Rating: 
Summary: JT Live Beacon Theatre
Review: Excellent, great sound, great picture. If you can't attend his concert in person, this is the next best way. JT is not touring this year(2000), so I'd suggest this DVD. Sit back with a friend (who likes JT), relax and listen. Great concert.
Rating:
Summary: JT Fans rejoice!
Review: If you close your eyes you can't tell if you're listening to the DVD or a remastered CD of Sweet Baby James. JT's voice is as clear as ever and you'll only wish it was a longer concert. While James can't hide the fact that he's now hopelessly folically impaired, he still has that magnetic grin and voice that calms and often takes you back to the days of Mud Slide Slim. Both the audio and video on this DVD are great and the bonus videos are excellent too. A must for all JT fans.
Rating:
Summary: It's Like Candy For Your Ears!
Review: This was the first DVD I purchased after buying my new DVD player about a year ago, and it's still among my favorites. The sound is outstanding, the picture is sharp with good color saturation; however, the best thing about this video is the music! JT is in great form and he has assembled an absolutely first class group of backup musicians and vocalists(wait to you hear the solo by Arnold McCullough on "Shower the People"!). There is also some very cool "extras" - 2 music videos including "Copperline" from his "Hourglass Album", an interview with JT, and Bios on all the musicians. You won't be disappointed!
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Summary: Bought New Home System Because of This DVD!
Review: Was in a "high-end" home electronics store when this DVD was playing in the sound room. I was struck by the high quality of the photography and the excellent mix on the Dolby 5.1 sound. Within a week I had this DVD and a new complete home system! Wish more artists demonstrated this much attention to detail in performance and production!
Rating:
Summary: Next Best Thing to Live JT
Review: If you have not or could not witness James Taylor Live, this DVD is the next best thing. The quality of picture and sound surpasses most DVD productions I have viewed. From the song list, to the wealth of talent on stage with James, you will watch this DVD again and again while appreciating something new every time. The interview with James gives you an insight to the performers wit, wisdom, and modesty. A must see and must own.
Rating: 
Summary: I was hoping for so much more, pain.
Review: The content of this DVD is entertaining in parts , but i think that a die hard fan (not the Bruce willis movie..HA.HA, Oh! forget it) will apprieciate it much more. Especially Emma PRATT, yes her real name. She smells. But the DVD is quiet good but not my cup of tea.
Rating:
Summary: What an amazing concert!
Review: As a longtime JT fan I was thrilled to find this great concert, which I first saw on PBS, on DVD. The sound and picture are great, but of course the best thing about this DVD is the artist himself. JT gives us a fresh take on many of his hits, treats us to some of the more obscure songs that only die-hard fans will recognize, and includes some of the songs from the beautiful "Hourglass" CD. (Also highly recommended!) The band and backup singers are the best and James is in great voice and great spirits.The bonus stuff is a nice surprise -- an interview with JT, and 2 vidoes -- "Copperline" and "Enough to Be on Your Way" (heartbreakingly gorgeous!) If you like James Taylor your money will be well spent on this DVD. It's a bargain at any price. I know I'll watch it over and over for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: One great DVD
Review: James Taylor, already a great classic musician, really has hit the jackpot with this live performance at the Beacon Theatre. The whole show is so crisp and he has such a great way with his music, knowing he has sung these songs for so many years. He looks as though he is enjoying this show like it was his first. This DVD is a MUST-HAVE!
Rating: 
Summary: Great performance, sound and picutre, lousy MTV editing
Review: The performance is incredible, the sound fantastic and the picture quality is great. James Taylor - Live at the Beacon Theater has all the elements to make it one of the more outstanding musical events released on DVD. However it falls short, not because of the performer or the sound quality but because of the video editing. Producer Carol Donovan and director Beth McCarthy subject us not to a video of a James Taylor concert but to a "music video" produced in MTV's ADD editing style. Filled with 2 and 3 second cuts and shots from moving cameras we are never given the opportunity to concentrate on James Taylor's performance. Apparently Donovan and McCarthy didn't take into account the audience that would be watching this video nor the performer. James Taylor is a man of enough talent that videos of his performances don't need to be packaged in the MTV style of quick cuts and constant motion. I don't think his fans want to watch him that way either. The way things are edited in this DVD actually detracts from the experience. You won't see Taylor long enough in any one shot to visually appreciate his guitar playing nor will you see the expressions on his face long enough in a shot to truly convey the "soul" of this concert. Many times the camera isn't even on him or the shot is so long (far away) that you can't see him singing. What you will be treated to lots of "slick" shots. Shots from boom cameras moving from side to side, wide shots of the theater where you can't see Taylor (but you can see the folks walking down the aisle), useless audience shots and "artistic" shots through the drum kit or from behind the piano. If you ever wondered what the back of Taylor's head looks like you'll get the chance to find out - several times. You're never allowed to concentrate on Taylor and enjoy all the nuances of his performance, instead your eye is constantly being pulled in different directions. This producer / director team is the same one that brought us the Eagles - Hell Freezes Over concert DVD and I have to say they did a better job on that one simply by slowing everything down. ( Watch both and you recognize the camera angles and shots - it's put together using the same formula) If you're looking for something that's an intimate James Taylor performance you won't find it on this DVD. More likely you'll feel like you've just watched the MTV Video Awards. More isn't always better. I hope they re-edit this DVD one of these days. Should you buy it? Yes, if your a JT fan it truly is a fantastic sounding DVD of a wonderful concert. If you can get past some of the visual things it's not bad to look at. Or do what I ended up doing - turning up the stereo and turning off the television. I think I'll look for that HBO special he did.... Some stats... One 3 minute song - 46 separate shots. Average shot length 3.9 seconds. 15 shots are from moving cameras. In 27 of them you can't see James Taylor's face. Only in 19 shots (41%) can you see him singing.
Rating:
Summary: James won another fan!
Review: I am not a big JT fan. I know some of his stuff -- and have liked what i have heard. but someone told me this was a terrific concert and so, with new dvd player, i decided to risk it. had this been the daily double, i would be rich. this concert is filmed so clean and tight. its incredibly intimate. you definatly feel like you have first row seats. this is a relaxing and beautifully produced music dvd. especialy good for informal get togethers. you will enjoy for years and years.
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