Customer Reviews

The Signature Diva

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

 

 

There is not a whole lot to this DVD. Any fan of Chaka knows it is difficult getting live material on DVD, so this is a welcome addition. But with only 6 fully live recording songs (all from the "Whatcha Gonna Do For Me" era), this DVD leaves you really hungry.
The tracks include "We Can Work It Out", "I Know You..I Live You" (a real good version, Chaka's voice is in great shape, and she looks like she reallly is enjoying singing), "The Melody Still Lingers On (Night In Tunesia)" (Chaka's vocals here really amaze you, her scatting is excellent, and follows the beat of the music perfectly), "Any Old Sunday" and "Whatcha Gonna Do For Me". Unfortunately, at 35 minutes, you don't get the entire show, and you certainly are deprived of some great music from the "Whatcha" project (particularly "Fate", and "Father, He Said").
If you're a fan, you're going to buy this, because this was a period when Chaka was playing with some great musicians, and live Chaka is always difficult to obtain. If you're looking for some live Chaka, the BET on Jazz DVD is a better offering. But here's hoping that SOMEONE will release the Live from Hammersmith show recorded at the peak of "I Feel For You" mania.

Hey Chakaholics
The recent Chaka Khan 'Signature Diva' is a must have for your collection. While the DVD lacks the polish (no 5.1 surround sound for example!) of a major release it does showcase Chaka throwing down @ The Roxy. The concert seems to be a promotional show for the THEN-NEW 'What Cha Gonna Do For Me ?' album from 1981, and Chaka is quite exceptional!! With regards to Chaka's vocals, she seemed to be a bit restrained, and there was a little friendly interaction with the crowd during the brief set. Most of the key songs from Chaka's 1981 album are performed, and she throws in a version of 'I'm Every Woman' at the end, in which she does a better job TODAY than on this DVD.
Since getting a Live Chaka Khan DVD is at the top of any fan's list, I recommend this for the completist 'Chakaholic', and F.Y.I., the Diva is doing her famous Chaka dance, while wearing an all Black outfit (without a bra I might add for the fellas!!). Her weight is also quite pleasant, and she seems to be in good spirits while sweatin up a storm on the Roxy's stage.
DVD bonus features include a photo gallery (many of the pictures were TAKEN FROM the 'Chaka's World' website, but I won't trip!!), Discography, and a rare 'Cover Story' episode/interview of Chaka & her mother that was recently seen on Ebay as a VHS tape.If you enjoyed the recet 'Intimate Portraits' on Chaka, this bonus interview would be a great supplement.
Peace, S.D.
(fr.'Chaka's World')

There is no doubting Chaka Khan has a fantastic voice but I feel this concert on dvd leaves the fan a bit short.Only six songs and alot lacking in energy and excitement.Extra footage on the dvd has been sourced from old vhs tapes complete with line dropout.Bits of the concert that should be on this dvd are shown on the extra footage and this is what the fans deserve to see.Due to the lack of material on these soul superstars fans have to buy only what is available.My advise is to wait untill the real 1980s concert becomes availble and then we can see Chaka in all her glory.

Though this is a shortened version of the original 1981 Roxy concert, I highly recommend this DVD.

Unlike the mediocre "BET On Jazz" DVD, Chaka seems very comfortable with the material on "Signature Diva" and she maintains a connection with the audience. Judging from her spirited performance here, she seems to actually be enjoying herself. Not to mention her voice is exceptional here.

The real treat here is the inclusion of "A Night In Tunisia", which was deleted from the original Roxy concert release. Famed jazz duo, The Brecker Brothers (Randy and Michael) add a lot of spice to Khan's dynamic band. The DVD also contains a revealing interview which originally aired only in Europe in 1986 and a nice photo gallery.

There are several songs missing here from the original concert that would have taken this DVD over the top. However, Khan's presentation of these few select songs is so vivacious, it leaves you hard-pressed to find any wrong with this DVD.

This DVD is a must, especially considering it is difficult to find footage of Khan from this particular era. An energetic performance, fantastic material and a tight band make this DVD a winner!

This was a very good dvd. I may be bias because the concert featured music from one of my favorite solo albums of Chaka's...What Cha Gonna Do For Me. Anyhoo, she looks and sounds great. She has heavyweight musicians backing her and her brother and Lee Maiden (Tony's wife) singing background vocals all adds up to a great performance. The additonal features dvds afford us the comsumer was cool. I really liked the biography and pictures of Chaka's early days. An avid Chaka fan, must own this dvd.

WHAT CAN I SAY CHAKA IS THE DIVA OF STRONG VOCALS AND AWESOME BACKUP MUSIC. LISTEN TO HER AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK SOUL SHAKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you love this woman as much as me this DVD is ESSENTIAL! The DVD is short but it packs a mighty punch! The brilliant sexy Chaka performs Live at the Roxy in New York City in June of 1981. INCREDIBLE band, gotta be one the greatest live bands ever. Steve Ferrone on drums, Anthony Jackson on bass, Stuart Hamish on guitar and the Brecker Brothers. This is one the few DVD's where you see Chaka performing in her prime years. The DVD also has a great biography featurette that was made in 1986 where there are great interviews with Chaka and her mother! Great DVD from one of the greatest singers of our generation. The title of the DVD is kinda misleading. It should have been called "Chaka Khan Live at The Roxy 1981"

This was at a time when Chaka Khan had begun to have throat problems. Having seen Chaka perform many times, with and without Rufus and I have never heard her this strained for notes where it would normally seem effortless. Of all the footage that could have been shown to portray the signature diva there sure didn't seem to be much thought put into the footage that would represent her true artistry. Compare her 20th century women DVD or even the BET live footage and you can see a dramatic difference. Although, it's not terrible, the whole concert is short and just not felt. I've waited for some time to hear/see her older hits, minus all jazz, being put to DVD, but I was greatly disappointed because many a time I've seen and heard better.

I really did not know what to expect when I ordered this DVD. I was pleasantly surprised. Being an avid Chaka fan, I enjoyed the content and quality of the DVD. It was so nice seeing Chaka in 1981, etc. The footage is really archival and the interviews are quite interesting.