran Duran has sold more than 100 million records around the world and has achieved 21 Billboard Hot 100 charting singles in the U.S. For more on Duran Duran www.duranduran.com
