Search - Crystal Gayle: Live in Concert on DVD

Mixed feelings about Crystal this time...

N. wahlstrom | Helsinki, Finland | 09/28/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Being a big fan of Crystal's I've always wished for a live CD. I've seen her live a few times, and I know there are times when she sounds even better live than at records. I don't think there are many artists who can make the test. And generally, I was quite pleased with this live performance. She sounds great from the very beginning on Everybody's Reaching..., and the nice version of Green Door is my absolute favorite from this concert. And she sure looks great!

Despite the credits I'm still a bit disappointed with several things. My main reason to complaint is the choise of songs for this concert; too many of them are a reprise of the ones on the earlier DVD (in Concert from 1984). And she doesn't put her soul in many of them. The versions on this DVD of i.g. Half the Way and Why Have You Left... are mediocre performances. Especially the latter makes me press "Forward" on the remote control. She lifts the tone every single time at the word "one" in the title phrase, an effect that appears too many times in this song, that I've never been a great fan of. Not being an American I don't care much for the patriotic "You Don't Even Know My Name". The US actions in Afghanistan that this song was written for after 9/11 aren't as commonly justified in every part of the world, and already since the late 1980's I've wished she wouldn't mix her symphaties for the Republicans with her carreer.

I know Crystal's a very unselfish person who's ready to give others as well a place in the sun. Still, I bought this DVD wanting to see Crystal's perfomance, not performances by Jay Patten or her sister Peggy Sue. Mentioning Loretta and Including Coal Miner's Daughter and Don't Come Home... again to me seems so meaningless. The perfomances by J. Patten and Peggy Sue really flatten the feeling. And I hate jokes! Especially when one knows they go by a script. Sorry, not funny! The quite OK duet More Money with P.S. would have put the spotlight on the latter just enough.

Comparing this concert to the one in Canada in 1982 I'd go for the older one! In the new release of that concert (from 2005)they've included a section of a medley of old standards, that wasn't included in the first version of that concert. Considering that she's recorded almost nothing but standards during the last seven years I find it strange that she doesn't perform a single one! I've heard fantastic performances of several songs like I've Got it Bad And That Ain't Good, Since I Fell for You and others, but you will not find any standards here, except for Crystal's own ones. A very safe and rather boring list. I've wished for something more special and extraordinary, after all this is a singer who really knows how to sing! Where's the ambition in this project, I wonder.

Ending the concert with a medley of gospel songs (again, heard too many times at her previous concerts!) doesn't manage to lift the feeling towards the end.

So, why four stars, after all? Well, she beautiful, although she still needs help with the wardrobe. (This time her dress wasn't a catastrophy, but still; Come on!) And because of the few highlights i.g. Midnight in the Desert and That's What I Like about the South, a piece where everyone's on the stage have their own moment in the spotlight. And mostly because of the bonus features, especially the family gathering in Butcher Holler. This extra feature show a much more interesting side of this lovely performer than the actual concert. So folks, after all this a quite OK achievement from a perfomer who can do much better (just check her TV-specials from 1979 and 1980!)."

Must have for Crystal fans!

C. Lewallen | Oklahoma | 09/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great item and a must have. I received a copy of this already and I LOVE it! Crystal performs perfectly and shines with her band on all the favorites. The rare treats on this DVD are performances of Green Door, Ready for the Times to Get Better, and of course, Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue. Having been to a number of Crystal's concerts across the midwest, this is a priceless keepsake of a fantastic entertainer and a truly remarkable person. You'll also love the charm of her sister Peggy Sue! Purchase this and you will not be sorry!"

Not Crystals best work!!!

Jonathan E. Dockery | Los Angeles, CA | 10/28/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I wanted this DVD so badly!!! I am one of the hugest Crystal Gayle fans ever. It seems to have taken her well over a year after taping this concert to get it released. Well, for me it was not worth the wait. I am always on edge waiting for her to release a new album, which does not happen often enough. I have been to so many Crystal Gayle concerts and she normally sounds absolutely amazing!!! I LOVE THIS WOMAN WITH ALL MY HEART!!! However, this music to me sounds horrible. It does not showcase the true talent behind Crystal's voice. I listened to this DVD and felt sort of sad. The one thought that came to my mind is that she does not seem to be hitting her high notes here. She talked through many portions of her songs. Half the Way was a classic song and one of her best. However, it did not showcase her voice and this new version did not do it for me. I thought maybe she was sick that nite and didnt want to let her fans down and performed anyway. I know that nite had been planned for a long time. Crystal always had an amazing voice, a crystal clear voice and one that flowed out of her like water. I certainly look forward to more work from this amazing artist and can only hope that she will showcase her voice and true talent in her next project.
If she was sick the night this album was being made, then my heart goes out to her for still trying to give it her all."