Customer Reviews

Helen Reddy: In Concert

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

 

 

Beware of buying this DVD. The quality is BAD. The picture is BAD and the sound quality is also BAD. Digimode Entertainment Ltd. should be ashamed to but their name on this JUNK. It looks like it was recorded straight from a bad VHS copy. I will now avoid any DVD of the "Forever" brand. Rouge companies like this pull the same stunt all the time: Make the DVD cover look good to get you to buy it, knowing full well the DVD is junk quailty. Such is the case here. In fact, the cover photo is not even from the same concert, but a later year. Seems like a bootleg. Shame on you Digimode Entertainment. Buy this ONLY if MUST have everything put out Helen (who is NOT at fault here at all). From what little I could see here, Helen was great.

Obviously the concert was very good...it is a Helen Reddy concert. It is unfortunate that it isn't remastered and looks like a poor quality VHS. In this day and age, it could've been enhanced and made to look much better. It is, however, one of the FEW Helen Reddy audio-visual items on the market. For that it is worth it.

This is a great time capsule and if the print was even 25% more watchable it would be incredibly entertaining. As it is, it's still pretty enjoyable. There never was before and never will again be another "Helen Reddy," and this concert shows how it was exactly this particular performer was able to hold the world captive with her talent for a moment in time known as the 1970's.

It's been noted that the tech. quality of this video to DVD offering leaves something to be desired: indeed, I was watching the first part of this concert with my reading glasses on, made the switch, and it din't make much difference.
Now for the downside. jk.
Despite ther substandard video, the low fidelity audio still provides lot of pop - in fact. Reddy's voice is so strong and clear, to me, it's actually preferable to a "proper" transcription.
Fourteen songs, including the big hits, single record approx. lengths; good arrangements, including a slowed down 'signature' "I Am Woman". Helen's prefacing is enjoyable and enlightening: she wrote this song which took on alot more significance than a Top 40 hit.
Old and new fans, esp. those who have never seen her in concert, like this Reviewer, will apprciate her vocal and physical expressiveness - a smooth, sensuous dancer, although her approach is fairly reserved and straight up and down.
The close-ups are fine, revealing an intense artist, striving to reach all the attendees. Otherwise, the technical direction, though much better than something that would come out today (with the dizzying, hand-held cameras, and quick cuts), though it seems that the Tech. Director was alot more fascinated by the beautiful three back-up singers than by the beautiful diva, singing her heart out. Added to that, apparently someone convinced her that it's better to perform in long pants and long sleeves -which leads me to "Buyer Beware" - as sexist as I sound, I expected some footage at least resembling the DVD jacket shot - Mariah Carey, get back!
That photo is from a show with Dudley Moore - so fans...as Jackie Wilson might say...look out.

In a day of HD the visual on this isn't good. But it's Helen Reddy ruling an audience. If you beieve she is a product of a music hall heritage. If you consider the many miles she traveled with her family through out Australia entertaining...is this badly shot technically nasty film/video not a precious document of an amazing artist otherwise not captured.
The mega watt smile. The pitch perfect singing. Even some of the daftness. A technologicaly challenged video with charming revelations. Go Helen.

The quality of the tape is unquestionably poor. What's not in question is Helen Reddy's talent. She's got it by the bucketful!

To my sensibilities, the photo on the front this DVD made it worth buying. Of course, Ms. Reddy has talent in her voice and showmanship, but she also has a figure that simply will NOT quit.

I can't get enough of this photo. Sometimes, late at night when the big events of he day have passed and the late TV shows come around, I'll pour myself a healthy glass of wine and I'll bring out this DVD. I'll get comfortable on my couch and I'll just start talking to Helen. You know what I mean, really talking.

Of course, the conversational is pretty one-sided! LOL! But if I could be serious for a moment, I feel like Helen understands me and knows the nonconventional thoughts that run through my brain are what make me so special. And it certainly doesn't hurt that she's so foxy.

To really enjoy the recording of the concert, I watch it using the computer screen.
People should watch all low resolution tape quality DVD with a small screen. Not in a 55 in LED TV.
Most of those video tape recording made in those days are almost impossible to remaster to the present DVD quality.
Not the entire recording can be remaster to the present day quality, some can and some can't.

The concert in England seemed amazing, I really enjoyed watching it. The sound quality could definitely be improved; however it didn't completely ruin it for me. It's very early Helen Reddy, when she was at the top of pop music.