Cyndi Lauper - Live... At Last (DVD in Amray Case Packaging)

Starring:Cyndi Lauper
Director: Jim Gable
Studio: Sony
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Cyndi Lauper may talk like Edith Bunker (or any number of other queens from Queens), but she sure doesn't sing like her. Indeed, two decades after she burst on the pop scene with her She's So Unusual album, Lauper's voice is arguably stronger than ever--an opinion borne out in Live... At Last, a 16-song, 112-minute concert recorded in New York in March, 2004 (the title references both her '03 CD of the same name and the fact that this is her first concert video since 1987's Cyndi Lauper in Paris). Unlike, say, such understated chanteuses as Norah Jones and Diana Krall, Lauper likes to wail, and if the result is occasionally somewhat over the top, it still makes for powerful performances of such familiar material as "I Drove All Night," "All Through the Night," and her biggest hits, "Time After Time" and the salsa-flavored "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." Indeed, Lauper is at her best when she simply rocks (the punkish "It's Hard to Be Me" is another highlight). Far less successful are the mannered, ponderous, and/or melodramatic arrangements of pop standards like "Walk On By," "If You Go Away," and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," while the French café vibe on "She Bop" is cute but insubstantial. The visuals (shot in high definition and viewed in widescreen) and audio are excellent, while bonus features include Lauper's guided tour of Queens. --Sam Graham
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Amazon.com

Cyndi Lauper may talk like Edith Bunker (or any number of other queens from Queens), but she sure doesn't sing like her. Indeed, two decades after she burst on the pop scene with her She's So Unusual album, Lauper's voice is arguably stronger than ever--an opinion borne out in Live... At Last, a 16-song, 112-minute concert recorded in New York in March, 2004 (the title references both her '03 CD of the same name and the fact that this is her first concert video since 1987's Cyndi Lauper in Paris). Unlike, say, such understated chanteuses as Norah Jones and Diana Krall, Lauper likes to wail, and if the result is occasionally somewhat over the top, it still makes for powerful performances of such familiar material as "I Drove All Night," "All Through the Night," and her biggest hits, "Time After Time" and the salsa-flavored "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." Indeed, Lauper is at her best when she simply rocks (the punkish "It's Hard to Be Me" is another highlight). Far less successful are the mannered, ponderous, and/or melodramatic arrangements of pop standards like "Walk On By," "If You Go Away," and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," while the French café vibe on "She Bop" is cute but insubstantial. The visuals (shot in high definition and viewed in widescreen) and audio are excellent, while bonus features include Lauper's guided tour of Queens. --Sam Graham

Description

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Customer Reviews:

Thank Goodness . . . We're Saved!.......2007-06-07

As I watch Bette Midler begin her long (and I hope slow) ride off into the sunset by way of Las Vegas, I have been wondering who could fill her enormous shoes as pop music's premier interpreter. Cindi Lauper, whom I vaguely remembered as a brief phenomenon way back when, had never crossed my mind as a candidate.

Then, a couple of weeks ago, I was visiting some friends in Vermont who said, "you've got to watch this concert we TiVo'd". For the next two hours I sat spellbound as this small little dynamo of a woman overwhelmed the stage and most of the auditorium with one idiosyncratic and gripping interpretation after another of songs we thought we knew. Convinced, I promptly raced to the internet to order the closest thing I could find to that concert, and I somehow wound up with four copies (don't ask) of her 2004 "Live at Last" DVD.

I popped one copy into my player, thinking to do just a quick check to see how similar it was to the concert I heard in Vermont, since some of the songs were carry-overs. Once again, I found myself nailed to the couch for the next two hours, mesmerized by a voice that wailed, soared, pined, and whispered from one piece of quirky material to the next.

And it wasn't just Lauper that wove the spell. Her backup musicians, including a violinist who apparently could nail Paganini's "Caprices" without breaking a sweat, were themselves superb.

The coup de grace came, however, when Lauper hauled out a brass and sax section for her final number, a novel arrangement of her signature tune "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". In delivering this standard as you've never heard it before, after almost two-hours of unbroken singing, coddling, and stage stomping, Lauper engaged in a vocal duel with a solo trumpet. And, for a moment, the voice and the trumpet became indistinguishable.

Ah . . . . . I can sleep again. With a judicial selection of future material, Lauper is poised to take the baton hand-off from the Divine Miss M herself. And -- dare I say it? -- with a considerably more impressive vocal instrument.

Wowza.

This Woman can Rock.......2007-05-25

This truly is a remarkable concert video. The woman is an excellent live performer who can really rock out. Her live renditions of "Money Changes Everything" and "I Drove All Night" are the highlightss. Recommended for fans of live rock n' roll.

She's So Beautiful..........2007-04-21

Apparently many of you smart people already know that Cyndi Lauper is a phenomenal talent. I have always loved her music but, to my detriment, haven't really paid much attention to her career for the past 20 years. A few weeks ago I saw Cyndi's appearance on The View, which I'd also never watched before but now TIVO since Rosie joined the show. I was mesmerized by Cyndi's performance, and I happened to notice that HDNet was airing her concert, "Cyndi Lauper Live... At Last". I was absolutely blown away and immediately went to Amazon the buy this DVD, the "12 Deadly Cyns" DVD and five other CDs (including the latest, "The Body Accoustic," which is just fantastic!).

Let me start with the personal. Who knew that Cyndi was so hot? She's in unbelievable shape and has boundless energy! She's 53 now, I think, but has the body of a 25-year-old. As a 43-year-old woman, I felt so much hope watching her, ha ha. Seriously, seeing someone her age looking and performing the way she does gave me a new attitude. My husband has the hots for her, I think, but I can't blame him. We think she must have a nutritionist and do yoga or some type of breathing exercises because she can dance her hind end off without missing a vocal note. If you think that's easy, just watch American Idol!

Cyndi is a gifted songwriter and her voice has just gotten better over the years. Most impressive to me, however, is her confidence. She's essentially a conductor on stage, and it's clear she is in control of everything from arranging the music to directing the concert. The musicians she's assembled are superb, and they all seem to have a lot of fun.

The show is brilliantly paced, and no one works harder for an audience. I've been to several great concerts, including U2 (twice), REM, Ray Charles, old Elvis, and Paul McCartney, and they were all great shows. But I must say that this is the best concert I've ever seen, and I wasn't even there in person. It's really so entertaining and appeals to a variety of tastes. Everyone we've shown it to wants the DVD.

Cyndi wisely opens the show with "At Last," and immediately establishes her bona fides. I've always thought Etta James gave the definitive vocal performance of that song until I heard Ms. Lauper sing it. She has such a bluesy sound and holds that last note for a good 18 seconds, and her voice just gets stronger the longer she holds it!

Next she entertains the audience with a short soliloquy on her childhood musical influences, setting up "Stay," during which she ventures into the audience for the first time. Another endearing quality is her willingness to mix with the huddled masses. It's a nice dichotomy, actually. When she sings, she's stunning... a star. But when she talks, she's like a neighbor chatting over the back fence. It feels like she's talking to you, her best friend.

"I Drove All Night" is tres sexy and playful, while "If You Go Away" is haunting. I couldn't get either song out of my head for days. "All Through the Night" includes those great high notes at the end, and this song sounds better than ever. I also loved this version of "Walk on By." Keep an eye open for Cyndi's priceless expressions during the song's introduction.

Next is "Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," which is very introspective and breathtaking to watch. Cyndi's vocal duet with Kat Dyson's guitar is first rate. And I adore the "French" version of "She Bop"! I thought it was very clever and oh-so-funny. "Sisters of Avalon" seems to be another of her under-rated songs, and it will stay in your head for weeks -- especially the bridge.

"Change of Heart" has great energy and Cyndi impresses with her considerable dancing skills. "True Colors" really needs no description, but I'll admit to crying the first 4-5 times I watched it. Very emotional. The same week I watched this concert, I saw one of the American Idol kids sing "True Colors" and literally had to leave the room. Let's just say it helped me truly appreciate Cyndi's interpretive talents.

"Shine" is one of those songs that should have won several Grammys. Fantastic! I'm not sure why this song was overlooked, but fortunately she includes it on her newest CD, "The Body Accoustic." The song definitely deserves some air play!!

My favorite performance may be "It's Hard to be Me," which Cyndi wrote with bass player Bill Whitman. (He's also the co-writer on Shine; I think these two need to write more songs together!) This song was written while Cyndi was watching the Anna Nicole Smith trial, which obviously was years before Anna's untimely death. While I do feel a little guilty for enjoying it so much, this song is so clever and the choreography is genius. Look for Anna poses everywhere, and don't miss Bill W. sneaking a peek under Cyndi's dress!! Funny.

"Money Changes Everything," with a cool rock-a-billy sound, winds up the show, and everybody jams. Cyndi, the band, the crowd... the energy is palpable. You'll be squirming in your Barca-lounger, for sure.

Encore numbers include "Unchained Melody," a beautiful performance of "Time After Time" and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". This time Cyndi does a vocal duet with the trumpet, and it's impressive.

This is Lauper at her very best. She combines the physique and energy of a 25-year-old with the maturity and confidence of someone with 25 years of experience in the business. She leaves it all on the stage, holding nothing back and giving her heart and soul to her adoring fans. She really is beautiful.

Cyndi Lauper is amazing on this dvd.......2007-01-03

I can honestly say that this is my favourite dvd of all time.Cyndi Lauper is just amazing.Not only is she one of the best female singers around [I just love that voice]but she is also an allround entertainer.The girl can dance,tell stories and be very,very funny.She interacts with her audience and mingles with crowd really enjoying herself.This is a superb dvd shot in high definition.If you are a fan of Cyndi Lauper this is a must to buy,if you are not a fan well buy this anyway because you very soon will be.This girl can really sing and I hope she will soon get the recognition she so rightfully deserves.A fantastic dvd by one of todays best female singers.

Cyndi Lauper - Live.......2006-11-10

I love Cyndi and this live concert really shows her talent. A great watch