Customer Reviews

Anita O'Day - The Life Of A Jazz Singer

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ms O'Day preferred the title "stylist" as opposed to "singer" which I find an interesting distinction. I gather she made the distinction in acknowledgement that she had little vocal range, an ordinary tone, and a strange timbre.
My first significant encounter with her music was post Gene Krupa with the release in 1956 of ANITA by Norman Granz and the best version of HONEYSUCKLE ROSE with its solo bass opening and quartet of trombones closing the final chorus. The whole album though, was and remains, one of her best, and one of the best of any JAZZ singer. And that's where her reputation so superbly lies - as one of the very best JAZZ vocalists ever, and an individual woman who was a great survivor in a very difficult business - that she was embraced by the jazz community including afro american musicians, she got through the heroin journey, she overcame the "canary" prejudice of "girl" singer by her musical brilliance in being accepted rather as another musical INSTRUMENT instead of the "front" for a band.
This documentary - one of the best (musical ones) I've seen which was featured in the 2008 Sydney Film Festival - also reveals her character. Moral strength, modesty, honesty, understanding and self awareness and I guess, joy of music, of living, are her distinguishing characteristics.
PLenty of good music in the film as well!!

For a film documentary profile, there's no substitute for substantial footage of the subject him/herself providing their own reflections on his/her life and career. It's great that this documentary captures so much of Anita's own charmingly candid recollections of the ups and downs in her under-appreciated career. An interesting look of the life of a great, great jazz singer.

But it is worth the price. It covers it all no holds barred.
Story of a great singer/stylist with a dramatic life. Read her book and she for sure was one of a kind and her singing always makes my heart skip and beat faster, love her reditions.
Saw her at the Rainbow Room in '99 and she was well past her prime. Another fan, a girl, and myself asked her if she could sing "Am I Blue" and she said she never heard of it. When we both said it was our favorite she told us to go to the bandstand and sing it ourselves. I was blue after this but after watching the movie I realized I had been O'Dayed by the real thing.
The angels will be hard pressed to keep up with her scat, that is if she made it there but if god loves to swing she is there and doing it her way. Loved her since 1958.

Anita O'Day is the only white female jazz stylist to be ranked up with the greats - Ella, Billie, and Sarah, (and the first female vocalist of Verve Records) so why don't we hear more about her? As a vocalist myself, I feel I may have watched this documentary a little differently than the average viewer and I will say - SHE'S GOT IT. 'IT' being style, class, presence, timbre, quality, and creativity. Her comfort level in the realm of jazz allowed her to fully embody what jazz is and provided the backdrop to improv like no other artist has achieved. She is the greatest.

This video documentary is what the fans have been waiting for packed with interviews, performances, and those who she touched over the years sharing their thoughts of the experiences they had. If you buy the DVD, make sure you buy this version with the book, you will not be sorry! Clippings from O'Days personal scrapbook add a touch of insight into this artists world from fame to drugs and jail to her beautiful outlook on life and enchanting spirit.

My only dislike about this product is during the DVD a few interviews take place but it does not state who the person is or the significance of the person in Anita's life. This does, however, only happen on a few occassions but leaves the viewer guessing. If you have NO IDEA who Anita O'Day is and you can't see yourself spending this much money for the DVD with book, then you can purchase the DVD by itself or I would suggest "Jazz On A Summer's Day" which captures an amazing performance of "Tea for Two" and "Sweet Georgia Brown" from Anita O'Day. I simply cannot say enough about this artist, she is breath taking and will be missed.

I became an instant fan of Anita's after watching this. A distinguished voice, very natural phrasing right up there with Frank and Billie, and a highly creative mind that among other things enabled her to re-invent herself a few times - you'll learn and see all of this on this engaging documentary/bio. I recommend this dvd over any other similar jazz bio. It's never tedious, does not skim over important details, does not distractingly interrupt the performances, does not shrink from the painful, and the musical and life triumphant rewards are abundant. A must!

Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer: 6 out of 10: I had no idea who Anita O'Day was when I rented this film. I like Jazz well enough and enjoy having it as background music, but I am hardly what one describes as an aficionado.

Since viewing this film, I have watched the wonderful documentary 'Jazz on a Summer's Day' and have downloaded some fine Anita O'Day jazz albums.

Therefore, from one point of view, the documentary is a stunning success. It got me interested enough in its subject, for me to take actions after viewing.

The film however suffers from uneven interviews and presentation. Film quality is all over the map and some of O'Day's last interviews were clearly filmed by folks unfamiliar with the workings of a motion picture camera.

Even more disappointing is the poor sound quality of many of the musical tracks and the lack of sampling from her albums.

You know if you have a 16-year heroin addiction and four failed marriages and you still manage to live until 87 despite grinding poverty and botched healthcare, you are the definition one tough bird. Unfortunately that also signifies most of your contemporaries are long dead. Many of the war stories as a result, tend to be second hand at best.

The film does contain one wonderful non-musical highlight. In a mid-seventies interview a young Bryant Gumbel states to O'Day 'Your life story involves rape, failed relationships, drugs, and multiple abortions". O'Day's that is just they way it went down response is priceless.

Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer is a decent film but I would recommend renting Jazz on a Summer's Day first. That concert seems to capture the magic better than anything else I have seen.

This film appeared at our local fine arts movie theater, and we were stunned with what we saw in this film. We've been anxiously awaiting the release on DVD.

You should have seen the face of a friend who watched the film with us at home. She is completely music-challenged, and yet you could see on her face that she too was amazed & appreciative of O'Day's talent.

If you've never heard of Anita O'Day, then you must have this DVD.
If you already know of her, then you will appreciate this film even more.

This a wonderful film about a wonderful talent.

If you don't know Anita O'Day and are trying to decide whether to take a chance on this DVD, search for her on Youtube first. There, as a preview, you can find her performing a dozen songs. That was where I stumbled onto her. I forget what I was surfing for, but I still remember the first time I watched her performance at Newport '58. I remember the uncanny feeling coming over me that I was seeing a master at work. Since then, I have watched and listened to every performance of hers that I can.

The bonus disk shows her performing 13 songs and by itself is worth the price. The insert is informative and generous, with many good illustrations.

Whenever I turn someone on to Anita O'Day, they have the same reaction: "Why haven't I heard of this person?"

I love Anita, and her music, and this movie. Do yourself a favor, and buy it.

I was lucky enough to be at the preview of this documentary in Los Angeles at Playboy Jazz on Film. It was mesmerizing and I couldn't wait to get hold of a DVD copy. Then came word they were having trouble getting music clearances and that the DVD might not ever be released. Thankfully they ironed out the details and this sorely needed gem of documentary is a shot to the gut. Because of her bad girl image, earned, she never got the mainstream focus. But this documentary drags her from the realm of those in the know and into the pantheon of great jazz singers. In her own way, she was the best. She created her style and others followed, like June Christy. It makes you want to know more about her life, and find more of her work. That's what great documentarys do.

This DVD brings back into the light a gem of a jazz performer. Anita O'Day was one of the best of her genra. A much too long almost overlooked jazz artist during the "golden age" of jazz, O'Day shines with her delightful personality and awesome singing talents. This is a must have DVD. Sit back and enjoy !