Bjork: Vespertine - Live at Royal Opera House
by David Barnard
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Björk, Simon Lee, Zeena ParkinsDirector: David Barnard
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
DVD Release Date: 2003-06-10
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: One Little Indian Us
Movie Reviews of Bjork: Vespertine - Live at Royal Opera House
Movie Review: A Gorgeous, Beautiful And Lush Concert
Summary: 5 Stars
As a huge Bjork fan, I am determined to buy as much material by her as I possibly can. I've bought pretty much all her albums, so the next step is to move onto the many DVD's she has released. I bought "Volumen II" around six weeks ago on the same day that I bought "Bjork: Live At The Royal Opera House." This concert DVD focuses on Bjork's 2001 Vespertine Tour, and it is absolutely beautiful. Vespertine is easily my favourite Bjork album, so to have a live concert of it with many other songs is such a special gift. Bjork wanted to tour this tour in opera houses throughout the world instead of arenas, because the music being performed in this tour is very much intimate and gentle, and not really meant for large areas.
On this tour Bjork enlisted the help of many great musicians to play her music. These include the brilliant American harpist Zeena Parkins, British orchestra conductor Simon Lee, the female Inuit Choir from Greenland and the crazy duo Drew Daniel and Martin Schmidt aka Matmos. This collection of musicians take the original framework of Bjork's music from Vespertine and alter it ever so slightly for a concert format. When sung live, things are more open and intricate, like you can hear everything that was meant to be on the original songs. Bjork's voice is incredible throughout this concert, and it works beautifully as a relaxing instrument on its own.
The concert opens with "Frosti," which is a short music box introduction to the concert. The curtains open and Bjork works the music box so gently. She wears a gorgeous white dress and fabulous white boots to match the mood of the music. This is then followed by "Overture" from Selmasongs, which is a beautiful orchestral piece, conducted by Simon Lee. "All Is Full Of Love" is the first song in which Bjork sings in this concert, and it is a great performance. Matmos really maximise their talent and improve the beat on the original video remix. "Aurora" is an amazing song in itself, and to hear it here live is such a beautiful experience. Zeena on the harp is particularly brilliant, and this works very well with Bjork's vocals, which are sharp and cutting on this song. "Undo" is one of the most beautiful performances on this tour, because it opens so gently and subtly. I love this song and the final minute is so beautiful. All the instruments are reduced so Bjork's voice can stand on its own. "Generous Palmstroke" is the beautiful song in which Bjork and Zeena join forces to make their little duet. The harp is most prominent on this song than any other in the tour, and Bjork's vocals are strong as ever.
"An Echo, A Stain" is easily one of my favourite Bjork songs ever. I just love the album version of this song, but the concert version wasn't a favourite of mine. What I like most about this song is how quiet and relaxing it is, and this live version is harder and more defined because of the electronics Matmos use. I have, however, grown to love this version because everything is broken down and picked apart, especially towards the climax of the song. "Hidden Place" is another one of my favourite Bjork songs, and this live version is great. The choir are strong on this song, as are Matmos who shuffle a pack of cards into the microphone, showing their creative talents! "Cocoon" is one of the most intimate songs I've ever heard in my life, and this live version is amazing. Bjork's voice is so beautiful here, especially as she sings, "A train of pearls!" The choir isn't needed on this song because it's just Bjork and nothing else. "Unison" closed the Vespertine album, and it closes the first half of this concert. Matmos use some interesting sounds on this live version which is much different to the original. A great finale to this softer half of the concert.
After a short break, Bjork returns with a costume change into a large red dress looking stunning as usual. "Harm Of Will" opens the second half of the concert, which is another great performance. This is not much different to the album version but this doesn't matter because it's such a perfect song, why would you want to mess with the formula? "It's Not Up To You" is an amazing song because of the choir, and they play a big part in this live version as well. "Pagan Poetry" is a great live performance because Matmos use their electronics to the full. Bjork's vocals are strong as well, working in harmony with the choir and the harp. "Possibly Maybe" is reworked using Matmos and their creative flair. This song is one of the oldest from the tour, and it's nice to see Bjork go back to those mid-Nineties days. This live version is slowed down more than the original to fit in with the Vespertine theme of the tour.
"Isobel" is an epic, beautiful piece that is broken down so that all the individual piece of what make this song so great can be heard. The violins from the orchestra work amazingly well here and the song is drawn out to around seven minutes long. "Hyperballad" is a stunning song and the introduction to it is very beautiful because there's a sense of anticipation created for what is to come. "Human Behaviour" is probably the most upbeat song on this tour and one of the very few where Bjork actually dances! It's nice to add some upbeat material towards the end of the concert, and this being one of Bjork's most popular songs receives a glowing reception from the audience. "Joga" is slowed down to emphasise Bjork's gorgeous voice. The orchestra is very dark and ominous creating a spooky feeling. At the end of the song Bjork introduces her musicians to the audience, and they receive a rapturous response. The concert closes with the amazing "It's In Our Hands," which is an amazing live version that I prefer over the original. The clapping after the first chorus is great, and the loud revving noises that remind me of an aeroplane taking off is very powerful! A great closing to such a stunning concert.
OVERALL GRADE: 10/10
Every single song on this DVD is amazing because the level of quality is so high and consistent throughout. You can tell that Bjork spent a long time thinking about this tour, and because of this it is definitely her best tour to date. I would love to see her live at some point in my life, because it would be a dream come true. This DVD also features a great interview section from Bjork herself, Matmos, Zeena, and the choir. It's very interesting to watch these interviews about how the tour came about, and also the making of the album. Bjork is a beautiful creature and her music is stellar to anything I've ever heard. This DVD is essential for all Bjork fans, because you find something new every time you watch it.
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