Customer Reviews

Michael McDonald- This Christmas Live In Chicago

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Michael McDonald's husky singing voice has so far earned him 5 Grammys with his unique timbre making this blu-ray Christmas concert 'a must buy'! Note however, this is no 'Frosty the Snowman' or'Jingle bells' concert. The tracks are carefully selected to keep you mood without being too heavy. Michael opens (and closes) the show with the Doobie Brothers, with over a dozen solo Christmas renditions in between - a sterling performance!

Many of the songs featured on this blu-ray are from Michael's 2009 holiday album `This Christmas' - listen to the samples first if you are unfamiliar with Michael McDonald's husky singing voice.

(SEE MY PHOTOS IN CUSTOMER IMAGES)

BLU-RAY TRACK LISTING:

1. It Keeps You Runnin'
2. I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)
3. Sweet Freedom
4. Every Time Christmas Comes Around
5. On This Night
6. This Christmas
7. Come, O Come Emanuel
8. Wexford Carol
9. Christmas On The Bayou
10. I'll Be Home For Christmas
11. That's What Christmas Means To Me
12. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
13. Peace
14. White Christmas/ Winter Wonderland
15. Minute By Minute
16. What A Fool Believes
17. Takin' It To The Streets

Bonus Track: Hallelujah (cover of the Leonard Cohen's classic)

This is one of the very few Hi Def blu-ray Christmas concerts available. It is mastered in 1080i HD video and the audio includes both DTS and 5.1 Surround Sound.

If you are a Michael McDonald fan, or just love great music, then this 2010 Holiday release is a must buy! I gave it 5 STARS!

Hope this review was helpful...

Season's Greetings Everyone - Jeffrey A. (Jeff)

If you are a Michael McDonald fan as I am, YOU MUST PURCHASE THIS DVD! I am not going to spoil the surprising performance, but this performance is different from any other DVD Mike has made. It starts off with a few of the well known songs Mike plays, then watch and enjoy! You can buy this any day of the year for the surprises in this performance.
Excellent seller, Thanks!

I only wanted to have a bluray concert, in preparation for some Christmas parties. I ended up with one of my favorite concerts, in my 3 categories:

1) Content - The beautiful baritone voice of Michael with a well-selected repertoire
2) Audio - Couldn't get better.
3) Video - Reference quality!

Regardless that it is not quite Christmas yet, but this concert will inspire your heart, especially if you have a love for quality music. Michael McDonald has never issued a live album, He has done a couple of soundstages and this 3rd concert from 2009 in Chicago. It is a shame the first two were edited from the origonal shows. atleast 3 songs were cut per DVD, which brought them to barely 58 Minutes, including his Tribute NAMM show from 2000, it was a 2 hour + concert cut down to 70 minutes. While most concerts have available 90 + minutes for DVD for some reason it took 2 soundstages to finally issue the full show.

Now getting to "This christmas". It appears this is the full complete show recorded and issued to home DVD format. The audio has great seperation and a DTS Loseless clarity that makes U feel Michael is only singing to you in your living room. The Hidef transfer is 1080i not quite perfet but pretty dam awsome. I do not know why "Hallelujh" was not edited into the show in one sequence, but that cut is worth the price alone. There is a nice mix of holiday classics, Origonal (M.McD.) holiday tunes and a few of his solo and Doobie Bros. cuts mixed in. Which makes for a well worth mix of Michael McDonald and his talented band. If you do not own 1.Gathering of friends Trib. to Michael McDonald 2000 2.Michael McDonald Soundstage or 3. Michael McDonald A Tribute to Motown (Non Hidef only). then atleast grab this concert and get a feel for Michael McDonald LIVE". Not quite like seeing him in person, but a very good start. Hopefull, one day Michael will issue a live concert CD and Bluray of a complete carieer retrospec, either all recorded currently or a mixture of live shows from the past to current, there is nothing like hearing "Here To Love You" Solo verson live" and many other Michael McDonald POWERFUL Live" vocals and exceptional piano solos and playing. Also those trade mark screams. Like on his studio verson of "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me" from His 2008 Soul Speak CD...Rock On Michael. Looking foward to hearing your new (Untittled)project with Robben Ford in 2011, I hope we get to hear Michael McDonald sing the blues, It will blow you away.... Grab this Bluray and have a happy holiday season. Mike Sippie

some very good moments but some only so so. He has a major talent so I take what is offered. No one like Michael McD.

I have all of Michael's DVD'S and most of his CD'S,I find this to be excellent great video and superb audio,this is so good I bought the DVD and the Bluray,he is kickin butt and the Band are cookin,great songs,great grooves,go buy it you won't be disappointed, and if you are please get off this planet cause you don't appreciate Great Quality Music.

Thanks for the great service. If you like a great show you will love this DVD. Great music by a outstanding artist!

Was expecting some real Christmas tunes but the changes in melody made it off the mark.

But I have to say that the rendetion of Have yourself a Merry Christmas was worth 20 dollars.