Customer Reviews

Marianne Faithfull Sings Kurt Weill (Montreal Jazz Festival)

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OK, I am actually here to buy the DVD, so this is a comment on the performance it is of. Basically, whatever the extra interview stuff they stick on here, a recording of this performance is worth having, at least I think so as I just caught this now-old show on a satellite channel and was compelled to come down to my computer and find out if I could get it on CD or DVD. What you get here musically is not crystal pure tones and pretty brilliance (if you want that kind of a voice you're after Eva Cassidy not Marianne Faithfull), but a performance full of layers and expression. Which is not to say that this is dissonant or difficult, which a lot of people seem to think Weill is: it is melodic, it is compelling, and the lyrics by Brecht are clever and still bite. And it is not to say that Faithfull's voice is less than it could be, it is fine and true, but smoky and mature. She is just hypnotic to listen to and to watch. Not a musical phrase, not a physical gesture is wasted, nor are they overplayed. Great material, superbly performed. The only thing that annoys me about this DVD is that I am having to come to and buy it on the US website because they don't seem to have released it in Europe. All hail the multi-region DVD player.

Marianne Faithfull at her absolute BEST! She is wonderfully raw and her interpretation of Brecht/Weill seems to be what the rest of her career has prepared her for. She infuses this material with pathos, humor and a humanity that shines through completely.
She also interprets the rest of the material with an intelligence that is marvelous.
Her rapport with the audience was captivating, as it always is.
I loved the little Harry Nillson vignette and her candor about her drug abuse was simple and chilling.
If you are a fan of Marianne, Brecht/Weill or just a lover of pure enchantment, you've GOT to experience this wonderful hour of magic! BRAVO.

This is utterly and totally entrancing, a super record of a great live event. And Marianne's encore performance of Coward's "If Love Were All" is, unequivocally, on a par with both Barbara Cook's and Elaine Stritch's interpretations of that awesome song (not comparisons I make lightly).'Nuff said.