Soundstage: Peter Cetera Live in Concert... (2005) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Being a Chicago fan (& all genre's of music in general), I decided to purchase "A&E's Chicago Live by Request" and Peter Cetera on "Soundstage" with Amy Grant. I missed Peter's voice on the Chicago DVD but it is very entertaining and a well done production and concert. Chicago has replaced Cetera with a very talented singer and musician who steps up to sing the selections originally voiced by Peter (& done very well). Below are my primary observations of the "Soundstage" DVD:
* The picture and sound quality are excellent. The concert is in Hi-Definition for a great presence on applicable equipment.
* Cetera still sings with his wonderfully familiar voice although it has definitely softened with age. The high notes are not quite hit but he still manages to stay true to the original songs (much like Elton John and Paul McCartney's aged voices; Elton 58, Paul 62 years old as of April 2005).
* There is virtually no interaction with the audience (except for a few quick "thank you's" and silly comments to the audience and fellow artists). It would have been nice to hear something related to what he was about to sing. I read similar reactions to his "Peter Cetera Live" DVD.
* Amy Grant is very good. I'm not a fan of Amy but she sings 3 solo songs that were very well chosen including one of 1991's big Pop hits "Baby Baby" and "El-Shaddai" from her first breakthrough album in Gospel in 1982. Each one is excellent and she is in fine form. A great way to begin this DVD. She also joins Cetera during his act to sing their hit duet "Next Time I Fall" from 1986.
* The backing instrumentalists are fantastic although they do give these songs a different spin. Instead of the Chicago brass section, piano, electric guitars and male background vocals, you hear them with a large string section, acoustic guitars, female backing, brass and piano. This is a nice sound for Pop, Rock and Classical enthusiasts.
* The DVD and/or concert is short. Most respectably produced music events are longer than 71 minutes (and less expensive). The song list is excellent but limited. You get a mix of solo hits and Chicago greats.
* There is a nice list of DVD Extra features but really only the 3 bonus tracks are meaningful. They are great extra tunes but being that you are only getting 9 Cetera songs on the main set (including the two duets) and 3 Grant songs, I would have expected them to add more video material to this disc such as archived footage of him.
Overall I give this a 4.5. Beautiful music, great audio/video quality and some fun nostalgia with a new twist.
Track Listing:
Amy Grant
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Baby Baby
Simple Things
El-Shaddai
Peter Cetera
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One Good Woman
Glory Of Love
Restless Heart
If You Leave Me Now
After All
The Next Time I Fall
Baby, What A Big Surprise
You're The Inspiration
Have You Ever Been In Love
Bonus Tracks
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25 or 6 to 4
Even a Fool Can See
Hard To Say I'm Sorry

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Grammy Award-winner Peter Cetera performs classic favorites for the SoundStage audience. He is joined by four-time Grammy-winner Amy Grant for their duet "Next Time I Fall", classic hits such as "Baby Baby" and songs from her latest album. As seen on PBS.

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