Gardener’s Diary

RSPB My First Book of Garden Birds (Rspb) -

List Price: ?3.99
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List Price: ?19.99
Amazon Price: ?14.98
Used Price: ?9.70
Customer Review: Good show & great rare footage
Without the rare and unseen footage this wouldn’t get five stars from me. It IS a special concert and a true celebration of Elton John’s unique musical gifts and of course his 60th Birthday. Sadly as Elton John has got older his voice has become a less expressive musical instrument. I say this as huge fan of the artist. Its not a criticism, sadly age catches up with all of us and Elton is as human as the rest of us. If you decide to watch some of the rare and unseen concert footage before you watch the main concert, this is when the limitations in Eltons voice becomes painfully obvious. That said there are some performances in the birthday concert that are better than the archive ones. Honky Cat being one example. Credit then to Elton John that when he sings a song like ‘Where to now St Peter’, where in the past the melody required him to sing falsetto he has now changed the melody to work with his less flexible voice. Lesser artists would cheat and have somebody else sing the high notes. Its a great occasion and for a man of 60 he still is the ultimate rock showman. How many other artists of Elton’s era are doing 3 hour stage shows. Not many did in the 70’s let alone now. Songs that haven’t been performed live since the 70’s are resurrected like “Ballad of a well known Gun” and some of the best songs from his recent albums like “Tinderbox” (incredibly catchy) are performed on a great stage set which is a wonder of lighting and video. The rare and unseen footage is a treasure trove of classic footage. Noteably excellent are the ‘Sounds for Saturday’ performances with only Dee and Nigel (on bass and drums respectively). Four solo Piano performances from the Edinburgh playhouse are very good and a 2001 performance for a Top of the Pops special of “This Train don’t Stop There Anymore”, which is my favourite recent Elton John song is magnificent. Overall then this is a great package.
Customer Review: Sixty Years On!
Elton John has produced a dozen or so concert DVD’s, but this is the ultimate in entertainment. Recorded on his 60th birthday at his 60th performance at Madison Square Garden, this DVD excels in pure entertainment satisfaction. Over two DVD’s you witness thirty-three classic songs from over the last five decades including such little performed gems like, “Hercules” and “Roy Rogers”. The standards like, “Crocodile Rock” and “Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” are also lent out in slightly new versions that more than please. Unlike the Madison Square Garden show he previously released with shots of fans over-riding the stage show; this one showcases those people as well as dozens of famous political, musical and acting celebrities. Robin Williams and Whoopie Goldberg bring on a fantastic, “Happy Birthday” and Bernie Taupin, who never appears on stage, gives a heart-felt salute to Elton on his birthday. It’s all amazingly good fun and very emotional. The light show is fantastic and the sound is pin-point perfect with a large young choir singing backstage that enhances the performance like no other Elton John has given. It truly feels like the celebration in New York City that night was something very special. That’s not all. This double disc set also includes eighteen “live, rare & unseen” performances from over the years that are a stunning reminder of what a fantastic musician Elton John is. On top of that, there is a section called, “Elton’s New York Stories” that includes four personal emotional song videos of Elton that just pack more of a whollop you would not expect. The sound quality (DVD, dts, 5.1) is superb enough to hear audience members actually talking and the band never sounded more crisp. Add to that an extensive booklet of liner notes and you have a keeper of a Birthday celebration. Elton John - you are a spectacle of a celebration!
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List Price: ?13.99
Amazon Price: ?10.98
Used Price: ?8.00
Customer Review: Absolutely Fantastic
After buying the Future Sex Love Sounds album I thought I would buy the DVD. It is the most amazing concert DVD I have ever watched. Just like other reviewers have said, it is fantastic from start to finish. The atmosphere, the dancers, the music is all spot on. I urge all fans of JT to buy this DVD as you will be watching it again and again and again! My only issue with this DVD is that it makes me wish I was there when it was filmed!! Superb!!!
Customer Review: AMAZING!!!!
i’ve got this DVD and i have to say that it is AMAZING!!!! i have watched it so many times because it just never gets old! i still feel the excitement i felt when i was there, especially with all my fav songs (my love, what goes around comes around, cry me a river, losing my way, another song etc!!) when my friends and i get together we have to put it on really loudly and experience the whole thing again! he showcases all of his talents - singing, dancing, playing instruments and just being the cute entertainer that he is!! timbaland also makes an appearance so the whole crowd goes crazy for chop me up and sexyback! this is DEFINITELY for anyone that went to the concert and wants to recreate it in their living room, or even for those who want to experience it if they missed it!! p.s the extras are really good too!
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