Live 2002

Starring:Nektar
Studio: Classic Rock Legends
Product Type: DVD

Description

UB40 are one of the most successful British acts of all time, with a huge string of hits on both sides of the Atlantic and around the globe. Featuring most of their greatest hits, including both songs to hit #1 in America: "Red, Red Wine" and "Can't Help Falling In Love". To date, 2002 is the band's only appearance at the Montreux Festival but clearly inspired them to produce one of their finest performances. This performance is being simultaneously released on CD.

Customer Reviews:

A Great Performance And Something No American Patriot Should Be Without........2007-01-22

Paul McCartney's 2002 American tour was initially held in support for his album "Driving Rain", but it soon grew into something more. When the attacks of September 11th managed to affect everyone the world over, including Sir Paul himself, he knew this tour should be more than just something to sell a new product. Paul used the tour to promote the healing power of music, to ease the pain the Americans were feeling in the wake of tragedy with his music.

The tour turned out to be highly successful. To commemorate its success as well as emotional effect, a two disc cd and dvd both entitled "Back In The U.S." were released (I wrote my glowing review for the cd when it first came out 4 and a bit years ago).

Like the cd, the dvd of "Back In The U.S." is an incredible piece of entertainment. In addition to over 30 excellent performances of classics from Paul's Beatles years as well as his solo career, we see Paul interract with his family (the tender moments with Heather seem somewhat cheap now in the wake of recent events, but who cares), his band, his crew, and best of all his fans. We see the reactions of his loving audiene (be on the lookout for, among others, Jack Nicholson, Michael Douglas and other notable celebs enjoying the magic of Sir Paul's music), and it's truly a one of a kind experience.

Though it's not quite up to par with Paul's 1991 "Get Back", "Back In The U.S." is still an excellent representation of Sir Paul in concert and why he is the legend that he is.

Remarkable concert.......2007-01-13

If you like McCartney or are interested in seeing what he's all about, you can't go wrong here.
As with all his other concerts, this performance demonstrates his wide range of talents.
There's the obligatory Hey Jude, Let It Be, Live and Let Die, etc... along with enough songs that he'll probably only play once (Hello Goodbye, Lonely Road, Mother Nature's Son, Getting Better, Something,...) to make it worthwhile.
Yes, there are plenty of audience shots, but you come to expect this with any concert video.
The only "ouch" is Freedom, right up there with some of his worst songs.
On the other side of the equation, you have Lonely Road - a real sleeper. One of my favorites - I'm surprised it never really caught on.
People will look at this concert 100 years from now and say "wow".
Mind you, same is true for his other concert DVDs.

Too much Audience.......2006-11-09

McCartney and his band sound great, but the latest thing in concert DVDs is to show the audience. Why? An occasional shot would be sufficient. As an occasional concert-goer, I am aware of the impact the crowd makes on the atmosphere of the concert, but that just cannot be duplicated on a DVD. Show the band playing their music. The songs on this are great and the band plays with elan. Recommended music, DVD less than satisfying.

McCartney Fans Can't Go Wrong.......2006-07-08

If you love The Beatles, Wings and Paul McCartney, this DVD is a sure hit. The editing is superb, and the video offers a pleasant balance of performances, behind-the-scene takes, life on the road and interviews with the professionals that make the tour a success.

Paul has assembled a top-flight group of musicians and support personnel making for a delightful experience for both eye and ear.

Though the video is nearly three hours long, it is easy to make it a one-sitting viewing. I strongly recommend owning this or making it a great gift for the McCartney lover in your life.

Sir Paul could do so much better.................2006-06-08

DVD would be great without narration and interruption. Navigation from track to track is sketchy at best. C'mon Paul I paid over $240 to see you live in concert and it was worth every penny. This DVD barely justifies 20 bucks. Get back to where you once belong, Paul.

Average customer rating:

pointless frenetic editing
Live at Montreux!!!
Candy CORN
Woolyman
3-Star feature surpassed by a 5-Star bonus performance

Candy Dulfer - Live at Montreux, 2002
Starring: Candy Dulfer
Manufacturer: Eagle Vision USA
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Kim Waters - In The Groove
Legends - Live at Montreux
Lee Ritenour - Overtime
Live at Montreux
Live at Montreux, 2002

ASIN: B000AQKZ6I
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Description

CANDY DULFER is one of the most in-demand saxophone players in the world. She has combined a highly-successful solo career with guest spots for a host of musical greats, including VAN MORRISON, BLONDIE, ARETHA FRANKLIN, PINK FLOYD, DAVE STEWART (with whom she had the UK top 10 hit Lily Was Here) and, perhaps most notably, PRINCE, who has memorably said "When I want sax, I send for Candy."

Candy Dulfer has played at Montreux on several occasions with her band FUNKY STUFF. This DVD focuses on her concert from 2002, which Candy believes is her finest performance there.

This concert is being simultaneously released on CD by Eagle Records (ER 20076-2). There are three tracks exclusive to the CD and four exclusive to the DVD.

Tracklisting:
1. Dance
2. Omara's Dance
3. Longin' For The Funk
4. Lost And Gone
5. I'll Be Released
6. Do Watchu Like
7. Sax-A-Go-Go
8. Ooh Let's Go

1998 Bonus Performance:
1. Saxy Mood
2. For The Love Of You
3. Lily Was Here
4. Jamming
5. I Can't Make You Love Me
6. Pick Up The Pieces

Customer Reviews:

pointless frenetic editing.......2007-06-15

Frenetic editing hurts these things so often. Why do they let them do it? What is the point? This is supposed to be a jazz/funk concert, as opposed to a punk/rock concert...so why allow this kind of crazy, hurried/harried
cutting back and forth from camera to camera to camera???

Makes no sense.
In the future, can you PLEASE leave the camera on a performer for longer than THREE SECONDS? Is that too much to ask?

Sound not right/clear between numbers. Can't figure out/understand what Candy is saying at all.

Look, I love Candy Dulfer; she is clearly a talented sax player (could have done with her singing less, by the way), but her band is so damn loud that you can hardly make-out her own playing. Can't this sound "problem" be solved? Yes, her band is quite good, but I mainly bought this to be able to hear (AND SEE) HER PLAY.

As someone else stated, the bonus tracks are better than the main concert.

Finally, do I regret buying this DVD? Nope, because I dig the chick (in spite of the above objections.)

Live at Montreux!!!.......2007-04-02

The music on this DVD is awesome. Funky grooves throughout. The extra features are from an earlier appearance at Montreux that are just as good and solid tunes you will want to hear. A great DVD for a party...audio and video enjoyment.

Candy CORN.......2006-10-19

While this gorgeous woman can play a mean sax, she and her band lack true soul. They come off as technical robots attempting to be funky. There are far better sax players in this genre. They are akin to a rich kid raised in the Hamptons TRYING to be a funky soul brother from Philly. It just lacks integrity. My advice, look to other sax players. Even though this was recorded in 2002 it comes off as CORNY not FUNKY. "Wave your hands from left to right" come on...

Woolyman.......2006-08-28

As the saying goes, If you want SAX, call Candy...... She never disappoints. Next best thing to being there LIVE..

3-Star feature surpassed by a 5-Star bonus performance.......2006-02-11

This is essentially a compilation of two Candy Dulfer appearances at the Montreaux Jazz Festival: the featured show from July of 2002, and the bonus performance from July of 1998. Both took place at the famed Auditorium Stravinsky and were filmed for television. I consider Candy to be the funkiest white chick on the planet, taking over that distinction from Teena Marie, and her jammin' sax tunes have impressed me since "Sax-A-Go-Go" came out in 1993. This is a very good DVD for Candy fans or those who appreciate funky sax-oriented jazz (who will likely enjoy the bonus performance better) although, as with most "Jazz Fest" events, the artists don't get to spend very much time on-stage.

Sorry to say, I wasn't so impressed with the 2002 portion of this DVD, mainly because Candy's music leaned toward vocal-oriented tunes as opposed to instrumentals which highlight her sax as the voice. As for the vocalizing, Candy was pretty good, and Monique Baker added a complementary soulful edge. Another nice dimension was the excellent vocal dexterity of keyboardist Roger Happel (sort of a less-boyish version of Justin Timberlake), but his singing was a rare respite from the rest of the "oh-oh-oh-yeah" or "gimme-the-funk" repetition (mildly annoying). Candy's band, the seven-member Funky Stuff, is pretty tight throughout, although the sound mixing is off at times, rendering Peter Lieberom's sax and Ulco Bed's guitar a little thin. My favorite numbers were "Longin' For the Funk" and "Sax-A-Go-Go," and the encore number rocked. [The eight tracks have a running time of 54 minutes]

The 1998 performance: BETTER IN EVERY WAY (both music and production value) and I'm guessing that this wasn't the feature because it was a bit shorter and took place four years before the other one. Five of the Funky Stuff members were the same, with the different musicians appearing in the rhythm section and as the third keyboardist (in place of the extra vocalist). Candy's sax was front and center virtually all the way, and ALL the songs jammed. The awesome cover of Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me," which gave many of the band members time in the spotlight, was a great departure from the up-tempo repertoire. Whenever I watch this, I go straight to "Bonus" every time. [The six tracks had a running time of 46 minutes]

Average customer rating:

Laura Pausini World Tour 2001-2002
The best concert ever!.
Laura Pausini Live
One true Italian singer!
One of the best live performers

Live 2001-2002 World Tour [Region 2]
Starring: Laura Pausini
Manufacturer: Warner Music Latina
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

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Live in Paris 05
From the Inside
The Best of Laura Pausini: E Ritorno Da Te
Resta in Ascolto
Io Canto

ASIN: B00008K78M
Release Date: 2003-03-18

Customer Reviews:

Laura Pausini World Tour 2001-2002.......2007-03-24

This Is a must have in your colection if you are really a fan. She is the greatest international artist plus beautiful

The best concert ever!........2006-03-06

I bought this DVD along with the Live in Paris Limited Edition set, I have no words to express how satisfied I am, this dvd is one of the best concerts I've seen, It's incredible how powerful and perfect Laura's voice is, I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who wants to live a real concert.

Laura Pausini Live.......2006-02-23

This is one of the best concerts (if not the best) I've ever seen. Most of the songs are in Italian but the concert is so great that you feel like you're there with her feeling every word of her songs. The sound quality was great as well as the picture. If I had to summarize this concert in one word, that word would be "EXCELLENT"

One true Italian singer!.......2005-10-18

I highly recommend this DVD. At first, I never payed attention to who Laura was. Because I saw it, I realized she has one marvelous voice. She has all her hits on this one and you will really enjoy it!

One of the best live performers.......2005-09-03

I have seen many live performances and i have been disapointed most of the time. But with this being one of my favorate artist, I had to check it out. It is great, and it has all the songs i wanted to hear. I even liked the duet, and i was impressed with his singing too.

Average customer rating:

Bonnaroo 2005 DVD
A great musical experience
A Great Show
The closest thing to Woodstock.
Why are even the used ones so expensive?.....

Live from Bonnaroo Music Festival 2002
Starring: Widespread Panic , String Cheese Incident , Norah Jones , and Trey Anastasio
Manufacturer: Sanctuary Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Widespread Panic - Panic in the Streets
Keller Williams - Sight
Truckin' Up to Buffalo: July 4, 1989
Austin City Limits Music Festival 2005
Live at Lake Coast

ASIN: B00006RCKU
Release Date: 2002-10-29

Customer Reviews:

Bonnaroo 2005 DVD.......2007-03-28

Have not heard one of these Bonnaroo DVDs that I don't love.
The variety is tremendous and the opportunity to see some of these bands for the 1st time, without having to endure the obstacles of the festival is not to be missed.

A great musical experience.......2005-04-10

This is a fantastic musical collection. When I bought it, I hadn't heard of most of the bands, only Les' Bands, Tre, and String Cheese. Eye opening to say the least. Spreads the message that it's all about the music. Definately worth the money, scope it out.

A Great Show.......2005-03-29

Bonnaroo is the closest thing there is to a old fashioned classic music festival. The bands are tremendous. Les Claypool is sick and Widespread Panic is awesomeon Blue Indian. Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer turn out a great performance. This is a great DVD and i recommend it to anyone who is into the jam band scene. moe. gets the snub on the DVD but they weren't that big then. Great variety and an excelent music documentary. North Mississippi Allstars and Robert Randolph and the Family Band put out great performances.

The closest thing to Woodstock........2004-05-31

We at the Ligonus International Media Corporation like to have a good time too! We feel that this is a great example of good times, good music, and good fun! The list of bands present at the concert is amazing! A must see for any music lover.

Why are even the used ones so expensive?............2004-05-19

Because the people selling them know how good this is. This may be the best concert DVD I own. I owned Bonnaroo 2003 before this one -- it's good, but this is better. Disc 1 runs more than two hours, and it's so good it's hard to look away. The second disc is a bit of a letdown, to be honest -- they breeze through a some partial performances, intercut with a lot of random crowd footage. In general, the DVD (and plenty of others, for that matter) would benefit from less documentary stuff and more concert footage. I also want to know why in the world they can't start making concert DVDs with decent liner notes that actually tell you something. Thank you to the reviewer who posted the tracklist.

Kylie Minogue - Fever 2002 (Live in Manchester)

Average customer rating:

kylie minogue - Fever 2002 ( Live in Manchester).
By far the worst of Kylie's DVDs
Kylie For the 21st Century!
AUSSIE's CANT DANCE
Feel The Fever!!

Kylie Minogue - Fever 2002 (Live in Manchester)
Starring: Kylie Minogue
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Kylie Minogue - Body Language Live
Kylie Minogue - Live in Sydney
Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour
Ultimate Kylie
Greatest Hits 87-97

ASIN: B00006SFJO
Release Date: 2002-11-19

Customer Reviews:

kylie minogue - Fever 2002 ( Live in Manchester)........2007-04-11

Absolulutely brilliant concert by Kylie, and by far her best work ever.
I enjoyed this dvd from start to finish.
This is a must have item if you are a fan of Kylie.
Very well done.

By far the worst of Kylie's DVDs.......2007-04-03

Let me say I am a huge Kylie fan, and own 5 concert DVDs including this one (FEVER 2002): Live in Sydney (On a Night Like This); Body Language (Money Can't Buy); Showgirl; and Showgirl Homecoming.

The latest -- and most underwhelming purchase -- is by far this one. Fever lacks any punch or pizazz, and after placing it chronologically between the two knock-out shows from the On a Night Like This and Money Can't Buy performances, Fever shows its weakness.

The dancing is often dreadful; much of the show goes for a Martha Graham-esque contemporary vibe, with long extensions, pointed toes, and oh-so-dramatic movements. Am I getting a fever? Not with such droll, "artistic" movements from everyone, everywhere.

But what makes it really dreadful are the musical arrangements and editing. Fever marks the start of the oh-so-dreaded image super-imposition trend: words, effects, and even kylie herself are superimposed over the action, taking away from the performance itself. Arguably the BEST arrangement and performance on the entire DVD -- Confide in Me -- is muddled over with "HIT" "MISS" "1-555-CONFIDE," etc to throwback to the music video of the same track... and substantially takes away the rare drama within the choreography. I just want to see Kylie and her dancers -- not the stage TV images imposed over it all.

The arrangement of many songs has more rock themes, often drowning out Kylie and most everything else. Blargh.

A few good tracks are found in this mess: Confide in Me, Coyboy Style, and Light Years/I Feel Love are pretty much it. And Kylie's debut in her sci-fi-inspired gear is pretty fab. But other than that?

So many great Kylie songs, so totally mangled.

If it's your first Kylie DVD, get Body Language. Short set, great energy, awesome costumes -- gives you a real taste of Kylie. After that, go for Live in Sydney and Showgirl. Leave Fever behind, as it's sorely lacking.

Still love ya tons, Kylie. ;)

Kylie For the 21st Century!.......2007-02-08

This is one of the best concert DVD's I own, which is quite surprising, considering that the genre (dance/pop) is usually superficial. With few exceptions, it has her best songs (as well as the best versions of those songs). The costumes and choreography are risque, artsy, and high-tech. The concert is not without its flaws--in many cases, it's hit or miss, but there is only one track that's bad in its entirety. This is Kylie for the 21st Century!

The concert opens in spectacular fashion with Kylie emerging from a space pod in stunning sci-fi gear singing "Come Into My World" and "Shocked." Then, it's Kylie at her most Madonna-like singing "Love At First Sight." "Fever" is okay except that the backup dancers wear ridiculous costumes. Kylie switches to street clothes for "Spinning Around," one of her stronger numbers. Then there's a sequence of ballads including "Crying Game" and "Put Yourself in My Place" in which she's wearing an elegant black leather dress. The dancers show off their moves in "GBI." For "Confide in Me," Kylie-the-Cop comes out and faces off against a Taebo graffiti artist (If cops were as hot as Kylie, no one would ever resist arrest!) "Cowboy Style," in which she tries to imitate Eminem, is the only bad track on the DVD. I would also add that the costumes for the backup dancers look like they came from a clearance rack from 1985. For "Kids," she gets some quality help from her two African-American female backup singers. "On A Night Like This" is a club classic, and always sounds good. Kylie also looks really sexy in her lingerie. Now "Locomotion" is her best-known track in the U.S., and one drawback to performing it is that it's overplayed and sounds a bit simplistic. So for this concert, Kylie slowed it down and performed a burlesque, adults-only version in which she formed a human chain with her scantily clad dancers. Afterwards, she does "In Your Eyes" and throws in a little Gloria Estefan with her "Rhythm of the Night" It doesn't work. But now comes the part of the concert that is truly phenomenal, and vaults it into one of the best concert DVD's EVER. The techno music starts, and Kylie sings first "Limbo," then "Light Years" which merges into "I Feel Love" (Kylie does a very mean Donna Summer imitation). Then there's a trance version of "Lucky" which is much more sophisticated and superior to the original version. Kylie bows out from the stage, then reappears as a phoenix goddess to an aborigine tribe. Her dress is gorgeous and looks like it's on fire. She sings "Burning Up" (what else?) and the showstopper "Better the Devil You Know." Kylie leaves the stage again, then returns for a second encore and does her best number: "Can't Get You Out Of My Head." It is perfectly sung and danced to. Additionally, New Order's "Blue Monday" is spliced in to add another layer to the song and to remind everyone that this is Manchester after all.

AUSSIE's CANT DANCE.......2006-10-04

OMG the b*t&h cant dance. I guess when you've seen concert from the likes of Tina, Cher, Janet and the GREAT MADONNA. You just expect alot. Simple hand gestures and saucy leg movements do not make a concert. COME ON WOMAN, PUT SOME EFFORT IN THIS. IF YOU EMAIL ME. YOU CAN HAVE MY DVD.
P

Feel The Fever!!.......2006-05-01

This was a pretty damn good tour, but the on a night like this tour was better. here's the set list
1. intro - the sound of music
2. come into my world - one of my favorite songs off of the fever album. great way to open up the show. she's robotic!
3. shocked - she performs a pretty cool remix.
4. love at first sight - an o.k. performance, but kylie's pretty shakey in the vocals.
5. fever - i like how she's on the bed singing the song.
6. spinning around - loved the performance. costumes were kind of weird, but it was cool.
7. the crying game ballads (the crying game, put yourself in my place, finer feelings, dangerous game) - beautiful performance. very sexy dress she had on.
8. gbi (german bold italic) - the premier of the song. i had to get it after i heard it.
9. confide in me - the best performance of cim i've ever seen
10. cowboy style/double dutch - really cool. i also like how she raps to the real slim shady but makes it into the real slim lady. :)
11. kids - she sings with her backup singers. sexy and cool
12. on a night like this - really sexy and i love the outfit that she wears.
13. locomotion - absolutely love this remix, but i can't find it anywhere. i like how kylie and her dancers form a locomotion.
14. in your eyes (latin section - in your eyes/please stay/rhythm of the night) - this was an awesome performance, but the male costumes were kinda.......interesting
15. limbo - pretty cool trance version of the impossibe princess song
16. light years/i feel love - love both songs and i like how they're both mixed. awesome performance
17. i should be so lucky/dreams - a trance version of the classic song. loved it
18. burning up - love the song, the performance was cool. i like how kylie was raised 15 ft in the air with a long red satin dress on.
19. better the devil you know - nice performance of her anthem
20. can't get blue monday out of my head - the encore of the most anticipated song of the tour. after the first verse of the song, kylie mixes the song with new order's blue monday. fantabulous.
great concert, but it doesn't top the on a night like this tour.

Donizetti - Lucie de Lammermoor / Ciofi · Alagna · Tezier · Cavallier · Laho · Saelens - Caurier & Leiser · Pidò (Opéra National de Lyon LIVE 2002)

Average customer rating:

A Lengendary Performance
Valuable for its rarity; singing uneven
Great performance. Putrid editing!!!
Magnificent production of the French "Lucia"
Wonderful Lucie

Donizetti - Lucie de Lammermoor / Ciofi · Alagna · Tezier · Cavallier · Laho · Saelens - Caurier & Leiser · Pidò (Opéra National de Lyon LIVE 2002)
Starring: Don Kent , Patrizia Ciofi , Roberto Alagna , Ludovic Tézier , and Nicolas Cavallier
Director: Opéra National de Lyon
Manufacturer: Tdk DVD Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Bellini - I Capuleti e I Montecchi / Patrizia Ciofi, Federico Sacchi, Clara Polito, Dario Schmunck, Nicola Amodio, Luciano Acocella, Martina Franca Festival
Verdi - La Traviata / Ciofi, Sacca, Hvorostovsky, Tufano, Martorana, Cordella, Porta, Maazel, La Fenice Opera
Donizetti - La Fille du Regiment / Frizza, Florez, Ciofi, Teatro Carlo Felice
Verdi - Luisa Miller / Renata Scotto, Placido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes, Bonaldo Giaiotti, James Morris, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore / Eschwe, Netrebko, Villazon, Wiener Staatsoper

ASIN: B0001FR0MK
Release Date: 2004-03-16

Customer Reviews:

A Lengendary Performance.......2006-02-19

This is the French version completed by Donizetti several years after the original Lucia. It has been substantially altered. Most notably the two first act arias for Lucie were changed. While the Lucie arias are more virtuosic, I feel that the Lucia arias are more relevant to the drama. Also in this version the character of Alisa is dropped, giving Lucie a further sense of isolation as the only female in the opera.

The sets are very stark and dark, and the lighting often harsh and contrasty, which adds to the somber mood of the story. Ludovic Tezier is terrific as Henrey Ashton, and Roberto Alagna is in great voice as Edgard. But this was Patrizia Ciofi's night, and she was wonderful.

The story behind this production is that the part of Lucie was to be played by Natalie Dessay. However she developed vocal problems so Patrizia Ciofi was to fill in for half of the performances. This particular performance in Niece was to be performed by Dessay and broadcast on TV throughout Europe. As Dessay was by far the better-known singer and that Niece was her hometown, to say that the audience was disappointed when at the last minute it was announced that Ciofi would be singing Lucie would be an understatement.

However, as you watch this performance, you can see and hear that by the end of the two first act arias, Ciofi had the audience completely won over. From that point on her performance was a total triumph, culminating in the mad scene that was an absolute tour de force. The ovation Ciofi received at the end of the opera was overwhelming. This was a legendary performance in terms of skyrocketing an artist's career. She is now in constant demand throughout Europe, including a March engagement at La Scala in Lucia.

I noticed that some of the reviewers had problems with her expressions while singing. Her expressions didn't bother me at all, in fact they seemed to add to the part, which digresses from an extremely insecure woman in act 1, to totally insane by act 3. I've seen her performances in about 5 other operas, and nowhere else do I see "funny expressions". While an expression can aid a singer in difficult passages, a great actor/singer like Ciofi will turn them off when it is not appropriate to the drama.

While this may not be the GREATEST Lucie/Lucia I've ever heard (that honor goes to the 1955 Berlin Lucia with Callas), that doesn't detract in the slightest from the value of this wonderful DVD. And it is the best Lucie/Lucia I've ever seen.

Valuable for its rarity; singing uneven.......2005-09-19

What a rare treat, to have this release. It is so improbable that any of us will get to see live, the French version of Lucie de Lammermoor. This is a valuable archival edition, and a fascinating one at that.
This version of the opera holds considerable interest, as it differs from the familiar Italian treatment. Besides the language change, there are several intriguing departures. The character of Alisa is missing, so that Lucia has no companion, and in sextet, her part is filled out by Normanno. Normanno - here called Gilbert, and played well by Yves Saelens - himself is given a much more significant hand in the proceedings: in fact he is akin to an Iagoian type of villain. Seeking to profit financially, he is the scheming catalyst for the tragedy. Henri (Enrico) is less of a villain than a frightened, desperate man determined to save the Ashton family from ruin. Raymond has most of his music cut, and in fact seems more like a comprimario role. There are several other differences; Arthur appears with Enrico in the first act; Lucia's dialogue with Raymond is missing; and perhaps most significantly, Lucia's *sortita* is totally different from the Italian. "Regnava nel silenzio...Quando rapito in estasi" is here instead a piece unrelated in any way to the mood of the original. It is in fact the melody of an aria from Donizetti's own "Rosmonda D'inghilterra" - "Perchè non ho del vento..Torna, torna o caro oggetto," and which is often used as a replacement for coloraturas who want a flashier virtuoso piece in Lucia. Joan Sutherland included it (brilliantly sung) as a bonus piece in her first Lucia recording. I find it an interesting piece of music, but more decorative than meaningful; it does not have the atmosphere and haunting foreboding of the original. As well, all of Lucia's music is in the original, higher keys; the duet with Enrico in A, and the mad scene in F. No capping high notes here to arias (there are some variants within the melodies), and no flute cadenza either (there is a very short unaccompanied cadenza at the fermata prior to the section's end). I can't say I miss either (the high note or lengthy cadenza), but have no objections to the familiar variants if they're well done. Instead of the cadenza with flute, we have Donizetti's original, beautiful ending - the harmonic resolution is intensely poignant, and needs no substitution.

I gathered that Evelino Pido, the conductor, was largely responsible for the performance edition here, and he leads his forces with unusual drive and commitment. The drama in the orchestra really comes through.

I love the production. It is dark, grim, and extremely gloomy, which is as it should be. You get the Poe-like atmosphere, the cavernous cold-castle feeling, and the brooding, threatening discord. A chilly, bluish light is effectively used throughout. Some of the "touches" are a bit idiosyncratic: during Henri's cabaletta, in which there are a few dead deer littering the stage, he puts his hands into the animal's wound and fairly washes his hands "madly" with the blood - the "sang" reference in the piece - get the connotation? Duh. While the men's costumes are all historically correct (and they all sport long, scraggly-unkempt tresses and facial hair), Lucia's costumes and coiffures strike a discordant appearance; her hair hangs down in long strands and she's dressed in these simple, unadorned shifts. I don't know if this was an idea of the producer/designer, but it makes Lucia seem too contemporary, too removed from the surroundings. OK, ok, maybe it was the intent to have her isolated, but lost in time she ain't.

Another rendered choice I didn't care too much for was the intent at a "cinematic" effect - the bulk of the shots are in extreme close-up. Singers were not meant to be scrutinized so closely, and many of the broad effects intended for an theater audience can look painfully contrived - the "silent movie" effect occurs in spades here. And frankly, a lot of the singers are ill-flattered by having their faces so omnipresent. All this tight camerawork lends a suffocatingly claustrophobic effect, and the inclination is to want to push the camera back to allow for some spatial perspective. All of the singers are well-versed and directed in their acting assignments, but their efforts are undermined by having their faces so ruthlessly exposed (Ludovic Tezier is several times seen with flecks of saliva barreling out).

Beginning with the lower end of voices, Raymond, played by Nicolas Cavallier, is the youngest looking chaplain I've ever seen. A handsome presence, one wishes he had more of his music restored, for he's got an attractive, warm, well-produced bass-baritone.

Ludovic Tezier, looking very much like a relative of John Wilkes Booth, is a committed, involved actor, and really carries across Henri's intensity and desperation. Some of his bug-eyed reaction shots are disconcerting, though (through no fault of his own). Tezier has a serviceable baritone, beautiful in tone quality, ringing, and strong, though fast music brings out some gruffness (but may be considered dramatically appropriate).

Roberto Alagna is of course entirely at home in the language, makes a fine impression dramatically, and really looks the Byronic hero. Though he is singing in French, he proceeds more like an aggressive Italian tenor with a penchant for pushing, especially on high; one wishes he could produce an authentic French head tone. Though he shows a great deal of repose and long-lined phrasing in his last scene, he's unrelievedly loud. His finest moments occur in what would be "Tu che a dio spiegasti," which is heartfelt and eloquently sung.

Patrizia Ciofi, taking over from an indisposed Natalie Dessay, is the Lucie. She has an angular, bony-spindly appearance; her face startlingly recalls portraits of 19th century Italian sopranos, in particular Fanny Tacchinardi Persiani herself - huge, almond shaped blue eyes. I had a very difficult time, though, enjoying Ciofi's performance. If there was any singer not meant to be caught for the camera, it is she. Watching her sing is a real trial in itself. Ciofi frequently looks as if in acute pain producing a tone. Tense neck, screwed-up face on high, hideous facial contortions, bug-eyed expressions. She curls her lips over her teeth in a tight, round-mouthed 'O' - so the effect is almost alarmingly vulgar looking. She works very hard in giving her portrayal, and it seems it; her busy, unrelievedly 1000-expressions-a-second performance grows weary after awhile. Twitches abound; think Sandy Dennis at her most mannered. The voice itself is rather monochromatic and without much dynamic variety; the tonal production is a "mouthy" sound, and the highest notes (which Ciofi registers in her face as if someone stabbed her in the back) are larrupped into place, and are bleaty, caterwauled and painfully tight. No trill. I don't know whose idea it was to stage the mad scene the way it's presented here, but it sure is overdone. This production has Lucia busily writhing on the floor, flailing arms, near-crashing into the scenery. The effect of this misguided Looney Tunes-Carol Burnett approach is to render Donizetti's music spectacularly ineffective. Gone is the intense pathos and deep tragedy inherent in the scena. I have always hated this mad hatter sort of approach, and this is perhaps the worst extreme. One reads accounts of Callas's Lucia, how she allowed the music to shine through very little physical movement; though I never saw her actually do it, it seems to me that a sensitive artist might have the capacity to hear the overriding poignance in the mad scene, which excessive physical gimmicks should not be allowed to sully. Though there are many who enjoy this kind of flashy, mindless melodrama, I for one can't stomach it, nor do I find this approach to have credibility. I wish, for such an historical release, that all of Ciofi's hard work and apparent dedication promised more residuals, but technically and histrionically she misses by miles.

It's unlikely that we'll have this version of the opera at any time in the near future (maybe never), so this release is definitely recommended fo Donizettians and Lucia admirers. One will have to settle for the fact that Ciofi needs indulgence, though I'm sure there are those who will enjoy her hyper-spastic performance.

Great performance. Putrid editing!!!.......2005-04-27

I cannot add much to what has been said by other reviewers. It is somewhat different from the Italian version, but that should not be a detraction. As a stand alone piece it works extremely well. The acting/singing is excellent as is the musical direction and playing.

However, remember the name, Don Kent -- and avoid him if you can. His idea of video direction and editing seems to be having as many closeups as possible. If he could, he possibly would have tried to get a shot of the larynxes in action. As a result, much of the drama was lost and one was left with the sensation of watching a recital through binoculars. During duets and ensembles, he cut mostly from one face to another. An opera production should be an interaction; and not being able to see the other characters during all these closeups detracts. The worst excess of this type of editing was during "the mad scene". We see little of the reaction of the others on the stage. But far worse: this was Ms Ciofi's major tour de force in this production and she was wonderful. However, the editing did not allow us to see her perform -- there were frequent cuts back and forth with no apparent rhythm, to her face alone, her face and neck, her face and upper part of her body, etc. etc. Whenever the camera pulled all the way back, we could see what a consummate actor Ms. Ciofi was, and how she was using her whole body in her performance -- and that whole body was, and should have been shown to be, part of an interacting ensemble.

Putrid is the word for the editing.

I will still give 5 stars because of all the factors mentioned by so many people; and because this is not a version that one is likely to get anywhere else.

Magnificent production of the French "Lucia".......2004-12-04

In 1839 Donizetti reproduced his great success "Lucia di Lammermoor" for Paris. The opera was renamed "Lucie di Lammermoor." Besides translating the libretto to French, Donizetti inserted a new cavatina for Lucia. "Regnava nel silencio" was replaced with "Que n'avons nous des ailes." The original melody for the "new" cavatina was from a forgotten Donizetti opera "Rosmonda di Inghilterra." Donizetti also reworked the story slightly. Instead of a lady-in-waiting for Lucia Donizetti created the character of Gilbert, a Machiavellian spy type. Thus the first scena with Lucie takes on a more sinister foreboding tone.
The dvd is a performance from 2002 in Lyon. The recording's Lucie had Natalie Dessay, who was slated to be the revival's Lucie. Dessay completed the recording but developed nodes and had to cancel the run, so Patrizia Ciofi is the Lucie in the dvd performance. Alagna is the Edgard in both the recording and the dvd.
This dvd is one of those performances I would not want to be without, ever. The production manages to be both traditional and imaginative at the same time. The stark sets suggest a bleak medieval Scottish landscape. There is no prettified glamor here -- it's a violent, gory story and the production treats it as such.
Patrizia Ciofi may not be the GREATEST Lucia/Lucie on record, but from her first cavatina she's a disturbed, distraught woman. She is a tiny, thin woman, and suggests Lucie's delicacy. Her voice is smallish and crystalline, but never chirpy or monotonous. In the mad scene she takes the original keys (usually the scene is transposed to E so the soprano can end on a big E-flat). If I wanted to nitpick I would say that under pressure her voice can turn a bit glassy, and that she makes some funny facial expressions when she sings that the closeups don't flatter. But overall her Lucie is passionate, disturbed and pathetic.
Roberto Alagna is a controversial tenor. I happen to be a fan, because despite his obvious faults (questionable intonation, a tendency to sing forte rather than modulate his voice, incomplete training as he was largely self-taught), he sings with an innate passion and warmth that I find irreplaceable. His best moment is the final scene in the tomb, where he IMO steals the entire evening. His facility in the French language is also a big plus.
The role of Henry Ashton is fleshed out more in this production. Here he is not a stock villain, but also mentally disturbed and paranoid. Ludovic Tezier adds an almost demonic intensity to his scenes. His interaction with Lucie (leaning into her menacingly, then softly caressing her hair) implies a brother-sister relationship that is very troubled and abnormal.
The lighting could have been better -- the stage was naturally very dark, and at times the singers were totally covered in darkness. But these are minor complaints. I heartily recommend this performance.

Wonderful Lucie.......2004-08-23

I love this DVD. Since I received it I have watched it over and over.

First, the performance is beautifully stage directed. Yes, it is
dark, but castles in that era WERE dark and gloomy. Unlike most productions, this one also manages to look like it was actually
set in Scotland.

The director was able to get wonderful characterizations out
of his singers. Lucie is frantic, nervous, and unsettled from
her first appearance. Edgar is a vulnerable, passionate lover;
no conventional tenor here. Henri is not a conventional villian, he is a desparate man in a difficult situation. He also seems to share a bit of his sister's madness. Gilbert is
a sleazy, conniving slug.

Lucie gets more and more frenzied and out of touch with reality with each scene. By the wedding scene, her mind is gone, after
the wedding contract is signed and she sings that her life is over, it is very believable; she is absolutely at the end of her rope. That she becomes completely unhinged and stabs her
weakling of a husband is totally believable; in the Mad Scene
she seems more completely separated from reality than any other Lucia I have ever seen.

Edgar is also truly broken-hearted and desolate in the tomb
scene; that he ends his life is totally logical.

Ok, the musical side. I think Pido's conducting is very idiomatic. The chorus is absolutely outstanding, and wonderfully directed too. I'm happy to hear a version with the mad scene in the original, higher keys. All the old boring
tradional embellishments are thrown out; replaced with new musically creative ones. The fountain aria is replaced with
the aria from Rosmonda.

The singers are all a little rough at the start, but they warm up quickly. I love Ciofi's performance. She IS Lucie. I like Alagna better in this than anything else I have seen him in; although he does tend to sing sharp.

All in all, this is a compelling performance. I get completely absorbed in it each time I watch it.

Mandrill - Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 2002

Average customer rating:

Nostalgic

Mandrill - Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 2002
Starring: Mandrill
Manufacturer: Wilson Bros./Kindred Rhythm
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Old School Soul Party Live
Get Ready: Definitive Performances 1965-1972 [DVD] - The Temptations
Marcus Miller: Master of All Trades
Live in Japan 1993
Sweet Soul Music - Spinners

ASIN: B000CAJYQY
Release Date: 2006-09-19

Customer Reviews:

Nostalgic.......2007-01-04

I really enjoyed this concert. If you are nostalgic to the seventies, you'll probably like this. Mandrill's strength lies in blending various styles of music (although predominantly funk). Favourite tracks are Fencewalk, Hang loose and Mandrill.

Average customer rating:

Live in Japan 2002
Starring: PFM
Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | International | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

International | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Immaginazione
Gg at the Gg: BBC Sight & Sound in Concert
Camel Footage 2
Dracula Opera Rock
Live in Japan

ASIN: B000BYAD9I
Release Date: 2006-08-26

Average customer rating:

Good But Not Great
Good but
I want AFI!
Whats with this??
More music less talk!

Warped Tour Live 2002
Starring: Something Corporate , and New Found Glory
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Vans Warped Tour 2003
Punk-O-Rama, Vol. 1
The Vans Warped Tour '04: Beyond Warped
What the Punk, Vol. 2
Give 'Em the Boot

ASIN: B00008DDWI
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Amazon.com

More than a concert video, Vans Warped Tour Live 2002 happily captures the top-to-bottom experience of a Vans festival descending on Anytown, USA. The long-running Warped Tour (nine years as of this DVD production) is an annual mosaic of state-of-the-art punk rock, a road show featuring 17 or so acts in various stages of artistic development.

Shot in summer 2002, Live features the barefoot, chummy excitement of piano-centered Something Corporate, some first-rate (even vaguely melodic) thrashing on Anti-Flag's "Got the Numbers," galloping folk-punk from Ireland's Flogging Molly, and Reel Big Fish's crisp ska with a Coasters-like sense of humor. The tour's handful of veteran acts--Mighty Mighty Bosstones, NOFX, and Bad Religion among Them--are the tent poles of Vans' moveable feast, and they don't let the rain-soaked crowd down. Breathtaking extras include a visit to the tour's biker-mad Moto-X Park and the half-pipe at the pro BMX skate park. --Tom Keogh

Description

Two stages, Seventeen Bands, 500 thousand kids. The Vans Warped Tour is the longest running music tour in the world (9th Year). Hundreds of thousands of fans come to the tour every year, as do over 100 bands. This compellation includes live performances from some of today's best selling new punk artists as well as performances by some of the genres classic acts. The program gives you an all access pass to the entire event. From backstage life on the tour, to the top of the half-pipe in the pro BMX skate park. From under the landing ramp of the MOTO-X arena to being on stage with the bands themselves. With special features making you a part of the tour, this program is much more than a concert - it is an experience. With 5.1 sound, you'll feel like you never missed the tour, and if you made a show, you'll feel like you are back.
BANDS FEATURED:
New Found Glory
Bad Religion
Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Something Corporate
Flogging Molly
MXPX
NOFX
Reel Big Fish
The Used
Lagwagon
No Use For A Name
Anti-Flag
Alkaline Trio
Hot Water Music
Morgan Heritage
Ozma
GOB

Customer Reviews:

Good But Not Great.......2005-04-16

I would rate this DVD as average. I should note that I am not a huge fan of most of the bands on this DVD. The format is good. There is commentary from each band & live performances. The Alkaline Trio performance is phenomenal as well as Bad Religion. New Found Glory, Reel Big Fish, NOFX, Flogging Molly, The Used, & Something Corporate are worth watching but not great on the DVD. I also own the Warped Tour 2003 DVD which I found to be much better.

Good but.......2004-06-04

Its good, but its missing bands. Where's Good Charlotte, Sum 41, and AFI? They were all on Warped 02...

I want AFI!.......2004-03-25

Not AFI, not worthy!!!!!!!! Damn it Anti-Flag and Nofx suck monkey ass, why would the warped tour put them there!!!! They suck, suck, suck, suck!!! Me want AFI!!! AFI will rule the world, just wait and see!!! Muahahahahahahaha!!!!

Whats with this??.......2003-12-24

The warped tour has turned into crap. whats with NoFX and Anti-Flag dissin on USA for? they dont like it then take your sucky music over to canada or sumthin, we wont miss you. i only gave it 2 stars cuz the used it increbible if they werent on here it would get 0 stars. warped tour sucks now it has new found glory? i wish nofx and anti-flag would leave they suck. like the other dude said about the upside down flags if thats on ur guitar then that is pathetic. any of yall anti-flag followers wonna say sumthin about this then e-mail me if u wish: homefry3007@yahoo.com

More music less talk!.......2003-11-24

This is a pretty okay DVD. I agree with what someone said that the lack of varity is somewhat annoying. But if you want to see your band played two or three times it's pretty good for that.
What i found annoying was the fact they felt the need to talk on and on about the warped tour, how it's set up, what goes on, etc etc. Okay, guys could we put that in perhaps the special features section, because i really don't care right now and just want to watch Flogging Molly. That's my biggest complaint about it. But it has some cool short interviews with people like NOFX and Reel big Fish and people. Plus the bus tour with Flogging molly was pretty cool. But buy it if your a big warped tour fan, or if you went that year and want to relive it

DVD:

DVD

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Ted & Venus

Sphere [1998] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

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