Natalie Merchant: VH1 Storytellers: Live

This priced just right release is the perfect gift for the 10,000 Maniacs or Natalie Merchant fan. I have this DVD and think it's great. Natalie opens the set with a short version of These Are Days (the full length performance is also included on the set). Her Storytellers segment is more musical than stories as she alternates between performances with high lighting to other performances with low lighting to set the mood. Remember, Storytellers is a one hour show, so don't expect outfit changes and real extended versions of the song. The bonus tracks on the DVD are the full performance of "These Are Days," and "Life is Sweet." Another bonus is that you can choose your audio setting and choose the music only setting. It's a great intimate setting and the set list is okay. Personally, I would have loved to see Natalie sing "Like The Weather," or "Trouble Me," since a few songs from her 10,000 Maniacs days made the set list, but oh well. It's great though and one thing I thought was cool is on the back of the booklet included inside of the set is a Natalie Merchant discography as well as a VH-1 Storytellers Timeline.

If you have had the privilege of witnessing a Natalie Merchant show live, you understand the energy that the woman conveys in her performances. It is difficult to capture Natalie perfect in any recording capacity. There are many bootleg video performances of Ms Merchant floating around with appalling quality that are being gobbled up by her loyal followers. Storytellers is filmed in an intimate setting with top notch quality. Her voice is at the best of it's game here and her warmth and caring are conveyed. She somehow breaks the third wall and transcends the screen when she starts to inform how/why "What's The Matter Here" was written. Next, the audience glimpses a lighter side as Natalie explains "Kind and Generous". N'Dea Davenport appears as a special guest and joins Natalie and her band to sing "Break Your Heart".

For the longer fans of Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs, the "whirling dervish" is not apparent, she has grown and takes us on this odyssey with her. Some might fault her for not playing a particular 10KM song, but lets face it, this was just a one hour show and it is NATALIE MERCHANT STORYTELLERS, aka VH1's version of UnPlugged. There is no fault that she excluded some of the better known 10KM songs, the three she DOES perform are the ones she often does so when she is live in concert. If you would like to see a more "energetic" Natalie flying around the stage, I recommend the dvd "Natalie Merchant Live in Concert". In that one she kicks off her shoes and just tears into the stage, classic Natalie style. In Storytellers, unlike her live in concert video, you get to SEE her perform "Life Is Sweet". This in itself is a treat. So if you are a Natalie fan and are thinking "I taped the broadcast when it aired", you have not seen Life is Sweet, I urge you to buy the dvd. It is one of the most beautiful renditions of the song I have ever seen. (and I have seen her quite a few times live, mind you)

Natalie has grown as an artist and as an individual beautifully. After many years in the industry she has proven that she has staying power. Natalie stays true to her roots in this performance. This video is one you can watch with the entire family, no one blushes and the only dialogue that may get started will be positive, I assure you.

If for no other reason, chances are you will learn a new word, "didactic" That alone is worth the price of the disc. ;)

Natalie's albums are masterpieces. You can really get into her music by listening to them. BUT, to get the FULL experience, you MUST see her perform live!!

I have seen her in concert a dozen or so times, and she has made me laugh, cry, and wisked me away to a place of pure peace and contentment with the beauty of her voice, and the emotion she conveys. When she sings live, her stage presence is POWERFUL. She mesmorizes me. This DVD is another opportunity to see the BEST----Mrs. Natalie Merchant. Don't miss it. You get to hear her tell the story behind each song. Her performance of "Verdi Cries" is particularly beautiful.

No one can sing like her, and no one can move me the way she does.

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