Customer Reviews

Annie Lennox - Live in Central Park

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The title is how I feel about this remarkable DVD. It's a one of a kind concert, which only Annie can give you. Totally of her own, personal line of taste and performance. I not only have this DVD, but own the VHS edition too! The VHS has less stuff on it, and the sound is a bit off. That's why I had to have the DVD. All through the show, Annie loses herself in her songs, and takes on a different personality. She wowed the crowd throughout all her greatest songs and some new stuff too, never seen before, live.

I personally love "Why", "Waiting in Vain", "Little Bird", "Legend in my living room", "I love you like a ball and chain" and "Train in vain". These songs are all great performed live.

"Money can't buy it" is almost like the original CD version, but I don't think Annie would ever think of lip synching to a song. This particular song has that groovy, laid-back feeling to it.
Kind of sexy, tough, crazy, and vulnerable all in one.

"Why" brings back the memories of when the Diva CD was released. I was so happy to hear such a soulful, sadly beautiful song on such a beautiful album. Same with the live version. I think this is the only version live that brings me to tears.

"You have placed a chill in my heart" shows that Annie has it all, when she sings. She loses herself in the animal called talent. This is the only song Annie has sung live, where she can really go to town vocally. What amazing adlib and moves only she can do, I appreciate this golden oldie for all it's worth.

"No more I love you's" is one of those songs where vocals and adlib are lacking. This live version is not as good as the Medusa CD version. Not too much else I can say about this one.

"Walking on broken glass" is not one of my favourites, but is a good song about sentimental love, and Annie & band kind of sped it up for the concert. It's slightly faster than the cd version. The sound is good though, and shows the teamwork of Annie's bandmates.

"Waiting in vain" is a remarkable solo performance only accompanied by Paul Pesco on guitar. What a lovely performance! I didn't like this song before, like I do now. One of those live songs where you can picture the lighters flickering in the audience, with all the lights out.

"Legend in my living room". I have three words for this one.
It Rocks Bigtime! Annie obviously sold her audience, just by writing this song. What an energetic performance.

"Who's that girl?" and "Here comes the rain again" are two of my least favourite Eurythmics songs, but when Annie takes hold of them solo, they get my attention.

The promotional video clips are good. Annie introduces them well described. The behind the scenes/cd & memorabilia signing scenes are fun. We get to see Annie in a relaxed wardrobe of genuinely glamourous, but conservative clothing. I like the description of each video, as they play. Glad she included the clip of "No more I love you's" here. And, it's nice to see the actual place where they shot for the making of the video.

One thing not found on the VHS edtion:
The video clip of "Something so right". What a great song. I believe it's a Paul Simon cover tune, and Annie Lennox has brought it out of its slumber. Her costume in the clip leaves a lot to be desired, but her long-haird wig is a nice touch.
The video clip to "Waiting in vain" is funny, where Annie is portraying herself as Minnie Mouse the House-Maid. What an unuaual way to appear in a video! At the end of the clip, there appears to be about 6 of Annie, all dressed in different colors of her tacky, but whimsical maid outfit.

This is the short, but sweet selection of songs Annie chose to perform at the concert:

Money can't buy it 4:30
Legend in my living room 3:58
Walking on broken glass 3:52
No more "I love you's" 4:44
Who's that girl? 4:23
You have placed a chill in my heart 5:13
Waiting in vain 3:39
I love you like a ball and chain 4:39
Little bird 5:16
Sweet dreams are made of this 3:20
Train in vain 5:30
Why 5:00
PROMOTIONAL VIDEO CLIPS
No More "I love you's" 5:02
A whiter shade of pale 5:28
Waiting in Vain 4:00
Something so right 3:42

Well, it was fun reviewing the DVD of Annie Lennox Live In Central Park. I hope this review helped you.

Go buy it and see for yourself, just how much Annie Lennox rules and owns the stage, no matter where she is.

Annie Lennox is one of modern music's most gifted vocalists and songwriters. Captured on this DVD live from Central Park, Annie shows the remarkable range of her career - from the cutting edge sounds of Eurythmics to the sophisticated leanings of her recent solo albums. It's all here in one gorgeous package!

As a bonus, four promotional videos from the "Medusa" album are included as well as interview snippets. Watch Annie's transformation in the interviews from feelings of insecurity about performing live after so long, to exhilaration and amazement after the actual event. A chronicle of her psyche, so to speak. What a prelude to the Eurythmics tour that came just a few short years later!

A great display of how powerful Annie Lennox is live on stage. This DVD provides a great mix of her talent & music recorded over the past many years with & without the Eurythmics. Hope she will do more in the future.

Happily, this DVD will play on Region 2 DVD players without problems. Its a wonderful live concert & worth owning for that reason.

i bought the vhs when it came out years ago and was blown away. she is fantastic live. i'm sure the dvd is even better. she has a great voice, stage presence and of course not hard on the eyes. almost all the footage is from her live concert, but there is some footage from rehearsal. well edited. the only bummer is that the concert is a tad short and she didn't sing as many eurythmics songs as i'd like.

I love both Annie Lennox and Eurythmics, especially their live performances, and this Live In Central Park is simply stunning: Annie knows how to make her interpretations unforgettable. Wonderful as usual, wrapped in a daring tartan suit, she leaps on the stage catching the audience with her exclusive voice. The concert includes songs from her solo albums Diva and Medusa and also hits from her Eurythmic career. You can also view the song's lyrics as subtitles. The concert is mixed together with footages of Annie in N.Y. and studio rehearsals with the band. The DVD also contains the videoclips for No More "I Love You's", A Whiter Shade Of Pale, Waiting in Vain (very funny, with a multi-Annie playing Minnie Mouse) and Something So Right. Each video is presented by Annie sitting in the theatre where some clips were filmed. Maybe the DVD could appear a bit dated, but remember that it was filmed for the first time in 1995.

Here is the concert playlist:

1. Money Can't Buy It (Diva, 1992): similar to the album version. ***
2. Legend In My Living Room (Diva, 1992): similar to the album version. ***
3. Walking On Broken Glass (Diva, 1992): a very happy and inspired rendition. *****
4. No More "I Love You's" (Medusa, 1995): touching and intimate: Annie performs with the same hairstyle of the videoclip. *****
5. Who's That Girl? (Touch, 1983): sensuality and angst for one of the best performance of the concert. *****
6. You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart (Savage, 1987): to the verse "I just want someone to hold", Annie thrills the audience screaming "I" for nine times! Disarming. ****
7. Waiting In Vain (Medusa, 1995): a Bob Marley classic reinterpreted with guitar accompaniment. ****
8. I Love You Like A Ball And Chain (Be Yourself Tonight, 1985): a roaring performance launched by a powerful only-voice intro. ****
9. Little Bird (Medusa, 1995): smart and electronic. ****
10. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) (from the same title album, 1983): Eurythmics' masterpiece, always magic and upsetting. *****
11. Train In Vain (Medusa, 1995): simply intriguing and exciting. Amazing. *****
12. Why (Medusa, 1995): Annie's solo masterpiece, elegant and moving. *****

Videoclips (all the videos are from Medusa, 1995)

1. No More "I Love You's": Male dancers dressed as ballet girls (!) introduce you to Annie, eerie mistress in front of a creepy audience. *****
2. A Whiter Shade Of Pale: Ms. Lennox, dressed as a teddy bear with a pageboy cut, goes on a swing in a circus arena, surrounded by clowns, dancers and a white horse. ****
3. Waiting In Vain: Annie "Minnie Mouse" does the cleaning up, waiting for her love as the seasons pass. At the end of the video there will be six Annies!!! *****
4. Something So Right: dressing a costume, Annie plays in a theatre, filmed like in an old recital. The less impressive video of the series. ***

And now... Enjoy it!

This concert video is a must see for any Eurythmics or Annie Lennox fan. I bought mine in Europe and the quality of transfer is just superb-audio and video.

Breath taking... It's my favorite live performance of anie lennox.... a must have !!

Awesome video - I felt like I was at the concert. It would be great if they issued this in DVD. I've already worn out one copy. I never listened to her before seeing this vid. now I'm a big fan.

Buy it you won't be disappointed!

From start to finish, this concert video showcases the one and only true aspect of this performer, her voice. There are no gimmicks on stage and Annie gives everything she has to an audience that has waited years to see her perform live. Most people who are used to the visual aspects of performances by the Eurhythmics will find this offering sparse in the visual dept. The clarity of Annie's voice and the raw drive of her emotional pleas for love and revenge common in her works makes up for it. The rare treat available in this video as well is the intimacy Annie offers in her on camera interviews throughout the concert. Most fans are aware that Ms. Lennox guards her privacy and these interviews somwhat whet one's appetite for a look into the workings of her psyche. For those of you who still want the visual aspects of Annie's art, some videos are included with this video including the gem "No more I love yous". A definite consideration for purchase for both cultists and new fans.