Is this her best shot?
I must admit that I've only heard a few of her hits prior to purchasing this CD/DVD. I had very little clue on what to expect from this. In overall, I felt that the performance was good but short of being phenomenal. Unlike some DVDs that I bought in the past, this didn't make me desire for more of her performances. Martina McBride, without a doubt is a great singer/artist. I believe she deserves a DVD that captures the mind blowing performances she deliver. This DVD just lack something.
That apart, the DVD could've been better if there was bonus content and so forth. Also, the CD has just a mere number of tracks, 7 to be particular. Could have done better by making it to at least 10 tracks.
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Powerhouse
Nobody could ever cast stones at her voice -- probably the most powerful, double-octave voice in contemporary Country. In the past, her albums have often been uneven. With the exception of TIMELESS and GREATEST HITS, too many of her albums featured "B-sides." Whatever she performed, though, always sounded committed and passionate.
Here, in this mind-blowing two-disk set, Martina opens an entirely new phase of her career with an extended live performance recorded last year in the Quad Cities. The set list is beautiful, with cuts from WAKING UP LAUGHING and her very best material from the past 15 years or so. Her back-up band is stellar, as well as her stage art direction, lighting and video. Except for Springsteen and the Stones, I have never seen such passion and energy on a stage. While, at times, the voice breaks or slides off pitch, it doesn't matter, because her voice and delivery radiate conviction.
The opener is my favorite -- ANYWAY -- in which the singer encourages the audience to surmount fears and self doubt in life and love and go for their dreams "anyway." It's not an easy pitch in such a bleak world, but her songs are healing and uplifting. Her pace never flags; and while she often drives her voice to the edge, the edge works, and the audience is beyond captivated.
This affordable 2-disc set includes a CD of 8 live, audiophile-quality performances which at roughly 32 minutes -- are a little short on time. The DVD, however, includes her full GREAT PERFORMANCES broadcast, and it is worth the price of the set alone. You simply won't be able to hit the PAUSE button.
One final note, because neither men nor women will fail to notice it. The singer is quite beautiful, but in a wholesome way. In a prurient world such as ours, that's really refreshing. This powerhouse set proves that fewer releases with a greater concentration of top-rank material will help spread the word about Martina McBride to more music-lovers. Without question, this lady will be around for awhile, and we are lucky to have her.
Buy now.
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Wow....you gotta hear and see this!
I'm not a big Country fan, and only saw this program while flipping thru the TV stations. I hit on this concert when I got to PBS. It was "Great Performances". That was an under-statement! I may still not be a great Country fan, but I am a Martina McBride fan. What a voice, and her band is really something that needs to be heard, especially the leads. I went back into my computer to find who that was, and I purchased the DVD/CD on the spot. This is a Great Performance.
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