VH1 Storytellers

VH1 Storytellers - Sarah McLachlan

The relative intimacy of the Storytellers stage is appropriate for an artist like Sarah McLachlan, who in the course of this 10-song, 55-minute performance establishes an easy and close rapport with her audience. In truth, empires will neither rise nor fall, and few lives are likely to be changed, on account of McLachlan's music. But the guiding light of Lilith Fair is an honest, unpretentious artist with a lovely voice (those distinctive little swoops at the end of melodic phrases bring to mind fellow Canadian Joni Mitchell) and a passel of tunes that reflect the self-professed influence of writers like Cat Stevens, Joan Baez, and Peter Gabriel. There's no "I Will Remember You" here, but McLachlan and her excellent band (including husband Ashwin Sood on drums) perform strong versions of the catchy "Ice Cream," the heartfelt "Hold On," and others, with Paula Cole guesting on "Elsewhere" and McLachlan also performing solo at the piano. She doesn't rock like Sheryl Crow; she's not odd like, say, Tori Amos; and she (like pretty much everyone else) lacks the burning originality of Mitchell. But simply being Sarah McLachlan is plenty good enough. --Sam Graham

More than just the mind behind Lilith Fair, Sarah McLachlan is the lush voice from some of the most beautiful and haunting melodies in recent memory. The Canadian songstress broke out in 1993 wit her third album, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, inspired by her experience working on a documentary about poverty and child prostitution. Then came Mirrorball, which gave rise to enchanting songs like "Building a Mystery" and "I Will Remember You." And we"ve got them right here in rock's most intimate setting, so sit back, relax, and get ready to go one-on-one with the artists you love " and the songs you only thought you knew. Includes Good Enough, Building a Mystery, Ice Cream, Sweet Surrender, Hold On, Elsewhere, Possession, Witness, Angel

VH1 Storytellers - Billy Idol

The trademark snarl and sneer are still in place, but it's a somewhat mellower, more reflective, middle-aged Billy Idol who takes center stage in this latest installment of the Storytellers series. Backed by a band including longtime cohort Steve Stevens on guitar, the one-time punk pioneer works his way through 15 songs (among which are 8 that didn't make the original cable broadcast, including a superb reading of "Eyes Without a Face") over the course of the 104-minute concert, pausing between tunes to reflect on times that "weren't meant to be remembered," as Idol puts it. More than half the show is performed semi-acoustically; it's odd to hear the likes of "White Wedding" and "Rebel Yell" played as acoustic duets, but they work. And when Stevens brings out his electric for "Dancing with Myself," "Mony Mony," and others, the joint rocks. DVD bonus features include a music-only option for those who want to forgo Billy's rap. --Sam Graham

With his unique brand of pounding rock, rebellious punk attitude and raw sex appeal, black leather icon Billy Idol created a sound as unmistakable as his trademark snarl. From "White Wedding" to "Mony, Mony," this exclusive "VH1 Storytellers" compilation captures Idol in rock's most intimate setting. So sit back, relax, and get ready to go one-on-one with the artist behind the songs you only thought you knew. Features 8 songs not included in the original broadcast! Songs: Cradle of Love, Don't Need a Gun, Flesh for Fantasy, White Wedding, Sweet Sixteen, To Be a Lover, Rebel Yell, Kiss Me Deadly, Eyes Without a Face, Dancing With Myself, Untouchables, Ready Steady Go, Blue Highway, Mony Mony, L.A. Woman.

Natalie Merchant - VH1 Storytellers

Natalie Merchant got her start at age 17 as the lead singer of the folk-pop outfit 10,000 Maniacs. Her silken voice and outspoken social awareness wooed music fans and cemented her status as one of the day's most astute and captivating artists. Though 10,000 Maniacs achieved a level of critical success as a major-label act in the mid-80's, Merchant decided to go it alone in 1994. Since then her popularity has bloomed in the wake of Tigerlily, Ophelia, Motherland, Live in Concert: Natalie Merchant and The House Carpenter's Daughter. Featured here are the hits in an intimate, one-of-a-kind setting.

Tracks:
These Are the Days
Carnival
What's the Matter Here?
Kind and Generous
Break Your Heart
Wonder
Verdi Cries
These Are the Days (Bonus Track)
Life is Sweet (Bonus Track)

Alanis Morissette - VH1 Storytellers

VH1 Storytellers - Rod Stewart

Recorded at New York's infamous Supper Club in the spring of 1998, VH1 STORYTELLERS-Rod Stewart finds the vocalist at his most engaging. Performing songs from his legendary career, Rod recounts the tales behind his biggest hits including "Maggie May," "Tonight's the Night," and "Forever Young." This DVD release includes 2 bonus performances not seen in the original broadcast.

VH1 Storytellers - Matchbox Twenty

The music of Matchbox Twenty--or, more accurately, singer-songwriter Rob Thomas and his backup band--is spotlighted in this 10-song, hour-long Storytellers entry, recorded in New York in February 2001. Does a band whose entire oeuvre at the time consisted of just two albums deserve the same relatively prestigious showcase previously granted to the likes of David Bowie, the Pretenders, and Elvis Costello? That's certainly debatable; then again, perhaps this is what you get for appearing on a gazillion-seller like Carlos Santana's Supernatural, as Thomas did. In any event, Thomas is a personable, garrulous fellow with a distinctive voice (familiar to all from Santana's "Smooth") and some pretty good tunes ("Push," "If You're Gone"). And make no mistake about it: this is his show, as the other musicians (including a horn section on several numbers) barely get a word in edgewise. DVD bonus features include a music-only option and one additional song. --Sam Graham

Platinum hitmakers Matchbox Twenty hit the stage and tell the tales for the groundbreaking VH1 series, "Storytellers." Starting with their 1996 debut, "Yourself or Someone Like You," Matchbox Twenty has built a devoted following that continues to grow with each new record and tour. Filmed at New York City's Chelsea Piers, Matchbox Twenty perform their many hits including a stripped-down version of the timeless "3 A.M." with Rob Thomas at the piano. Songs: Bent, Mad Season, Black and White People, Push, If You're Gone, Crutch, Lonely Weekend, You Won't Be Mine, Rest Stop, 3 AM.

VH1 Storytellers - The Doors (A Celebration)

The surviving members of the Doors did a savvy thing with this hourlong session of VH-1 Storytellers, first broadcast in early 2001. Knowing that they could never replace their late and legendary frontman, Jim Morrison, the Doors (Ray Manzarek, Robbie Krieger, and John Densmore) invited vocalists from a variety of hot bands to offer their own interpretations of eight classic Doors hits. The spectre of Morrison looms over the entire set, reminding us that the charismatic, leather-clad Lizard King could never, ever be matched in terms of vocal style, depth, and heart-rending soul. It's best, then, to let these admiring young rockers enjoy this opportunity to pay reverent homage, and they do it with considerable skill. Above it all, the remaining Doors form a solid trio, still lighting fire to songs they've performed thousands of times.

Patrick Monahan (from Train) kicks off with a sharp rendition of "Love Me Two Times," and the Cult's Ian Astbury tries (almost successfully) to bring a medley of "Whiskey Bar/Backdoor Man" up to Morrison's level. The highlight comes from Days of the New's Travis Meeks, whose performance of "The End" is fresh, impassioned, and altogether triumphant. Nearly as good is Stone Temple Pilots' Scott Weiland (clearly a Morrison worshipper), who burns through "Break On Through" and "Five to One" with adequate fervor. Creed's Scott Stapp closes with "Light My Fire" (proving that the original is still untouchable) and a rafter-rattling "Roadhouse Blues." Each performance is noteworthy, and die-hard Doors fans shouldn't miss this latter-day celebration. Younger listeners who are less aware of Morrison's legacy are best served, in the long run; they get the best of both worlds, old and new. --Jeff Shannon

Bruce Springsteen: VH1 Storytellers

VH1 Storytellers - Meat Loaf

VH1 Storytellers Classics

Recommended more for quality of live performance than for storytelling, VH1 Storytellers: Classics is a seven-song compilation from the popular VH1 series, bearing all the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the program. Some of the featured musicians are fine raconteurs, and the format of the show encourages them to share the genesis of their best-known songs. Pete Townshend explains that the title of "Baba O'Riley" was a combination of two people who inspired him when he wrote the song: Indian spiritual teacher Meher Baba and electronic musician Terry Riley (he added the "O'" for a touch of Irish flavor). David Bowie explains how "China Girl" arose from a collaboration with Iggy Pop after a moving experience in a Berlin punk club; and before launching into an outstanding performance, Steely Dan's Donald Fagen describes "Kid Charlemagne" as an allusion to the passing of the 1960s.

Other performers have little or nothing to say about the songs they perform (when asked, Rod Stewart shamefully can't recall who originally played mandolin on "Maggie May"), but virtually all of these performances are first-rate and fully deserving of their inclusion. Surprisingly--or perhaps not--Ringo Starr provides the highlight, recalling how his melancholy feeling of exclusion during the recording of the Beatles' White Album led him to take a holiday in Sardinia. It was there that he was inspired to write "Octopus's Garden," and his performance of that song--with his hand-picked band the All- Stars--is as purely delightful as the original recording. --Jeff Shannon