Bond - Live at the Royal Albert Hall

Rating:
Summary: good looking music
Review: 4 gorgeous ,classicaly trained girls mix classic with pop on string instruments with backing from a small rock combo.
The performance at Albert Hall goes from movie/TV themes(James Bond,Dallas) to classical music(Tchaikovski's 1812)and to the great ending with a carnaval style performance of Victory.
My favourite piece from this album is Korobushka.
Take 4 talented ,good-looking and sexy girls ,add catchy tunes and you have great enertainment.
The sound and picture are very good,and you get some extra's-pictures ,interviews and 2 video's(one of Victory ,but only after you go through a quiz).
If you want to know why I gave it only 4 stars-it's because it's very good entertainment but not great art(after all it's classified as classical music DVD).

Rating:
Summary: Good musicians, amateurish performers
Review: After ordering my copy of BOND LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL from Amazon, I could barely stand the anticipation. My expectations were high because I love live performances of just about anything. My collection of concert DVDs currently includes one by Joe Satriani, three by Sarah Brightman, and one by Shania Twain, and I love them all. I mention that to let you know how eclectic my tastes are. This is the first concert DVD with which I'm disappointed.

First, the music is first rate. As musicians, they've clearly done their homework. So I give it a high rating because the musicianship is so accomplished. However, as performers, they seemed like what they are (as I discovered from watching the bonus material): session musicians, and therefore not used to the direct glare of the limelight. As people unfamiliar with this aspect of performing, they seemed unsure what to do in the crosshairs of all of that attention, and their exuberance seemed contrived. Haylie's (the first violinist and evident spokesperson) rock-and-roll exhortations were diluted by her giddiness at finding herself and her cohorts front and center of this big show, instead of in their usual seats, a couple of rows back under a conductor's baton, which was where they had been sitting before this brainstorm struck them (or whoever).

The thing was, the show had a contrived spectacularness to it without the performers themselves being individually spectacular or dazzling in anyway, thus unable to genuinely participate in the thing they were trying to create. I think they were debuted prematurely, before they had the experience to deal with this sort of presentation. And the sexuality they so blatantly flaunted on the keep case and album cover was nonexistent. They were simply out of their league, the band a mere business enterprise designed to cash in by sexualizing classical performers. It's a gimmick that falls flat. Whoever planned the image for these women overlooked the fact that sensuality in performers is in part the result of physical self-awareness. People like Madonna and Sarah Brightman and Shania Twain are sexy because they're aware of themselves; they're in touch with their bodies as being the conduits of performance, of communication. This awareness requires practice, and all of the women I just mentioned spent years on the stage perfecting their craft. It's not just a question of donning tight clothes and changing how your eye makeup is applied. It's obvious that these women are not genuine to the gimmick they've chosen. They come off as "Josie and the Pussycats Do the Classics."

The music is good, however. But so what. Why did it require this sort of presentation? I own SARAH BRIGHTMAN LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL on DVD, and she, in the very same hall, simply performs, allowing her talent to carry the show, to dazzle us, our response to her sensuality a corollary to our awe. While Bond's music is good, I'm not so awed by it. There's nothing that unusual about the music itself beyond their failed attempt to sexualize the presentation, beyond their gimmick. In some ways, the show was an annoying distraction to the good things going on. These are intelligent, talented, and attractive women, and they should present themselves more honestly. I would have preferred they wore beautiful evening gowns instead of the cheesy attire they selected just because someone believed the outfits were "sexy."

Perhaps I'm being too harsh. Once the novelty of the bigness of what's happened to them wears off, maybe they'll get more in tune with their presentation, and the next DVD (if they survive as an act) will be better. For now, I recommend this DVD, since the cost is reasonable and the music is good. But don't expect the Sirens of Titan playing classical music.

Rating:
Summary: It's always hard the first time around..
Review: As Haylie says in the concert, "This is the very first live performance ever".

Being a fan of Bond's, I love the music. To see the music being played visually by the 4 members of the classically-trained quartet, was amazing. It's always nice to see the people behind the sounds of the music, and in the case of Bond, not bad at all.

The DVD features tracks from their first album, "Born", "Dallas", and a mix of "Victory".

The DVD itself has some extras, one music video of "Wintersun" and another of a performance of "Viva [Orion Mix]". There is also an inteviews with the members of Bond, and even a short 10 question quiz. Answering correctly on all questions unlocks a video of "Victory" and their stay in Cuba where they had taped the music video for "Victory". The questions themselves are not hard to answer, if you make a mistake you can always re-take the quiz. It has the same questions again.

The actual concert was quite a drag in sense of excitement, visuals, performance, and prescence. The girls walk around and dance when they are not playing their instruments, I don't think having an actual dance choregraphy would have helped either sides. It was understandable that they would remain rigid and still to play their instruments. The girls played their songs back to back.. there was no real scene changes or clothes changes. The stage itself didn't lend much help as the lighting was simple and the stage itself, very small and bare. The one thing I liked about the concert was that it was truly live.. there was a small group of people playing in the background, with the band consisting of a guitar, bass, drums, percussions, and a keyboard/mixer. In between songs however, one of the girls would say something about the concert or say something about themselves. Gay-Yee introduced the members of the band, though I thought that was unneccesary. After all, do they introduce the characters in a play mid-way? They could have kept the mood going, without interruptions. It was basically just song after song that were played.. "Duel" was interesting to watch as Haylie and Eos "dueled" with their instruments while they played. "Victory" and after that was "Victory (Carnival Mix)" which I did not notice a difference between the two songs. During the Carnival Mix, a bunch of dancers come out, clowns come, lights go crazy.. it's pretty bland. Their attempt at making that songs "carnival-like" and more "fun".

It was awesome to see Bond actually perform live.. but the performance lacked so much. As they are going on tour in the U.S. of the summer of 2004.. I hope they improve greatly on the performance itself, because the music, especially their new album, "Classified" does not need any work, and never had.

Rating:
Summary: Joy and Exuberance
Review: As I sit here listening to their performance on my laptop, I'm struck with the performers' joy and exuberance. Too often I see an emotionless performer on stage giving a short bow or nod to the applause of the audience. Do I usually see performers glancing at each other in sheer enjoyment? Not likely!

I read the other reviews on this site and noted that one reviewer put them down as being amateurish. Perhaps naive?

And don't I love that about them? They're having fun. They're working hard. They're wearing their expressions on their faces ... their hearts on their sleeves, as it were. And isn't that a good thing? Doesn't it touch our hearts?

I get tired of hackneyed performers that are on stage solely for the money and could care less about it. Show me the money, they say!

I think we'll see this band of performers on larger stages and will look back at this DVD with great appreciation as one of their early works.

This is a group that brings joy to the stage and to its listeners. Have fun listening to (and watching) them!

Ned Hune
[e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Didn't quite live up to expectations, but still enjoyable
Review: As musicians, Bond really stands out, even on this DVD, but as show-women, they need a lot of work. Haylie quickly became annoying as the spotlight hog. And as a group, they didn't do much in the way of actual "entertaining". They simpy played their music. It may possible that it was planned that way....consider the British audience....but if that was the case, they should have recorded some other performance for release on DVD. In short, if you are a fan of Bond, you will want this, but don't expect too much from it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent 1st try and hope for improvements for #2
Review: Do stay with the DVD version on a 50"+TV and a Stereo with punch for the true enjoyment. I play this over and over in the house background for an energy boost.

I agree with other reviewers that this was quite entertaining as they are fresh and new. Classical Music instrucments with a up beat rythm. BUT ONLY ON THE INITIAL 2 OR 3 VIEWINGS.

There is a "potential" for a more stunning future performance.
1. While the music score was interesting and varied, it lacked a flow or theme other than their desire to portray various classical music under their own artistic impression.
2. Yes, they are quite gorgeous and elegant ladies. The clothing ensamble did not really fit the music/lightingt so I still am hoping their next show will improve this to show their beauty and add to the mood.
3. Gestures, the problem with classical is that the performers are quite stoic and rigid. Take and extreme example of Sarah Brightman where her voice is a wonder but to get those notes she needs to contort her body and face.
4. Bond ladies seem to do the same stoic and uncomfortable looks as the gestures are more of gestures rather than a show of emotion. Halie's mouth gestures are quite distracting and detract from the performance.

Don't get me wrong. YES DO BUY as I will BUY their next one. I still enjoy this after even after 3 months. I just hope that they take advantage and let us see more of their skills, talent, beauty, and artistic abilities to be even better and get rid of the quirks.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent 1st try and hope for improvements for #2
Review: Do stay with the DVD version on a 50"+TV and a Stereo with punch for the true enjoyment. I play this over and over in the house background for an energy boost.

I agree with other reviewers that this was quite entertaining as they are fresh and new. Classical Music instrucments with a up beat rythm. BUT ONLY ON THE INITIAL 2 OR 3 VIEWINGS.

There is a "potential" for a more stunning future performance.
1. While the music score was interesting and varied, it lacked a flow or theme other than their desire to portray various classical music under their own artistic impression.
2. Yes, they are quite gorgeous and elegant ladies. The clothing ensamble did not really fit the music/lightingt so I still am hoping their next show will improve this to show their beauty and add to the mood.
3. Gestures, the problem with classical is that the performers are quite stoic and rigid. Take and extreme example of Sarah Brightman where her voice is a wonder but to get those notes she needs to contort her body and face.
4. Bond ladies seem to do the same stoic and uncomfortable looks as the gestures are more of gestures rather than a show of emotion. Halie's mouth gestures are quite distracting and detract from the performance.

Don't get me wrong. YES DO BUY as I will BUY their next one. I still enjoy this after even after 3 months. I just hope that they take advantage and let us see more of their skills, talent, beauty, and artistic abilities to be even better and get rid of the quirks.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent sound; might be overly flashy, but very enjoyable
Review: Even though I thought the Spice Girls were a blast, I was hoping Bond would NOT turn out to be a new-age/classical-goes-Top-40 reincarnation (not having heard the CD, this disc is my true introduction to these artists). The quartet may have been assembled by someone with dollar signs in mind, but no matter: these women are fine, classically trained musicians, having honed their skills through session work and/or orchestral experience.

Each of the thirteen tracks is superb, with "Quixote," "Alexander the Great," "Kismet," "Korobushka," and "Victory" being my favorite songs. Not truly classical, but the accompanying band and string section provide a symphonic feel to the moving musical themes. While not yet fully poised and articulate on stage (each one takes a turn at addressing the audience), the women score highly in musical aptitude, cohesion as an ensemble, energy and flair. Perhaps too much flair at times: the running around on stage and violin bow theatrics may have been a tad excessive. Also, Haylie's (first violin) giddy, rah-rah introductions and her rock 'n' roll body language seemed an odd mix in comparison to her more subdued band mates. The "babe factor" is clearly pumped up by the midriff-baring outfits and some gyrating hips during the more danceable tunes. I also noticed: the audio-video aspects seemed to be slightly out of sync for some of the show, with the sound ahead by a split second. I tried hard not to dwell on this. The camera/editing work is very good, alternating between the individuals and interacting band mates, yet thankfully minimizing the overly rapid edits. I could have done without the overhead spinning camera.

Aside from the performance itself, the DVD "extras" include four videos, which I though were REAL cool, although two of them you can't get to without first taking a quiz (fun...the first time). The 13-minute "exclusive" interview was so-so, with hollow-sounding voices and camera shots superimposed on a still background. The photo gallery is no big deal.

Overall, these "Bond girls" are truly accomplished musicians who can put on a captivating show. This is a performance which showcases some inspiring music, great sound, interesting musicianship, and even a little choreography thrown in to spice up the event.

Rating:
Summary: A Spectacular Show, but Not For Classical Fans
Review: Forget everything you have heard, or not heard about this namd. It means nothing. Yes, these girls were thrown off the classical charts. Yes, the infuce dance beats into classical music. These are things that people already know about the group.
What you might not know, is that these girls can play very well. Haylie and Eos play first and second violin without completing, which is often found in such quartets. Tania provides great sound from the Viola, and Gay-Yee Westerhoff's cello performance is spectacular.
I am a huge fan of string insturments. Mostly I have listened to Yo-Yo Ma and Vanessa Mae, but this group has put together a performance that rivals either of the former. You can say that it is because they are attractive women. And yes that is why I first started watching them. But that can only take you so far with me. After about two-three minutes you have to prove that you have talent to keep my intrest. These girls have that talent. They are a joy to listen to, and even greater joy to see live.

Rating:
Summary: Shaken - Not stirred
Review: I am in love with Haylie, the lead violinist. She's the cutest fiddler you'll ever see. And she plays as good as she looks! In fact, they all do.

I discovered Bond through listening to Vanessa Mae, who was also produced by Mike Batt early on in her career. Batt has been able to tap into something with these artists to make them a commercial success. It's a blending of classical and pop, culture and curves, high brow and vegas, bach and buttocks (get the idea?). The essential ingredients are 1) talent and 2) looks. Both Mae and Bond qualify, although the talent part is always going to be debated by the classical purists.

In this DVD you get a good sense of what Bond is all about. The video and audio are excellent, except for the times when the members are speaking to the audience and it sounds like you're listening from the backstage area. The performances are good, although like the other reviewer one wonders if there isn't some syncing going on. There are bonuses as well, with videos and interviews of Bond which I enjoyed.

The problem with this DVD is that it's a bit overdone. A little butt-shaking is fine, but an hour of it can get old, even with Haylie. The final number (Victory Reprise) has dancers and musicians all over the stage in a frenzied free-for-all. Vanessa Mae's perfomance at the Royal Albert Hall was a much more balanced approach in my opinion. Unlike Bond she played a few classical pieces. It would have been great to see them play a couple of classical quartet pieces to showcase their classical skills and counter the discolike pieces during the rest of the performance. Hopefully Bond will be able to capture that balance in the future.