Search - Mariza: Live in London on DVD

Almost tempted to rate this 4.5 stars

fCh | GMT-5, USA | 03/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mariza is hailed as the new Amalia Rodrigues in Fado. I find such a characterization somewhat misleading. For one, we find much more variety in her style than in the late diva's. But then there is the force with which she comes out on the screen or live performances. Unlike her predecessor, she puts together a whole show: music, stage presence, lights, costumes, atmosphere, and (studied) self-awareness. And it is awareness combined with her youth that makes the whole show swing from being slightly awkward to self-assured. Hence the hesitation on rating this.

In any event, this DVD packs a lot of features and a wonderful show. I would go as far as saying, if you do not see Mariza, hearing her is not enough. This DVD is the closest alternative to the privilege of seeing her perform live on stage.

As for the artist Mariza, most chances are, she'll mature artistically into something of a class on its own!
"

PASSION AND POWER: A LIVE, FIERY PERFORMANCE BY THE 'FADO' D

RBSProds | Deep in the heart of Texas | 06/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Five Spellbinding Stars!!! This splendidly recorded BBC-produced DVD catches the fabulous 'Fado Diva' Mariza "Live in London" in a dramatically lit Union Chapel before a spellbound audience. The audience loosens up considerably when she strolls into the aisles later in the show. From her close-cut platinum wavy hairdo, suggesting futuristic female hero Trinity of "The Matrix" fame, to her traditional Portuguese hoop dresses, Mariza seems to be caught in the time warp of her mission to bring the old traditions of Portuguese 'Fado' to the rest of the current day world, while maintaining her Lisbon base. She is the Ultimate 21st Century Fadista.

Fado, to me, suggests a wonderful combination of great passion, 'saudade' (sadness/longing), tango-like musical drama, 'the blues', halting hopefulness, and in some cases, a form of African or Portuguese folk rhythms. That's the musical area code, at least. On the DVD, she gives song introductions in English, to give the audience some semblance of the meaning of the song, before launching into non-subtitled Portuguese singing. Portuguese is a language that transmits both the singer's emotions and the singer's ability to interpret a song very easily, which can be both emotionally overpowering and aurally intoxicating. Such is the case here as Mariza rivets the audience with her delivery, with her wonderful Fado trio, and two special guests.

'Pieces De Resistance', the best of the best, are the saudade-tinged "O Silencio Da Guitarra", the joyous "Maria Lisboa", "Minino Do Bairro Negro" where her emotions boil over at the end, the conflicting emotions of "Barco Negro", the accelerando instrumental "Variacoes Em Re", "Primavera", the powerful "Cavaleiro Monge", the quintet-backed and jazzy "O Deserto", and the gut-wrenching "O Gente Da Minha Tierra". Mariza is her own woman and her own unique POWERFUL singer, singing one of the world's most distinctive and invigorating music forms. She is one of the world's greatest living singers. Thanks to Mariza and the producers for the English language parts & translations. Five HUGE Stars!!

(Note:
*This 1 hour and 40 minute DVD has English subtitles for spoken Portuguese sections, spoken English introductions, and is sung in Portuguese with no subtitles.
*There is NO REGIONAL CODING, this is an NTSC COMPATIBLE DVD in (dual layer) DVD 9. PIcture format is 16:9. Dolby Digital Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound are excellent. Please note:The DVD FROZE UP on my MAC (loaded up with a galaxy of DVD/media players), but it PLAYED EASILY on my MINTEK DVD player, so please consult your DVD manual for it's regional and functional capabilities.
*There are two beautiful Music Videos included as bonuses. Do not miss the spellbinding performance of "O Gente Da Minha Terra" (People of My Land), this version backed by guitar, or the sight of a fully-clothed Mariza wading into a flowing river. Mariza talks about Lisbon and Fado as she joyously wanders around her home town of Lisbon Portugal, sub-titled in English.
*Trivia: Mariza Nunes was born in the Portuguese colony of Mozambique and raised from the age of three in Lisbon, Portugal where she learned Fado. Her still photographs don't do her justice. She's beautiful and charismatic. )"

Live in London

R. BUKOWSKI | Edmonton, Canada | 07/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've just recently acquired all her albums. This performance is before her recent release Transparente, (which I recommend). The performance is excellent and much better than most live performances on other DVD's. Her voice is strong, clear and emotive. Some of the arrangements are different from the album versions so it is not always a straight attempt to copy the CD version. I often listen to this because there really isn't much out there like it. Mariza is a popularizer of Fado so the stage is not like a Tavern in Lisbon but that doesn't take away from the captivating vocals. If people want to review this based on politics and her watching a bullfight in Lisbon (very Portuguese), they are going to miss out on one of the best acts in World music. BTW I always thought that Portuguese bullfighting didn't involve killing the bull."

Mariza in London

P. C. Carlin | melbourne australia | 03/18/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD is very entertaining and polished. It includes most of her popular songs, the guitar instrumentalists are excellent, and her verbal notes on many of the songs are very helpful. The guitar instrumental is outstanding. Mariza's singing in the isle among the audience was a big hit. However, in my judgement, it is not as natural and authentic as Concerto em Lisboa. The Live in London DVD has many of the features of a performance scripted by marketing people, whereas in the concert in Lisbon, she seemed more at ease, and just eased into the spirit and emotion of each song. The tempo of many of the songs appearaed to flow rather than be driven, and the use of the orchestra, in particular the cello, provided wonderful enrichment. Also the two tracks which included the drums were exciting and very entertaining. There is considerable overlap of the tracks on both DVDs. Therefore I would strongly recommend only buying one, and in my view, the concert in Lisbon, is so much better than the concert in London."