VH1 Divas Live

Starring:Jennifer Aniston, Patricia Arquette, Mariah Carey, Bill Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, CÃ©line Dion, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Teri Hatcher, Carole King, Kathleen Manikowski, Sarah McLachlan, Joan Osborne, Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Sarandon, Sting, Trudie Styler, Shania Twain, John Sykes, Peter Jennings
Director: Michael Simon
Studio: Sony
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Once an appellation reserved for high-flying operatic stars, the diva has gone mainstream in recent decades, mirroring pop music's post-rock recovery of glitz, glamour, and theatrical hyperbole. Where once there was but a handful of pop divas, fans can now find a growing legion of contenders, a trend underscored by this 1998 cable special originally produced for VH1. The show's producers start with the title's high concept (five divas, one stage!), add an admirable if shrewd charity hook (the better to recruit platinum stars without prohibitive fees), and provide fans with an otherwise straightforward revue, interspersed with introductory cameos from film and television actresses.

For the starring quintet's fans, VH1 Divas Live is hard to disparage: Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, Shania Twain, and Mariah Carey provide the requisite combination of beauty, high-ticket sartorial glamour, and stage drama, and their brief sets hew to their biggest hits. Beyond that common formula, these four do diverge somewhat, Dion and Carey most closely following the mannered tradition of the prima donna, Estefan (who, between songs, admits her bemusement at inclusion) offering an earthier and less calculated variant, and the nominally country-oriented Twain rounding out the headliners as a diva-in-the-making, perfectly packaged if vocally more modest.

Amazon.com

Once an appellation reserved for high-flying operatic stars, the diva has gone mainstream in recent decades, mirroring pop music's post-rock recovery of glitz, glamour, and theatrical hyperbole. Where once there was but a handful of pop divas, fans can now find a growing legion of contenders, a trend underscored by this 1998 cable special originally produced for VH1. The show's producers start with the title's high concept (five divas, one stage!), add an admirable if shrewd charity hook (the better to recruit platinum stars without prohibitive fees), and provide fans with an otherwise straightforward revue, interspersed with introductory cameos from film and television actresses.

For the starring quintet's fans, VH1 Divas Live is hard to disparage: Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, Shania Twain, and Mariah Carey provide the requisite combination of beauty, high-ticket sartorial glamour, and stage drama, and their brief sets hew to their biggest hits. Beyond that common formula, these four do diverge somewhat, Dion and Carey most closely following the mannered tradition of the prima donna, Estefan (who, between songs, admits her bemusement at inclusion) offering an earthier and less calculated variant, and the nominally country-oriented Twain rounding out the headliners as a diva-in-the-making, perfectly packaged if vocally more modest.

Customer Reviews:

A Great Benefit To Support.......2007-03-12

When funding for school music classes were being cut all over the country people kind of brushed it off as a non-necessity. Studies prooved that many kids prosper in other academic subjects when taking a music class. Art should be available for all kids in school as well as sports. This benefit concert brought awareness to that. Mariah, Celine, Gloria & Shania all appeard to support the cause. And of course Ms. Aretha Franklin. The performnaces were great. Carol King was brought out as a special guest of Celine Dion. The best part of the show was when the diva's sang You've Got A Friend and Natural Woman. This show sounds even better with the 5.1 sound.

Unforgettable night... even 8 years later!.......2006-09-13

This concert is amazing! It has everything:
- Great looking divas
- Great performances
- Shania Twain (she's the best in the concert for me)
and of course, appearances by Jennifer Aniston and Patricia Arquette
A MUST-BUY FOR EVERY DIVA FAN!

SPECTACULAR!!!!!!.......2006-07-29

I have seen this video I don't know how many times... I never get tired, It never bores me.... It is the best video I have seen in my life!!! It is trully outstanding... I strongly recommend it.. You will not regret!!

divas are forever.......2006-06-02

i like the show. i bought the dvd and like it so much. i like all of them, mariah, gloria, shania, celine and carole but i kinda dont like aretha she just want to tell everybody that she has high voice but its irritating to hear. I like aretha's songs performed in the show like chain of fools and a natural woman but i dont like her as an artist. I dont know i just dont like black female singers who keeps on shouting when singing. I like the performance done by carole, celine, gloria and shania when they did you've got a friend its perfect and so nice to listen and watch for. if vh1 will do again a show like this pls include already those country singers who are so great as far as i can measure like reba, dolly, loretta, linda ronstadt, brenda lee, leann, faith and the dixie chicks, why are these people left behind when they are the best to showcase their talent?

La Regina Del Soul.......2006-01-23

I thought that this was a great way to start off a series of shows to save the music. But what most people don't know is that it was an unofficial tribute to Aretha Franklin, as noted by VH-1. And righfully so, Aretha is the original diva. her vocals aren't what they were, but she still delivers in a way that leave you breathless. She dominated the stage. All of the other ladies were good as well, but they lack the confidence that Aretha has, which i'm sure comes from a killer voice and also a lifetime of singing.

Average customer rating:

VH1 Divas Live 99
Last One is the Real One!!
Simply the Best DVD
Legends, Great Music, and DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA!
Simply The Best

VH1 Divas Live 99
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305805369
Release Date: 2000-04-04

Amazon.com

Strutting through the audience, the indomitable Tina Turner opens VH1's Divas Live 99 by launching into "Simply the Best," proving she still is. She and honorary diva Elton John belt out an energetic version of "The Bitch Is Back," but the highlight is when Turner teases the captivated audience during the slow, sultry opening of "Proud Mary." A sexy dervish on stage, Turner easily out-swaggers her younger backup singer-dancers. Cher joins her to wrap up the classic hit, then segues into her own set in which she seems breathless, but you can't help admire her staying power (four decades!) and forgive her. Diva-in- training Leann Rimes performs "How Do I Live" with a sure, powerful voice. Next to her, Brandy is pleasant but unexciting. Her breathy rendition of "Everything I Do I Do for You" is disappointing, but it picks up when Faith Hill enters. Adding a passion and conviction that young Brandy can't yet muster, Hill grounds the song. Über-diva Whitney Houston gives us the drawn-out vocal gymnastics for which she's famous. Self-effacing she's not, but the girl can hold a note like nobody's business. Mary J. Blige matches Houston in a charged "Ain't No Way."

Divas Live 99 is a benefit for Save the Music, VH1's project to stress the importance of music education in public schools. Clocking in at an hour and 18 minutes, the video is edited down from the original special, but it moves along at a satisfying clip. Though not as stunning as the previous year's Divas Live, it's still an enjoyable concert from some of music's favorite performers. --Dana Van Nest

Description

Relive the magic of this spectacular concert as the greatest divas ever assembled on one stage sing their greatest hits, then join together for once in a lifetime performances. Songs: The Best (Tina Turner), The Bitch Is Back (Tina Turner & Elton John), Proud Mary (Tina Turner, Elton John & Cher), If I Could Turn Back Time (Cher), How Do I Live (LeAnn Rimes), I'm Still Standing (Elton John), Have You Ever?/Almost Doesn't Count (Brandy), (Everything I Do) I Do It For You (Brandy & Faith Hill), This Kiss (Faith Hill), Ain't No Way (Whitney Houston & Mary J. Blige), I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston), I'm Every Woman (Whitney Houston & Chaka Khan), I'm Every Woman (Reprise) (Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Faith Hill, Brandy, LeAnn Rimes & Mary J. Blige).

Customer Reviews:

VH1 Divas Live 99.......2007-04-15

This special is not too bad.
It is not in the same league as Diva's Live Las Vegas which was brilliant, but well worth watching.
Tina Turner is spectacular as usual, and Cher was great too.
I was a bit disappointed in Whitney Houston, who seemed to be struggling a bit with her songs.
Overall, pretty good, but not excellent.

Last One is the Real One!!.......2006-02-02

As soon as I heard that Whitney would be performing I was sure to tape the show. Forget about waiting for the DVD release months later!!

It was nice to see old Tina in the act even though it seemed that she and another Diva, or as Whitney corrected later in the concert "Divo" Mr. Elton John were feuding for the spotlight. Other performances by Cher and Faith Hill really were interesting, and Brandy who claimed to be voice ill still brought some good recognition.

It finally became a reality of why I was into it when my favorite got on stage with a nice presenting, and then an electric dance at the beginning of her hit "it's not right but it's ok. Whitney had me shocked when she started dancing as if she was in church when she strongly enforced the words "I'm Gonna be alright", "I'm gonna be ok".

Next the diva had requested assistance by Mary J. Blige with a reinvention of Aretha's "Ain't no Way". Lastly I was amazed when Whitney did the best live performance she has ever done with "I will always love You".

True these performances were the high light of her career which happen to be done a year before her greatest hits release. Despite the other diva's present, there is a reason they announce Whitney last!!!! And of course she took over the stage.

I think all music lovers should support and buy this CD or DVD because the funds raised go towards VH-1s save the music a public schools contribution.
Written by: Whitney lover D. Otey Springfield, MA

Simply the Best DVD.......2004-12-02

First of all let me start with Tina Turner who was good for her age but a little too tired for my taste. She sounded like a man! Then there was Cher who added to the mess with her rythemless dances. Next was Elton whose performance I couldn't stomach and the same can be said for Cher. LeAnn did good. Brandy started off shaky but by the time the song changed to Almost Doesn't Count she was a diva in training. She sang all over Faith Hill In Everthing I Do and Faith Hill's This Kiss was a little to dry for my taste. I beleive that a diva should offer some excitement which is exactly what Mary J. Blidge and Whitney did in Ain't No Way-They sang up a storm!Whitney inished it off with I Will Always Love You in which she proved that her voice ain't goin no where but up. The the finale with all the divas showed that Whitney was the best and Chaka never should ahve let her sing over her like that. But buy the DVD and see who the real diva is.I acn tell you now it's Whitney!

Legends, Great Music, and DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA!.......2004-10-28

If you want TRUE Diva's - this DVD has truly got it for you. Unlike the one before this (which should have been titled "The Aretha Franklin Show")this DVD has a variety of new artists and legends. Opening the show, the incredible Tina Turner exits her limousine and walks down the red carpet to the intro of her hit "Simply The Best". CLEARLY the audience agrees with her song's message - she is simply the best. She then sings "The Bitch is Back" with Elton John (ommited was "Lets Stay Together" which aired on the original television version) and is joined by Cher for a duet on "Proud Mary" - one of the highlights of the show. Oh, but Cher...how bright she shines for a moment through "If I Could Turn Back Time" until she decides to lip-synch "Believe". Wow. What a let-down. What was SHE thinking. But the best is yet to come. Here comes country bumpkin LeAnne Rimes who sings "Written In The Stars" with Elton. Who made HIM a Diva? Legend - yes. Diva - not so much. Then there's Faith Hill before it was cool to like Faith. She's a Diva in training. She and Brandi sing "For You I Will" but you'll wish that they hadn't. And then here comes Whitney...let the drama begin. She sings "Its Not Right But It's Okay"...yeah, its not. And then sings with Mary J. Bleige who was going through a severe ghetto period - the dress and tatoos say it all. Whitney sings "I Will Always Love You" but of course she has to bring Bobby Brown and her little girl (Bobby in a wig) up onstage to declare her love for them. About the only great thing she does is when she invites Chaka Khan to join her on "I'm Every Woman"...yeah, all the divas - MINUS Cher, Tina & Elton, who were smart - join them onstage for this closing number. Oh its all so much to take in. The only thing it lacks is Bette Midler cussing everyone out and some drag queen dressed as Streisand shouting 'WHERE'S BARBARA!?!' in the front row. All of them bring their own bands, the lighting/effects/sound are good and everyone from Mark Lauer, Star Jones, Susan Lucci and Martha Stewart are all in audience. Hmmmmm....ehhh, go ahead and buy it. If you took the time to look it up on Amazon.Com, go ahead. You've come this far! LOL ;-)

Simply The Best.......2004-08-12

i bought this dvd simply for Tina Turner i thought she was a knock out in this concert.And I Loved Cher coming out to do Proud Mary with her most people didn't like that yes i know as well as anyone Tina can handle it on her own but most people don't understand the bond between Tina and Cher as she said with her own mouth If it wasn't for Cher she would have Never had the courage to leave Ike. she also said that the reason for Cher doing proud mary with her was because she has already planned to retire when that concert took place and she wanted to have Cher onstage with her one last time and personally to Me.. Cher and Tina ARE SIMPLY THE BEST

Divas Live: An Honors Concert for VH1 Save the Music

Average customer rating:

A Great Benefit To Support
Unforgettable night... even 8 years later!
SPECTACULAR!!!!!!
divas are forever
La Regina Del Soul

Divas Live: An Honors Concert for VH1 Save the Music
Starring: Jennifer Aniston , Patricia Arquette , Mariah Carey , Bill Clinton , and Hillary Rodham Clinton
Director: Michael Simon
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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