Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)From the opening musical intro (a wonderfully tongue in cheek version of "The Bitch is Back", sung by her backing vocalists), to the very last notes of "Put Your Hands Together", this concert is a MUST see for any music fan, and of course, a total treat for anyone who calls themselves a true Dusty Springfield afficionado.
The evening is full of energy and shows Dusty Springfield in the best light perhaps since her 60s hey dey. Not since then had we seen her so relaxed, so laid-back, so fully committed to entertain her audience.
And entertain she does, going through a wonderfully varied repertoire for this concert. She covers disco ("We Are Family", "You Can Do It", Grace Jones' "On Your Knees"), delivers the big ballads she was known for ("All I See Is You", "I Close My Eyes and Count To Ten", "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me"), delivers a rousing medley of her well known hits, (starting with a mesmerizing few lines of Carole King's "Goin' Back") and as if that weren't enough, she throws in a few brilliant covers of Karla Bonoff's "Lose Again" (made popular by Linda Ronstadt) and Peter Allen's "Quiet Please, There's A Lady On Stage" in which she reaches Judy Garland-like proportions of showwomanship.
The picture quality is absolutely AMAZING and I love the Main Menu and the other Menus graphics..great sound effects and wonderful pictures of the White Queen of Soul. The sound quality is not as strong as the picture quality, but I guess they did the best they could with what was available on the master tapes.
Dusty looks radiant and performs majestically! The liner notes are actually quite good this time (in my view) and they capture perfectly the spirit of the concert. Dusty does seem more laid-back than ever on this one and yes, there are several small glitches and hiccups vocally as well as technically, but nothing major...and whatever precision is lost is made up for with a wonderful energy and enthusiasm that's wonderful to see.
The interviews are also fantastic..especially Pat Rhodes, Madeleine Bell and Simon Bell. Simon almost made me cry on several occasions, especially towards the end, when it was clear he was also moved and missing Dusty. He is a great guy, and it's clear to see why Dusty wanted him near in her final days.
While Springfield seems to excel at the ballads, what is most surprising is to watch her take command of her audience with an assurance and strength that is still encased in a warm, vulnerable glow. No one else but perhaps a Garland or maybe a Piaf, could make 3,000 people feel as if she was singing only to each of them...individually. That sort of ability is a rare thing indeed, and Dusty Springfield shows it fully during this concert. She has every single audience member in the palm of her hand from beginning to end. This is not something you see very frequently nowadays from a performer. It is something of legend, indeed.
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