Center Stage
by Peter Berkow
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DVD details
Actor: Tommy EmmanuelDirector: Peter Berkow
Brand: RED Distribution
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: AC-3, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 107 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-10-14
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Favored Nations
DVD Reviews of Center Stage
DVD Review: A superb, virtuosic performance by Tommy Emmanuel
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember being introduced to Tommy Emmanuel around the early 1990s, while he still toured Australia as an electric guitarist with band. At the time, his shows were an eclectic mix of hard rock, with a few acoustic ballads and some fingerstyle pieces, hinting at what was to come. After releasing his album "Only" (2000), Tommy established himself as a premiere acoustic soloist and has remained that way since. His guitar playing skills and overall musicianship continually amaze me. There are pieces here that seem only fit for two guitarists, not one! All of his music is played with energy, clarity and impeccable taste. Highlights of this performance for me were:
The Finger Lakes - a nice, moody build-up section to the main fingerstyle chorus.
Nine Pound Hammer - incredible rendition of a Merle Travis song. Tommy sings, while accompanying himself with walking bass lines and chords. The last section where he plays a right hand percussion rhythm, while left-hand tapping the bass line (and singing too) will bring a smile to anyone's face.
Happy Hours - a clever, uptempo fingerstyle piece, written by TE. This is one of those pieces that comes across as deceptively simple, yet has some very cool melodic parts, especially in the middle.
Mombasa - Tommy says "now we're going to go to Africa" before launching into an extended guitar-percussion solo, before AND after the song. I hope that microphone didn't give him too many headaches though.
Morning Aire - This is a sublime piece, and Tommy performs it flawlessly. This is the high-point on the DVD for me.
Lenny Bro - What a great new piece. It has a very strong rhythmic feel, with quirky melodic ideas. It sounds like TE was experimenting with the whole-tone scale in the middle section. Nice one!
Initiation - This is one of Tommy's trademark works, using the guitar with heavy delay and reverb, to create a dark, brooding atmosphere. After the percussive intro, I liked his immediate change of pace, playing a repeated 4-note pattern, with intensity and aggression. Play this one LOUD, on a good system.
Overall, "Center Stage" is well produced and is a great representation of the live experience - the only downside for me is the harmonica player that TE brought in for four songs. Bob is a great player, but unfortunately does not know when to stop playing, and often drowns out Tommy's solo parts. This ruined "Working Man Blues" and "House of the Rising Sun" for me. That said however, the songs I've already described are more than worth checking out. Tommy plays guitar with a rare authority and command, allowing the listener to take in the music as much as possible.
Description of Center Stage
CENTER STAGE - DVD MovieInternational Music CDs
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