Search - Soundstage: Peter Cetera Live in Concert... on DVD

Another Nice PBS Product

Glen Ramirez | Massachusetts | 04/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being a Chicago fan (& all genre's of music in general), I decided to purchase "A&E's Chicago Live by Request" and Peter Cetera on "Soundstage" with Amy Grant. I missed Peter's voice on the Chicago DVD but it is very entertaining and a well done production and concert. Chicago has replaced Cetera with a very talented singer and musician who steps up to sing the selections originally voiced by Peter (& done very well). Below are my primary observations of the "Soundstage" DVD:

* The picture and sound quality are excellent. The concert is in Hi-Definition for a great presence on applicable equipment.

* Cetera still sings with his wonderfully familiar voice although it has definitely softened with age. The high notes are not quite hit but he still manages to stay true to the original songs (much like Elton John and Paul McCartney's aged voices; Elton 58, Paul 62 years old as of April 2005).

* There is virtually no interaction with the audience (except for a few quick "thank you's" and silly comments to the audience and fellow artists). It would have been nice to hear something related to what he was about to sing. I read similar reactions to his "Peter Cetera Live" DVD.

* Amy Grant is very good. I'm not a fan of Amy but she sings 3 solo songs that were very well chosen including one of 1991's big Pop hits "Baby Baby" and "El-Shaddai" from her first breakthrough album in Gospel in 1982. Each one is excellent and she is in fine form. A great way to begin this DVD. She also joins Cetera during his act to sing their hit duet "Next Time I Fall" from 1986.

* The backing instrumentalists are fantastic although they do give these songs a different spin. Instead of the Chicago brass section, piano, electric guitars and male background vocals, you hear them with a large string section, acoustic guitars, female backing, brass and piano. This is a nice sound for Pop, Rock and Classical enthusiasts.

* The DVD and/or concert is short. Most respectably produced music events are longer than 71 minutes (and less expensive). The song list is excellent but limited. You get a mix of solo hits and Chicago greats.

* There is a nice list of DVD Extra features but really only the 3 bonus tracks are meaningful. They are great extra tunes but being that you are only getting 9 Cetera songs on the main set (including the two duets) and 3 Grant songs, I would have expected them to add more video material to this disc such as archived footage of him.

Overall I give this a 4.5. Beautiful music, great audio/video quality and some fun nostalgia with a new twist.

Track Listing:

Amy Grant
------------
Baby Baby
Simple Things
El-Shaddai

Peter Cetera
------------
One Good Woman
Glory Of Love
Restless Heart
If You Leave Me Now
After All
The Next Time I Fall
Baby, What A Big Surprise
You're The Inspiration
Have You Ever Been In Love

Bonus Tracks
-------------
25 or 6 to 4
Even a Fool Can See
Hard To Say I'm Sorry"

Great but not as good as it could have been

F. Jacob | CT | 11/30/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Peter Cetera; one of my favorite artists of all time. I bought this DVD soley based on the feedback here. Compared to the complaints about quality with other DVD concerts from Cetera I will confirm that there are defintely no glitches with this edition. You want quality this is it. (yeah I know the DVD sleeve looks cheesy though, made me think this was a cheapo production, but defintely don't judge a DVD by it's cover) The picture is super sharp and the sound is 5.1 and perfect! Another thing is his truly great songs are all represented here with a few from Chicago too. Even "B side" hits like "Have you ever been in love?" were good surpises. What I am a bit disappointed about is that this is a Symphony edition concert. I wasn't expecting that. I know Peter is older now and I guess this is a more mature sound. Don't get me wrong though, I am a huge PBS fan and LOVE symphony too. It's nice to hear a different style with orchestral arrangements of all our ol favorites but actually, it was a lil too mellow for me. It may be appropriate for some tracks but not all of them! I'm really missing the drums and electric guitar! I think they could have merged the orchestra with a lil bit of the ol Chicagoish sound to make it really come alive. Sorry I am an 80s addict. That being said I think everything else is perfect. Cetera sounds great but as said he is aging a bit. The backup singers boost his voice to that ol sound though. Amy's performances added as a bonus really makes this a value. Just be forewarned that it may not sound like what you're used to, but for me it'll remain in my collection as a keeper."

A Beautiful Concert

Amelia Brown | USA | 05/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's true what someone else said that this is not the Chicago sound of years past. But don't let that stop you unless you just want to re-live those years (his other CDs with Chicago and solo can fill that bill).

Having said that, this accompaniment by the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra is in no way second rate in terms of quality and sound. The arrangements are beautifully crafted and executed, always in the service of Cetera's vocal line and not to attract attention to the orchestra (a superb orchestra by the way). Mellow? Yes, I suppose that's true. Touching? Absolutely! If some of these songs (the duets and "Have you ever been in Love?") don't bring some tears, check your pulse.

Amy Grant brings a nice added dimension too. She is so genuine as a person and artist. Her music is so direct and heartfelt. Her duet with Cetera (Next Time I Fall) is nicely done.

Even better is Cetera's duet with his back-up singer (the blonde woman who I couldn't quite hear the name of when Cetera mentioned her after the song). She has a smokey country sound to her voice and it balances nicely with Cetera's.

Someone else mentioned the cheesy stage comments to the audience and others from Cetera and that's true. I would call it "corny" but it didn't bother me much. I think he was just feeling good and that's his way of bantering with others when he's in a good zone. He certainly seems to be enjoying the occasion and with good reason.

Production is top notch! Camera angles and shots are choreographed and matched seamlessly to the performers. The sound is amazing! The only glitch I notice on this score is in the ballad "Have you ever been in Love". It is a trio arrangement for Cetera, pianist, and cellist. The pianist starts it off and he is very good. The piano is spot-miked beautifully and sounds sumptuous. Then Cetera joins in and the two of them play off each other wonderfully. Then the cellist joins in and he's probably good too but there's no way to tell since his spot mike isn't working and you can't hear a thing he plays unfortunately. All the more unfortunate since the camera is spot on and shows great close-ups of him caressing the strings and playing his heart out. Not a note of it can be heard but the spot mic is clearly seen. Oops. However, even with just Cetera and the pianist the song is achingly tender and touching.

Not a long DVD but one to treasure. True for me anyway.

"