Product Details

• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (PCM Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: April 6, 1999
• Run Time: 58 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305339716
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,026 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Midway through this 1985 concert taped for the PBS series Soundstage, Aretha Franklin blows away everything that's come in the previous minutes--a lengthy, sensuous "Something He Can Feel," a steamrolling "See Saw"--with a regretful but unapologetic reading of "Ain't No Way." She sings the 1968 ballad as if reflecting on a hurt that's so fresh that not talking about it won't help and singing about it might. The understated drama inherent in the performance equals that which a Michelle Pfeiffer or Cicely Tyson would bring to the piece. But no one else fills Aretha's role, of course, and this show is packed with reminders why. From "Ain't No Way" to the seductive "Love All the Hurt Away"--with the star slyly filling in absent duet partner George Benson's part on one line, unleashing a ululating cry of pleasure the next--and a brisk yet affecting "I Say a Little Prayer," she all but takes over the lease of Chicago's Park West club. Only the icky Diana Ross tune "It's My Turn" and an overly Vegas-y take on the gospel classic "Didn't It Rain" seem wrong, and even on those there are classic Aretha moments. --Rickey Wright

Product Description

Aretha Franklin's seductive voice and irrepressible charm have been delighting audiences for more than three decades. Now, from the critically acclaimed PBS series "Soundstage," Aretha gives one of her most memorable performances and demonstrates why "The Queen of Soul" is loved throughout the world. Songs: Love is the Key, Love All the Hurt Away, Day Dreaming, I Say a Little Prayer, See Saw, Rock Steady, Something He Can Feel, Think, Ain't No Way, Respect, Sweet Bitter Love, It's My Turn, Freeway of Love, Didn't It Rain, Jump to It.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Aint no way., June 19, 2003

By 

"muffchain" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aretha Franklin - Live at Park West (DVD)

Aretha Franklin is an erratic genius, and this is not one of her better moments. Even on her great live albums - "Live at Filmore West" and "Amazing Grace" you don't get the same voice you get in the studio. She's just not as good sounding live because essentially, she's a studio artist. Something happened to her voice in the early 80's. It lost its focus, it became hoarse and dry sounding. One minute she sounded fine (The Blues Brothes) and the next minute she was working with Luther Vandross. Please! After this time, much of her incredible range deserted her from time to time, and this is one of them. She really struggles through many of these numbers, avoiding high notes, singing things down an octave, rushing through passages. Mostly, she seems to not even want to be on stage. The band is too loud and unsypathetic, and she doesn't even touch the piano. Of course, no body can take away from her the incredible rhythmic genius and the phrasing. There is still enourmous pleasure to be had from seeing these in action, but the voice, her amazing instrument is not in evidence here. It's too easy to say everything she does is 'amazing'. Aretha fans are terrified to admit that her really creative period, the window of genius when all her gifts came together in an incredible marriage, lasted only 3 years or so. So what, I say. She is untouchable as a singer. Also as an arranger, a producer and a hugely underrated piano player. Why pretend this is good? Don't settle for less, just buy the good stuff.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some times up and sometimes down..., February 23, 2010

By 

Do Your History (St Louis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aretha Franklin - Live at Park West (DVD)

This performance was done during a time when Aretha was going through a lot ie her father dies of gunshot wounds,a divorce. So its not hard to understand that this truly effected her performance. There are some good spots in there still. "Sweet Bitter Love",the unknown then "Freeway of Love","Jump to It" and "Ain't No Way" are the highlights for me. On "Sweet Bitter Love" she clearly was inspired. The medley of some of her biggest hits and her not touching the piano is a let down.

Any Aretha fan knows when she feels it its clear and when she does not its no hiding it! Despite some misses during this performance its still worth a look.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Aretha Had Problems During This Period, March 27, 2006

By 

Oliver Penn (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aretha Franklin - Live at Park West (DVD)

During the mid to late 80's, Aretha Franklin had many setbacks. Her family was dwindling with the deaths of her father, grandmother, brother and sister. She was "full of grief" while making personal appearances during this time. As the saying goes, "the show must go on."

Unfortunately for her audience, they didn't get the real deal. I saw a couple of her concerts during this period and they were lackluster, especially having seen The Queen during her heyday. The voice was there in 1989, but Aretha didn't have the will to try. You can see her fighting back the tears during this taping.

To prove that her voice was still there, all one has to do is listen to her early 90's recordings ("A Deeper Love," "Willing to Forget.") Franklin stopped smoking and gained extra poundage which probably took away much of her energy. She developed a new style of singing: falsetto. I think that it's easier to sing in her "head voice" than it is to deliver in her natural one. Her fans are upset and I can't blame them. Just read the scathing reviews for her last CD, "So Damn Happy."

I have this concert on VHS and was very disappointed in Aretha's performance. She only came to life a few times here, but the rest of the concert is weak.