Customer Reviews

Femi Kuti - Live at the Shrine [Deluxe Edition DVD + Live CD]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Proponents of Afrobeat, your holy grail has been forged! Seek & purchase this gem without hesitation. Femi himself hails "Live at the Shrine" to be his most cherished project because it reflects the reality of his music, his life, and of the Nigerian people.

"Live at the Shrine" contains a blistering live set interspersed with documentary footage of the Afrika Shrine (a nightclub, daytime hang-out, Femi's house, and spiritual & political center). Via the documentary we visit backstage with Femi's band & entourage, Lagos street life, and even Femi's inner sanctum (his on-site living quarters). We hear from Femi's sister (Yeni) and aunt (Fela's sister Dolupo), and see Femi interacting playfully with his wife. Like his father, Femi has created a community around his venue- and his disciples idolize him as a prophet & guardian- it is quite heartening to witness.

This concert (70 min) & interspersed documentary was filmed in Lagos during three shows on Femi's weekly "Sunday Jumps". All songs are strong, and all were chosen for performance/inclusion by his audience via democratic vote! Most songs are recorded uninterrupted and in their entirety. The quality of the video & sound is impeccable, though audio choices are limited to PCM 2.0 or AC3 2.0 only. It is equally amazing that such quality was achieved on a remote recording, and that the footage made it out of Nigeria (especially considering many of the songs denounce the abuses of the corrupt government). The band's sound is clear & well-balanced (amazing considering they are 20 strong!). Raphaël Frydman's cinematic sensibilities are quite pleasing, sensitive, and well edited. Frydman often employs split screen (like Woodstock) to great effect. DVD has optional subtitles in English, French, and Spanish (helpful in understanding Nigerian pidgin). The navigation screens are clear, attractive and efficient. Bonus footage includes more Femi interviews, a video for Shotan, and live uninterrupted footage of Yeparipa & Water no get Enemy.

OluFemi has matured greatly in the three years since his last offering. The music on this DVD (same on the "Africa Shrine" CD) is simply stunning- his best writing & performance to date. "Live at the Shrine" demonstrates Femi's return to pure, rootsy, powerful Afrobeat. This is unwesternized music for the hometown crowd! The songs have a groovy lope- absent is Femi's old tendency to rush his songs live. His 20+ member band is top-notch, infusing this recording with their own unique facets (ex. his jazz-influenced guitarist adds a lovely dimension).

Songs include: Dem Bobo , Oyimbo , I Wanna be Free , If Dem Want to Hear, Eho , "1, 2, 3, 4", Yeparipa , Can't Buy Me , Bring Me the Man Now , '97 , Shotan , and
Water No Get Enemy.

"Live at the Shrine" is a masterpiece!

I just recently saw Femi Kuti at the Hollywood Bowl and was totally blown away by this amazing musical experience. As a Westerner, we rarely see music as such a spiritual experience as this. I was very excited to see the "Live at the Shrine" DVD. Unfortunately, it really is not all that impressive. It's very slow at times. The camera always focuses on Femi, and fails to capture the energy of the band as a whole (did we EVER see the amazing drummer), and the mix of the music is very "off." The other problem is that we didn't get nearly enough background about Femi, Fela, Nigeria, his life etc. I think a narrator would have really helped during the dull portions. So why did I give it 4 stars?

The accompanying audio CD is AWESOME!! Well worth the price paid. Even though it is the same performance as the DVD, for some reason listening to the audio cd really captures the amazing live performance. The drums are commanding, the horns blare. The rythyms are tantric. It really hits the spot. If you like Afrobeat, buy this package for the CD alone and use the DVD as a coaster. Ok the DVD isn't THAT bad, but you get the idea. And if Femi comes to your town, DEFINITELY go to the show.

Femi Kuti and Positive Force rock!!
Politically engaged, fine muscianship and electrifying stage presence. Femi is here to stay. CD 5 stars DVD 5 stars. You will listen to it everyday and want to get all of his stuff!! I look forward to the day when I can attend a "Sunday Jump" at the New African Shrine in Lagos, Nigeria. "Bring me the man!"

I first watched the live concert at the Shrine on cable and I was hooked by the raw power and intensity of the music.

I also listened to the audio cd. I would rate the audio quality a 7 out of 10 - considering the live event and audience participation. But forget about audio fidelity because the music and the rythm takes over everything. The DVD alone is worth every penny. Femi Kuti has great stage presence and the reaction of the audience tells the story. I like the way the live event on stage and back stage was shot. It is very direct. You see the artist living, creating and performing all in the same environment - the Shrine - a concert-hall & night-club & living quarters - that has achieved cult status. In the interview Femi talks about the difficulties of shooting a live concert. He humbly states that the emphasis on the program was on feeling rather than technical accuracy. IMHO Femi is very successfull with vocals, sax and keyboard. But on vocals my vote has to go to his father Fela. The base lines that drive the music are fresh and original with every listen. The feeling I get from this music is a great sense of freedom and abandon. The performance is highly charged, spontaneous and explodes with energy. The reactions of some of the audience member's star-struck with Femi are quite interesting. The audience throws plastic bottles and chairs to show their appreciation!

Femi communicates strong political themes and does a pretty good job continuing his father's legacy.

[...]

i have a lot of femi and fela kuti cds but this has to be one of the best. not is is the music perfect and honest about all of todays issues it was recorded live! i was at the shrine all last summer and the dvd not only showed all videos but also reveals femi's behind the scenes at the shrine. if i could i would give it 6 stars!

Live at the Shrine is a great film about Femi Kuti and the scene surrounding the Shrine in Nigeria. Unfortunately, the sound mix is awful. Femi's band is pushed way into the background of the mix so you would never know he has like a dozen musicians up there. The sound is totally flat and lifeless, nothing at all like the electrifying live shows I've seen. The CD has exactly the same mix, too. Usually I'm not one to complain, especially about dry technical issues, but this seriously undermines an otherwise enjoyable concert film. What a shame.

The film and sound crews have produced a top notch documentary of Femi and Lagos, so well it makes you wish you were there.
Welcome to the Next generation of Fela.

Excellent documentary of Femi Kuti and his family and nation's musical sanctum, the New African Shrine. the focus on Femi and his commitment to music is at times touching, particularly the way in which he deals with the stage diver and his comments on the importance of music to his life. athough the comparisons with his father will probably only increase after a viewing of this (sometimes femi, shirtless and grimacing at the audience with a spliff between his fingers literally looks as if he has morphed into Fela before our eyes) the man's own musical acumen and personality comes through powerfully.
definitely reccomended.

The Shrine Auditorium in Lagos, Nigeria reminds me of the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco circa 1967 where people milled around in front of the stage and throughout the floor. Instead of stoned mellow vibes and psychedelic light shows, we see frenzied expressions of righteous anger and liberation. At our rock concerts the young wave their arms and get a little rowdy. At Femi's concerts they raise chairs and throw plastic bottles. But they're mainly dancing and not fighting, because the Shrine is a place of worship where the tolerant prophet knows how much to let them get away with and when to keep them in line. Femi Kuti, Fela Kuti's oldest son, is an impassioned entertainer who sings, plays keyboards, soprano and tenor saxophones, and the trumpet. He is above all a luminary, a cultural icon, an anointed symbol of hope, and a force unto himself. Lagos is perhaps the most miserable city in the world. We learn that everything is bad and in need of change. Kuti's background dancers are mesmerizing with their costumes and their gyrations will blow you away. The strong tenor sax melodies stick with you. His best numbers are in the last half hour of the film. The CD is haunting. As Kuti says, No Communism...No Capitalism...AFRICANISM! He's cultural dynamite.

Want to get behind the scenes of Nigerian life in the music business? This is a great music and documentary video that you can enjoy over and over.