Live at Roseland: Elements of 4 [DVD] [2011]

Firstly, if you're a new fan of Beyonce' and are looking for a live concert dvd where she performs her greatest hits and has all the slick choreography and spectacular stage setups, then skip past this DVD. Instead try either the 2007 "Beyonce' Experience" DVD or the "I Am... World Tour 2010" DVD.
This DVD isn't a greatest hits concert, but a much more intimate performance devoted almost entirely to her latest album "4".

The first half of the program is a retrospective of Beyonce's career up to 2011, and kicks off with a fast-paced medley of her biggest hits with band "Destiny's Child", which is playful and energetic but is nothing new to fans of Beyonce' (she's performed this medley in it's entirety in the 2009 DVD I Am... An Intimate Performance). She then performs a jazzed up version of her signature song "Crazy in Love" which is, as always, excellent - and then segways onto a crafted rework of the "Dreamgirls" movie title song, in which she starred in 2006. The songs "Irreplacable" and "Single Ladies" close this first part, and are both brilliant but again, nothing we haven't seen before in her other live concert DVDS.

The second half of the program is where the new material is brought to the front, and the concert is literally a live performance of the album almost in it's entire form. The only problem here is that the "4" album was Beyonce's attempt at a more mature, personal album. This succeeded in audio format, but as a live concert the high number of ballads means it does become a bit lackluster, especially when compared to the previous concert DVDs. The majority of the songs are Beyonce' stood on the stage singing (very well) but with not much movement. Don't get me wrong, there are a few of the dance/pop stormers that we expect dotted throughout the DVD, like "Countdown" and "End of Time" and also "Run the World". I think it's a matter of taste whether the viewer prefers this ballad type of performance or the more energy filled songs and dances of the last few concerts, but either way Beyonce' still makes the songs performed enjoyable by her extraordinary vocals and charisma. Also, we have to take into account that this DVD was filmed when Beyonce was pregnant and so is undoubtably going to be more strenous for her to perform these type of routines, unlike the others where she could race around the stage with boundless energy.
Also, the playlist structure can be slightly jarring, as she goes from performing a high-energy dance song like "Run the World" with it's tight choreography, to suddenly again singing a slow ballad like "1 + 1".
However, taking these flaws into account, the DVD is still a cut above other performers in popular music at this time, and Beyonce's vocals and stage prescense can't be faltered, she is stunning as a live performer, in the same vein as performers of the past such as Tina Turner or Michael Jackson in terms of energy and pathos. Also, this program follows in the footsteps of her previous DVD "I Am..." by allowing the viewer glimpses of Beyonce's personal life via home movies and backstage footage. This is a surefire selling point for fans, and does make the DVD more personal than other performers.

Finally, the DVD also includes all (at the time of writing) the video singles for "4" in beautiful quality. These are:
01. 1+1
02. Best Thing I Never Had
03. Party
04. Love On Top
05. Countdown
06. Run the World
07. Bonus Video Single - Dance For You
08. Beyonce' Behind the Camera Making Of.
These make the set a brilliant companion piece to the "4" album, and so even if it doesn't compare to the heights of her last few live concert DVDS, "Live at Roseland" is still a DVD well worth adding to your collection.

I'll get the basics out of the way now; this is a short concert, as all of the pre-4 songs are shortened [the Destiny's Child era tracks get the most severe cuts - the backing singers and audience do the majority of the singing]. As the concert is short, there are no costume changes and no fancy stage setups, and although there is dancing, there wasn't much space to perform and Beyonce was already pregnant, so there is less then is usual at a Beyonce concert.

It wasn't a problem for me, but some people may not like, is that various footage of Beyonce is inserted throughout the songs. Again, this wasn't an issue for me, but if you want to simply sit back and watch Beyonce sing, this isn't the best DVD to get.

***

This Beyonce performing live, so yeah, I'll call this a must own, but I'll admit that I had a few niggles, so it isn't perfect for me:

The run of concerts at Roseland was to celebrate the 4 album, so it was disappointing to find that Beyonce only sings four non-singles from the 4 album; I Care, I Miss You, Rather Die Young and I Was Here [End Of Time is going to be a single]. I love I Care and I Miss You, but would have adored to see her perform Start Over live.

I do really like the single Party, but it doesn't have the same spark to it without the Andre 3000/J Cole rap in it.

As I already mentioned, this is a short concert and the earlier songs all get shortened considerably.

***

Now for the highlights;

I never really liked 1 + 1 and I Was Here before now, but her live performances have sold me.

I Care and I Miss You are two of my favourite songs on the 4 album and her vocals on the live versions are out of this world.

I think that the music videos made for her 4 singles are her best and they're all [except End Of Time - maybe it's not been filmed yet?] on the second disc. All the way from the epic choreography in Run The World (Girls), to the just-been-released Dance For You - which is jaw droppingly smoking and has left me rethinking my heterosexuality...

It came quickly, was well packaged and was loved by my girlfriend, thanks. It's a very good dvd with plenty of Beyonce action, she doesn't even do an outfit change, so it's B.B.B.B.B