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Mary J Blige Live from Los AngelesDirector: J. Kevin Swain Rating: E 74 mins Kaleidoscope/Shock 'Mary J Blige Live From Los Angeles' takes us on her 'Love And Life' tour, and she puts on a powerful performance. Watching the concert on a DVD doesn't really do the performer justice, but Blige is just so damn good at what she does that at times you feel like she's singing directly to you, yet also hosting this wild party. The show kicks off with You Remind Me and throughout the first few songs, Blige takes it fairly easy, the energy and charisma that she's is renowned for building slowly but surely. She sports casual attire of trackies and sneakers for the first half of the show and it's great to see a woman bouncing around not looking like she is about to fall off her six-inch heels. In fact, the outfit adds to her sophistication, demonstrating how comfortable she is as a performer: she just doesn't need the eye catching, glitzy costumes. There are few dancers and props present during the show; again, Blige doesn't need an extravagant stage and an array of back-ups to keep the audience entertained. Her voice and the expression that she puts into every line is enticing, and there aren't many artists today who can do that. The energy is really turned up when she lets it rip in the standout Children Of The Ghetto. From there on Blige is unstoppable, belting out Your Child and Not Gon' Cry almost with literal tears in her eyes; and when you are almost exhausted just from sitting in you lounge room watching it all, she really brings it home with Family Affair. You know what is the most exciting thing about watching Mary J Blige? She takes you to the place where she is, what she has been through and how she has grown, until you have almost reached out to your television screen screaming 'I feel you, girl!' Blige is believable; she has been there, so anyone can relate to her music. This DVD is recommended for everyone, because even if you don't normally acquire this genre of music, it's rare to gain as much appreciation from watching a performance. As far as DVDs go, the extras are passable. It features background footage from the tour such as setting up the show, and you can also you can enter the songs one by one. As for the concert itself, there isn't much you can criticise about Mary J Blige: she delivers. Overall, this DVD concert excelled expectations. I wish I had been at the gig, and you will too.  |
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