The first official Ike &Tina DVD release finds the couple in top form in The Netherlands in early 1971. Although the footage and sound quality, captured and originally broadcasted by VPRO, a Dutch broadcaster, leave something to be desired by today’s pristine digital expectations, the magic of the Ike &Tine Turner Revue still shines through. As for the video quality, I trust it has been cleaned up and brought to life as well as one can expect, after all, this restored concert footage has been collecting dust now for over thirty years.
The concert starts with a quick introduction as the band breaks into “Them Changes” by Buddy Miles, but it’s an instrumental version and Ike &Tina are still backstage giving the horn section and the rest of the band a chance to show off before the lead couple steals the show. Then Ike Turner is introduced and he slowly walks out in what I’m sure at the time was a very hip, futuristic, one piece fire-red suit with a belt only slightly smaller than some of today’s boxing championship belts. Next the Ikettes are introduced and then have a chance to show what they can do on “Sweet Inspiration,” by none other than the Sweet Inspirations.
The one and only Tina Turner takes the stage to the title of the “hardest working young lady in show business today.” She begins her quest to live up to that moniker with a scorching cover of Sly &The Family Stone’s “I Want To Take You Higher,” as Tina really begins to strut her stuff. Not to be forgotten is the other headliner in the band, Ike, as he shows his talent on the guitar on “Ooo Poo Pah Doo” soloing over and through the funky horn progression. Tina shows her soft side and ability to slow things down on the tender “A Love Like Yours” featuring the Ikettes best backup vocals of the night.
A good version of “River Deep, Mountain High” is followed by three covers showing Tina’s love for rock &roll; The Beatles’ “Come Together” works well and The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women,” is driven by Ike’s fierce rhythm playing. From here on out, pay no attention to the track listing on the back of the DVD because it’s not right. What comes next is the hit Credence Clearwater Revival tune, "Proud Mary," which was made even more famous by Ike &Tina, selling over a million copies by May 1971. The vocal interplay at the beginning of the song, accompanied by cheesy video effects showing both Ike and Tina simultaneously draws you in and the wild ending brings the song home featuring the best interplay of the night between the band and the choreographed dancing of Tina and the Ikettes.
The band curiously plays “I Want To Take You Higher” again but this time with strobe light effects and Tina exits the stage as the band even more curiously begins to play “Pop Goes The Weasel” as the reserved Dutch crowd claps along. As the crowd makes it onto their feet for the first time all night, Tina comes back out on stage to sing the slow blues song “I Smell Trouble, “ by Bobby “Blue” Bland. This serves as a nice send away as Ike and Tina trade fiery guitar riffs and vocal cries with each other.
Live In '71 has a lot to offer, including a separate audio CD featuring even more tracks than the DVD. If you can get past the imperfections found in this release, you will equally find yourself wrapped up in one of the finer touring Rock &Roll/Soul acts of the 70’s at the very top of their game.
