Customer Reviews

Gloria Estefan - Live & Unwrapped

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

 

 

I tell ya, we are lucky aren't we. If you are a Gloria fan, then you certainly haven't being short changed in the DVD department.
Another Gloria concert for the collection. This one is beautiful.
Great stage, tons of musicians and a great campy Miami finale, which I loved.
If you want to see a great concert DVD then this is for you. With a few songs from her new album and a lots from her back catalogue, it all adds up to a great show and one you will remember always.
Highly recommended. Enjoy

Gloria Estefan is explosive, and this DVD proves it. Backed by a brilliant 23-piece band, a troupe of dancers and awe-inspiring set designs, Estefan presents hits old and new in this infectious concert event. Though her vocals sometimes sound a bit strained, Estefan is all energy and has a commanding stage presence. Her charisma, humor and warmth are captivating, and she manages to make a 4,000 seat theater seem as intimate as a street-corner lounge. New arrangements of classics such as "1,2,3", "Turn The Beat Around", "Oye Mi Canto" and a beautful ballad medley are sure to delight, while Latin staples such as "Mi Tierra", "Con Los Anos...", and "Hoy" showcase the singer's passion for her heritage. Also included are songs from her most recent album, the intimate "Unwrapped". Of these, "Te Amare" is the standout, while Estefan also delivers a powerful rendition of "I Wish You" to close out the show after performing a spectacle of an encore, complete with alligator, flamingos and palm trees. Caliente!

Though a few vocals were strained, Gloria proved why she is the Undisputed Queen of Latin Pop. Her and the band's balance of performing pop hits to ballads to Latin numbers is fantastic. An incredibly even show showcasing the very best of this diva's extensive catalog. Nice visuals and dancers, as well. The new arrangements and vocals were an extra special treat as well. The rhythm continues to get me, even after all these years. Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine = quality!

Unfortunately I couldn't make it to the "Live and Unwrapped" concerts in Las vegas, so I waited with much anticipation to view this concert at home on DVD. This would be a first for me as I had seen all of Gloria's other world tours in the flesh so I knew first hand what to expect.
Reviews of the show made it sound spectacular and after viewing it myself I have to say it exceeded my expectations. In my opinion, Gloria's best performance was the "Homecoming Concert" and this show "Live and Unwrapped" has all the elements and pacing of that show with the added advantage of modern theatrics and stunning choreography. Gloria never lets up, her commanding voice and aerobic like performance showcase how much of a pro she really is. The set pieces are incredibly moody and colourful, ranging from the mysterious to the downright fantastical. 16 dancers accompany her on stage, as well as a 23 piece band, moving sets and amazing puppeteers. All in all this is a Gloria show like we've never seen before and if this is a precursor to her upcoming world tour, we have a lot to look forward to.

First let me say that I worship Gloria Estefan. She's a wonderful philanthropist and role model for ALL people. I have been listening to her music since "Dr. Beat" and love the fact that each CD seems to take a different direction than the last one. I believe her latest album, "Wrapped" is the the best on record, with "Destiny" a close second. I've been to Gloria's last 3 concerts in Las Vegas, including this one and this DVD doesn't do it justice. It loses 2 stars because of the company that produced the DVD.

Now, let me say that the production company responsible for this DVD release should be fired and never allowed to produce anything again, including home movies. The editing sucked. I could have done a better job of editing the concert. The quality of the cameras is good, but they have some sort of Special Effects Camera and when the DVD was edited, they inserted the Special Effects Camera clips in with the standard camera clips. I think the Special Effects Camera would be fine, had the DVD been properly edited and the clips inserted at appropriate times. And I don't think any camera view lasts more than 4 seconds. It was just too choppy. You can also tell that every camera they had was grounded, so there were no interesting overhead or "flying" shots. Also, the sound on the DVD is not very good at all. The volume of the DVD seems to adjust, so I was constantly adjusting the sound on my television. You can hear the band and the noise of the crowd, but I struggled to hear Gloria. I assume there were problems with the microphone, but that should have been fixed in the editing room.

And there are no extras, just the concert. Couldn't they have added some "Behind The Scenes" footage, maybe setting up for the concert or something about the band?

I don't blame Gloria, I blame the production company. If you buy this DVD, just remember that the production company did a poor job with this concert and that it should in no way reflect the quality of Gloria's concerts or of Gloria herself.

I consider myself lucky that someone puts these concerts on DVD.
Seems like some people expect too much.I loved it and heres the proof why.
1. Percussion Intro
2. Get On Your Feet
3. Turn The Beat Around
4. 1-2-3
5. Here We Are/In The Meantime (Medley)
6. Your Picture
7. Mi Terra/Oye Mi Canto (Medley)
8. Hoy
9. Con Los Anos Que Me Quedan
10. Wrapped
11. Te Amare
12. Words Get In The Way/Anything For You/Can't Stay Away from You/Don't Wanna Lose You/Reach (Medley)
13. Rhythm Is Gonna Get You
14. Conga
15. Conga (Instrumental)
16. Live For Loving/You'll Be Mine (Party Time) (Medley)
17. I Wish You
18. Te Amare (Instrumental)
19. Wrapped (Spanish Version)

I saw Gloria's Farewell tour here in Chicago and it was far superior to the concert here on DVD. Missing on the DVD are "I Just Wanna Be Happy"-the most underrated Gloria song, 'Heaven's What I Feel'. Also missing is a heartbreaking song "Cuando Sali De Cuba" Which Gloria sang along with a very young tape recording of herself as a child. The moment was electrifying. Look it up on youtube its sooo good.

I saw Gloria Estefan in concert in Cleveland in 1991 and it was an excellent show. Filmed some 13 years later, this DVD shows that while she has aged (well) and slowed down a bit, she still puts on a great show.

One of the most striking things to me, however, is that there were young kids at the show - for example, one girl in the Conga line looked to be about 7 years old. I raise this point because this is a very kid-friendly DVD, so parents can watch it at any time, not just after the kids are in bed or are away at school.

This DVD is essential for a fan !!!!
Very good Live !!

I went to see Gloria Estefan on her unwrapped tour here in Atlanta, and I tell you, it was great, cheap flamingos, beach plastic balls, palms were all over, I think it was a budgeted concert, the one in Vegas, that poodle and the wowan I think it was so cheesy and tacky! they didnt showed up in Atlanta tough... I love Gloria, I've following her career since the beginning of, I enjoyed the concert better than the DVD. I also think the stage in Vegas was too big for the band and dancers and her of course, too big, sound was ok....They should recorded the Atlanta or New York concert I knew it was great also, her clothing, sound and stage was perfect for her....