33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Wonderful Night of Music, May 13, 2003
This review is from: Jane Monheit - Live at the Rainbow Room (DVD)
I first found out about Jane Monheit from a very interesting piece on CBS's "Sunday Morning" show. Over next few years I become a fan of this young classically trained singer, who has brought some new blood to the classic pop genre. I was surprised when I found out she had a live performance on DVD.I had accidentally plugged in her name into Amazon's DVD section and the "Live at the Rainbow Room" title popped up. Well it was a lucky accident, because "Live at the Rainbow Room" presents Monheit in a delightful, intimate performance, that is a musical treat.The performance is mainly a showcase for her third and newest album, "Into the Sun", but also manages to mix other tunes from her older CDs. She has a wonderful voice, which is at home singing every thing from pop classics such as "Cheek to Cheek" and "Tea for Two" to more modern fair such as "Love Has No Pride" and "Waters of March". My personal favorite of the set is the classic opening number, "Over the Rainbow". Moheit starts the song off by singing in a low accapella and then is slowly joined in by the orchestra. It is moving and emotional reading of the Arlen standard, which really shows off, what a pure talent she really is. Other highlights include a steamy version of Duke Ellington's "Just Squeeze Me" and a rousing rendition "Hit the Road to Dreamland". Monheit works well with the orchestra (which includes bass legend Ron Carter) as well as the smaller group configurations and soloists.She presents a friendly and light hearted personality, which really shines in this concert. The world famous 'Rainbow Room' turns out to be an wonderful small, intimate venue for the show.As a viewer I felt like I was there. The DVD's picture and sound quality are excellent.It also includes a short featurette, which includes interviews and rehearsal footage. If you are a fan of Jane Monheit or classic pop in general, then I highly recommend "Live at the Rainbow Room".
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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Krall might swing harder, but Monheit soars higher, February 12, 2003
This review is from: Jane Monheit - Live at the Rainbow Room (DVD)
Being a fan mainly of classic rock, blues, and jazz, it is so rare and wonderful when a young artist comes along and has the talent and charisma to reinvigorate the art form. You can throw away those Norah Jones CD's, because here is a true singer. She actually sounds a great deal like Sarah MacLachlan, if Sarah had fully learned how to use her voice and sung jazz.
Jane Monheit has been picked on quite a bit simply beause she is absolutely gorgeous in an old fashioned classic way, but she handles herself so well on stage and fills the whole room with her voice that only a jealous woman would ever pick on her for being pretty. Her voice has also been compared to Ella Fitzgerald's, then struck down because she is not as good as Ella. That is completely unfair, because there was only one Ella, and there is only one Jane Monheit. And just because she is not Ella, does not mean she is not excellent. Jazz snobs of the world, move to Iraq, please!
The concert opens with Ms. Monheit singing the introduction of Over the Rainbow, a cappella, a gutsy opening if there ever was one. Then she takes on Duke Ellington's Just Squeeze Me with a steamy sensuality which the so-called pop divas of today can only dream of. She has cleavage, but barely shows it, and brushing her long red hair out of her face while listening to a solo is hotter than any gesture by any teen queen with a tongue ring and silicone. Imagine that---subtlety, beauty, and talent. What decade am I in again?
I had to buy this disc not having any idea how it would sound because of her excellent choice of tunes, including the haunting Bill Evans ballad Turn Out the Stars, which she performs with authority, all sadness and agony but no schmaltz, like a country tune done just right but not overdone or a steak cooked just enough to keep the flavor. The concert closes with the Berstein tune Some Other Time, which she uses to close all of her shows. Her favorite tune here is one of the best: More Than You Know, taken at a tempo too fast for my taste, but on the other hand proves that she can swing.
I am just disappointed that such a good recording with orchestra was not done in DTS. Hopefully next time, they will budget for this. She is supported by a full orchestra, but the balance is good, you can always hear her clearly, and the band is spread all around by the mix.
This is not a dream, this is not a test: a great beauty with a majestic voice performing in New York's hallowed Rainbow Room. Bravo!
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33 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best!, March 17, 2003
This review is from: Jane Monheit - Live at the Rainbow Room (DVD)
If you like Jane Monheit CDs, buy this, it's better.
If you've been to see Jane's live shows, buy this, it's better.
Not only is she in one of the nicest venues in the country, the Rainbow Room, not only is she in very fine form physically and musically -- but she has wonderful accompaniment. Actually one of my favorite moments on this DVD is a killer bass solo by Ron Carter. And the accompaniment shifts from band to guitar solo to piano to band, as the music demands.
This thing has TWENTY different songs on it, and she nails every one of them. Even if you are just curious about who this Jane Monheit person is, buy this DVD. You will love it.
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