Customer Reviews

Mary J. Blige - Live in Los Angeles

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I couldn't agree more with the other reviews here.

I'm not much for filmed concerts of any musical genre. They usually fall flat and there's so much camera work that it's hard to stay focused on the music. Not so with "Live In Los Angeles".

To say this concert is enjoyable is an understatement. We were dancing in our seats, waving our hands, applauding and felt young again watching Mary. It's not about costumes and glitz on stage. The music and the voice are what's commanding your attention here. You can't help but be caught up in the mastery of Ms. Blige's voice. She has never sounded better to my ears.

From the whirlwind groove of hit singles she starts the show with to the quieter thought provoking "Children of the Ghetto" centerpiece, then back for more uptempo songs through the end, Mary's energy and passion for the music and lyrics never wavers. The band is superb and those back up singers...WOW!!!

Not one song is ever lipsynched to. Brava, Mary!

Now I can't wait for the performance at House of Blues to be released shortly. You've made me a fan, Mary.

Just thought I would post this as Amazon has not done that yet.

You Remind Me Remix
You Don't Have To Worry
Real Love
Be Happy
Love No Limit
My Love
I'm The Only Woman
I Can Love You
Message In Our Music
Children Of The Ghetto
My Life
Your Child
The Love I Never Had
Not Gon' Cry
It's A Wrap
Love & Life
Free
No More Drama
Love @ 1st Sight
(You Are) Everything
Willing & Waiting
Not Today
Family Affair

On an additional note, I saw Mary in 2002 in San Diego and the show was amazing!!! I'm sure this DVD will be as well.

Sometimes I wonder why I say LIVE FROM LOS ANGELES is Mary J. Blige's best DVD. It's not what I'd recommend to Mary beginners who may need the testimonials of Hollywood glitterati to get how great Mary is. For those who need the endorsements of P Ditty, Sting and Elton John to get Mary, I suggest the House of Blues DVD. There you will see Jessica Simpson, Ellen DeGeneres and Kelly Osbourne bowing at the alter of Mary.

But without a doubt LIVE FROM LOS ANGELES is a better DVD. A tribute to her fans without whom she states she is `nobody' in the opening sequence featuring Beyonce's father, it is better precisely because it is free from the phony baloney of celebrity. Here the gigantic Los Angeles stadium is filled with Mary fans. And this DVD perfectly captures Mary's emotional connection with them.

LIVE FROM LOS ANGELES takes the viewer on a voyage through the legendary albums, the monster hits and the now mythic story of Mary J. Blige, a singer from the projects of Yonkers, New York, who is unfortunately short changed by the nickname, "The Queen of Hip Hop Soul."

In truth Mary is just a great singer, whose talents transcend the boundaries of specific genres. And in her bones she knows how to connect with her audience.

In this concert, Mary looks happy, her voice sounds great and effortless and she seems self confident, sober and more accepting of herself than at any time in career which makes LIVE FROM LOS ANGELES, her best DVD.

If you are Mary beginner I recommend you start with the House of Blues concert that was also released in 1994 during Grammy Week and features artists you may be more familiar with including Sting and Elton John.

But if you already love her music and are ready for the real deal Mary concert, LIVE FROM LOS ANGELES is fantastic. Not only is the sound quality good, the songs utterly beautiful and Mary's voice crisp, clear and effortless, but Mary herself looks good and just acts like a lady who finally gets and accepts herself.

I am sure that to some that may sound like Mary is full of herself here, but that is hardly the case. Mary is at the very least the Aretha Franklin of our generation but more than that, she is also probably on par with a Pavoratti, who like Mary had to come to terms with owning one of the greatest voices in history. I am thrilled Mary has finally accepted that and has become a Mary fan, too.

Returning to Los Angeles for the first time since "The Tour" in 1998, Mary J. Blige's "Love & Life Tour" was captured on April 20, 2004 with a performance that can best be described as LEGENDARY!! Backed with a seven-piece band led by bassist Zachary Scott, keyboardists Carnell Thigpen & Luke Motley and the explosive rhythms of Rex Hardy, Jr., six dancers, and four of the most talented background vocalists ever assembled on a live stage, she took me on a journey back through time and hit me with the future Mary J. in a resounding fashion. The arrangements, the energy, the warmth of her sincerity, her humility and words of encouragement throughout the entire DVD are all unparallel. She literally gave me chills singing Philip Bailey's classic, "Children of the Ghetto." The way she personified it reveals the agony she experienced growing up. Another creative aspect of the film is when we see Mary J. depicted being surrounded by a mass of producers at a table telling her how to be successful. She bellows, "The fans have cried and damned near died with me. Y'all can't even relate to Mary J. Blige." Just as she walks out of the room, with her husband Kendu Issacs tailing her, we see a shot of Mathew Knowles (Beyonce's father) trying to convince her about generating profits. She reiterates, "If we don't have the fans, we don't exist." This was the film's ultimate theme. We get to know Mary personally. What's missing in today's entertainment industry is the closeness of an artist to the fan base. As the album continues to enlighten, her voice is better than ever on the live show. She worked wonders on every song, especially with "My Life," "Your Child," "The Love I Never Had," featuring a hot guitar solo by Shon Hinton, "No More Drama" & "Everything." [I sure wish she would have done "Missing You," "Love Is All We Need," "All That I Can Say" and "Give Me You" live!!! No biggie!!] Her band literally electrified the stage as every song was accurately translated and performed with such tenacity. In its conclusion, she sings "Family Affair" and the band incorporates a portion of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" as the dancers paying homage to the King of Pop with their flashy choreography. WOW!! This is a very poignant live DVD. Big ups to Mathew Knowles, J. Kevin Swain, and Merck Mercuriadis at Sanctuary Urban for producing such an awesome feature. After years of so much pain and suffering, "Live from Los Angeles" is a definite remedy to the life of MJB!!

I have to admit, I purchased the DVD because I've never seen Mary live. I was lifted for the entire concert. It became a point with the surround sound, the subs and all that I thought I was there in Los Angeles.

This DVD was crystal clear as far as sound and lighting is concerned. There seemed to be little or no editing flaws on this concert DVD. The overall concert was non-stop fingaz' snap'n, toe tap'n energy. Some songs where done in Medley format which is always good for Live performances, but in the same breath she took her time with: Children of the Ghetto', and a couple of other joints.

All that I can say is "WOW" Mary J. Blige and team delivered a testimony in form of a concert. I definitely recommend this DVD for anyone who's going through something in there life. You know her testimony. Also if the Shoe fits where it!

Mary J Blige's concert from Los Angeles came out so beautifully on the DVD! She sounds superb vocally after more than a decade in music. She smartly does a medley of her past hits before moving to the central part of the concert. She has visual parts in the show with the dancers acting out the lyrics she sings. Children of the Ghetto is so very well done by her. And songs like My Life, Not Gon' Cry, No More Drama, Family Affair, You Don't Have To Worry, Love At First Sight and many others sound quite good live. Her band and singers sound superb all throughout! Had a lot of the crowd on its feet during most of the songs. Mary does a fine job talking to the crowd about her life, her past experiences, her struggles, her fighting back and other aspects between the songs. It makes the show livelier too.

I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING MARY SINCE SHE SANG BACKUP FOR FATHER M.C.
I LOVE HER!

HER MUSIC IS HEARTFELT AND THE DVD IS WONDERFUL!
I LIKE WHEN SHE TALKS ABOUT HER PAST!
GOD BROUGHT HER THROUGH THE ROUGH TIMES!

SHE IS HAPPY AND MARRIED TO A WONDERFUL MAN FROM MY HOME TOWN!
DETROIT!
I AM SO PROUD OF HER, SHE DESERVES TO BE HAPPY!
5 STAR DVD *****

This is truly a testimonial. Mary really did her thing on this DVD! Her singing was so heart wrenching & true to heart that I cried especially "Children of the Ghetto" & "No More Drama. Mary is a true performer with no holds barred. Her performance and stage presence has excelled over the the years, she is like fine wine...She gets better with time. I have been an avid fan since the 411 because Mary has never stopped puttin' out the hits. I hope she continues to soar to greater heights. This is a must buy, must see DVD to add to your collection! Where would Hip Hop be without Mary's contribution?

WOW, was all i could say after watching this DVD. I have not been to a Mary J Concert since the 2000, "Mary Show", and that was awesome. But this was incredible. For all the true Mary fans that was waiting for Mary to have a tour DVD this is for you... Mary put so much feeling into the songs it was scary. She was hitting every note, and she really bared her soul. I would suggest this DVD to any Mary fan. It also had a few behind the scenes shots, with preparing and at the tour. Mary's vocals went to another level on this one, and as usual she gives her all into it. All I can say is Buy this DVD you will not be dissapointed.

Mary J. Blige was the front runner in the genere of "Hip Hop Soul". A genere basically started with her and Puffy. She is the undisputed Queen of Hip Hop Soul, my generations Aretha Franklin. I have to give Mary props, she always kills it live. I still get chills down my spine when I watch her classic 2002 Grammy Performance, where she threw down "No More Drama". You feel Mary's pain, love, sorrows, joys when she sings. She is one of the few singers that can do that to me. Im glad she has overcome so many deamons, and hope she stays strong, she deserves it. Back to the DVD, ITS HOT. BUY IT NOW. I was feeling down last night, so I popped in this DVD, and went to "Marys Church". The raw emotion that comes out of her is supurb. She's great.