Sarah Brightman – Diva: The Video Collection (DVD-Video) + Diva: The Singles Collection (CD)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B-/B     Extras: C-     Music: B

 

 

There is no doubt about it that former Andrew Lloyd Webber muse Sarah Brightman is a force to be reckoned with on her own, never a big Pop crossover, but with a strong fan base of Broadway musicals and beyond.  She has been around so much, so long and so successfully that she has enough material for a hits set.  The Angel label has decided to issue both a DVD and CD of her favorites simply dubbed Diva, if not original.  It does fit.  The tracks on the DVD include:

 

1        Pie Jesu

2   Phantom Of The Opera
3   Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
4   Amigos Para Siempre
5   Captain Nemo
6   A Question Of Honour
7   How Can Heaven Love Me
8   Time To Say Goodbye
9   Just Show Me How To Love You
10   Eden
11   Who Wants To Live Forever
12   Deliver Me
13   Anytime, Anywhere
14   Nella Fantasia
15   Whiter Shade Of Pale
16   Ave Maria
17   Kama Sutra
18   Harem
19   Free
20   Starship Troopers
ENCORE
21   Music Of The Night (Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th Birthday Celebration)

 

 

As for track 20, some might expect the great record by the Progressive Rock band Yes, but it is instead an unusual tie-in song for the underrated Paul Verhoeven film of the same name, with Verhoeven himself directing the Video.  Though most of the directors were not more famous directors of features or Videos, Brightman’s success and powerful position in the upper echelons of the entertainment world was quality enough to attract the likes of Stephen Frears (The Queen, The Grifters) on Video 1, Ken Russell on Videos 2 & 3, and David Mallet (Known for his work with David Bowie and Tina Turner) on Videos 7 and 21.

 

The results are interesting and even when the videos do not work, Brightman always gives it her all and it shows.  There is always energy and a sincere attempt to connect with the audience.  This used to be expected from singers all the time when they were expected to have that thing called talent.  It is even on a Rock level the energy versus her contemporaries (Tori Amos and that “other” Sarah) that puts her more in line with current greats like Annie Lennox and Kate Bush.  This is probably the reason the latter never sent a cease & desist order, though they ought to work together sometime.

 

The 1.33 X 1 image on the DVD is also mixed, with detail issues on many clips, not always clearing up as it progresses, but watchable for the most part.  Because of the fantastic nature of personality she tries to project, visual effects are prominent, though they have dated in some odd ways that make watching them a unique experience.  The filmed ones need retransferred for HD.  The DVD offers the usual PCM 16bit/44.1kHz 2.0 Stereo, which just edges out the stronger than usual Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo on the DVD-Video.  The CD only has 14 tracks and some different tracks like Music Of The Night, It’s A Beautiful Day, What You Never Know and Scarborough Fair, so it is not just a clone or limited companion to the DVD.

 

The only extra on the DVD is a special weblink to get an extra exclusive to the DVD (which we’ll let you find out for yourself about) and both have booklets.  The DVD lists all the Videos information and has many shots of Brightman, while the CD does the same thing with writing credits.  Also, is it me or are these booklets slightly scented?

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo