An excellent audio / visual package.
Hot on the heels of the recent 'This Is M.E.' album and the resultant tour, comes this live CD/DVD release from two times Grammy and one time Oscar winner Melissa Etheridge.
Recorded at the Orpheum Theater (Los Angeles) on the '...M.E.' tour, the track listing features new tracks like 'I Won't Be Alone Tonight', 'Take My Number' and 'A Little Bit of Me' alongside "classics" and favourites like 'Bring Me Some Water', 'Come To My Window', 'I'm The Only One' and 'Like The Way I Do' (one of two DVD only tracks). Backing vocals on '...One' and 'Monster' (the second DVD only track) are provided by special guests Delta Rae.
With over twenty million album sales under her belt (and a star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk Of Fame) Etheridge hardly needs comment and endorsement from me, but she's gonna get both though, as this live release is classy, well-performed and well-paced.
In some ways it's a game of two halves. Early track selections are distinctly tame – "accessible", if you prefer. On later tracks, however, most notably 'Meet Me In The Back', '...One' and '...Do', Etheridge and band cut loose and really go for it. '...Water' and a rather lengthy rendition of 'Monster' also kick out some serious Rock action (the former actually has Etheridge head-banging). Throughout, Etheridge's rasping and idiosyncratic vocals provide an edge and, even on more mainstream or Poppy material, signal clearly that she's for real.
It must also be said that the visual performance captured on the DVD really brings many of the tracks here to life. While Etheridge's introductions can sound quite affected on the audio only format, she comes across on the visual version as engaging and passionate – whether she's speaking, singing or playing guitar.
Bonus DVD features includes interviews with Etheridge, her band and her special guests, while the 'Backstage Pass' feature offers a behind the scenes look at the Orpheum performance.
All in all, this is an excellent audio/visual package that will excite existing fans and offer new listeners an interesting glimpse into the creative and performance world of Melissa Etheridge.
Michael Anthony
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