Amazon.co.uk Review
Opening with favourite "Dont Stop Movin",
S Club 7 Party Live certainly succeeds in whipping up an electric atmosphere. Recorded in Manchester during the summer of 2001, the
Party includes live performances of all the S Club hits, along with favourite tracks from the albums. The concert footage successfully recreates the vibrant mood of the tour. Tastefully switching to black and white at selected points, theres also plenty of visual material focusing on the ecstatic audience.
Like their TV show, the first part of the concert romantically references 1950s America and the popular culture of the era. Songs "Stand By You" and "You" are performed in a plush Cadillac, while others are staged on a mock Californian beach ("Natural" and "Bring It All Back"). Towards the end of the show the retro theme is dumped for a more gritty, urban-style set and costumes, for favourites such as "Reach" and "S Club Party". S Club Party Live highlights the gangs all round show-business talents.
On the DVD: for a group in the premier pop league the extras on this DVD are remarkably poor. The highlight of the bonus material is the option to view single members of the band performing a song from the concert. Unfortunately this single angle camera footage is typically dull and monotonous (how many times can you watch Rachel waving and blowing kisses at the camera?). The photo gallery is also annoying, comprising selected photos set to a 90-second backing track (the stills cant be viewed individually or even paused). However there are exclusive DVD-ROM links to the S Club Web site (to access the "pillow case" game or to download an exclusive screensaver) and concert tracks can be accessed individually from the menu. The disc is redeemed though by the excellent stage show and performances, along with top-notch audio and visual presentation. --John Galilee
Video Description
DVD Special Features: Spotlight On 7 (Choose your favourite S Clubber and watch their special moves!);
Photo Gallery;
Web Info (links to the S Club 7 pillow-fighting game, exclusive S Club 'screensaver');
Picture: Colour PAL, Feature in 16.9 Full Height Anamorphic.
Concert Running Time: 1 hour 20 mins approx.
Languages: English.
Audio: 5.1 Stereo.
Region Code: All Regions.
Subtitles: None.
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