Customer Reviews

Live in Concert-Natalie Merchant

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

1) The concert clocks in at only 60 minutes. Why were so many songs cut? This is a DVD! Give us at least 90 minutes worth of material.
2) It claims to also contain a documentary. It doesn't. It has a few minutes of clips of fans. That isn't a documentary.

Other than the above it is great. It should be like a $9.99 DVD given its insufficiant usage of the space provided.

I was very disappointed in this DVD, so much so that I returned it. The audio quality is poor, with enough audible distortion that I found it unlistenable, and I am not an audiophile, just a mainstream consumer. The video quality is marginal, about on par with a second-generation VHS copy. The direction is poor, with many shots of the back of musicians' heads. The extras, interviews, etc. are either brief or non-existent. Compare this DVD with Diana Krall: Live in Paris in terms of audio/video quality, direction, extras, etc., and they are as night and day. I recommend avoiding this DVD and enjoying Natalie's studio recordings.

A new fan of Miss Merchant and her spellbinding voice, I find myself putting the "Natalie Merchant Live in Concert" disc in my player more than any other concert in my extensive music DVD collection. Even my husband....a die-hard SRV fan if that gives you a clue....will sneak a viewing of the FANTASTIC rendition of "These are Days" when he thinks no one is watching. The experience is magical and liberating, mysterious but oddly comforting. With the exception of a couple fairly slow and dreary ballads - this is an essential music DVD for fans of all types of music.

This video will please diehard Natalie Merchant fans, but probably won't win her any new converts. The video was shot during Natalie's series of shows on Broadway last June and contains a mix of originals and covers. Highlights include Natalie's beautiful performance of Katell Keineg's "The Gulf of Araby," as well as a spontaneous rendition of "Senor Don Gato," which perfectly captures the spirit of a Natalie Merchant concert. The video also includes a cover of David Bowie's "Space Oddity," along with an extended version of the 10,000 Maniacs hit "These Are Days," plus several songs from her Tigerlily album. The biggest disappointment is the omission of some of Natalie's most outstanding songs, such as "My Skin" and "Seven Years." Maybe we'll have to wait for Natalie Merchant Live in Concert--Volume 2.

Natalie Merchant's new live video will please her diehard fans, but probably won't convert many casual fans. The video is a mix of originals and covers, and was taped during Natalie's series of shows on Broadway last June. Highlights are her beautiful performance of Katell Keineg's "The Gulf of Araby," as well as a spontaneous rendition of "Senor Don Gato," which perfectly captures the spirit of a Natalie Merchant concert. Also included is a cover of David Bowie's "Space Oddity," and an extended version of the 10,000 Maniacs hit "These Are Days," as well as several songs from her album Tigerlily. If there is one disappointing thing about the video, it is the omission of some of Natalie's best songs, such as "My Skin" and "Seven Years." Maybe we'll have to wait for Natalie Merchant Live in Concert--Volume 2.

I don't understand why these fans who "claim" to be Natalie Merchant fans give this video such poor reviews. I have this video on DVD and I have viewed this video four times with guests on our 8'x10' video projection screen and everyone who has seen it (even people unfamiliar to Natalie's work) were moved by her performance. Add to that a cranked up sound system and this video is nothing short of a amazing.

Natalie does "play for the audience" and at one point she asked the crowd to come up to the front of the stage and you can see the appreciation in her fans from that point forward. Her voice is probably the most beautiful in today's music, and this is evident in her performance. When I first took a look at the songs selections on the DVD to make my decision in whether to buy, I questioned whether I would enjoy these particular songs live, as I was more fanatical of her earlier works by 10,000 Maniacs and her very first solo album. I'm so glad I decided to purchase this DVD, as it far exceeded my expectations. I truly enjoy it more than the Maniacs Unplugged session, where the band members frowned with the understanding that Natalie was leaving the band. Natalie, you are simply wonderful.

Natalie is a happy, joyful person beaming with life and energy as she entertains her crowd. The painful and annoying slow motions shots of her dancing and spinning can be easily overlooked by these truely awesome performances, a brilliant and beautiful performer with and amazing voice. A great show! I can't wait to actually see her live now.

While I do enjoy Natalie Merchant's music, I was extremely disappointed with the concert on DVD. Video quality was marginal and the audio mixing was terrible. Some instruments are barely audible while others are grossly overpowering (as is her vocals in several occasions). The lack of traditional "additional material" on DVDs is also glaring. This one pales in comparison to any concert on DVD or VHS.

I just obtained Live in Concert-Natalie Merchant on DVD and it is a great showcase for Natalie. It truly captures the feel of her live show, which you must attend for real if you get the chance. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars was for the fact that there is nothing extra on the DVD, which I found rather disappointing. It is a shame when this wonderful media is not used to it fullest potential. The only benefit is that you are able to skip the fan interviews and go right to the concert. This title would be just fine purchased on VHS.

Natalie's music as a solo artist has always been a thought provoking look to human condition. Most of the times it is presented in a very haunting and gloomy perspective but it is meant to be that way so that we could relate to her how she feels about certain things.

In this concert, she was able to perfectly deliver to her audience all the emotions her songs contain. I must warn you though, most of it are not in a light mood.

My favorite is her cover of Katell Keineg's "Gulf of Araby", I cried when I first heard it as it is a very powerful performance and the message it says is so real especially of the current state of the world. The song, as a piece of poetry, is already an amazing material but together with the music, it is just devastating. Everytime I listen to this song, it still gives me goosebumps.

Other songs such as "Beloved Wife", sounded better in the concert than on the CD. Her yearning voice for a loss of a beloved is just so real and haunting. It makes me feel what it is like to lose a loved one.

Ophelia, contrary to the comments of the others here, is a great choice as an opening song. A haunting and moving song about the many things that a woman could be.

These are days, is a good version but I found it dry compared to her performance in MTV unplugged.

Space Oddity is another favorite, Break Your Heart, though a good song did not live up to my expectations as a live performance. I found it dry too.

Overall, the concert is worth the watch for people who appreciates and loves life. You must be in a reflecting and open mind mood when you watch it, if you are a non-Natalie fan.