Jane Monheit - Live at the Rainbow Room

Rating:
Summary: She sure made my rainbow rise
Review: Jane Monheit is the best female singer today who sings standards. Thanks to Diana Krall generation X was introduced to songs from thier grandparents era. However charming Krall's piano playing/singing is, you can't compare her to Jane Monheit, because they are too different. However we can thank Krall for paving the way for singers like Monheit. This dvd features Monheit at the Rainbow Room{I have never been there, I'm just a poor boy from El Monte}, it seems to be a romantic place, so this is a great dvd to watch with your wife with candles lit, and wine{Monheit will definately get you in the mood, when you see her in that dress}. This is a perfect dvd in every way. The sound quality is: A+ Monheit's soulful singing is: A+ Monheit's hourglass figure is:A+++ All in all this is a great dvd, and sooo romantic too. If you like all the classic singers like Keely Smith, Jane Froman, Etta jones, or even Diana Krall, you will love Jane's huge voice. Buy the dvd it is: A+++

Rating:
Summary: We love you Jane...
Review: Keep recording dvd's of your live shows, because we love to hear and watch your lovely and sultry stage presance. Never have I seen such a lovlier stage presance since Julie london. Love ya doll..

Rating:
Summary: We love you Jane...
Review: Keep recording dvd's of your live shows, because we love to hear and watch your lovely and sultry stage presance. Never have I seen such a lovlier stage presance since Julie london. Love ya doll..

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully done
Review: Not many singers are worthy of that phrase "jazz diva", but Miss Monheit is, she delivers all of her songs with poise and confidence, not to mention she's very easy on the eyes. She always is backed by tasteful small jazz combos as and in some cases strings, and she improvises lightly, and has a bell like clarity to her singing. She has a style all her own and perfect diction too, those who appriciate good Rosemary Clooney, or jazz singers will enjoy this fine set captured on DVD, and what greta stage presance she has too.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully done
Review: Not many singers are worthy of that phrase "jazz diva", but Miss Monheit is, she delivers all of her songs with poise and confidence, not to mention she's very easy on the eyes. She always is backed by tasteful small jazz combos as and in some cases strings, and she improvises lightly, and has a bell like clarity to her singing. She has a style all her own and perfect diction too, those who appriciate good Rosemary Clooney, or jazz singers will enjoy this fine set captured on DVD, and what greta stage presance she has too.

Rating:
Summary: Not only is she drop dead gorgeous, but she sings like Sarah
Review: Not only is she HOT, she can really sing, and I mean like a Sarah Vaughan or Carmen McRae range. This dvd is a great reprentation of her live performance, however I'm used to seeing her in small jazz clubs, where she can really communicate directly to you, and throw you a pouty look every now & than. She's got one of those curvy Marilyn Monroe type bodies, she looks like a pinup from the late 1940's, and sounds like a great pop singer from 1954 like Rosemary Clooney or Doris Day, yet with a range like Ella Fitzgerlad. If you like standards with good arrangements and pretty girls with classic beauty than this one's for you. The only minus is the watery string arrangements and the original(non standard or non jazz selections), otherwise this is a 5 star release, ... WOW she's good in every way. A dvd well worth owning.


Rating:
Summary: Cheese Whiz
Review: O.K. how can anyone compare this DVD to Diana Krall? PLEASE. They couldn't be more opposite:
Diana Krall = talented / Jane = lame
Diana Krall = cool / Jane = awkward
Diana Krall = stylish / Jane = garish
Diana Krall DVD = reference quality / Jane's DVD = mediocre

Watching this made me feel squeamish. It was so cheesy in every aspect. I mean this DVD is painful to watch.
Audio quality = fair
Video quality = good
Overall = Worthy of a stale Ritz cracker and the smell of old mothballs.

Again, whoever compared this to Diana Krall's reference quality and stylish DVD ought to have their ears and eyes checked. Not to mention their sense of style.

Rating:
Summary: it's great, but...
Review: One thing about this dvd bothers me, but apparently no one else seems to mind, so it must be a matter of taste. I ALMOST feel like I am there, yes. Unfortunately, the viewing angle changes every 7 to 10 seconds because whoever did the final video mix had too much caffeine and could not leave things alone for a single camera angle for more than this small amount of time. For me, it detracts markedly from what otherwise is a great dvd concert.

Rating:
Summary: More like a 2.5
Review: See my other reviews - I LOVE Jane, but I am honest.

She's beautiful, she's charming, but the preponderance of material from the "In The Sun" CD here just leaves me lacking...

Longing for MY Jane, the "Come Dream With Me" and "Never Never Land Jane...

Come back to me, Jane. This new stuff just isn't doing it for me, my darling

Rating:
Summary: Can it get better than this?
Review: Since viewing Monheit's performance on the Sunday Brunch TV show - recorded live (which I thought was great, by the way) she's shaved off what appears to be about 10kg, got a makeup artist to emphasise her screen goddess looks and, in her scarlet gown, looks more the vamp than ever! About 4 songs in ... and I feel I need a break. 'More than you know' is such a lovely melody, I'm not sure it really benefits the Monheit gymnastics (I even thought a few of her meanderings in 'Dindi' were a little too extravagant ... gilding the lily, as it were). I don't know that she needs to play up the sexual allure as much as she does ... I think she fairly drips it without even trying.

Some of the material, though well sung, is a little too diverse for my tastes to really be at home in a "jazz programme" (Judy Collins and Bonnie Raitt) - although "Love has no pride" is obviously a song Jane is passionate about (were those tears rolling down her right cheek as she sang?). Her persona on screen is most appealing. And the singing? Pitch-wise, besides one or two uncertain notes, spotlessly accurate; always great expression, control, technique. You forgive her continually brushing aside that gorgeous mane of auburn hair ... wrinkling her nose ... furrowing her brow ... you even cease to notice that distracting self-conscious little 'bob' that punctuates almost each sentence of her early patter (unbridled girlish enthusiasm?)

If you're a Monheit fan already you'll want to add this DVD to your collection - if you haven't made arrangements to already. One of the few singers getting public adulation that a voice teacher could enjoy listening to without being distracted by abuse of the instrument. (If you've never heard Monheit sing, you're in for a treat ... great diction, a seemingly endless range and a seamless connection. Almost too pure and lovely a sound for jazz, she shows great creativity when it comes to making a melody her own, and has the technique to flawlessly execute any musical idea that comes to her.)

Unbelievable to think all this is coming out of a girl barely in her mid-twenties. Look out Krall and Jones ... if there's any justice in this world. Monheit would sing the two of you under the table ... even on a bad day. (Do you think she has them?)

Broadbent's string arrangements are heaven on a stick (should that read, 'bow'?) ... and Peter Eldridge, her vocal coach and 'New York Voice', plays a gorgeous piano solo in a duet (ballad) he wrote. Pianist Michael Kaman is really good ... as is her huggable, cuddly, ever-so-tasteful teddy bear of a sax player, Joel Frahm. Renee Toledo, there for the the Brazilian songs, was wonderful. Legends like Ron Carter and Kenny Washington (and, of course, Alan Broadbent) bring their jazz pedigree to the table. Some outstanding arrangements give the whole affair depth (Cheek to cheek, Over the rainbow, Haunted Heart ... I'm sure you'll have your own favourites). Highly recommended.