Remastered in 5.1 surround sound, featuring 25 videos & 2 live performances plus audio commentary from the band. Universal. 2003.
Just as their two greatest hits collections have proved what an unsung contribution the Beautiful South have made to British music, so The Very Best of documents a fine video history. Never one to take the obvious path, this collection is light on the black and white, slow motion school of video making, instead stuffed full of clever, witty and ingenious clips. It charts the band's career from first single "Song for Whoever", through their massive chart success and ends with the lesser seen work of recent years. Always able to produce visuals worthy of their music, highlights nevertheless include the wedding of "Let Love Speak Up Itself", the cartoon of "How Long's a Tear Take to Dry" and the memorable "A Little Time". Also included are two live tracks from their Jools Holland special. Off screen, the band's history was to be equally fascinating (as documented in Mike Pattenden's superb Last Orders at the Liar's Bar), but this is a must for anyone with a passing interest in a wonderfully unique band.
