Live In London [DVD] [2009]

I was one of the lucky fans that attended (or experienced,witnessed,lived, etc.) the Final Two gig at Earls Court last August. George Michael was in top form, having fun throughout the evening and provided the ecstatic crowd with flawless performances from his huge catalog of hits. All eras of his 25-year long career were represented: From the Wham! days ("Everything She Wants" & "I'm Your Man") up to his latest offerings ("An Easier Affair" & "Feeling Good"). The technical setup was astonishing (sound, light, laser beams, the curving LCD Mega-Wall, etc.) but the performances he delivered were the real star of the night.

Don't seek out highlights of the show; the show in its entirety is the highlight of Mr. Michael's illustrative career. It may have taken too long for him to present a live DVD, but bearing in mind the kind of perfectionist he is, he did it the right way.

The only low point (if any) in my opinion is that two of the most distinctive performances of the show were not included in the DVD: "Praying for time" & "Star People". On the other hand we get a behind-the-scenes documentary!

I would definitely recommend!
5+ Stars.

Having read the 3-star review, I fail to see how this show can be criticised as being tong long, having poor visuals or requiring dancers. I bought this blu-ray on the basis that George Micheal is actually singing live (a rarity for most modern 'live' 'pop' gigs) and is note-perfect. The band are excellent (including the backing singers) and the visuals compliment rather than distract from the performance. The blu-ray transfer and sound quality are excellent too.

I am not a huge fan of GM, but do appreciate quality muscianship and he and this show delver 100%. It is certainly the best music blu-ray I own (so far) and shouldn't be dismissed on the grounds that it was too long (as a greatest hits showcase, it wasn't, in my opinion) or lacked dancers.

The only point I would agree on is the need for the bongo player, exactly why he is on stage is a mystery!

Not only is this a great performance-in it's fullest sense, it is also a showcase for a truly stunning voice, and writing talent.
Georges' ability to convey the feelings in his own work , as only a singer/songwriter can , only adds to his continually growing reputation as a Towering British Talent.

His capacity for communicating feelings in the simplest language , along with the ability to marry perfect melody and genuine emotion, really seems effortless, (which It can't be or many would have achieved it.)

Georges perfect voice shows a vunerability, his lyrics emotional intelligence, in his ballads particularly , and the visuals in this show only serve to enhance his beautiful work.
The stunningly simple, everchanging backdrop, during 'A Different Corner' for example, moved the song up my list of favourites, and the moving sequence at the end of 'my mother had a brother' I found worked to enhance and highlight the lyric beautifully.
I'm sure he's had a lot of influence in this shows visuals, and why this has taken some time to produce.
The inclusion of slices of some of the older and newer sequences from his videos also worked well. "I'm your man' , 'Too Funky', 'Fastlove' and 'Outside' and 'Spinning the wheel' were examples of where this was particularly good

I think the balance of the set list works well, in the main because every song is a winner, and moving from hit to hit just works, whatever the tempo.
The bonus tracks on Disc Two are as brilliant as those on Disc One. Quality through and through, with the options of dolby stereo, and 5.1 surround sound- excellent.

This man's talent is unquestionable, and despite having grown up, come out, and suffered at the 'mouths' of others ,(making his transitions in front of us all)
He has shared his journey within his music and honestly-for those of us really listening,- and I for one appreciate this normal, gifted human, pushing through the celebrity rubbish that surrounds him, whilst his artistry still manages to shine through, and he thankfully shares his exceptional music with us all.

P.S............... his sense of humour gleams brightly in his agreeing to allow the witty '' I'd know him a mile off * '' warts n'all documentary (speaks volumes). Unpretentious funny and cool.
*how long before''waste of a plastic neon tabard , buck toothed, witless, plonker '' who, 'knew him a mile off'' starts opening supermarkets.HAHA!(way to go Wembley stadium-roll on the olympics)

This DVD /BLU RAY captures the evening brilliantly..............FIRST CLASS ENTERTAINMENT.-with added funny bits...................