Customer Reviews

Buffy Sainte Marie - Up Where We Belong [VHS]

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From the opening scene with Buffy talking to us from a campfire with wolves howling in the background, to the opening song "Darling Don't Cry", to the fantastic "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee" and the final track "Starwalker,"this video is absolutely mesmerizing! She weaves her own life's story through her most famous songs in such a way that you are absolutely spellbound. Backed by a great band and the famous Pow Wow singers "Red Bull and "Stoney Park", Buffy treats us to her updated version of all of her greatest songs. Her powerful mature voice renders the old recordings outdated to say the least. If there is a negative it's that it is much too short. This video is so captivating that it is over before you realize it and you want to yell out for more. The only thing better than this video is Buffy in concert. I had the privilage of attending her concert at Pottsdam, New York March 11th, 2001. She was every bit as exciting to see in person and she does many of her songs not found on this video. This video won Canada's version of the Emmy Award in 2000 and when you view this video, you'll know why. Buffy, we need MORE videos like this!

This concert video should get 11 out of 5 stars. It was a television special in Canada which beat out the likes of Celine Dion and Alanis Morissette for an award. The musical selections, as on the album of the same title, offer a retrospective of her career. Universal Soldier (her anti war anthem from 1964) still sends chills down the spine, as well as the more recent Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, which should be required listening in American history classes. Her stunning acoustic performance of her own Academy Award winning "Up Where We Belong", makes the Warnes/Cocker version utterly forgettable. Sainte-Marie's background in technology and education is effectively woven in to the program with compassionate history lessons and demonstrations of her digital artworks and recordings. She has obviously put her PHD in Fine Arts to good use here. After purchasing this concert on DVD or video, new and old fans will surely explore her vast catalogue of recordings that date from 1964-1996 and her educational curriculum, The Cradleboard Project (with interactive CD roms).

Buffy Sainte-Marie is one of the world's greatest artists and humanitarians. Her impact on the world has been astounding, and her status as musician, artist and teacher are unsurpassed. This much too short dvd is jam-packed with her brilliant lyrics and breath-taking voice. The guest artists enhance the experience just as they did on the (undersold) Coincidence and Likely Stories cd, to grand heights. The songs on the dvd are accompanied by bits of music videos and a wonderful amount of interview excerpts and song introductions. She gives an obvious plug for the use of computers (Macintoshes) in classrooms and as tools for creativity, thus her philosophy of "Indians are still alive" is brought well into the 21st Century. I bought both the dvd and video to cherish and use in my elementary classroom. She is an inspiration to me as an educator and writer and I have been a fan since the 60's.

Back in the Sixties, it seemed (to me at least)like there were really only two American female "folk" singers who really,really mattered - Joan Baez and Buffy Sainte-Marie. In this incredible performance, Buffy proves beyond doubt that she still matters just as much thirty years on. If anything, the mature Buffy has even more to offer: power to spare in that amazing voice and loads of experience to back up her undimmed idealism. Even without the worthy politics for which she is (I'm sure)well known and respected, she just gives so much of herself to every song here that you cannot help but feel mesmerised by the music, and by the sheer strength of her personality. I had never heard her own version of "Up Where We Belong" before and it is a revelation. "Until Its Time For You To Go" is one of those precious songs which deserve to last forever, and newer material like the cry of outrage "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" holds up well even in such exalted company. With so many highlights, ("Universal Soldier", "God is Alive", "Starwalker") this is a performance to cherish and a brilliant way to get re-aquainted with one of the great artists of our time. My thanks to Nicholas for sending me this as a gift from Amazon!

This is a great introduction to all, and also a celebration of the artistry, talent and passion of the great activist, artist, singer and songwriter, Buffy Sainte Marie. This film juxtaposes footage from one of her concerts, with her own narration and also a glimpse into her work as a visual artist, and even some footage of her work on Sesame Street, back in the 1970s.

Some of her best-known songs have been recorded by other artists ("Up Where We Belong," the title track that was recorded by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warren for the film, "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Until It's Time For You to Go," which was recorded by, among others, Elvis Presley and Bobby Darrin). Those weren't the only songs that brought her fame and respect as a great activist and poet. Several of her songs are raise social consciousness about the plight of Native Americans in contemporary modern society, as well as the past hurts that caused such pain and unrest in the Native community. Those songs include "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," and "Universal Solider."

Buffy has the kind of voice that sounds like it alternately full of tears, and full of fire. You will be mesmerized by her charisma as an artist, as well as her heartfelt lyrics. Before I saw this film, I knew very little about her. After I saw the video, it definitely made me want to know more, and it will do the same for you.

This is a wonderful concert. Buffy masterfully blends native American music into perfect harmony with contemporary music. I don't know when I've so enjoyed a concert. I wish I had been there.

Absolutely superlative! This DVD is more concert footage than anything else, and it's great. Brilliant production, apparently shot at a small club with really great lighting. These are mostly new versions of old hits, with a couple new tunes, and I have to say, thirty years haven't hurt her voice one bit. She's backed by a fine band, and the Red Bull Singers are super. All in all, a wonderful musical experience which I recommend highly. If you're an old Buffy fan, you'll love this, and if you've not heard this superior songwriter, I can promise you that this DVD will make you a new fan of her work. what a great DVD! Now, if you could just explain to me why she's not a bigger star in the U.S. . . .

One must understand Buffy Sainte Marie. Though Co'dine is missing you still have Piney Wood Hills, Criple Creek and Starwalker. She is a true musical genius, and recordings such as "Illuminations" should be explored. The quality of the performance is inevitable.
The DVD also has insight into the artist's cultural context.
Not to be underrated.

Not much too add to the previous reviews. I discovered Buffy Sainte-Marie in college (Oral Roberts University, would you believe?). I still have the albums I borrowed from another guy in the dorm who quit school before I could return them. She spoke to my soul then and still does.

One thing I noticed, she isn't one of those who has to get plastic surgery or pretend she's younger than she is. I admire that.

This is a really great dvd.Buffy Sainte Marie has always been my hero and this dvd is the only one I could find.The dvd shows Buffy with friends singing her songs on stage and in the background hangs a lot of her amazing paintings.In between songs are clips of Buffy being interviewed on different subjects e.g.Native Americans, computers ,digital painting, and the war in Vietnam to name but a few.This is a dvd by a really talented and remarkable lady.Great voice,great songs from a great lady.A great dvd.