The Dresden Dolls - Paradise (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you aren't already familiar with The Dresden Dolls' music - you'll want to catch up some before you read this.
But if you already know & love the music, or if you've heard their albums before but didn't quite get what all the fuss was about, you absolutely need to see this DVD. I've yet to know anyone who has seen them live and didn't get it. Their live show is something every music fan should see once, and if you can't make it to an actual show, this really is the next best thing - and it will only set you back around $10.
Director Michael Pope has managed to do something I didn't think would be possible - he captured all of the energy and passion from The Dresden Dolls' live show in this DVD. The sound for the June 2005 show at Paradise in Boston is near perfect, and the video footage is simply sublime. Creative editing allows us to see both Amanda and Brian for most of the show, something you can't really do even when you're there in person.
The track list for this show is only missing one real gem (Coin Operated Boy - though that is included as a bonus clip) and includes a pair of outstanding cover tunes. The line-up:
Good Day
Missed Me
War Pigs (Black Sabbath)
Perfect Fit
Christopher Lydon
Bad Habit
Half Jack
Girl Anachronism
Pierre (Carole King)
Truce
Each track could stand alone as a beautiful video, but altogether it's one amazing show.
The extras are bountiful as well. There are two live tracks from the Roskilde Festival (Coin Operated Boy and Girl Anachronism), and while the sound & video are not nearly as good as the Boston show, it's still quite nice to see. You are given the videos for those same two tracks also, which is a real bonus because it's been a challenge (for me at least) to find them in any form other than Quicktime movies from the web page, and they're such beautiful works of art they deserve to be seen on a bigger screen.
A documentary, titled _A Life in the Day of The Dresden Dolls_ follows Amanda and Brian through the day of the show (along with everyone else who was involved in the show - which is a long list of people, including The Brigade) which gives us an interesting view into the challenges they faced that day.
The pre-show features the performances from The Brigade as well as an interview conducted by none other than THE Christopher Lydon. The banter between Lydon and Amanda is simply priceless.
Simply a must-have for any fan and a should-see for anyone curious about The Dresden Dolls, and I'm betting many of the curious will be transformed into fans after seeing this...

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Item Name: The Dresden Dolls - Paradise; Studio:Roadrunner Records

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Dido Live (DVD/CD Set) (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)If I were to have one complaint about Dido, it would be her studio tracks are a little *too* laid back and they sometimes get monotonous if you're not in the mood for them. Nevertheless, I love her songwriting and she ranks with up there with Poe as far as lyrical excellence is concerned. Her lyrics are subtle, sophisticated, and well-crafted. Here on her live DVD, my one complaint towards her is revoked, removed, and I've re-experienced Dido at her finest. Her live performance is where the missing spark can be found; her energy comes through blasting and blaring and she takes you for a memorable ride.
As a casual fan, what surprised me was her undeniable charm and charisma. Along with her energy, these elements of her just don't come through on her studio albums nor in her videos. She's also got quite a facetious, lively sense of humor (which she shares with the audience between songs). This makes the music that much more accessible. I found I didn't need to be 'in the mood' for her music to watch her concert. Like her music, Dido herself is captivating in a subdued, subtle manner. The band, the singing were all top-notch and I have no complaints about the music. Dido, her band, and the audience all looked as if they were having the time of their lives, and it definitely shows. The music was all terrific, and so good was this concert that it prompted me to re-visit some songs I didn't particularly like and give them a second chance after seeing it live on the DVD. That's a sure sign a concert was a winner for me.
Fans of Dido will not want to miss banter and conversations that happen in between songs. She shares (briefly) some information about the song she's going to sing next, which is quite nice. She never gets too carried away (y'know how some singer-songwriters make less and less sense the more they talk about their song?) and always stays grounded and makes complete sense. Surprisingly, she's also quite funny! (And guys, my husband watched this DVD and he assures me she's quite hot, as well.)
Now, on to a very important reason I love this DVD: no. psychotic. editing! (Yay! Yay! Yay!) After being so very, very, very disappointed with Sheryl Crow's "C'mon America" and Sarah McLachlan's "Afterglow Live," I was afraid Dido's DVD was going to follow the 'nauseatingly choppy and twirly rockstar' trend. (Note: I love those two ladies and I thought their performances were top-notch. This isn't an attack on Sheryl or Sarah's performances--I just couldn't stand editing of the video) I've said repeatedly on Amazon that I wish that trend would die because I literally get motion sick watching concerts that do their editing that way (where the camera doesn't linger on any one shot for more than 5 seconds) and those DVDs are absolutely unwatchable. (I'm 24, so no, it's not an age issue.) So, if you can sympathize with this, fear not! Dido has not succumbed and this DVD is more than watchable. The only complaint I can see is that the video quality isn't crystal clear. It reminded me a bit of Sarah McLachlan's 'Mirrorball.' I, however, enjoyed the look of it because it lent a certain atmosphere and feel to the DVD that complemented it very well.
Ever since Sarah McLachlan's 'Mirrorball,' I haven't found a concert DVD that's compelled me to watch and re-watch a concert as often as I did with 'Mirrorball.' Dido's done it for me, though, and it's quite a pleasure to see her perform. This is one of the concerts that will get watched often in my house. I will be anxiously awaiting her next CD, DVD, tour, etc.

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DIDO LIVE - DVD Movie

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