Thank You For Clapping


16 Horsepower - LIVE DVD review

by Willem Jongeneelen
from Dutch magazine OOR, issue 1, February 2006

Contains: Live footage of a complete 2002 show from Brussels, a 1996 Rockpalast gig from Germany and a section of what later proved to be the very last performance by the band in a park in Antwerp in the summer of 2004.

Playing time: Disc 1: 75 minutes. Disc 2: 65 minutes.

What's there to be seen?: The first disc contains beautiful tv-footage of a band in top form with a singer who only communicates through his songs. On the second disc you see David Eugene Edwards 8 years younger, in Germany. We also see images of Edwards pacing up and down before the start of the last 16 Horsepower show in the beautiful Rivierenhof open-air theatre in Antwerp. The footage cannot touch that of disc 1 qua images and sound, but the recording of the very last song ever is a special as it is legendary: Joy Division's Heart & Soul.

What's there to be heard?: The Brussels show on disc 1 can serve as the ultimate Best Of Live. It contains a cross-section from the six studio-albums filled with peerless melodies, subtle banjo playing, slide guitar and bandoneon and heavy lyrics about sin, redemption, good and evil. Especially suited for lovers of neo-country, religious-folk and raw blues. Edwards' edifying message and stirrings of the heart and soul hit home harder because of the friendly tone and the rather modest character.

Extras: If we regard the entire second disc as extra, the material from 1996 and the final show complete the lot.

Judgement: David Eugene Edwards can later proudly show his grandchildren the footage from Brussels especially. We can above all things mourn over the demise of this special band. Even though Edwards will undoubtedly continue to write fine songs for many years to come. Be it solo, with Woven Hand or with others.

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