Customer Reviews

Live from London (CD/DVD)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Back in 1982 Dolly Parton did a world tour that included a stop in London. That show was recorded for HBO and released on VHS in 1983. That show is one of my favorites but long out of print. In 2008 Dolly was once again in London and 25 years later she's showing that she's still got it. I've seen Dolly's live show five times over the past few years. "Dolly Live From London" is the show you see when you go to see her. Some of her stories have been edited out (she does a lot of talking in between songs) but for the most part you get the show as you would see it live. Dolly's jokes haven't changed much since that 1983 show, but she has the ability to deliver them as if it's the first time she's ever told them.
Musically you get all the hits you'd expect to hear. Yes, the show is as fun as it looks on video. If you haven't gotten the chance to catch her live then "Dolly Live From London" is just what you need. After watching/listening to it, you'll want to make sure you get a ticket next time she's in your town!!

I have been a steady Dolly fan for quite a while now and I have really nearly listened or seen everything she has ever done, but I have yet to see her LIVE! I walked in a 24 hour store and got this as SOON as it hit the shelf! It was thoroughly impressed, to say the least! Dolly shows no signs of losing ANY vocal control or range for being in the industry for over 55 years, that alone is nothing short of a miracle. She sang all her classics and even did some of her most recent hits. The most important part of this 2 CD Combo is the DVD. You really get to see Dolly and connect with her as if you were at the show yourself. A true showman, Dolly makes you laugh with her country charm and then makes you darn near cry with her well crafted ballads. The audio is superb! With Live recordings it's near impossible to satisfy my ears, but this was an incredible performance that was recorded, mixed, and packaged flawlessly. I recommend this CD new Dolly fans and to her fans that have been following her for years. You WILL NOT be disappointed!

This is by FAR Dolly's Best LIVE Album to Date ! I Received this CD/DVD in My Dolly Records LFL Package that I Pre-Ordered from [...]! Let Me Tell You, it was Worth Every Penny ! Aside from the New Album, it Included a 14x22 Authentic Hatch Show Print, which was Printed in the Historic Nashville Print Shop , and Dolly Autographed it By Hand in Black Sharpie. An Amazing Poster to go with an Amazing New Live CD/DVD. Speaking of the DVD Portion, the Extras are STUNNING and The Actual Concert is PHENOMENAL in every Aspect of the Word ! The Way the Audience Interacts is Amazing ! I Definitely Recommend this Album to EVERYONE ! You Will Not Regret it , I promise :) 1,000,000 Stars and THEN Some !

Dolly Parton is a legend in the country world who has released many live videos throughout her career and her latest Live From London is probably her best. This CD/DVD combo, recorded at the O2 arena, is a must for fans of country and Dolly as she shows no matter what age you are, you can still sing like no other. The DVD is worth the price as it's shot beautifully and the sound is well mixed. This combo adds up to one great Dollylicious experience you want to watch and listen to over and over again.

Such vitality at her present age...and every bit as good as ever. Dollie's songs are personal and very diverse.

Dolly just seems to bring so much joy to everyone. The British people really love her.(me too) This is a good set.

"Dolly Parton-Live From London" was taped during the summer of 2008 during Dolly's "Backwoods Barbie World Tour" at London's famed O2 Arena. The O2 is most famous now for being the last arena in which Michael Jackson was scheduled to appear in a series of concerts before his death. In this superb CD/DVD set fans get an insight into the kind of superstar Dolly is. With state-of-the art camera work and an impeccable sound system, Dolly has never looked or sounded better on a live recording. She performs all her huge hits from the opening number of "Two Doors Down" to "Coat of Many Colors", "9 to 5", "Islands in the Stream" (which she performs with her backup singer Richard Dennison), and "I Will Always Love You". Dolly sings many songs from her "Backwoods Barbie" CD such as "Only Dreamin'" (her personal favorite from that particular album), the title track, and the closing number "Jesus and Gravity". The best performance on this set is Dolly's soaring rendition of her first million seller, "Here You Come Again", which she has released as the first video and single. There is also 50 minutes of bonuses which features Dolly backstage in rehearsals and at soundchecks, interviews with those who work for her, and interactions with the fans. "Live From London" is a collection of 15 songs performed by the greatest entertainer in the world and with this set we get to see why Dolly is so well-loved by people everywhere around the globe; during this show (which was a sellout) 18,000 people attended. A neat package in that not only do we get a CD recording of this impeccable concert, but a live DVD as well. Dolly performs over a dozen instruments leading the UK Telegraph to state, "There's no doubting the country diva's continued abilities as a musician". Miss Parton also has many other live recordings available including her "Live and Well" CD and DVD from 2004, her "Heartsongs" CD from 1994, the VHS available only "Live in London" from 1983, and the classic "A Real Live Dolly" from 1970 that recently became available on CD for the first time. Sadly, "Live From London" was not a sales success, debuting only at #36 country, becoming the lowest-charting Dolly Parton album in 19 years.

The nice thing about going to a Dolly Parton concert, or so it would seem after watching this DVD since I haven't had the privilege myself, is that you're treated to more than just the songs you love and the flashing lights that make a good stage show stick in your brain. She seems to be one of the few artists, that I can think of, that actually appears to care about the fans sitting in the audience and the people who helped her get to where she is today. I personally appreciated the little stories she would tell between songs, and she definitely added that personal touch that makes the music HERS and not some words on a page. Despite being filmed in a giant arena in London, it had the intimacy of a fireside chat in your own living room with an old friend.

Unfortunately that intimacy didn't translate so well over to the live CD, which cuts out all the speaking interludes and song introductions. Not a huge deal; it's still pleasant enough to have playing in the background at the office or while working around the house, but it certainly does make a short concert even shorter. I didn't see it noted anywhere, but I'm wondering if even the DVD has been edited. Fifteen songs over an hour and 20 minutes just doesn't seem like all that much from a person like Dolly Parton who literally has hundreds of songs she could had chosen from. I also suspect she lip-synched two or three songs, which struck me as odd since her voice is perfectly beautiful live (if not more so than on her records) and they weren't particularly vocally demanding songs either, i.e. Backwoods Barbie.

Anyhow, I rate this item highly because despite some questionable production and editing choices, Dolly herself is at the top of her game and you can tell she sincerely wants to entertain and give people a good time, which successfully comes across onscreen.

I have always liked Dolly Parton and just heard of this DVD. I also listened to Dolly's interview with English stage-star and singer Michael Ball on BBC Radio. That got me fired up to purchase this DVD.

I was not a bit disappointed. The performances were great - I never expected less. But I really enjoyed the personal asides and the "extras" from the cast and crew. They allowed me to feel a little bit closer to the Dolly and to the whole crew.

Dolly knows how to put on a good show. And I was not disappointed. If you like Dolly Parton, this DVD is highly recommended. If you don't like Dolly, or don't know her, give this DVD a go anyway. You might find it grows on you.

I have watched LFL every Fiday night since I received the DVD. Dolly put on a magical performance. The British Fans also sounded wonderful. I think her LFL concert version of "I will always love you" was the best I have ever heard. Her piano version of The grass is blue was amazing. Little sparrow still gives me chills. Dolly still has an amazing voice.