Customer Reviews

Beth Hart - Live at Paradiso

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't know why I'm writing a review of this dvd, as I agree wholeheartedly with all the reviews already posted here. But, I feel compelled to add my two cents about this most phenomenal of artists. Either God or Satan, I'm not sure which (maybe it was a collaborative effort)must have been bored one day and decided to create magic. Taking the best parts of Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Otis Redding, John Lee Hooker, Carole King,
Robert Plant, and a dash of Edith Piaf, they combined with atomic energy, several forces of nature such as hurricanes and tornadoes, the pure unapologetic sexuality of the most sensual of strippers, the humanity of mankind, coated the whole mess with nitro glycerine, then dropped it from the sky...waiting to see what would happen.The result was Beth Hart. From the first time I saw the image of this uninhibited,then sickly looking little creature slink onto the Star Search stage those many years ago, and unleash the first notes from her incredible voice, I was hooked. Then, she disappeared for years. While she did develope a loyal following, she was basically in obscurity. I simply couldn't understand how such a huge talent was almost completely unknown. I have since learned of course that the general masses prefer no talents like Brittney Spears and Jennifer Lopez, both of whom would justly scamper off into their own blessed obscurity should they ever be in the presence of Beth Hart. I have unfortunately never seen Beth Hart perform live. When I recently discovered this "Live At Paradisio" dvd, I ordered it immediately. What with my huge admiration for her, and the consistently glowing reviews of others here, I had no doubts about being pleased with it. I still wasn't prepared for the rush I received upon viewing, however. There are very, very few performers who truly excite, they range from boringly offensive, to pleasently talented, to enjoyable, to outstanding. But, the ones who make your mouth hang open in awe, your eyes roll back in your head, and your nipples get hard, are few and far between. This dvd is a perfect example of the unbelievable talent of this woman. Not only is she incredibly bright, a survivor, but she is a brilliant songwriter. Her voice, of course, is the real head-shaker though. She has,without a doubt, the most rangeful, controlled, masterful, powerful voice in rock history. That she can take classics, such as Humble Pies "Doctor", and Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" and actually better them, is a feat not usually pulled off. She slinks around the stage, spewing water from her bottle, writhing, twisting,shaking, and doing everything with her audience short of official sexual consummation. Listen, I'm (...), and watching her makes me want to turn straight. That she can turn right around hot off the the tail of her renditions of these rock anthems and perform the most tender, beautiful, soul searching self-penned ballad is further proof of her singular power. Beth Hart does not perform, there is nothing about what she does that is "staged." She is possessed. I don't know by what, but, there is no earthly explanation for what this girl does. The magic extends in the way she connects with her audience. Getting right down in there with them, but never for an instant losing her hold on the song she is singing, looking directly into their eyes in a mutual wallowing of love, appreciation, and admiration, she leaves all present under the magic of her spell, being at once so totally human yet so totally supernatural.I could go on and on with what to some may sound like ridiculous anologies, but, I guarantee that if you were to buy this dvd, you'd agree with the thousands who already know that this girl is not the greatest, most talented and important female rock star of all time. She is THE greatest, most talented and important rock star EVER, male or female. The bonus addition here, of Beth in interview, at home, backstage, etc...is a welcome extra to those who will learn what her ardent fans are also already aware of, that Beth is a warm, compassionate, "real" person... there is no *Star* present here in this contradictorily most glorious of stars. I hope the incredible light shining from this girl lasts a long, long time. There have been so few like her, in any form of the arts. She is one of the phenomenons of the century, her talent a gift to humanity, and that's no exaggeration.

Awesome... In truth there are no words that can paint a picture of the power this artist possesses for healing your spirit. The really important things in our lives always seem to get lost. Beth reminds us what they are through her unique sensuality, sex appeal, and voice of experience. If your life isn't going so well, save the money for a therapist and buy this DVD. In 16 wonderful pieces of music she will put your life back into perspective, and heal your soul. Life is all about people and love.

Beth has been influenced by many great artists and a comparison to any of them is certainly a complement, but she has a style that is her own. No one can predict the future but I believe she will continue to grow and reach out to all of us through her music and has become an icon in my world of music, as they all have.

I've been a fan of Beth's since Immortal and last month on a whim i checked for any new releases by her, and i swear to you i about fell outta my chair when i saw this. i've wanted nothing more for over two years now than to see Beth Hart live.

Now that i've seen the dvd, oh man, it is worth every penny and should totally be more than what's being charged on this site.

Another reviewer doesn't like "Am i the one" which is totally cool, but to see how she interacts with the crowd on that one....she has the whole auditorium SIT DOWN while she joins them on the floor. It's insane.

In this age of Britney's and J-Lo's passing rehashed performances off as being an artist, this dvd shows why it is indeed a shame that Beth's not more popular. She doesn't just sing the songs and play the instruments, she LIVES the songs, gets into them til they have her gyrating on the floor or in the lap of a girl in the front row!!!!

And the cool thing is, yeah she sounds like a hippie, but it's totally her, everything about her is REAL. she's so f*cking happy to be there and any adulation from the crowd sends her into a laughing fit. it's amazing.

I'd love nothing more than to meet beth and give her a big hug and thank her for all the times she's given me goosebumps just by the power of her voice.

So yeah if you're any kind of fan, buy this, this will add to the hardcore fans love for beth and certainly cement any casual fans into the hardcore niche.

rock on BETH!!

This is one of the best DVD's I own, up there with the brilliant solo concert DVD by Melissa Etheridge "Live and Alone". Comparing her to Janis Joplin is inevitable as they both have such passion and raw energy in their vocals and both have faced the demons of drugs but thankfully Beth has now been clean for sometime. Watching her on stage in this DVD is mesmerising as the look on the audience faces on some of the shots show. She is a born performer, raunchy, sexy and low down dirty, Awesome. If you like Janis Joplin, Robert Plant style vocalist ( She does a version of "Whole Lotta Love " that would rival Plant at his best) , get this, it will blow your socks off. Also includes a brilliant version of "I Don't Need No Doctor", which is also as good as Humble Pie's if not better, in the extras. Most of the tracks are self-penned or co written and show her as a very strong writer.
What about her band?..... She has got a superb set of musicians behind her that play like they have been together for years and give her the platform to really let go.
She deserves to be up there with the best in the Business.
If you only buy one DVD this year, get this one.......Janis would be a fan.

If you think for a moment women can't rock then watch this DVD. Beth Hart has all the grit and soul of the late Janis Joplin and Robert Plant without ever sounding as though she is trying to imitate them. Her voice is her own and it is one very impressive instrument. Her repetoire runs the gamut from blues to gut bucket rock. She easily stands shoulder to shoulder with any male singer without ever losing her femininity. Add to that a tight, rocking band that is just having a ball and you've got one hell of a combo.

Beth extols her love of Speed Metal bands during her concert and I have to say that this is one HM singer that would have loved an opportunity to stand next to her and belt out a few tunes. If you don't think girls can rock then check out Beth's covers of Zep's "Whole Lotta Love" and Humble Pie's "I Don't Need No Doctor". Her own tunes are great and are never overshadowed by these perennial favourites.

Her slower, more soulful tunes never lose the intensity she is able to build during more raucous numbers. Quite the opposite, when she settles down at her piano alone her soul pours out with every syllable. This is a lady who can sing about having been to Hell and back with beautifully crafted melody and heartfelt vocals that make you believe her every word.

My only regret is the realization that this DVD may be the closest we will get to seeing Beth Hart performing live here in the US. It's a real shame that due to our American Idolized, super homogenized, over glamourized culture we will continue to only have access to great artists like Beth Hart via recorded concerts from overseas.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

When I caught a liitle bit of a live show on MUSIC CHOICE, it took me a while to find out who it was that I was watching(it's so annoying when they don't tell you who the artist is except at the very beginning and the very end, both of which I missed), but when i finally did, I couldn't believe it. I had actually heard of Beth Hart about five years ago after hearing one of her songs and made a note to pick up one of her cd's, but never did. What a mistake! I ordered the DVD the very same day I found out that it was her and I haven't taken it out of the DVD player yet(it's been like a month now). Her live performance is just mindblowing. As a matter of fact, it's every bit as phenomenal as her voice. You can just feel her emotions sweeping over you as you listen to her sing.
In the past, there has not been one single live DVD that I have liked by anyone---ever, but this one just blew me away. I really can't wait to see her live. I've been to over 500 concerts in my life (about 250 in stadiums and arenas, and 250 in clubs), and I haven't been to one in over ten years now, but watching this DVD has me sitting on the edge of my seat until I hear about a concert date in the Northeastern US!
Buy it! Cherish it! It's not too often that someone as gifted as this comes around. As a matter of fact---you might just want to buy 2, I guarantte you'll wear the first one out!

I purchased this DVD the day it came out. I've been a fan of Beth Hart's for years, but have not been able to catch her in concert. So, when I read about this release, months ago, I was thrilled. I was counting down the days. It was WELL worth the wait. If you're a fan, get this. If you love true, honest rock and roll, get this. Hell, if you're anyone with a pulse and a sense of PURE and TRUE talent and a love of real music, get this! I clicked on my tv and there was an Usher concert on...on my coffee table was the cover to this DVD. I kept glancing back and forth, tv, coffee table, tv, coffee table...it's just not fair that these talentless hacks who are only in it for the fame and money are filling FOOTBALL stadiums, and Beth is hardly known...it's just...sick!!! GET THIS DVD NOW!

-Vincent

there is no better performer than beth hart. i have seen her live with her band here in LA, and with just her guitarist john in a small bar in the OC. "am i the one" is one of the best songs. how many of us have asked that question? its a song that everyone can relate to. i wish for her sake that she was more popular. she has been compared to janis, which she sees as a compliment. however, in some ways she is better. she writes all her own material and isn't shy about putting her past right out in front. i have emailed everyone i know about the dvd release. check her website to find out were she is. you don't want to miss her. her live show is better then sex.

My title may be misleading, Beth Hart has her very own sound although my very first reaction was comparing her to Janis regarding her voice as well as her persona. This DVD is the type of DVD that you can't wait to show off to your friends and then take full credit for turning them on to this new discovery. Beth Hart is a real powerhouse that nobody could copy, great voice, great show.

A vortex of spirituality, sexuality, energy, and blues, Beth Hart is as hot as a two-wicked candle - even while sober, especially while sober. She is very much akin to Janis Joplin, especially because she doesn't try to be like anyone, a true hippie with the raw sensuality of Juliette Lewis and the searing soul of Joplin and Joe Cocker at their peaks; Beth Hart already is a blues legend. While mesmerized at home by her performance at the Paradiso, I wasn't sure if I wanted to snatch my speakers off the wall and pitch them into my set, exactly because they were only just that, or hold her hand while I lied to her just once to ease the fear of life, that plea in her eyes which eminates from the place where her talent lies; instead, I went online and purchesed Hart's DVD to replace the rental. I read all the reviews beforehand and said "yeah, right, we'll see..." Guess what? She is that talented, that hot - smokin'! Thank you, Beth, for having tasted the blues, for squeezing sugar from the bitter, for crying when you're happy and laughing in the face of adversity.