DD 5.1

The DVD debut of Michael Flatley's performance in Riverdance (or at least part of it) is one of the highlights of The Best of Riverdance, a generous survey of the Irish hard-shoe sensation that has riveted live audiences and PBS viewers for a decade. Beginning with the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest performance that led to the full-length stage show, the program compiles a number of highlights from the show's history, taken mostly from three sources. There's the original 1995 televised show starring the flamboyant, record-setting tapper Flatley and his partner, Jean Butler.

There is one golden rule to the self-conception of all Southern Rock bands: the absolute truth lies on stage. Independent of the state of mind (or health) of the protagonists, in scorching heat, gusty wind, torrential rain or other climatic imponderabilities ñ the artists aim to inspire their fans with every show. Alongside Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers, Molly Hatchet are among the bands that have made this philosophy their own, giving it their all, night after night and Live In Hamburg is the living visual testament of such.

Guitar wizard Eric Johnson's December 14th, 1988 performance on Austin City Limits is finally available on DVD - Live From Austin TX. Terry Lickona, producer of Austin City Limits writes, "Fasten your seatbelts for an extraordinary ride with guitar hero Eric Johnson. This is the DVD that fellow guitarists, wannabes and fans have been waiting and dying for since the show first aired in 1989.

The Space Ship Live DVD features ripper Paul Gilbert and co-astronauts Linus of Hollywood (bass) and Marcus Minnemann (drums) perform, live at Cello Studios in Hollywood, a selection of tracks from Gilbert's latest CD "Space Ship One", along with a couple of older tracks, such as the Racer X instrumental "Scarified", some "Burning Organ" tracks, and more. The bright studio lights make it easy for fellow guitarists to cop dozens of Gilbert's licks, as he turns up the heat in his orange NASA get up.

Grant Geissman is a world class guitarist/composer who, as a much in-demand studio musician has recorded with such artists as Quincy Jones, David Benoit, Chuck Mangione and Luis Miguel. A popular contemporary jazz recording artist in his own right, Grant has recorded eleven solo albums. Whatever era his music is visiting at any given time, Grant Geissman is always finding new and innovative rhythmic and stylistic twists around those great melodies he's become famous for. The guitarist Mangione once dubbed "General Grant" is most decidedly on the inside track to continued success.

Michael Flatley, the internationally acclaimed master of dance returns to the stage to spearhead his powerful new dance spectacular, Celtic Tiger. With incredibly powerful music, unbelievable costumes and breathtaking special effects, Celtic Tiger is an epic masterpiece that fuses the spirit and history of Ireland with dance and music.

If youre not one of the lucky fans who applauded the long-awaited pairing of Larry Carlton and Steve Lukather - Larry, who was named guitarist of the year so often that the title of player emeritus was created for him alone, and Steve, a flamboyant guitar hero in his own right - this DVD will blow away your reticence. The 2001 get-together of these tow masters at their creative peak was an unforgettable experience fuelled by mutual love and respect, freedom of inspiration and the sheer pleasure of playing.

Not only is Ritchie Blackmore one of the technically most accomplished guitarists in the world, he is also one of the most exceptional and uncompromising musicians. Following his extremely successful years with Deep Purple and Rainbow, he left all commercial considerations aside, founding Blackmore's Night with his partner Candice Night and devoting himself single-mindedly to his greatest passion, the music of the Middle Ages. Since then the renaissance-infused magic of Blackmore's Nght has captured the hearts and minds of fans and media around the globe.

"Mojo Lady" has five hot tracks and feature the musicianship of the original George Baker Experience: Kyle Esposito on bass, Nick Lloyd on keyboards, Chris Lyons on drums, Lou Ianello on sax, and the additional talents of rhythm guitarist Tom Stonoha, keyboardist Sam Oliver and Stevie Wonder's horn section, i.e. Steve Madaio on trumpet and on saxophone, Trevor Lawrence. The show showcases George's style: bluesy, roots-inspired jazz expressed with the virtuosity of a guitar master.

As with any great artist, particularly those of the blues persuasion, Stevie Ray Vaughan was constantly taking chances, stretching out, discovering new possibilities even in songs he performed nightly. Brother Jimmie Vaughan hit the nail on the head as only he could: "He never played it the same way once, much less twice." As impressive as Stevie's too-brief studio career was, the records represent only freeze-frame stills of songs (and a guitarist) that were continually evolving.