Customer Rating:  
Summary: Michael W. Smith - Live in Concert: A 20 Year Celebration
Comment: A very good dvd in which michael does a number of his popular songs. Add to that a special appearance by Amy Grant and the video for Signs plus the making of the video for "Signs" as well as some still photos and you have a very good dvd. Song list included "Place In This World" "I Will Be Here For You" and they were done as a medley and only with piano which was disappointing as those are two songs that so many people relate with. If you are a fan of Michael W. Smith and like the "live" atmosphere of a dvd concert then this is a dvd that is worth having.
Customer Rating:
Summary: His love never ends...
Comment: "This becoming is harder than it seems." ~Michael W. Smith
In a mosaic of contemporary Christian classics, Michael W. Smith creates an atmosphere of worship. He is more than a signpost to help us find a way to worship God, his voice is a musical portal that opens the heart and encourages a full participation in the worship of our Creator. His heart is all encompassing as he sings and invites the audience to join him in his choice to make worship a lifestyle.
This concert has a variety of musical styles with global appeal. As a teenager I enjoyed a few of his first songs while living in Africa and only later realized that his music had infused the world with a love for God. "Friends" was a song I knew before I knew who Michael W. Smith was and his songs are gifts to the world that change lives and provide a place for souls to find comfort.
Surprise: Amy Grant joins Michael and sings El Shaddai and Thy Word - both unforgettable.
The Special features include: "Alternate Angle, Signs - Music Video, Making of Signs, Behind the Scenes, Photo Album and Compassion International."
I went to a concert in Seattle, WA and it was "the" most spiritual experience of my life. Once you experience a Michael W. Smith concert, your life is changed forever. There is a place that opens in your heart that can't be closed again. The powerful feeling of love and connection to God is one I've never experienced in any other concert.
Michael's voice is as beautiful as ever and his love for God has deepened and his concern for the world is very evident.
~The Rebecca Review
Customer Rating:
Summary: Where is the younger Michael?
Comment: I was kind of disappointed by this video. Sincerely, I was hoping it was like the change your world video. What I saw on it, was a more mature - worship Michael W. Smith. It seems that younger Michael has changed, maybe not for worse but, in a celebration DVD I was wondering for Color Blind, Picture Perfect, Love me Good or at least, Live the Life, those songs are really hits from him, and hearing songs from other songwriters, well, I was disappointed. The Production of the show, however, is great.
Customer Rating:
Summary: very good
Comment: Well this DVD is quite good and Michael W. Smith is one of my favorite all-time artists, but I was a tad disappointed. First of all there are just so many many wonderful songs that were not performed. Now of course I realize he cannot put 50 songs on the DVD...but just a smattering of songs like 'hand of providence, never been unloved, pray for me, emily, cross my heart, I miss the way....there's just sooo many I would have loved to hear. And to put salt in the wound, many of his best songs were much abbreviated in this concert: For You, Place in this world and more. Also I could have done without Amy Grant. (nothing personal, I'm just not into her music as much). Also the background scenes on the big screen were a bit distracting.
Having said all that, it sounds like I hated it. But actually I really enjoy watching this show. Michael sounds wonderful. The music is great. The band is great. Michael is warm and friendly with the audience. I could watch and listen to him perform all day long. He is one of the best songwriters/artists of our time. For me it was definately worth the $15 even though it wasn't everything I hoped it would be. I will watch this many times.
Customer Rating:
Summary: HIGHS and lows
Comment: First of all, I must clearify that I am not a big fan of contemporary Christian music. But Michael Smith's music called my attention since a couple of his songs became pop hits, specially "Place in this world". So I'm not going to talk about the message or the meaning of his songs, which undeniably should be reason enough for any fan of Christian music to be attracted to this particular performance. I'd like to concentrate instead in some aspects of interest for any outsider:
THE HIGHS.
a) I've seen a good share of concerts in DVD. Michael Smith's DVD has one of the bests sounds I've ever heard. The 5.1 mix properly enhance the fullness of the sound. The bass and drums are strong but with no distortion, and the rest of the instruments are crystal clear. This quality is no surprise: from Michael's records, you can tell that the sound is never second rate, and that he, as a performer, pays good attention to that aspect.
In that regard, his voice is heard good. Wether you can argue if he has a great voice or not (I think he has a good and appropriate voice) he still sings in concert as he does in studio. So what you've heard, is what you get.
b) THE MAIN FEATURE IS WIDESCREEN ANAMORPHIC, that is, enhanced for widescreen TV's. I'm updating this information since Amazon lists wrongly the aspect ratio as 1:33:1, when actually it is 1:85:1. So we have good image, along with the great sound.
c) The inclusion of the "Signs" video. At least is something, until a collection of all his videos is released, if ever. The sound of the video is neatly mixed for 5.1, and that's something that you rarely see in an extra. The inclusion of "The Making of" this video is a little redundant, but it's still fun to see how they made it.
d) Two more videos can be seen in the special features, as alternate angles: "There she stands" and "This is your time". This is particulary special, because you can see the video that otherwise is played in the concert in the background, but with the sound of the concert, not the original studio sound. "Sings" is also included in this feature. Again, at least is something until a video compilation comes out.
e) The inclusion of Amy Grant, as a guest artist, in three songs. No duets, though.
f) No laser lights, or special effects, or dances, or fake poses. Just a pure and simple performance the old fashion way. Just to enjoy the music and the message.
THE LOWS.
a) A 20 year celebration deserves more than an hour and a half performance. There are songs that I'd have liked to hear, for instance "Give it away" or "Cry for love".
In that regard, there are a few songs that are piled up in a medley, with piano solo, as if Michael is just fulfilling a compromise to include them. Maybe I have a little prejudice here, because "Place in this world", that I wanted to hear complete and with full band and all, is one of those chopped songs. And although the raw performance of Michael and piano reminds us that in the end, it's about the songs and the voice, the medley, followed by "There she stands" become a little tedious.
b) Amy Grant's voice in Lead me on (the first song she sings) is heard a little low in the beginning.
c) The videos that can be watched as alternate angles (check "c" in the highs), can only be accessed in the special features menu, not during the concert (at least not in my DVD player). Although you can hear them with the concert audio, the mix for this feature is only stereo, not 5.1.
Overall, I must say that I was impressed with what I saw, so the highs overcome the lows, and I think a five star rate is fair.
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