Music Review: Aerosmith: Download Festival at Donington Park (2014)

Aerosmith at ****  I watched this concert of Aerosmith, and must admit there are still only two songs I like of theirs.  However these two songs are so extraordinary it makes the time spend watching the whole concert worth it.  These songs are “Dream On” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.”  I can listen to them over and over.  Steven Tyler is quite the performer and singer.  No one can copy his style.  He is very unique.  However during the concert there was a time he used the "f" word too freely.  The band also features Joe Perry lead guitar and vocals, Tom Hamilton bass guitar, Joey Kramer drums, and Brad Whitford guitar.  Steven Tyler takes a turn at percussion and piano. 

2012 Birthday Upload: "Wayne Newton: Live In Concert" - May 23rd, 1989

This is a full concert from Wayne Newton.  It is fascinating.  He is not shy about his Indian heritage.  From the concert you can understand how he is called Mr. Entertainer.  He doesn't sing original material, but he takes other's material, and makes it into a very fine show.  No wonder he has been entertaining to sold out shows in Las Vegas for many decades.
Wayne Newton Biography

Final Osmond Family Concert (2008)

This is an excellent concert which features some old Osmond songs, some spiritual songs and The Mormon tabernacle Choir.  Marie seems to have some costume and mic issues but other than that it goes off without a hitch.  The highlight is the last two numbers where the older Osmond Brothers join in with ASL while the rest of the family sings.  This is a 50 year tribute to the Osmonds in entertainment.

Theatrical Musical Review: Sondheim Follies (In Concert 1985)

This concert features many big name performers singing some of Sondheim's big numbers. The New York Philharmonic provides orchestration an it was performed at the Lincoln center.  The stories is that the Follies are having a reunion party, as their old theater is being demolished.  It gives rise to many people looking back at their lives, and where they have let themselves down, and where they have succeeded.  It is a melancholy look.   This performance in You Tube and Netflix is not just a showing of the concert.  The first half hour talks about putting the concert together with only four days, and then the last hour or so is the actual concert, but shortened.  Many pieces are not shown or shortened.
However performances of note include Carol Burnett singing "I'm Still here."  This is a shortened version of the song.  Mandy Patinkin sings "The God Why-Don't-You-Love Me Blues."  Lots of movement and energy, but in he end probably too much and gets in the way of focusing on the song.  Elaine Stritch sings "Broadway baby."  Lee Remick as Phyllis sings "Could I Leave You?"  When the answer comes up "Yes" she send Ben (George Hearn) into hysteria for "Chaos."
This is a pretty fun show.  However I would have enjoyed more concert and less documentary.

Music Review: Petula Clark: Live at the Paris Olympia (2003)

Petula Clark is terrific in this recorded concert.  You have to put up with the crazy camera work with angles making it look like Clark is under the mike, or going to fall on her face, and about half of the songs being sung in French to appeal to the local audience, and the conversation being mostly in French, but Clark's talent shines through out.  She sings songs from musicals and movies she has been in:  "Look to the Rainbow" from Finian's Rainbow, "You and I" from Goodbye Mr. Chips, "With One Look" from Sunset Boulevard and "Tell Me its not True from The Blood Brothers.  She seems some beautiful French melodies, some with a Jazz flavor.  She shines when she sings song form her own repetoire.  Don't Sleep in the Subway was new to me, but it still moved me.  Toward the end of the show was a trio of songs which brought the house down:  "I Know a Place", "Sign of the Times" and "Downtown" were excellent and had my blood pumping.  This is worth watching or listening to.