Customer Reviews

Sinead O'Connor - Goodnight, Thank You, You've Been a Lovely Audience

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When this DVD was released I nearly melted because I had never seen Sinéad live. And seeing this DVD almost made me feel like a part of the audience. The shots of Sinéad and the band are great. I think the best part of this concert is Sinéad's voice. From the opening track to the last, Sinéad whispers her songs and sings as if to attack. Her voice is very rich and has amazing powers.
I think the only problem with the performance is that it was so short. Sinéad could have easily performed a few more songs. She didn't seem exhausted at all! But taking the songs she did play into consideration, I was very pleased with the selection. The only song which I actually considered boring was The Last Day of Our Acquaintance. But songs such as Nothing Compares 2 U (which is reconstructed in such a beautiful way that it no longer is annoying from being overplayed), I Am Stretched On Your Grave, Fire on Babylon and Thank You For Hearing Me made this concert orgasmic! Trust Me! I got chills watching and hearing it.

As far as the other features of the DVD, the recording of Sean-Nos Nua was very nice, but the videos were kind of, hmmm, boring. I have to admit I could actually not sit through them.

Having said that, the concert is worth the price, if not much more!

I love this DVD. Not only do you see a 68-minute live concert given by Sinead O'Connor in Dublin in 2002, but you also have a 60-minute documentary Song Of Heart's Desire made at around the same time. This program describes the inspiration behind the great singer's recent album of traditional Irish folk songs Sean-nos Nua, and it was screened on TV last year. This prompted me to buy this disc. Very few singers I have seen on TV or in concert can convey such emotional intensity as Sinead O'Connor. My favourite track here is You Made Me The Thief Of Your Heart, which is excellent, and she also gives a stunning performance of Fire On Babylon. The folk numbers are also very strong, and I like them a lot. I highly recommend this DVD to people who like great singing and who have any interest at all in traditional Gaelic folk music.

I don't think so. It strikes me that whether she's ripping up photos or ripping through powerful and emotional songs, Sinead O'Connor seems at herself most in front of an audience. Maybe that's what scares her. All the same, this is a terrific Dublin performance in support of the SEAN NOS NUA CD, the Sinead disc you could play for your granny. Striking a demure pose, while Machiavellingly controlling the off-stage sound and lighting and tech crews with killer stares and clipped directions, O'Connor works her way through material from her across her career. It is an effective reading. It is also considerably more under control than the I DO NOT WANT tour performances that catapulted her from Temple Bar to the forefront of avant rock. Mor 's trua. The edge that's gone or sedated was what took a remarkable artist into the stratosphere. Ever the colleen, although one with an obsession for creating a headlong collision out of Catholicism-Judaism-Rastafarianism-New Age crystals, Sinead nearly blushe sher way through a number of Gaelic standards while facing the audience, then turning toward crew and band with a Gollum like intensity that parries and slays anyone not in lock step with her own sense of direction.
In any case, although she has stated that this would be it as far as her performance and rock career were concerned (well, what is hse going to do? day care? I don't think so), she has stated lotsa stuff to the press. This is what she does well. I can not imagine her sticking to it. It is one thing to proclaim yourself a priestess-pope-natty dread whatever, but sooner or later, that is just another wardrobe change. Even Yusef has returned to song, not "Moonshadow," but song nonetheless because it is a central part of the dna.
Anyway, the extra bits on this DVD are a howl. The videos for the Irish tunes are so amateurly produced they are out and out laughable. The mouth is either way ahead, and I mean WAY AHEAD, of the song or WAY BEHIND. The photography is inept. The special effects are straight out of Dick Clark American Bandstand. There is a bit of discussion about all this carry on that is almost as inane as Spinal Tap. You would swear Eric Idle scripted this, if Sinead and comapny did not look so earnest. But, you can't ask for more pure entertainment. What a deal. So, is this the last day of our acquaintence? Not so fast, Kowalski....

The DVD is amazing; it is up close and personal with Sinead like I have never seen her before and it has bonus material, such as a documentary with her in her home and recording studio talking about each song and what inspired her to sing them. Also, the DVD contains music videos for each Irish folk song. The documentary also talks about the old Irish language and what the songs mean to them with people singing them in traditional Gaelic. I was deeply touched and educated at the same time.

Sinead has such strong spirit with energy flowing through her like a cosmic vessel filling her with universal proportions. I have so much respect for her and admire her strength and confidence. She believes in herself enough to influence the world with her ideology and spiritual feelings. I honestly have listened to her music almost daily for 4 years now, and I don't think I will ever tire of her electrifying voice and passion. Her music has kept me strong and lifted me up when I needed it and gave me renewed strength in my spirit. She makes me feel lucky to be a woman and proud to show my strength without having to lose my femininity. Women can be strong, passionate, natural and logical thinkers without having to be labeled. Thanks Sinead!

Sinead is one of the most amazing live performers I have ever seen. She really puts her heart and soul into her final performance.

I only gave it four stars because I was hoping to hear more of her older stuff. It is mostly traditional Irish folk songs. She does give them new life by adding a new reggae like rhythm. Honestly anything she does is done well...Plus, she sings them in her home town of Dublin. So much passion!!! Buy it just to hear "Fire On Babylon"!!! and her amazing vocal range.Its very moving and she will be missed.

The DVD is amazing; it is up close and personal with Sinead like I have never seen her before and it has bonus material, such as a documentary with her in her home and recording studio talking about each song and what inspired her to sing them. Also, the DVD contains music videos for each Irish folk song. The documentary also talks about the old Irish language and what the songs mean to them with people singing them in traditional Gaelic. I was deeply touched and educated at the same time.

Sinead has such strong spirit with energy flowing through her like a cosmic vessel filling her with universal proportions. I have so much respect for her and admire her strength and confidence. She believes in herself enough to influence the world with her ideology and spiritual feelings. I honestly have listened to her music almost daily for 4 years now, and I don't think I will ever tire of her electrifying voice and passion. Her music has kept me strong and lifted me up when I needed it and gave me renewed strength in my spirit. She makes me feel lucky to be a woman and proud to show my strength without having to lose my femininity. Women can be strong, passionate, natural and logical thinkers without having to be labeled. Thanks Sinead!

The mercurial O'Connor has had one of the most unusual careers in the history of pop/rock music. At 17 she had written and produced her debut album with the kind of brilliance that puts today's teen "faux" talents to shame. She became an alternative rock superstar on the basis of that first million-selling album and its alternative hit singles "Mandinka" and "Troy," even though the "mainstream" would not discover her until her cover of "Nothing Compares 2 U" become a worldwide monster hit and made her a "name" in every household -- not just the alternative ones. Gifted with a stunning, multi-octave, archangelic voice and a writing style that fused the celtic with the confessional, the punk-thrash with the pop, the introspective with the inspirational, Sinead utterly changed the way women were perceived in "postmodern" rock. Very wrongly perceived by the masses as a "one-hit wonder," O'Connor proved in 1990 that, even though 'Nothing Compares' had made her a pop queen, she was still just as much an alternative artist with considerable power -- her self-penned "Emperor's New Clothes" hit No.1 on Billboard's Modern Rock Chart and remained the No.1 alt-hit for the entire year. After this year of dualities and a nod as Rolling Stone's "Artist of the Year," fame (and her own near-prophetic stubborn-streak) took its toll. Once America's elfin darling, she became a pariah when she shredded a photo of the Pope on Live TV in 1992 to protest the institutional cover-ups of child molestation by the Church. Suddenly, the superstar "Bambi in Bovver Boots" became the bald freakazoid witch from the seventh pit of hell, at least in American eyes, and the amazing O'Connor music was never to be given first place again. A booing scene at a Bob Dylan tribute event (of all places) sent her into a decade-long spiral of self-searching, sporadic solo recordings, countless excellent collaborations with other artists, and various minor controversies. But the music never quite stopped. Much of it has found its way onto this seminal DVD recording. O'Connor's most recent album, Sean-nos Nua, brought her back to the original fusion of celtic and modern sounds that always found its way onto her records; this live concert -- her last -- showcases that music before an enthusiastic crowd at the Vicar in Dublin. O'Connor has lost none of her gifts, and even though she is a more subdued performer than in her superstar heyday, she is a better singer, if that is possible. Best of all, she incorporates several tracks from 94's 'Universal Mother' and the best live version of 'Nothing Compares' she's probably ever done. A documentary on the making of her last, brilliant album, rounds out what should be a must-have DVD for rock music collectors, and, certainly, Sinead fans. On the heels of the church scandals that seem to have more than vindicated O'Connor's bold protest in 1992 -- a protest that wrecked her mainstream career and dimmed her superstar status, the sight of her singing so gorgeously and retiring from music with such empowerment is astonishing. Though controversy destroyed her role as superstar, the musical legacy easily has made her a legend. This DVD is a brilliant testament to that legend. Moreover, it is with great inrigue that we learn she will send her career off with a companion piece -- a brand new double-disc album called "She Who Dwells..." coming in September. Still full of surprises.

Sinead shines in this concert, which, thankfully, was not her last. Her voice, as always, is amazing, going from a whisper to a roar. The concert has a personal feel, due to the smallish audience size, which is really nice. During this performance, she sings songs from Sean Nos-Nua, as well as "Nothing Compares to You", and some other favorites (John, I Love You; Fire On Babylon; I am Stretched on Your Grave, Three Babies, among others). The traditional Irish favorites have a new spin on them, beginning with "Molly Malone" that Sinead performs almost as a dirge instead of as the joyful ditty it normally is done as. Upon reflection of the words, though, one realizes that it is about a ghost, after all.

Overall, the tone of this concert is a bit nostalgic. Miss O'Connor billed it as her final performance before retiring to pursue a private life. Thankfully this did not turn out to be the case. But it is reflected in the choice of songs, and the quality of the music. Beautiful as the songs are, and even knowing that it is not her final act, I still find myself getting a bit misty-eyed during while she's singing.

For those of you who, like me, want to not only enjoy the singing, but also get a taste of the personality of the artist, this DVD will not disappoint. Miss O'Connor puts herself entirely into her music while singing, and grins elfishly to her musicians. Her interactions with the audience are pure delight.

There is also some amazing bonus material on this DVD. There are extra videos, and also a documentary about Sinead's music and her love of Irish traditional music. Be sure not to miss it. Fans of Sinead will love this DVD and all the extras. Highest ratings.

After watching this DVD,you will realize that Sinead O'connor is a real human being and not just a controversial rebel who ripped up the Pope's picture and sports a shaved head,but also a loving mother and singer.Sinead's live verision of "Molly Malone" is amazing,every time I watch her perform this song my father and I break down to tears it's so emotional.Sinead nearly cries at the end of most of her songs and the audio on this DVD is just like being there(take my advice,I've seen her live)or listening to the CD,only much more powerful.I strongly recommend all serious Sinead O'connor fans to purchase this moving DVD!!!!

Finally, a DVD containing not only a live concert but a substantial documentary and several bonus videos as well!! The picture and sound quality are great, and there are plenty of close-ups. I'm not sure the camera could have gotten any closer to the singer. The live concert in Dublin makes you feel like you are actually in the audience. Distractions and camera pans of the audience are kept to a minimum . After watching Sinead's older VHS tapes such as "The Year of the Horse," and "The Value of Ignorance," I have a deep appreciation for digital technology! I'm glad to see that there are no fancy special visual effects on this DVD like there were on "The Value of Ignorance." In fact, there's a genuine maturity and rock solid feel of Sinead's performance. Her confidence shines through and she sings each song with gutsy emotion.

You can sense how important it was for her to make a CD like "Sea- Nos Nua." The 30 minute documentary expounds on the eight minute video montage that was included on her CD, "Sean-Nos Nua." It provides insight into Sinead's desire to update some of her favorite traditional Irish folk songs without stripping away their historical and/or emotional essence.

The bonus video of "Peggy Gordon" is very intense and poignant as is the "The Singing Bird." She makes many of the songs appear as though they were her very own, but it's because she has the uncanny ability to get inside the mind, body and soul of the person who originally penned the tune.

This is a 2 1/2 hour DVD and it's a must have for any Sinead O'Connor fan, especially since this may indeed be the end of her musical journey. Enjoy!