Prior to seeing this Blu-Ray, I was fairly confident that Leona's vocals would be outstanding but I did have my doubts as to whether she would be visually entertaining in a live concert - whenever I have seen her sing on TV she has always seemed so much more comfortable standing still and concentrating on her voice. But, I couldn't have been more wrong in my prediction - this concert was amazing, both vocally and visually.
The show opens to a scene reminiscent of an underground cave with pillars, upturned stones and plants winding their way around the stones. The lighting and smoke provides additional atmosphere. The stage darkens and a hooded figure slowly emerges from the back of the stage - Leona has arrived to huge screams and applause from the crowd.
Throughout the concert the theatrics are imaginative, the scenery and props add ambience without being too obtrusive and the dancers are second to none. I played `Take a Bow' over and over again just to watch their energy and co-ordination. After that you think it can't get any better - but just wait until you see Leona singing whilst being pushed around the stage on a rope swing - it must have taken her a lot of nerve to do that as she is pushed fairly up fairly high above the stage - and not once does her voice falter.
Leona has a number of costume changes throughout the performance. During two of them we are treated to videos of Leona which easily make you forget that you are waiting for her to reappear. `Ride a White Swan' is a delight to watch with Leona resplendent in a straight white wig and white costume, of course riding a large white (fake) swan. In the second video, `They Don't Care About Us', you will see Leona in a very different guise - I didn't recognise her for a second in her very tight figure hugging gear and perfectly straight hair. If you have ever had slightly naughty dreams about Leona then this is how I imagine she would appear in them.
Leona does join in with the dancing during many of the songs - perhaps not as energetically as other pop stars, but she doesn't need to, the key to this concert is her amazing voice - beautiful and full of such emotion. During the concert she performs 18 live songs and two video clips. I didn't hear a single note out of place, not once.
Throughout the concert there were many cut shots into the audience who were obviously enjoying the show. It was nice to see such a large age range represented, from young children to pensioners. It just goes to show the broad appeal of this young lady.
If you like Leona and her music then this disk is absolutely worth getting.