Rating: Summary: James Taylor Live at the Beacon Theater Review: I am a little nervous buying music DVDs. Especially live performances. I don't know if I will like the live versions of the song as much as the ones on the album. And you can never tell what the quality of the picture and sound will be. But in this case the picture quality is really sparkling. The backdrop, long wide ribbons of cotton linen and huge lantern like cones similarly draped, pick up the brilliant colors of the stage lights to compliment the mood of a typical mellow relaxing evening with James Taylor. James moves through his early classics with ease but some of the nicer cuts are romantic tunes culled from his album "That's Why I'm Here". "Only a Dream in Rio" is a very nicely nuanced reflection complimented by the soothing green lights that evoke thoughts of waterfalls and tropical forests. This is an album to relax with. There are very few up tempo numbers... focusing instead on his classical themes of friendship, historical ballads, starry evenings, snowy roads, fire and rain. If you like James Taylor you know pretty much to expect. A tall lanky man with a gentle smile and songs to match. No surprises but a nice time. The addition of the music video "Copperline" is a welcome addition to the modest bonus package.
Rating: Summary: Sweet! Review: If you are a James Taylor fan, what can I tell you that you don't already know. This concert is the same line up and the same music that I saw at the Richmont-Horizon outside of Chicago. The DVD sound and video quality are "show-off" stuff for your home entertainment system.
Rating: Summary: Excellent DVD Review: This is definately the best Live Concert DVD available. JT fans will love it, and those of you that are not JT fans will find out why he still sells out theaters after all these years. With reference to the review below about a bunch of "stuffy people who did not get up and groove with JT", I was at this concert and we were alll warned not to get up, make noise or yell during the songs. This included getting up to go to the bathroom. The only time we could move or get up was in between songs and takes. I have seen JT about 10 times, and I was also disappointed about the way the audience was told to act. However, it was not our choice !
Rating: Summary: Great Video Review: This video is exactly what I wanted to hear from James Taylor. There is really no performance I can say was bad. I would recommend this to anyone.
Rating: Summary: Order this one at once!! Review: to begin with a well-worn cliche.. look up "tasty" in the dictionary and there will be a picture of this disc. I only wish I had bought it sooner Was put off at first when I heard that this is a re-mix from a PBS special (and it is), my thinking being "how good could the audio be?" Well the answer is.. very very good indeed! JT's performace is excellent, but it's the outstanding musicians and performances behind him which propel this disc to the top of my repeat playlist. Astonishing players; I particularly loved the gorgeous colors laid down on keyboards and guitar, and you may know the drummer from the earlier days of the David Letterman band. To cut to the chase, the audio mix is pristine! Crystal clarity combined with an unexpected (and very welcome) warmth and power in the bass. Your subwoofer will enjoy the workout! Wonderful audio imaging of the entire stage positioning. The only wish I would add to the audio is that it was in DTS, and unlike discs such as the Eagles or the Steely Dan dvd, "Beacon" isnt mixed so that the band is in 3D using the rear channels to surround the listener with performers; in this production the rear channels largely accomodate audience ambiance. But what a mix to the front channels! The production on James' guitar work is so good it places the instrument in the room with you. Note: the same guy was at the helm on this one as was on Taylor's recent Grammy winning album. The arrangements are fresh and very interesting musically, with a setlist to match! I've listened to this disc quite a few times, and I must say, the "surprise" in Shower the People still gives me chills. In short, a master performance from a master songwriter. If you enjoy this genre and/or looking for a disc to showcase the power of your system, stop reading reviews and rush this disc to your doorstep at once!
Rating: Summary: a MUST HAVE for any JT fan! Review: This is a fabulous concert! It's like having JT in your home! The songs are a wonderful mix of old and new...What a delight JT is! It's such a pleasure watching him do what he loves and is so good at... I could watch this everyday! Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to JT at the Beacon!
Rating: Summary: Superb! What Music Should Be. Review: James Taylor Live at the Beacon Theatre is exactly like everything James Taylor has ever done; it's perfect. In this video, JT performs many of his classics and a few songs from his newer album Hourglass (all of which will someday be classics). James's music is what music should be. It is well played; the musicianship and singing is perfect. It is based on real life and emotions. In a couple hundred years, college students will be studying the lyrics to songs like "Fire and Rain," "Another Day," "You Can Close Your Eyes," and "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" (all of which he wrote and which are on the video) as perfect examples of poetry from the Period of the Confessional Self in American Literature. People will also still be listening to the songs. It is great to own this video just to see James Taylor perform them. He sounds just as good at them live as he is on the albums, and you get to see his expressions and actions as he feels the music. Fans should definitely own this video, and everyone else should someday be introduced to the Music of James Taylor.
Rating: Summary: The best 5.1 transfer ever Review: Go get it! I have a lot of music DVD's and nothing can compare. Whoever mastered this is a genius.
Rating: Summary: 10 stars Review: Don't waste your time reading more reviews. Get in your car and buy this right now. This one is worth it. What are you waiting for?
Rating: Summary: James Taylor at his best! Review: Been a JT fan for a long time...and in this concert he is at his best! DVD of this concert is fantastic with all of JT's old favorites!
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