Studio: Uni Dist Corp (music) Release Date: 12/08/2009
I would give this 3.5 stars – Scrooge or Grinch that I am. Christmas performances can have the tendency to have some hokey renditions of songs, and this is no exception. I do not have the DVD, but I watched the entire PBS production and found some parts to be beneath Andrea Bocelli’s dignity. Most likely David Foster and Andrea were trying to appeal to all ages, but the performances with children and for children were hokey and boring and did not showcase Andrea Bocelli at all unless he was trying to show his versatiliy and humor. The children were staged in the production – plastered smiles and all, or at least that is how I viewed them. I also thought the Muppets were a real stretch. Please leave this to Sesame Street. Andrea’s duet with Katherine Jenkins was not memorable. Katherine Jenkins is a beautiful woman (who was dressed in an over the top ball gown – sort of like a black mermaid costume), but her singing was not clear or emotional and the song was very bland. Katherine Jenkins seemed to be merely there. These are just of a few of the performances in the show. Mary J. Blige (even though she was being videocast from NYC) was excellent and a breath of fresh air. All in all, it is a very uneven concert production and may be just fine for Christmas but not for any other time of the year. I would not recommend that you buy this is as a gift for anyone unless you really know that they won’t mind some cheesy, corny performances mixed in with the more serious performances. “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” are laughably bad. Read the other reviews and you’ll see that I am not alone in my opinon.
If you want to experience a David Foster concert production well worth your time, please buy the Blu-ray “Hit Man – David Foster and Friends”. It is an exciting and memorable PBS concert event that will be a winner for all seasons and stand the test of time. Andrea Bocelli maintains his dignity and Katherine McPhee makes magic with him.
Where to buy cheap prices? -My Christmas $15.51
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 24, 2009 14:06:09
