Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17789 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-02-18
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Still adored by audiences in the US, Lover's Live presents footage of Sade's critically acclaimed sell-out tour of North America in 2001. Throughout the concert Sade is just as suave and sophisticated as the lover boy she so poignantly sings about in "Smooth Operator". The silky, gold robe, which she adorns for the majority of the concert, is a perfect match for her honey-sweet voice. Like the simple stage set, Sophie Muller's pale photography is just as basic and functional but succeeds in bringing the vibrant Sade to the foreground. The screen at the rear of the stage conjures up evocative visual imagery, which match the mood and enhance the performance of each song. The simple but breathtaking stage projection of a water drop hitting the surface of a larger mass of water for "Somebody Already Broke My Heart" adds an awesome and spine-tingling edge to the song's chord crescendo. As well as an ample dispersal of tracks from the "Lovers Rock" album, most of her greatest hits are performed; from "Your Love Is King" to "The Sweetest Taboo". Her music and image may have progressed little since she was the golden cover-girl of The Face, but it's still great to hear that delectable voice and witness that elegant panache.

On The DVD: enhancing the style of the main feature, the DVD boasts an array of quality extras and slick menus. "Message To Sade" is an excellent short film directed by top art-house directors, the Polish brothers, which focuses on the excitement prior to the concert, as well as highlighting some of her dedicated and eccentric fans. The Polish's behind the scenes sequence of both the band and Sade preparing to go on stage, plus a 16-shot tour photo gallery further enhances this package. Muller's video for "King Of Sorrow" is also included. --John Galilee

Special Features
English
PCM Stereo English
PCM Stereo
Documentary
King Of Sorrow Video
Instant Chapter Access To Songs
Photo Gallery
Discography
Web Link

Synopsis
The sultaness of smooth, soul artist Sade manages to be cool and collected while expressing a message of hot and sultry desire. On LOVERS LIVE, the gorgeous diva is filmed during her 2001 LOVERS ROCK tour. Critically acclaimed and hugely attended, the concert featured Sade performing songs of her 2001 eponymous album, as well as earlier releases. Captured here by state of the art camera equipment, Sade performs a set list including "Sweetest Taboo," "Cherish the Day," and "Smooth Operator."

Customer Reviews

The Ultimate 'Smooth Operator' ..............
The DVD has been simultaneously released with a 'live' CD though in terms of content the DVD offers a much larger range of material, almost 2 hours of live concert footage plus some backstage filming and black & white stills from the concert.

The concert features a wide range of material from across her career, from the hit singles 'Your Love Is King' and 'Smooth Operator' to the less commercial 'Jezebel' and 'Pearls' but material from most of Sade's albums is featured.

I've never been a big fan though the 'Greatest Hits' album must rank as one of the all-time creators of romantic atmosphere, thus I approached this with some caution wondering how that smoothness could hold your attention for a couple of hours.

I need not have worried. This DVD documents a quite superb musical performance from both Sade and her band, a demonstration of class and professionalism that many artists could only aspire to. Sade's voice is note perfect whether roaring to a crescendo during the sublime 'Is It a Crime' or flowing gently through the uplifting delivery of 'Kiss Of Life'. She is supported by a team of excellent musicians and backing singers that not only provide note perfect accompaniment but that intangible extra buzz that a studio recording rarely delivers.

The stage setting is simple with backdrop colour changing with the mood and the cameras more regularly at medium distance form Sade or band members rather than over-intrusively lingering six inches from the subjects face. Audio is available in either 2 channel PCM stereo or Dolby Digital 5:1. Both options provide an excellent sound stage but obviously the 5:1 gives that additional depth, presence, clarity and atmosphere to the performance. The additional material is passable, the backstage shots add little to the DVD and on a personal note I've never much seen the point of photo galleries on a DVD but the concert performance provides sufficient merit on its own.

If you are a fan this is an absolute must have 5 star purchase, if not and your interest in Sade is a passing one two hours may be a little long for you and it's probably a 4.

I loved it - The performance on 'Is It a Crime' was worth the money on its own.

SMOOTH operator, SMOOTH band, SMOOTH concert!!
I am a great music fan but this is the first music DVD I have bought. The lover's live concert is going to stay as one of the most elegant ever. It was simple, beautiful and, most importantly, conveyed live music in a way very few artists can do nowadays.
I love a lot of Sade's songs and have come to realise how very good her band is. However, I was still blown away by their overall performance in this concert. All three members of the band were amazing but you can't help but notice Stuart Matthewman on sax and guitar. To her credit, Sade now and then faded in the background and let the others have their moments.
It doesn't matter whether you like Sade or not. If you love good music and good live shows then believe me this is one you are going to treasure for a long time to come.

Silky Soulful Sensuality
As part of the big North American Tour in 2001. Lover's live creates the perfect atmosphere of the ultimate concert DVD. Almost two hours of the tropical sound of Sade enhances any digitized experience. The extra's are worth a look for sure, backstage footage, message to Sade documentary, king of sorrow promo video, and a set of black and white stills of the tour. This is the best Sade concert DVD, the Sade Live DVD is also available and a worthy addition, but this is the definitive one. Pay your money and enjoy - you might regret not!