Great Sade Bring Home Live 2011
Let me say that I have been a Sade fan since the beginning so this review is not about her music per se. I also have her previous Sade Lovers Live DVD.
What separates this from most of the recent concert DVD's is the Blu-Ray but mostly the choreography and production values. Remember that Blu-Ray offers better sound and picture and this is where the lighting, photography and staging makes it stand out compared to many of the others out today. Sade fans will rejoice and those of us who weren't as fortunate to attend the show this time will have a wonderful souvenir of what is a great concert experience. By the way, the recent concert Blu-Ray that is comparable in production values and the type of show is George Michael's recent Blu-Ray from London. You might check it out if you are a fan.
With a good sound system you may find that owning a BluRay might be almost as good as being there.
I pre ordered the DVD and as one of the other reviews states the lighting and set are just magical. Sade voice and looks get better with age. Her Band Sweet Back just pulls the whole package together. This is a must have for your collection.
ReplyDeleteAs a document of Sade's 2011 World Tour, this Blu-Ray more than gets the job done. Sophie Muller's direction here is like everything she does: classy, classic, romantic, and modern. Her camera operators do a terrific job of capturing the total package that this concert experience represented. Everything from the set design, lighting, laser work, stagecraft, and of course the music are intelligently presented and seamlessly integrated, producing a cumulative impact that in its live incarnation is emotionally very potent and significant.
ReplyDeleteAll of the players get ample amounts of shine. Their camaraderie, respect and love for one another is on full and unapologetic display. What is also clear is the genuine sense of joy and appreciation Sade have for their fans. Regrettably, it is increasingly rare for people this beautiful and accomplished to be this down to earth, a trait that remains one of this band's enduring strengths. One also gets the sense that the band members also understand the times in which they and we live; they understand the place of their art in this world and appreciate their responsibility to furnish us with it.
Nothing can of course replace the experience of watching Sade live, but if you saw the band during the 2011 live tour, this Blu-Ray will more than put a smile on your face, you just might find some goose bumps on your skin and the chill down your spine happening all over again. If you did not have the fortune of seeing Sade live in 2011, this Blu-Ray will help you appreciate what all of the hullabaloo was about.
I've never written a review in my 48 year life about any "Live" performance but I feel strongly about giving recognition to this Stellar performance (Phoenix 2011). On all levels their performance was spectacular, even if you haven't been a huge "Fan" of Sade in the past, I think anyone that has the opportunity to view this show (DVD) will walk away with a new appreciation for not only Sade but for her extremely talented Cast of bandmembers. They surely appear to really like each other and richly compliment the whole performance both individually and as a group. I have been to more concerts than most and I can honestly say that this show was at or very near to the top for both my Wife and for myself, DON'T MISS IT!.
ReplyDeleteI went to see this show in London on May 31st last year.
ReplyDeleteThe best concert experience of my life! She sounded like a dream. I have been waiting for this DVD even before they announced they're filming the tour for a future DVD release.
This is a must buy because:
1. It includes all the hits (No ordinary love, smooth operator, cherish the day, kiss of life, by your side, soldier of love and more!!)
2. Newer album cuts like IN ANOTHER TIME and BRING ME HOME sung live!! Sade breathes new life onto CD recordings! Hearing these songs sung live truly connects you with her. Whatever message she tries to give through her music comes right through you, into your veins, your heart and your soul!
3. The VISUALS are absolutely stunning. Sophie Muller is a goddess and Baz Halpin is a genius, you get to see why! Sade, Muller and Halpin put the best visual and lighting show along with Sade's ethereal and timeless music.
4. The BAND. The band is truly magnificent. Stuart's sax, Andrew's piano and Paul's guitar and the lovely backing vocalists!!
I could go on and on. Personally I can't wait for this DVD to come out!! Its going to be more exciting than LOVERS LIVE!
I had the opportunity to see this concert last year in Austin, TX and it was an amazing experience! I literally didn't want the concert to end. I was in the 9th row, directly centered in front of the stage which was excellent seating. The concert was set up to be up close and personal. Everything from the lighting, background video, audio and overall visuals were done in way that's indescribable. It totally took my husband's and mine breath away! I believe the lighting at this show was the best I've seen at any concert. The lighting and audio crew did an magnificent job! The music, background video used for songs, lighting and Sade were totally in sync with each other. The concert had a very romantic feel to it.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this band. It was really nice seeing Paul, Andrew and Stuart back together again! These three gentlemen on guitar, piano, and saxaphone will literally take your breath away! The guys performing background vocals were also phenomenal! I was totally in awe throughout the concert and had to pinch myself to make sure I was actually there! Sade looked beautiful and her voice was nothing short of pure greatness. She performed all her classics as well as her new material. After attending this spectacular show, I already knew that if and when it came out on Blue-ray, I was going to purchase it immediately because it was literally one of the best nights of my life!
Sade's new blu-ray concert video is exceptionally crystal-clear, great to watch and highly recommended. Sade performs with style, grace, and elegance as always. Her voice is even more beautiful and clear than ever -- and the band is tight; a great ensemble. Stuart's sax playing, esp. on Jezebel, is legendary...way to go!
ReplyDeleteThere's many new tracks in addition to familiar favorites like Paradise, No Ordinary Love and Smooth Operator; for example the new "Love is Found" song is upbeat, fun to watch. Thanks Sade for continuing to shine, to the band for musical brilliance, and to everyone for making this possible (clear audio and excellent visuals/dp/production/staging). As a longtime fan since the 80s, it's great to see Sade continue to perform magnificently. Very professional and well-produced.
To the music,
Ken
7/25 Update: Two months later, this is my most-played recent concert DVD... I'd watched Sade's earlier dvds dozens of times over the years; I've been watching this at least 1-2x/week since I got it, lots of replay value. Really enjoying the high-impact production touches; like lightning flashes on No Ordinary Love, the staging on Smooth Operator a la film noire look, upbeat visual background scenery on Kiss of Life, circles/visuals in video background on Paradise. Perfect way to highlight Sade's most-beautiful vocal stylings.
Sade's band redefines "tight", with smooth backup singers, and brilliant ensemble musicianship this one's a real treat to watch over and over again. Thanks Sade for shining some light into these times. As always you sparkle with clear, thoughtful vocals, wit, professionalism, talent and stylish worldclass musicianship. You 'bring it'; we all appreciate it. Like a fine wine, you and the rest of the band just get better with time. Thank you! A+++ This one's a winner.
This concert on Blu Ray is simply stunning. The picture quality and sound are truly amazing. Having seen her in Portland last summer and been in the second row, I can honestly say that this is in some ways even better than being there. OK when you are there you are seeing her live, and it is very thrilling, especially when she comes across the stage and looks right at you and your wife and smiles, but there are people around you talking, and you are so close that you can't see the forest through the trees, and you can't appreciate some of the lighting/visual effects, or see very well at all when the semitransparent curtain on to which they project images comes down. On this disc, everything is ultra clear, and you get a full sense of the stage. This is a brilliantly done production without many distracting crowd shots or choppy editing. Sade is stunning, just stunning, as is the lighting/effects, and I would just like to say thank you Sade for being so beautiful in every way and for giving us your music and this fantastic show. At the concert I found myself inadvertently yelling out "Thank you Sade!", but that is how I really feel, just so grateful.
ReplyDeleteI saw this tour in Houston and as a veteran of over 100 concerts ranging from country to heavy metal...this one tops them all (and I have seen some legends in their prime). Sade is nothing short of mesmerizing and if this DVD lives up to the show I saw (and it should), then stop what you're doing and order this now.
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