Debut live DVD and documentary of the all-star band on the road.

Hot on the heels of Chickenfoot's awesome debut album and the subsequent 'deluxe' re-release of the album with a bonus track and DVD, comes the bands first official live DVD. Essential purchase or shameless cash in? I'm very much of the opinion that it's the former. 'Get Your Buzz On' captures the quartet of Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Chad Smith and Joe Satriani playing live at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, ripping it up with a set list spanning the entire Chickenfoot record and just two covers - 'Bad Motor Scooter' from Sammy's Montrose days, and a jammed segment of The Who's 'My Generation' to end the evening with a bang. The band decided early on that they weren't going to pad out the set with Van Halen, Satriani or Chili Peppers material, and I think that was the right decision. So what you have here is the band playing a great album in it's entirety, but with the freedom to stretch out a little if the mood so takes them.

With the band only playing one show in the UK - which sold out in no time - and a handful of European dates, if you didn't get chance to see them then the DVD offers a great representation of what you get at a Chickenfoot show. The intention was to try and make the show look like it does from the audience in terms of the lighting and stage, but with the added advantage of close up camera work on each member. It's really well shot and the picture and sound is superb (and the show is available on Blu-Ray too for hi-def fanatics). But that's only any good if the performance is up to par. Rest assured, it is.

Because the debut Chickenfoot album was played very much with a live feel, the band have no problems converting the material for the stage. They blast through everything with vigour and energy, kicking off with the thumping 'Avenida Revolution', through to 'Sexy Little Thing' which highlights the magical harmony between Hagar and Anthony's voices, 'Get It Up' where Chad Smith really kicks into gear - if you've never seen this guy play rock, you have to check it out, he's amazing! 'Bitten By The Wolf' which was included on some versions of the debut and on the deluxe version gives the band the chance to play some Louisiana influenced blues in authentic style, and 'Down The Drain' allows the group some real freedom as they turn it back into a jam which gives Satriani chance to spread his musical wings.

The band genuinely look like they're enjoying it, and that fact is backed up by the bonus documentary on the DVD. Featuring the antics of the band on tour, it proves to be an extremely entertaining sixty minutes. From the vision of Sammy Hagar driving a Smart Car to Grateful Dead member Bob Weir's house to hang out, to Satriani being interviewed by fellow guitar hero Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) from Spinal Tap, which is done in a great deadpan manner, it's all lighthearted and fun. I laughed at Michael Anthony cooking spicy chicken wings for American TV personality Adam Carolla, while Carolla berates Anthony for being the "weak link" in the band. Anthony starts to defend himself and Carolla says "But Sammy Hagar man, he was in Van Halen!" to which Anthony says "So was I, for a lot longer than Sammy!" before Carolla dismisses him as "yeah, but only as the bass player". My favorite bit though had to be Chad Smith roaming the streets armed only with a microphone and a promo photo of the band, and conducting impromptu surveys to members of the public, asking if they've ever heard of Chickenfoot. Some of the responses are truly hilarious, especially the one where Chad holds up the photo to a young black guy and asks him if he recognises any of the men in the picture. Bearing in mind Chad is dressed exactly as he is in the picture, the guy completely ignores him, points at the picture of Anthony and says "Is that Jimmy Page?" to which Chad simply replies "Yeah man! You're good!"

The bits with all four of them together are just as much fun and it all seems like they really enjoy each others company. Sammy was really pleased with the documentary with good reason, and after watching it, I'd have been happy with just that. However, when it's paired with a concert of such quality by such a talented band, it's a must buy for any Chickenfoot fan. Awesome!

James Gaden