Anita O'Day - The Life Of A Jazz Singer
by Robbie Cavolina;Ian McCrudden
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DVD details
Actor: Anita O'DayDirector: Robbie Cavolina;Ian McCrudden
Brand: O'DAY,ANITA
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Best of, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 120 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-07-21
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: RED Distribution DVD
DVD Reviews of Anita O'Day - The Life Of A Jazz Singer
DVD Review: the best jazz singer you never heard of
Summary: 5 Stars
This film appeared at our local fine arts movie theater, and we were stunned with what we saw in this film. We've been anxiously awaiting the release on DVD.
You should have seen the face of a friend who watched the film with us at home. She is completely music-challenged, and yet you could see on her face that she too was amazed & appreciative of O'Day's talent.
If you've never heard of Anita O'Day, then you must have this DVD.
If you already know of her, then you will appreciate this film even more.
DVD Review: Bad Girl; such a Bad, Good Girl
Summary: 5 Stars
I was lucky enough to be at the preview of this documentary in Los Angeles at Playboy Jazz on Film. It was mesmerizing and I couldn't wait to get hold of a DVD copy. Then came word they were having trouble getting music clearances and that the DVD might not ever be released. Thankfully they ironed out the details and this sorely needed gem of documentary is a shot to the gut. Because of her bad girl image, earned, she never got the mainstream focus. But this documentary drags her from the realm of those in the know and into the pantheon of great jazz singers. In her own way, she was the best. She created her style and others followed, like June Christy. It makes you want to know more about her life, and find more of her work. That's what great documentarys do.DVD Review: Great product and delivered quickly
Summary: 3 Stars
Well My Mom loved it. altho she said there wasn't enough footage on the bands playing.
DVD Review: Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer...
Summary: 3 Stars
Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer: 6 out of 10: I had no idea who Anita ODay was when I rented this film. I like Jazz well enough and enjoy having it as background music, but I am hardly what one describes as an aficionado.
Since viewing this film, I have watched the wonderful documentary Jazz on a Summer's Day and have downloaded some fine Anita ODay jazz albums.
Therefore, from one point of view, the documentary is a stunning success. It got me interested enough in its subject, for me to take actions after viewing.
The film however suffers from uneven interviews and presentation. Film quality is all over the map and some of ODays last interviews were clearly filmed by folks unfamiliar with the workings of a motion picture camera.
Even more disappointing is the poor sound quality of many of the musical tracks and the lack of sampling from her albums.
You know if you have a 16-year heroin addiction and four failed marriages and you still manage to live until 87 despite grinding poverty and botched healthcare, you are the definition one tough bird. Unfortunately that also signifies most of your contemporaries are long dead. Many of the war stories as a result, tend to be second hand at best.
The film does contain one wonderful non-musical highlight. In a mid-seventies interview a young Bryant Gumbel states to ODay Your life story involves rape, failed relationships, drugs, and multiple abortions". ODays that is just they way it went down response is priceless.
Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer is a decent film but I would recommend renting Jazz on a Summer's Day first. That concert seems to capture the magic better than anything else I have seen.
DVD Review: Great video
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been a fan of Anita O'Day for many years. This video only strengthens and deepens my regard for this unique jazz innovator and her art.
Description of Anita O'Day - The Life Of A Jazz Singer
Anita O'Day was one of the greatest American Jazz singers and this critically acclaimed award-winning documentary tells her astonishing story - a journey of survival, and above all the enduarance of her talent, told in a number of frank interviews with her and with those who knew her. Her career was long and eventful, spanning seven decades; her last album recorded when she was 84.Anita O'Day only ever wanted to be a singer and the film showcases performances that date back to the 50's with such artists as Gene Krupa, Roy Eldridge, Stan Kenton, Louis Armestrong and Hoagy Carmichael. She is shown teaching Billy Taylor how to be a jazz vocalist. Bert Stern comments on Anita performing "Sweet Georgia Brown" for his film JAZZ ON A SUMMER'S DAY while George Wein, legendary impresario, states it was the greatest rendition of the song ever made.
She speaks candidly, always candidly, with Dick Cavett, Bryant Gumble and David Frost, and in interviews on 60 Minutes and CBS This Morning. Anita was a woman who lived her life the she wanted without every looking back and was a musical genius and pioneer who broke race barriers. She talks openly about how she had to overcome great adversities, including a 20-year addiction to heroin and alcohol. The film shows Anita on tour in Europe well into her eighties and making her final recording shortly before her death, the death of an icon.
2 Discs:
Disc 1 : The Movie with Director s audio commentary and French, Spanish and Japanese. We might add Italian subtitles. 16:9 formatting for widescreen and 4:3 televisions.
Disc 2: Bonus Disc with 45 minutes of the uninterrupted musical performances from the film and 45 Minutes of outtake interviews of Anita.
32 page full color booklet including:
Essay by Jim Gavin.
Essay by Will Friedwald
Selected chapter from Anita s autobiography, High Times Hard Times.
16 pages reproduced from Anita s personal scrapbooks.
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