THOMAS DOLBY: The Sole Inhabitant DVD (autographed)

Thomas Dolby

The Sole Inhabitant DVD (autographed)

© 2006 Lost Toy People Inc

DVD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

Warm, soaring electronica, with bold textures and thoughtful lyrics, from an authentic original who has influenced a whole generation of musicians.

tracks

1 Leipzig is Calling
2 One Of Our Submarines
3 I Live In A Suitcase
4 Flying North
5 The Flat Earth
6 Budapest By Blimp
7 Windpower
8 Europa And The Pirate Twins
9 Hyperactive
10 She Blinded Me With Science
11 Airhead

notes

[NOTE: The first 1000 copies of this DVD will be individually numbered and autographed by the artist. You can also order a non-autographed version of the DVD.]

Just when you think the 21st century might finally have caught up with Thomas Dolby, he takes another giant musical and technological leap. The artist who pioneered the marriage of technology and art, who first gave synthesizers soul, puts a camera in his brain and takes us on a visual trip inside his head, his heart, and his music; showing us at one and the same time where it came from and where it's going.

This live concert DVD was filmed in September 2006 at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. The sold out audience that night saw one of the best performances from Dolby's 'Sole Inhabitant' tour, which has thrilled crowds across the USA throughout the year.

The 'Sole Inhabitant' tour dates received high praise from critics. The Chicago Tribune wrote, “The audience seemed mesmerized by Dolby’s compositional and musical dexterity…Far from coming off as strictly a nostalgia act, the evening unfolded as a celebration of his past accomplishments and a harbinger for his future as a revitalized performer.” The Orange County Register added, “Most people’s knowledge of Dolby begins and ends with ‘She Blinded Me With Science,’ a sly slice of synth-funk from a superior album (The Golden Age of Wireless) whose variety and depth went far beyond its artificial surface. Indeed, for those who sought him out — certainly for scores of electronica acts who routinely cite him as an influence — Dolby was one-of-a-kind, a do-it-yourself electro wizard whose work conjured warmth and soul from machines whose output in other hands was pure digital chill.” The Washington Post summed it up: “When he whooshed into ‘Europa and the Pirate Twins,’ Dolby sounded startlingly relevant, no easy trick for a talented artist whose entire career is usually unfairly surmised in a single, shouted phrase.”

[ATTENTION NON-US CUSTOMERS: This DVD is formatted for 'all regions'. However it is NTSC standard, not PAL. Most DVD players and PCs can play both standards. Check your user manual to be sure!]

reviews

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  • Awesome DVD !!
    author: Jerry Hall

    I purchased the autographed dvd and I must say I was completely blown away at the show Thomas put on. I loved how he introduced each song and told you about it. I can't wait for some new stuff Mr. Dolby !! (hint hint)

  • Great, great, great.
    author: Clifford Yankovich

    What a treat. Have been a fan ever since the good old days. Never been fortunate enough to see Thomas live, so this DVD was much appreciated. Well done, sir! I can only echo many of the comments written by others. Up close and personal - the warmth of the music and the guy performing it really comes through. Cannot wait to see what the talented Mr D has up his sleeve. He did say he was working on some new stuff....WE ALL HEARD YOU THOMAS AND WE ARE HOLDING YOU TO YOUR WORD! If you like TD at all, then you will love this DVD.

  • Fantastic!
    author: Vance Blosser

    I'm glad Mr. Dolby is back. I really enjoyed this DVD and the peeks behind the processes used were very nice. I'm not a musician but I've worked with computers from BEFORE the Apple II so I'm a bit of a geek. Looking forward to more!

  • So glad he's back
    author: Chris Hess

    Wonderful, intimate, concert footage. I'm reminded of my reaction to TD 25 years ago, when it seemed to me that all the hype about the tech and his persona missed the fact that many of the songs are just beautiful. (#915)

  • As good as seeing him live, no one singing badly next to you
    author: Alley Maranto

    This dvd is incredible. I saw Dolby in 1984 for The Flat Earth tour(7th row, I still have the ticket stub), and it has been the concert I judged all others against. I also saw him for the Aliens tour(FRONT ROW!) and this was as good and twice as close. The banter/commentary between songs is wonderful to witness, as is the camera angles to see what he is seeing as he is playing is fantastic. I have been a bit obsessed with the song "The Flat Earth" since hearing it in 1984, I even have lyrics from it etched on our wedding bands. I'm a bit embarrased to admit I misheard my favorite line and our rings read "there are stars buried in your soul" instead of "stones" so I'm not sure if I can credit him as such. I also recommend the cd which was taped right here in Chicago, and is also fantastic. I know I am gushing about one song, but his new version of The Flat Earth is heart-stoppingly beautiful, with the voice of Martin Luther King,Jr. intertwining with his. There are great interviews where he explains about his equiptment- I'm a jewelry artist so I hadn't a clue, but my husband totally understood what he was saying and loved it. Having it autographed and numbered (mine being #911) I will treasure it always.

  • Thomas Dolby The Sole Inhabitant DVD
    author: Gummy

    After watching the DVD I'm really kicking myself for not going to this show (I live in the Boston area). The songs alone are fantastic to hear and watch but its the inbetween song talks that really get you into a little piece of the TD world. Great long video interview as well and other extras! And for just a little extra, the autographed version just makes it all the more better!

  • Top Draw
    author: Guy Richman

    This dvd has everything. Highly entertaining, packed with special features where Thomas allows us into the life of this intelligent man-very interesting. I'll wear this disc out!!!! Congrats Thomas!

  • Made my day!
    author: Kenn McDonald

    This is a great presentation of the tour Thomas Dolby did in 2006. I saw the show he did at the Cerritos performing Arts Center and I was completely blown away by it. The DVD took me right back there and then some. The additional features are the cherry on top of a sundae the is piled to the ceiling. Highly recommended.

  • WOW !!!!!!!!!!!
    author: Andrew Millington

    The Soul Inhabitant DVD was amazing and couldn't wait to unwrap the packaging that came all the way from the US to England. I really enjoy watching Thomas at work so much because he makes it look effortless and he puts his heart and soul into what he plays and it's clear to see. He comes across as being the most pleasant of musicians, so genuine and i like that. The extras on the dvd were cool also. I enjoyed the studio interview and a trip around his new equipment. If you love Thomas then basically you'll love this dvd...BUY IT !!!!!!

  • Another great reworking of his classics with the emphasis on 'performance'
    author: Smiler, Carlisle, England

    The shelf life of Thomas Dolby's hits just goes on and on - it's great that he's writing new material, but this DVD shows a reworking of his existing classics with the emphasis on live performance - not just a set of sequenced melodies, he actively builds the songs live by looping sounds in real time - there's even a DVD section giving a tour of his new equipment for techno-geeks - all good stuff!!

  • What a champion release!
    author: Neil Leacy

    What a champion release. So pleased to see a musical hero still playing live and entertaining with it too. :) Only question is when do we get to see you in the flesh on this side of 'the pond'. Cheers, Neil (Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK)

  • author: Ray Trundle

    Was lucky enough to see THOMAS DOLBY way back in 1982! He was at that time a young talented lad begining his musical career.This DVD brings it all back a reminder of just how talented he really is.Although having been away for 12yrs or so he's back betta than ever. Close up and personal,with a crackin (albeit)short set list. A must for TRUE music lovers. Roll on a UK tour !!!

  • author: PWDM

    Fantastic

  • Good performance, good material, DVD has some glitches
    author: Esh

    Thomas Dolby's DVD of his solo master class and performance are top notch... as good as it gets for a one-man show. TD presents a very personable human being behind a collection of somewhat esoteric gadgetry. The mixed-in video montages over the performances really make the show come alive, and the song introductions along with the stories behind the tunes add a nice personal touch. TD's behind-the-scenes explanations of his gear and his musical career are also very interesting. My sole complaint about the DVD is purely technical: some of the menu items don't work as they should. I got an error message on my player at the end of each of the behind-the-scenes segments instead of being returned to the main menu, so I had to return to the menu manually. No biggie but noteworthy. There's no flaws with Dolby's show and music thankfully. I especially appreciate getting an autographed/numbered DVD copy - very thoughtful. This is a must-have for anyone into music technology and how it can be used by a modern songcrafter. Hope to hear what the 21st century edition of Thomas Dolby sounds like soon.

  • CD Baby fantastic service
    author: Richard Turner

    Firstly what great customer service from CD Baby. The DVD is a great insight to Thomas Dolby's world, whether a new fan or an old one catching up on the past. Great musicianship amazing sound.

  • About time too.
    author: Kenny Croughan

    Sadly I have never seen Thomas Dolby live, my only experience of a live performance being Live Wireless. But now I have The Sole Inhabitant, and what a performance. No fuss, no over the top effects, just a simple performance from one of the masters. The Highlite has to be the announcement of new material after a 20 year gap. About time too, Thomas.

  • author: Adrian

    Great DVD. It is nice to hear about the music gear he uses and how he builds his songs. Very informative. The sound and picture quality is great.

  • A MUST HAVE for any true techno geek!
    author: Ray Cuellar

    This DVD is brilliant! There's an incredible section where TD talks about the the history of the gear he used in past years as well as a comprehensive walk through his current rig that he uses. Incredibly informative and touching narrative behind every song!

  • Live The Live Show Again!
    author: Tranque

    I was surprised to find T.D. playing in such an intimate venue (in my town) and was not going to miss it! He did not disappoint - it was incredible! . . . so naturally I came home late and went onto his web site. This DVD answers some of the technical questions that came up during the show and reminded me of what a great show it was! No question it is worth the bucks spent!

  • Great DVD from a Great Artist
    author: James

    What more can I say? Like the otehrs, I saw the podcasts and had to get the DVD. There was just the right blend of The Song as it was, and The Song the way he wanted it. I enjoyed the whole thing, even Leipzig is Calling and Budapest By Blimp, two I never much cared for. All in all, 5 out of 5.

  • Great service and a great product
    author: James

    After seeing the podcasts for Thomas Dolby I decided I had to have this DVD. Great stuff! It's amazing seeing him in action and hearing him describe some of the background for the songs.

  • Wonderful!
    author: monozelle

    I'll give it 500 stars for the wonderful interviews, the great concert, the informative voyage around Mr. Dolby's rig and the all sympathetic and humorous character of T.D. himself, which is carefully banned on digital video. And finally - for the music! I'll give it 4,999999 stars for not-sooooooo-brilliant overall sound quality and a DVD which does not return to the main screen when a chapter is over and you have to push "play" again. But... hey, it's an indie product and it's worth every cent! :)

  • A definite buy, despite the video production
    author: Brian

    A rare glimpse into the 'thought bubble' of Thomas Dolby - not possible if the setting was in a larger venue. I do struggle with the video production as the assembly of camera angles leaves a lot to be desired, especially as you just know that Dolby is doing something cool on statge and the camera is either lost in outer space or is out of focus. It's also interesting that the audio is not in 5.1, but it's the best Dolby PL mix that I've heard in a long time. All this doesn't really matter as I'd pay twice the price to own this DVD.

  • Great dvd, to watch more than once
    author: Jussi

    A dvd with very generous contents: a glimpse behind the music and how Dolby creates his sound, a long interview, and, of course, the concert. A dvd to watch and listen to, over and over again.

  • The Goggles Tour
    author: Proffesor Pyke

    This a great information source for an old fan like myself and of course it is great to see and hear Thomas Live again..!!

  • Buy It!
    author: Mic

    I saw Dolby on this tour and bought both the CD and DVD to keep the great memories alive. The songs represent the many phases and faces of Dolby from the 80's legendary "She Blinded Me With Science" to the personal "I Live in a Suitcase." All songs sound better than the original, and the DVD captures the personality, wit, and brilliance of TD and his music! Buy it!

  • Now I Feel Like I REALLY Know The Man...And What Great Music!
    author: MktgAdMan

    Great to have Sir Tom back with us! Why did you stay away so long? What great insight shared with the audience and the viewer. Fantastic event that just pulls you in and leaves you begging for more! Exceptional artist and master of his craft. Wonderfully entertaining DVD! Buy it and you won't regret it! P.S. The autographed copy was a bonus!!!

  • dont think about it just buy it you wont be sorry
    author: ian tutin

    im glad to say this dvd is excellent i recommend anyone that likes dolbys music to buy it now. i enjoyed the way he chats between tracks to tell you a little background about his music and himself....looking forward to his new material coming out in 2007.......A MUST BUY....

  • He's back and I'm happy.
    author: Annie Welch

    After TMDR's Aliens Ate My Buick tour (which was a "band" tour, and it was interesting to hear Dolby's take on having a live band vs. touring by himself which he explains on the DVD), I really thought he'd never tour again after I read about his project involving Headspace (Beatnik). I was resigned to that fact and buried my head in the sand. Then one day I read that he was coming to Seattle on a tour! Unfortunately for me, the gig was that night, and there was no way I could make it. But fortunately for me, there was this DVD, so I can watch the concert (and all the bonuses!) any time I want! Not to mention run my fingers lovingly over the autograph.........I've missed you Thomas!!!

  • Excellent tour DVD
    author: Harri Mela

    I really loved this DVD and I wish that Thomas Dolby will perform in Finland sometimes in the future.

  • The Return of the King
    author: P-FO

    It's heartwarming to see and hear Thoms Dolby resurface after his absence while inventing ringtones! Now he can concentrate on his obvious passion...MUSIC! Thomas Dolby's music has stayed with me since I was a young teenager without means to see him in concert. Now that I am 39, Leipzig has a whole new meaning, as do all his other songs. It's obvious to me that Dolby is a sentimental, a tender-hearted technophile. I await his new recordings with great eagerness. Buy this DVD and witness the solitary performance of a great artist who indulges us with the history of his songs and technique. You won't regret it!

  • A logical continuation of Dolby's musical evolution...
    author: Jeff Joplin

    TMDR's Sole Inhabitant project is a brilliant reinvention of the never-ending evolution of Dolby's music & influence. Dynamic & powerful performances abound in both the CD & DVD, which closely examines his MO on both composing & performing. An illuminating & (often informally) entertaining offering from a TRUE original! For ALL fans of music, not just TMDR's!

  • Dolby’s Blinding Talent Is Still Evident On ‘The Sole Inhabitant’
    author: John Voket for The Newtown Bee (CT)

    The first leg of (Dolby's) tour last summer also provided an opportunity to work out material for his latest release, The Sole Inhabitant. The DVD-side of the project containing a full solo concert was filmed at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston, and an audio CD took the best versions of songs from two gigs at Martyrs in Chicago. The set list is the same for both the audio and video recording. The DVD, however, contains some excellent bonus features including an academic presentation Dolby gave to Berklee students on the construction of his “orchestra in a box,” the meticulously crafted rig that allows him to become the sole inhabitant backed by lush and complicated computerized backing arrangements on stage every night. During a separate bonus DVD interview, Dolby explains that while he prefers to give backing musicians the latitude to interpret the material he is planning to perform whenever possible, on the current outings he was looking for a “single-minded experience,” which gave him the opportunity to fully command his retrospective takes on a host of existing material. That and having the level of control that comes when one isn’t required to bring in outside investors to finance a full band tour, he added. In an interview Dolby did with me back in the fall he observed that large-scale tours tend to draw audiences that predominantly wanted to be there for the sake of being there, and the energy in the room tends to be unfocused. This creates a terrible experience for any core group of fans who want to become fully immersed every intricate nuance of his performance. In choosing some smaller, more intimate venues across the country, Dolby was able to enjoy the acoustic quality inherent in smaller rooms and theaters, while getting him up close and personal with core fans. The Sole Inhabitant DVD showcases the storyteller aspect of these performances – if you decide to play the show with song introductions (the DVD comes with an intro “on” or “off” option.) Another wonderful bonus on the DVD is the brief clip entitled “Building a Song,” which appears to have been filmed during a soundcheck as audience members were trickling in to one of Dolby’s solo outings. This relatively short but critical part of the package incorporates some of what Dolby describes in the “studio interview,” and “rig voyage,” segments of the project, about the way he conceives layers of sounds and rhythms that eventually become the final arrangement. The CD version of The Sole Inhabitant is a great addition to one’s audio collection, especially for those who enjoyed Dolby’s hits like “Hyperactive,” “One of Our Submarines is Missing” and “She Blinded Me With Science.” I think anyone who picks up this live collection for the popular material can’t help but gain a deeper appreciation for his talent as a songwriter and arranger, especially going in armed with the knowledge that he’s producing most of the material from an emotional place devoid of the technical foundation one brings in as students of music theory and particular instruments. The Sole Inhabitant, in either video or audio form, serves to excite even passing fans who have been wondering what Dolby has been up to in recent years. But it is at the same time an extremely exciting project because it shows that this exceptionally talented performer appears to be hitting stride in his own right. As a lifelong fan myself, I look at The Sole Inhabitant as a familiar appetizer to enjoy while the master chef heads back into the kitchen, as promised, to begin cooking up some new and special concoction to be served up sometime later in 2007. And the fact that Thomas Dolby can afford to do it on his own terms and in his own time, simply means when he feels that serving of new material is ready, it will likely exceed all expectations.

  • Phenominal Show - amazing DVD
    author: Fred Baer

    Having been lucky enought to have been at the Boston show, this DVD not only brings back great memories of the show, but with all of the extras such as the interview, tour of TMDR's rig, provides a peek behind the scenes of the creative process.... A must have for any Dolby fan, or music fan actually.

  • I loved it and hope to see more from Mr. Dolby.
    author: Sarah

    I loved the one man band feel of this concert and Mr. Dolby's intros into the songs. His performance was wonderful and worth the wait. I do wished he would come out with a DVD of the video's he had out becuase I never got to see them on television here in the States. I am glad to see he hasn't lost his enjoyment of the music that has brought me through some tough times!

  • If a song was a road I would ride through the night to you.
    author: Michael

    This is a great DVD!! I was lucky enough to see "The Golden Age Of Wireless" tour and this brought back many of those memories. The song choices on this DVD are some of the one's that were always special. I've never stopped listening and I never will, thank you for doing this project!!!

  • One of the best music DVD's ever.
    author: Gary Olvanhill

    I've been a Thomas Dolby fan for more years than I care to admit to. I must be honest and say I never thought the great man would dust down his Fairlight and groove again but boy has he and this live DVD along with the worth while extra footage is a stunning visual and audio treat for any synth fan. I was unlucky to miss Mr Dolby's 2 UK shows because I was on holiday but I will say this is the nearest thing to actually seeing the legend live. Buy it and you won't be disappointed. Thomas Dolby it's great to have you back and don't be a stranger to the UK your fans are waiting.

  • Great performance of wonderful material
    author: Mark Gardner

    Thomas puts in a class, assured and confident performance, with a very informal, chatty delivery of stories about the tracks, which all fans will find illuminating and will allow new listeners an extra insight into the man and his music. Seeing the man construct his complex music from the bottom up is inspiring! And he's lost little in the vocals. A truely wonderful DVD. Buy it!

  • Awesome. Thomas Dolby rules.
    author: John Gruber

    Very informative and entertaining. I learned so much about Thomas Dolby, not only as an artist, but as a person. A must for all Dolby fans.

  • Rediscover the Music
    author: Nick

    Enjoyed the DVD very much. Crisp sound and vivid images. The music on this DVD brought back pleasant memories of my youth and a yearning to rediscover music that I haven't listen to in a long time. Looking forward to some new tunes from Mr. Dolby.

  • You'd be an Airhead not to buy this...
    author: Jeremy from the UK

    If you've seen Dolby on tour in 2006, then this is for you. This DVD is from the US leg of the tour, and is excellent. Those who went to the final date (London in June) may not find the atmosphere quite as electric, but hey, the guy is brilliant, so what the hell.. Great music, great camera work, and if you're into electronic music, the extras on how to layer sounds make for fascinating viewing.

  • Old material with a new lease of life
    author: Paul Foy

    Dolby's back catelogue is revamped to great effect. The songs are still familiar enough to evoke great memories, but the subtle changes make them worth listening to all over again. And on the DVD you get to see how he does it.

  • the return of tmdr!
    author: david owen

    i have been a fan from the first time i heard windpower on its release.after an absence of too long a duration,im made up thomas has made a return. i loved the insight and stories behind the songs,and have already complimented mr dolby on the slickness of this production.a must have for any dolby fan,long may it continue!!!

  • Synth pioneer Dolby revisits his catchy hooks and lyrics, MIDI style!
    author: Dan Goodman (Screen Kiss)

    Thomas Dolby has infuenced a generation of fans and musicians alike.This concert DVD showcases his timeless melodies with a new digital sound, while keeping them true. Unlike some artists who prefer to keep "trade secrets", he generously shares his methods, equipment,and philosophy in the bonus footage. I scare myself, just thinking about it!

  • Excellent DVD
    author: James Baldwin

    The DVD is excellent. The concert footage is true to the actual concert tour (I saw the show in Pittsburgh) and the extras were great. The CD is also wonderful, and in my opinion, the audio quality of the CD is just slightly better than the DVD.

  • Fantastic! Thank You for the music!
    author: Brad Lust

    The DVD of T/D.'s recent tour is wonderful. I was hoping that It would come out! I have been a D.J. for years, and met Mr. Dolby in Boulder CO. when I worked at KBCO F.M. in the mid 80's. I have been playing his music ever since. One of my all time favorite albums is "Aliens Ate my Buick". Every song was great. I got to play them all on the radio. I am so glad that I saw Mr. Dolby in Northern VA. during this past fall in 2006. What a show! And he was solo! WOW. I can't wait for more Dolby music. Music is the best. Brad Lust 12/12/06 Maryland, USA.

  • I believe that CD Baby has a kind of quality that is different.
    author: Ryan M. Brown

    On the day of the release I had ordered both the autographed DVD and CD from CD Baby. I have made a number of online purchases in the past. I believe that CD Baby has a kind of quality that is different than many other online stores.

  • Wonderful!
    author: Larisa Lowery

    It is a great pleasure to see him on stage again, especially when he builds his songs from scratch. The set list is wonderful, and it is a joy to watch him interact with his appreciative fans, who have waited so long for his return. I love the extras as well - the studio interview is fun to watch, and I loved the voyage around his rig.

  • author: Luckyexplorer

    What a great DVD !!! Now we are waiting new compositions. Thomas, please...

  • Fascinating and wonderful. A welcome return to the one-man show
    author: Simon Crosbie

    Nice to see Thomas Dolby returning to his original one man format. The eccentric English scientist persona reappears after a long absence. The intros to each of Thomas' songs are a refreshing glimpse into his reasons for returning to live performance after something like 15 years absence. All the way back to the opener, Leipzig, up to Astronauts and Heretics' "I Live in a Suitcase", TMDR presents a contemporary reworking of some of his portfolio of songs. Concentrating on songs he wrote hoping that they would strike a resonance with his audience, not knowing if they would. This is a great, personal performance and highlights one of the true electronic pioneers, still innovating and performing from the heart. I just wish there was more of it. (Especially a Cloudburst...)

  • A great return
    author: Ackbar

    This DVD is a great return to form , Not that he ever fell from his classic form. I look forward to the new Album too !

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