Rating: Summary: Benson LIVE on Video:FINALLY Review: After years of waiting George Benson has finally delivered what fans have always wanted a live video concert, although it falls a bit short of near perfect. This release is somewhat a mirror image of the PBS special that ran in December, which was totally unorganized. With the same show being released on DVD/VHS you get to see the concert the way it was meant to be as a performance, in order, from start to finish, instead of jumping back and forth. The concert is divided into three separate venues opening with Big Band standards, then moving into George's new material with Joe Sample and finally George's classic stuff that always make him a must see. George's chemistry with the BBC Big Band, Sample and his own band is generally without flaw. The DTS audio and video are both fresh and crisp (DVD). For those familiar with Benson's reputation in live concerts will notice missing some classic Benson interludes, his takes on Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett would have been nice to see, but given this concert was in Belfast he opts for a rendition of the classic Danny Boy which is good but pales in comparison to George's real hidden talent with the guitar. Also missing are classic Benson staples Affirmation and Love Ballad both of which sizzle live. Nevertheless, just about all of his material is here and done quite well. Thankfully this was released commercially and not left to the poorly edited PBS special to serve as an only Benson live performance. Benson fans now have an updated, not perfect but live performance and have waited too long to get it.
Rating: Summary: too old to rock`n roll to... Review: Disappointing for all who expect GB as a brilliant musician.The dvd sound is bad an the whole concert made me feel like a benefit concert for former great musician.The pictures do the rest.Watching 60 year old irish women,dancing in front of the stage and the disappointing music made me stop the dvd and bring it back to the store.Sad.sad,sad.
Rating: Summary: Absolutely FANTASTIC Review: George Benson begins his proformance stating "Ireland remind me of Heaven". Well, this DVD is Heaven bound! The selection of songs, the Big Band, and his proformance is unbelievable. The video is clear and the sound is great. George performs his great hits with the help of Joe Sample. This DVD is a most have for all George Benson supporters.
Rating: Summary: An Excellent Display of Talent Review: George Benson displays his range and ability from beginning to end on this great DVD. The diversity of singing styles and musical genres is what makes this concert a standout. The highlights are:*The cover classic "Beyond the Sea", where Benson shows his ability to perform old time pop music with the panache of Tony Bennett or Nat "King" Cole. *The accompaniment of Joe Sample tickling the ivories to Benson's instrumental rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Lately". The only thing that could've made it better was if George actually sang the lyrics of this all-time favorite of mine. Nonetheless, it's an excellent performance. *All the Benson hits were great. "This Masquerade", "Turn Your Love Around", "Give Me the Night", and "On Broadway". The absolute best, as always, was the performance of "Breezin". If your a George Benson fan or a fan of good music and concerts in general, "Absolutely Live" is definitetly worth the price.
Rating: Summary: An Excellent Display of Talent Review: George Benson displays his range and ability from beginning to end on this great DVD. The diversity of singing styles and musical genres is what makes this concert a standout. The highlights are: *The cover classic "Beyond the Sea", where Benson shows his ability to perform old time pop music with the panache of Tony Bennett or Nat "King" Cole. *The accompaniment of Joe Sample tickling the ivories to Benson's instrumental rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Lately". The only thing that could've made it better was if George actually sang the lyrics of this all-time favorite of mine. Nonetheless, it's an excellent performance. *All the Benson hits were great. "This Masquerade", "Turn Your Love Around", "Give Me the Night", and "On Broadway". The absolute best, as always, was the performance of "Breezin". If your a George Benson fan or a fan of good music and concerts in general, "Absolutely Live" is definitetly worth the price.
Rating: Summary: Really good, great new musics and the old ones too Review: George Benson in it's best performance. Personally, I like the new musics. The sound of this DVD is like an accoustic one (DTS), it is excellent.
Rating: Summary: Benson: 10 Production: 0 Review: George Benson is a superb musician, but this live production from 2000 looks like it was produced by total amateurs. The audience are fully lit, the orchestra don't understand or feel the music, there is NO atmosphere, in fact it looks like it was shot in a large school hall! Halfway through, middle-aged women get up and start "dancing" as if they were at a 70's school reunion. I don't normally bother writing reviews but really want to spare other George Benson fans the let down that this disc caused. Buy some back catalogue Benson CDs instead (if you are missing any that is!).
Rating: Summary: I was breathless ... Review: George Benson is an absolute legend. If you don't believe me, see him in this 2000 concert! While not all of his hits are covered, the ones I love are. Nothing can prepare you for his performances of "This Masquerade" and "Breezin'". Simply stunning, turn up as loud as you can. DVD SUMMARY: The DVD I have boasts both a DTS soundtrack and a 5.1 mix. Most times I would pick the DTS soundtrack on a music DVD, but on this occassion, the 5.1 mix has a more natural sound to it. If you have a surround sound system, choose this mix over the DTS. An earlier DVD release features a 2.0 mix which is ideal for people with only two speakers. A wonderful DVD that should be in your collection. Its only letdowns are that the playlist is rather short, and the amount of overweight ladies in the crowd (as mentioned in other reviews).
Rating: Summary: I was breathless ... Review: George Benson is an absolute legend. If you don't believe me, see him in this 2000 concert! While not all of his hits are covered, the ones I love are. Nothing can prepare you for his performances of "This Masquerade" and "Breezin'". Simply stunning, turn up as loud as you can. DVD SUMMARY: The DVD I have boasts both a DTS soundtrack and a 5.1 mix. Most times I would pick the DTS soundtrack on a music DVD, but on this occassion, the 5.1 mix has a more natural sound to it. If you have a surround sound system, choose this mix over the DTS. An earlier DVD release features a 2.0 mix which is ideal for people with only two speakers. A wonderful DVD that should be in your collection. Its only letdowns are that the playlist is rather short, and the amount of overweight ladies in the crowd (as mentioned in other reviews).
Rating: Summary: GEORGE LIVE. YOU KNOW YOU WANT IT. Review: GEORGE BENSON. WHAT A GREAT MUSICIAN. THIS CONCERT IS A GOOD MIX OF OLD AND NEW. THE OPENING SONGS WITH THE BBC BIGBAND ARE WONDERFUL. I'D LOVE A WHOLE CONCERT OF GEORGE WITH THE BIGBAND, FLAWLESS. WE ALL LOVE THE VIRTUOSIC GUITAR, BUT I THINK WHAT REALLY SHINES HERE ARE HIS VOCALS. THE MAN IS ONE OF THE BEST SINGERS I'VE EVER HEARD. AND OF COURSE, THE TRADEMARK VOICE COPYING THE GUITAR LEAD. THERES SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY HERE, AND OF COURSE, THE HITS.
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