The Universal Masters DVD Collection was a series of discs each focused on a classic act or artist. Among the featured acts were Big Country, Tears for Fears, Shed Seven, Motley Crew and Nik Kershaw. Released in 2005, the Classic Status Quo edition featured ten tracks.
The Front and Back Cover
The front cover features a photograph of the Frantic Four lineup of Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Alan Lancaster and John Coghlan. I can’t be certain but looks to be an image from the early 80s. The back cover features the famous Quo light display as seen on the End of the Road tour in 1984.
Featured Content
The DVD is a mish mash of music videos and live performances, mostly from the late 70s and early 80s, with one later performance somehow making its way into the mix.
- Whatever You Want – Music Video (1979)
- Rockin’ All Over the World – Music Video (1977)
- Down Down Live at the NEC (1982)
- Rain – Music VIdeo (1976)
- Rock ‘n’ Roll – Music Video (1980)
- Caroline – Live at the NEC (1982)
- Don’t Waste My Time (Live at the NEC) (1989)
- The Wanderer – Music Video (1984)
- In The Army Now – Music Video (1986)
- Again & Again – Music Video (1978)
Thoughts…
While the picture quality isn’t too bad for the era, the videos appear to have been coded in an aspect ratio that crops out part of the image. The footage was already mostly shot in 4:3, so it seems an odd choice to letterbox it; Especially in the era of wide-screen television. As a fan, this is a frustrating experience that leaves camera work looking off, and the tops of heads cut off.
An attempt was made to include the big hits, regardless of whether they had a promotional film. This is usual for an act with hit songs from before the mainstream use of music videos. Given the photograph on the front, I would’ve swapped out the two late 80s performances for Living On An Island and Lies.
Is There An Alternative?
It’s important to remember that this release was put out in the era before YouTube. I would’ve been delighted to have access to some of this stuff back in the day, even if the quality isn’t up to standard. There isn’t anything particularly rare on here, it just looks like it was thrown together to include as part of an overall series.
The Party Ain’t Over Yet DVD was released around the same time as this, and it contains a lot more rare material. The music videos included here were later made available on the Accept No Substitute DVD. I guess the only curiosity on this DVD is the bizarre inclusion of Don’t Waste My Time from 1989 Perfect Remedy tour, originally released on VHS as Rocking All Over the Years; It has yet to see an official DVD release.
Is it worth it?
In this day and age, I’d say no. Since 2005, there have been a number of physical releases that have well and truly surpassed this one. Most of the material has been reissued in better quality, and presented in its original aspect ratio. Add to that the existence of YouTube, which has taken the excitement away from this kind of release.
