Peter Cetera Live

Rating:
Summary: Beware of unauthorized DVDs
Review: As noted by the reviewer above, the DVD that is already floating around is from Brazil and IS NOT and has not ever been authorized for release by Peter Cetera. I had purchased my copy through a Seller on eBay and he guaranteed that this was a licensed product, though Mr. Cetera has just posted that this is not true. You may read the following at his website www.petercetera.com under PC Speaks:

"09.06.04
Another thing!....People keep asking about what is an authorized CD or DVD.....ON the DVD thing, the only one that's authorized is the PBS one...Iv'e never authorized the final SLC one ,so as far as IM concerned it isn't.....As far as CD's,the ones on the site are real... I've seen certain ones around that aren't, including a certain greatest hits that used to be on the old site... Other than a few single songs on soundtrack CD's here and abroad I can't vouch for anything else...See Ya...pC"






Rating:
Summary: Production sucks!!!
Review: I bought the Brazilian edition of the DVD (i assume is the same as the USA version with minor differences)

Song selection: I find a great song selection, very similar to the "You're The Inspiration: A Collection" late 90's Cetera's album. He indeed remakes a lost song from the Chicago era.

Production: This is the weakest point of the DVD. It looks like a home-made video (low budget???). You can see the film recorder guy running all over the place when camera's change. Light over the stage are depressing...plain simple home yellow light over the performers, no changes at all during the whole show. Volume of some instruments is too low on many songs, precisely where they should outstand or showoff (chords??).

Symphonic Arrangements: They could've worked much much better songs like GLORY OF LOVE and YOU'RE THE INSPIRATION. Particularly the GOL arrangement losses all the feeling of the original version. Great arrangement to "Restless Heart".

Cetera's Voice and Performances: Great though the years. Kim Keyes, outstanding duet performances. No need for Chaka Khan, Amy Grant and Cher. I never got to see any Cetera live performance until this DVD. I don't know if the symphonic format freezes a bit his touch with the audience, but being my first approach to Cetera Live i found him way too cold with his public. His relation with the audience is really freezing, 0 contact.

Great for a Cetera fan but i may be dissapointing as a first approach because of the production.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome Concert....
Review: Maybe its because this is the 1st time ive ever heard Peter live but I thought the Orchestra did an amazing job!! Sure the stage didnt look good but I bought it to hear Peter's voice!!

This is a Must Buy DVD!!

Rating:
Summary: Good Performance; Lackluster Production
Review: This DVD, filmed during a Salt lake City concert as part of Peter Cetera's "symphony tour" in 2003 is hit and miss. The all-time great pop tenor gives a good performance and the selection of songs is excellent; however, the production values, both visual and auditory, leave much to be desired. The audio mix is very dry, with the only reverb effect coming from the recording of the concert hall itself. The orchestra is terribly undermixed in parts and even the back up band's balance (3 piece!) is all over the place. There is no attempt at visual presentation, with bright white lights illuminating the stage (with it's bare wood floor, looks like a high school auditorium stage) and no colored lights used for effect or any type of backdrop. The camera work and editing is actually very good, so it's a shame that the visual stage presentation is not up to par. As mentioned, Peter is in good voice and the mix of songs still makes this DVD a worthwhile purchase. The opening song, "No Explanation" (from the "Pretty Woman" film), is an excellent tune, and somewhat of a rarity, so it's inclusion is a treat. Other highlights include, "Remember the Feeling", a beautiful ballad from the mega hit album, "Chicago 17", and "Feels Like Heaven", a hit Peter had with Chaka Khan, whose part is quite adequately covered by back up singer Kim Keyes. Peter presents most of his hits with Chicago and as a solo artist and the adaptation to orchestral presentation works exceptionally well.
Peter's soon-to-be-released live concert DVD recorded for the Soundstage PBS show is recommended over this DVD. The production values are first rate on that disc and is a more worthy live document of this great pop artist.