Customer Reviews

Party at the Palace - The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace [VHS]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I purchased the DVD of this concert, hoping to see the parts that had been left out of the VH-1 viewing, but, also, to see more of the introductions and extended versions of songs by the more famous performers. Although some of the songs are on display here (most notably the set with Queen and the cast of 'We Will Rock You') there is also a considerable amount left out. There is not one second of Dame Edna's hilarious introduction of Paul McCartney; nor is George Martin's heart-warming introduction of Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney's version of 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' included. Instead, there is a very bland voice-over, which takes a lot of the emotion and humor out of the day.

There is also far too much of flash-in-the-pan artists I've never heard of before, and might not hear of tomorrow. It's refreshing to see the crowd's enthusiasm for Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey, and the classics of British rock, including Ray Davies, Steve Winwood, and Rod Stewart. But, the concert opens with a set by Ricky Martin. What does Ricky Martin have to do with Britain, and why is he opening the concert?

Her Majesty looks uncomfortable, as usual, with her subjects, as she makes the obligatory nod and stroll past the superstars. The Prince of Wales, on the other hand, seems downright relaxed and even flirts with some of the back-up singers, before giving a heartfelt speech. The two young princes seem to be stuck between two worlds, working the crowd of pop icons, while wearing their suits and keeping their place.

I did a lot of fast-forwarding on this DVD, and, except for the highlights of the classic stars, this DVD really isn't a must-see.

What an incredible concert! 12,000 people in the garden behind Buckingham Palace and over 1,000,000 gathered outside the Palace. Well over twice as many people as attended the original Woodstock back in '69.

OK, I could have done without Ricky Martin and Tom Jones... and what was Tony Bennet doing there? But the rest of the line-up was incredible. Brian May of Queen playing "God Save The Queen" from the roof of Buckingham Palace and Eric Clapton doing "Layla" both gave me goose bumps. Phil Collins played drums for almost everyone. Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, Steve Winwood, Ray Davies and Ozzie sounded great. Brian Wilson looked more zombied-out than Ozzie and did a great rendition of "Warmth of the Sun" with Clapton. Dame Edna was a hoot! Sir Paul McCartney capped it off with everyone singing along to "Hey Jude".

I actually got to be there in person. The concert blew this 50 year old Texas boy away! The DVD makes an excellent keep-sake of my first trip across the big pond...

One and a half really, but that's not a choice here. If you have to own everything Beatles-related, then you are stuck with this sad excuse for a concert video. To not have a 5.1 soundtrack on a DVD that was recorded recently is unbelievable ... To have a sticker on the case saying as seen on VH1, and not even include all the performances that were shown on VH1 is unbelievable... To leave out ALL of McCartney's solo performances (only "duets" and big group encores are included, minus even one of those) and include song after song of no-name, barely talented bores is just UNBELIEVABLE.

I guess this thing is around 3 hours? I sat there with the remote having to fast forward through almost everything. I feel sorry for those poor people who were actually there and had to sit through this in person without a fast forward.

The picture was filmed nice and clear, but the same genius who decided to leave out all the good stuff, must be the same [person] who thinks a great DVD bonus is watching fireworks on TV. What an inspired use of video time. If I ever take this down off the shelf to watch again (not just to maybe goof on with friends), that means someone has broken into the house and stolen all the other DVDs.

This could have been a much more enjoyable concert if not for the simply ridiculous continual cutting away to long shots, and the flitting from shot to shot. A little pulling back once in a while would have been fine, but each time a performer was introduced, the first 20 seconds or so was spent re-emphasizing that, yes, there was still a huge crowd of people there. As the DVD goes on, it gets more and more annoying. Seldom do you see more than two or three seconds of anything (except the long shots, of course). This spastic approach to editing was especially irritating when Prince Charles finished his speech and we were treated to yet another shot from a quarter mile away before seeing Her Majesty's reaction. There was just no sense of pacing, or of getting the moment. Not a bad concert at all (although I found myself skipping things here and there) but absolutely maddening to watch. For all the work and expense put into it, there should have been money in the budget to hire an editor with a sense of what people enjoy watching.

Party at the Palace is one of my new favorite dvd's.The line up of performers and the songs they sing is great.You wont find any hip hop artists on this one.The fireworks display is amazing.The picture and sound quality is great also.The camera angles are also very good.My only complaint is that they cut 3 of Sir Paul McCartney's songs (Sgt.Pepeprs reprise/The end,Blackbird,& Her Majesty) but I taped the shorter version of this from vh1 and it has Sgt.Peppers on it so atleast I have that. I hate to say it but I think this dvd is much better than the Concert for New York one. I highly recommend this dvd to anyone who likes to own concerts.

This is a very nice dvd, because many very good artists perform very goods songs. It's a pitty some songs of the concert are not on the dvd, but I still enjoy it very much.

I have watched this DVD many times since my purchase a few months ago. There are so many wonderful artists here, and the song selections they have made have really added to their respective performances. First, Paul McCartney is present, and he is always excellent, but here, he actually supports Eric Clapton in a tribute to George Harrison. They play Harrison's majestic "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Clapton does another wonderful version of "Layla", in addition. Albert Lee, and Phil Collins are in the main band that supports most of the artists. Joe Cocker is brilliant! The Black Sabbath song, "Paranoid" features Ozzy with Tony Iommi. Brian May, with Dallas Taylor, then begins a routine that sees the cast of "We Will Rock You" arrive and back them up on a Queen medley that is breath-taking!
I was surprised at how good the Tom Jones segment is. Jones does new new songs that are as good as any of his older ones!

There are bands that I was introduced to for the first time. The Corrs are three sisters, and a brother, from Ireland. After they did a song here, I went out and purchased a DVD of their regular show. I adore this band! Also, "Toploader" is a young, British group that reminded me of what a group from about 1964, sounded like. I could say much more about this wonderful disc, but it would all be just good reports about enjoyable performances, mainly. The joy of a DVD is that one does not have to view/hear songs that one does not like. I only suffered though the Brian Wilson segment one, or two times. He is good at what he does, but I don't care for beach music. Also, there is a spice girl here, and she seems to primarily be interested in getting the attention of Prince William. That is fun as well!

In comparison to other shows available on DVD, this one is well worth the price. The background is beautiful, of course, and no expense is spared with stage decor,etc. This is just a very good show to have for repeated viewings.

A cracking reliving of the day itself! I wasn't lucky enough to be there in person, but sat glued to the TV for the whole show. Though I was there at the palace the following day to see the jubilee carnival, procession, flypast, and balcony appearance.

Speak to the Brits who watched it and you'll have got an almost universal thumbs up. Yup a complete mix of styles, and all the better for it: Queen, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Bennet all on the same bill! Most people will have found a few flat spots, but in different places for each viewer, indicating to me that they got a superb all-round mix.

And what a happy vibe there was - cracking to see the orchestral section getting down and grooving while not playing (not at all stuffy). And a superb sense of humour to play on the Queen monarch/band theme.

Just to address some of the other reviews: bands like Atomic Kitten and Will Young may be "no-names" in the US, but are currently some of the most popular UK acts - bear in mind that this was a distinctively British show, in the same way that the Brits would have been scratching their heads at some of the US "no-names" in any of the big US shows.

Little was cut from this DVD - mainly some of the weaker comedian links (thankfully!)

My saddest cut was Paul McCartney singing "Her Majesty". Completely irreverent, but totally inspired - I couldn't believe he'd had the nerve at the time!

Elton's piece was live, but broadcast from inside the palace.

Why Kermit at the closing line-up? He was one of the link acts between songs who was cut from the DVD.

This is a great DVD I purchased as a gift to my brother.
Howvwre the Product has not been delivered to him yet?
Can you please let me have some shipping details with Air way bills etc. so I can trace this item

I like this DVD very much. I enjoy watching it with my family. We all like these stars in the party.