|
| Willie Nelson and Friends - Live & Kickin' | 
 enlarge | Actor: Willie Nelson & Friends
Studio: Lost Highway
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $11.20
You Save: $8.78 (44%)
New (39) Used (11) from $10.44
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 38733
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Live, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 000332509
UPC: 602498635926
EAN: 0602498635926
ASIN: B000AA4H1S
Theatrical Release Date: August 23, 2005
Release Date: August 23, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new Item. CD, DVD, Book, VHS more than 400 000 titles to choose from. ALL days Low Price !
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Fascinating bit of sociology September 3, 2005
27 out of 29 found this review helpful
This is a strange bird of a DVD. For one thing, it contrasts the problems with watered-down, blown-up, and talent-lacking country music industry of today, with the rich talents of yesterday's country music scene, as well as the wealth of talent in other genres of new and current music. And for another thing, it's very entertaining to see Wyclef Jean freestyle rapping in front of a room full of mortified country fans.
It starts off well enough, with Willie performing an adequate rendition of one of his standards. And one would think a duet with Shania Twain doing "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" would be at least passable. But instead, Shania comes off sounding more like Celine Dion. Willie was completely unable to keep up, due to this very strange, overdone, and bland style of singing. Contrast that to Norah Jones who can sing with Willie incredibly beautifully and works with his style like a musical instrument in of itself. And she isn't even a country singer!
I would also like to know exactly how many Kenny Chesney fans will buy this DVD. The guy looks like a gay porn star. He actually makes me appreciate the originality of Garth Brooks. Sorry Garth, that was a bit cruel. In school one day, a couple of students said they liked country. Our teacher immediately asked "Willie Nelson?" They said "No, he's too old. We like Kenny Chesney!"
Notwithstanding, there are some great songs. When Ray Charles sang "A Song for You," I was crying right along with Willie. The Ray Price songs are fantastic and show Willie still has it after all these years. Paul Simon sings "Homeward Bound" in near perfect duet with Willie, not to mention a great guitar solo via Trigger. And although I may think Toby Keith has about as much charisma as Larry the Cable Guy, "I'll Never Smoke Weed With Willie Again," is thoroughly decent. But an up-beat country song in "Beer for My Horses" about terrorism is downright nauseating and horrifying. We certainly aren't all back at the saloon yet and probably never will be.
As far as the bonus tracks go, one can and cannot see why certain songs were cut. Willie's original opener of Whisky River was somewhat anemic. Kris Kristofferson can be an acquired taste. Sheryl Crow borderlines the same problem Shania has, but her song is pretty good. What was mindboggling was why they cut the other Norah Jones song which was just as outstanding as the one they kept in the show.
Now, finally the greatest specticle of them all. Leon Russell singing "Jumpin' Jack Flash." All the audience and Willie are very confused and don't know what to do. Even Leon seems a little surprised at what's coming out of him. And the biggest shock of all, the song is incredible. It burns the house down. But everybody stands around very uncomfortably. This alone, is worth the price of the DVD. I never thought I would hear a version of the song that would rival the Stones and then see everyone looking at their watches.
The same can be said of the Steven Tyler number. I wasn't even going to watch it, but I had to, just out of morbid curiosity. Going against all logic, reason, even physics, Steven makes a great country singer. He sounds very similar to Janis Joplin. It pains me to think of the missed opportunity of hearing him sing "Me and Bobby McGee" with Kristofferson. All I know now is that if Steven Tyler released a country album, I would certainly buy it and three copies for my friends.
So, all things considered this is a rather fascinating show. Sure, most country fans will give this one listen, complain about the chances it took, praise Twain and Keith, and forget it. But if you look and listen deeper you'll hear a completely original, strange, and satisfying showcase of talent doing what they do best, and sometimes trying something completely new and different.
 Great entertainers, fantastic music! October 18, 2005
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
If there is one country legend who knows and performs with EVERYBODY, it's Willie Nelson. For his 70th birthday, his friends came out. It's true that because he has performed with everybody from rock, soul, blues, jazz, oldies, it doesn't mean he sings great with them. Clearly, there are times when Willie knows to remain silent.
I always love "Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain", no matter who does it and it was beautiful by Shania Twain.
Sheryl Crow and Kris Kristofferson performed a duet on his popular "Me and Bobby McGree". Kristofferson should have only played along guitar; he was outsung by Crow, who did great.
Willie sang along with Paul Simon for "Homeward Bound" and this song was good for a duet. And Nelson doesn't do with with a strong voice of Steven Tyler, who did fantastic when he switched "One Time Too Many" from a ballad to a hard rockin' number!
This was a fabulous concert event! Great musical entertainers, fantastic music, and special birthday to their friend...Willie Nelson.......MzRizz
Willie's Birthday Party September 25, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Ray Charles' performance of "A Song for You" was worth the price of the DVD.
Best DVD in My Collection October 17, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I bought this DVD after friends were raving about it from our Leon Russell yahoogroup. They guaranteed it to be well worth the investment and they were right!
To see Willie, Leon Russell and Ray Charles singing A SONG FOR YOU was priceless!!! Brought tears to my eyes!!
I was surprised over and over to see all my favorite country music artists and some rock n roll favorites come out to help Willie celebrate his birthday! Amazing DVD!! Great buy!!
Willie Nelson and Friends-Live and Kickin' March 25, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
A must for true fans of Willie! Recorded to celebrate his 70th birthday, it features a host of stars guesting with Willie, incl. Paul Simon,Kris Kristofferson,Kenny Chesney and too many others to mention here. My personal favourite is a tongue in cheek number with Toby Keith and Scotty Emerick called "I'll never smoke weed with Willie again, which Willie himself was obviously hearing for the first time.It's very funny! Also the bonus features are certainly worth mentioning especiall Willie's duet with Kris,Help me make it through the night. Wonderful, I'd recommend it
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
