Product Details

• Actors: Chaka Khan
• Format: PAL
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS 5.1)
• Region: Region 2 (Read more about DVD formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000050HNA
• For more information about "The Jazz Channel Presents Chaka Khan [Region 2]" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Most mainstream fans associate vocalist Chaka Khan either as the lead singer for the seminal '70s funk band Rufus or as the R&B singer who became a short-lived '80s sensation with the infectious cover of Prince's pop hit "I Feel for You." However throughout the years Khan has shown an interest in jazz as well, and this 60-minute live performance gives the artist a chance to show off her nuanced versatility by covering a handful of old jazz standards. Khan sets the evening's mood by allowing her superb band (which is not credited, unfortunately) to warm up and take individual solos on the instrumental "Dark Secret" before finally making an appearance on stage. Once she does, it's a bit shaky at first. During "Them There Eyes," she sounds tentative and nervous, but by the time she hits "My Funny Valentine," the singer hits her stride. Throughout this brief but thoroughly enjoyable set, Khan consistently picks the right spots to demonstrate that her unmistakable voice hasn't lost a thing over the years. She can still belt them out with the best of 'em. Even if they're not Chaka Khan fans, jazz loyalists will want to see this show, simply because her band powers the evening; the bass and horn playing often outshine the singer. Make no mistake: Khan is good here, but her band is better. --Dave McCoy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Performance, So-So Delivery, January 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Jazz Channel Presents Chaka Khan (BET on Jazz) (DVD)

This was a good concert. Chaka's in great voice, the backing band is hot,and the song selection / arrangements have high
creative value. However,(and I hate to say this) the one missing
ingredient I felt when watching this was Khan's little rapport with her audience. She seems shy,hiding behind all that hair. You can see the faces in the audience-she's got them eating out of the palm of her hand yet she seems oblivious to it or not engaging it. Maybe this was done when she wasn't feeling jovial or maybe she's not that emotionally involved with her audience-which is her choice . But the fire between performer and audience that makes performances really warm seems lost without that to me. In other words, it just feels like she's going through the motions. I can imagine that she still performs many dates per year and that can probably become tedious. I would still go to her live. Highlights are her reading of "Man From Mars", her mean scat on "Them Their Eyes" and her touching performance of "Love Me Still". The last song sounded sincere as if she were asking the question from her heart. And the answer is yes! Yes, Chaka we love you still!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chaka sings the jazz standards, August 2, 2001

By	Mr. M. Platt (TRURO, Cornwall United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Jazz Channel Presents Chaka Khan (BET on Jazz) (DVD)

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when this DVD dropped through my mail box. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see top jazz musicians playing alongside a soul diva. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the Roland keyboards being played and a trumpet also being played by the same musician. Mark Stephens on piano is truly outstanding....his playing is inspirational. Chaka is very sexy and confident in her renditions of the old numbers.....many of which would have been popular long before she was born. The audience looked as though they expected a lot and they got it.....great DVD....

My wife and I have now watched this many times and just think it gets better and better with each viewing. Amazing vocals and such an exciting voice.....when can we see her again??

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chaka Rocks Jazz!, October 27, 2000

By	Cat Call (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jazz Channel Presents Chaka Khan (BET on Jazz) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Chaka Khan flexes her amazing vocal chops and proves she can sing jazz with the best of them. Yes, Chaka even scats (quite well I might add) on several of the numbers on this live recording. Although this video is probably not for the jazz purist, it's definitely a must-have for any Chaka fan! Chaka handles herself well on the jazz front, but don't expect a traditional jazz performance a la Ella Fitzgerald. Some of the arrangements are a bit hokey and the band isn't exactly tight. But I bought this for Chaka and she is in top form. She sings in the low and middle tones with enough subtlety and nuance to counterbalance her incredible bursts of trademark belting when she sings in the higher registers. The video shows that, at this point in her career, Chaka Khan has become a seasoned vocal performer with few rivals and one who can tackle almost any musical genre with aplomb.