Disco de Shakira: “Live & Off the Record”

Unlike many of today's recording artists, Shakira isn't just a pretty face who stands there and lip-synchs. She sings, co-writes, and produces her own music, as well as choreographing her shows with excellent efficiency. This wonderful DVD is just only a taste of the God-given talent that Shakira is. Some customers complain about the fact that a few songs are left out from the DVD that were included in the tour, which is true, but my opinion is that it was for the better and the most spectacular performances are alligned to create a better impact on the viewer.

The performances are very creative and energetic and no two songs are performed in the same way. The high-tempo songs are performed with bright lights and plenty of color scheme while Shakira prances around on stage singing aloud in her throaty voice and often indicating at the audience with her microphone to sing along, which many do (who at least know the lyrics) with much enthusiasm. The slow songs are less exuberant and normally she just sits down on a chair or walks slowly around on the stage, but her voice soars during these performances and the audience can't help but sing along. There are several short interludes during the show when Shakira has almost brief conversations with the audience when she emphasizes the impact of hatred on the world and how we should all bind together to spread love and compassion in order to destroy all the grief and evils of the world. Shakira seems to be a very politically-involved woman and it is recognized especially in her performance of her Spanish hit, Octavo Dia.

The concert commenses with a wonderful instrumental intro. When the familiar, eerie, Arabian-tinged violin melody of the beginning of Ojos Asi is played, the audience starts to cheer. It's the perfect build-up for what's to come. The large cobra head in the center of the stage slowly lifts itself up, revealing Shakira standing in the center clad in a Middle-Eastern dancer type costume. Her hips slowly begin to move almost in a snake-like manner, and if you've seen any of her performances of the song before, you know what I mean. When she steps up to the microphone and throws back her head to sing, her powerful voice resounds throughout the whole huge stadium and the audience is gripped. From there on, the show kicks off and the audience never loses its attention for a nanosecond. She pulls her high-energy songs off with such charisma and confidence that it would rival and even surpass many performers today. For slow, earnest ballads like Underneath Your Clothes, The One, Que Me Quedes Tu, and Tu, Shakira croons the songs with drastic emotions while mellow-colored lights are shone over the audience, creating the perfect melodramatic mood. She even plays the guitar for some. One of my favorite parts of the show is when she strides out onto the stage and proceeds to hit the drums with a repetitive, yet killer beat. And of course, who could forget the Octavo Dia performance when her fellow bandmates have huge masks of various political leaders over their faces and on the large screen above the stage, a steely chess competition is being played out between two political leaders. Shakira's strong voice completes the solemn mood for the song. Her "concluding" performance of the Objection (Tango) Afro Punk Mix is nearly identical to her famous and memorable VMAs one and at the end, she bids the audience goodbye and leaps down under the stage, leaving the audience hanging briefly, wondering if the show is really over. Of course, we with the DVD see that she's actually changing for her final number. Finally, she rises onto the stage from a platform with a chandelier (complete with lit candles) on her head. She proceeds to do her famous belly dancing and the interesting digital-jungle type intro to the Whenever, Wherever Sahara Mix sounds off in the background. Finally, she places the chandelier on the floor and the familiar intro to the original number one hit, Whenever, Wherever plays, and the audience cheers. The concert then finally ends with Shakira being raised onto a high platform where she circles the crowd from above and beckons the audience to sing along to her bellowing notes and plenty of confetti being sprinkled onto the crowd. Then Shakira bids her final farewells and the audience, as well as the viewer, completely satisfied.

The hour-long documentary extra outlines Shakira's exhausting journey from place to place during her tour and expresses the agony and excitement of the tour behind the scenes. One of the scenes I found very interesting was when Shakira discusses how painful it actually is on her limbs to bend and bellydance like she does and she is literally screaming in pain while healing ointments are being applied to her back, but she assures us that it's all worth it.

The bonus features include and audio feature which can be played surround sound. The audio CD I found less fulfilling because it only includes ten of the songs, but the DVD definitely makes up for it. Overall, this is an incredible DVD, and I greatly recommend it to both Shakira's English and Spanish fans, as well as newcomers who have never heard of her before (though I don't understand why). Also, pick up her other albums, both Laundy Service and her previous Spanish albums. You don't have to understand the Spanish language to enjoy her albums. Also, remember to pick up her newly released Oral Fixation Volume II album which is in store now.

(And I apologize for the lengthy review which must have been a pain to read, but the item is just too spectacular to explain in three sentences.) :)

The reviewer who said this was dubbed must have been watching a Britney Spears video instead! This was 100% LIVE. Shakira sounded great and the production was top-notch. Having only seen a part of her MTV Unplugged special, I wasn't sure what to expect. This woman rocked perfectly from start to finish! She played in front of a pcked stadium and had that enormous crowd mesmerized the ENTIRE time. She's just an awesome performer. This DVD is a great value for the price, and just as good as being there. Maybe better because you're not packed in that sea of people and you get all the wonderful close-ups of the beautiful Shakira! Very highly recommended.

I have been a loyal Shakira fan since "Pies Descalzos". I have been following her career since then: she's one of the few artists that I can say I have liked every single record she has produced. This CD and DVD are a great compilation of her astonishing music career so far and is a must for every fan! Only very few artists can get such a crowd to sing their songs along (both in Spanish and English!). Only few artists can enter and hit the top music charts in both Europe and North America, not to forget Latin America!

In this concert performed at Rotterdam, you won't miss any of her greatest hits: "Estoy Aquí" from "Pies Descalzos" (DVD only); "Ciega Sordomuda" and "Ojos Así" from "¿Dónde están los ladrones?"; "Whenever, Wherever" and "Underneath Your Clothes" from her latest record "Laundry Service"; as well as an incredible cover of "Back in Black" from AC/DC.

The behind-the-scenes footage included in the DVD confirms that Shakira is a true artist and a person with very good moral convictions. You can tell she is the one still driving her music career, and not her record company. She included Buenos Aires in her tour, despite the strong opposition from her manager. She was really close from touring in Israel and the Middle East if it hadn't been for the war in Iraq. She is really proud of her background, her country and her hometown Barranquilla. I once read in a magazine that she was offered to produce a record in English a long time ago, but she refused because she wanted to become more proficient in English to be able to write her own songs; and when she did, it was a total success!

PS: There is another edition of this product which comes in a DVD case instead, but they both contain the same CD and DVD and are about the same low price. This is the DVD track listing: Ojos Así - Si Te Vas - Ciega, Sordomuda - The One - Back In Black - Rules - Inevitable - Estoy Aquí - Underneath Your Clothes - Octavo Día - Ready For The Good Times - Tú - Poem To A Horse - Objection (Tango) - Whenever, Wherever

this cd/dvd combo is absolutely 100% live the first 2 reviewers have no taste or bad stereo/video equipment i'm sorry this is awesome the dvd is in 5.1 and the sound is hot! she SINGS (yes britney) sings every song and has an awesome voice, the dvd is worth the money alone she knows how to move like no other and has a gorgeous body and has the audience mesmerized the whole show. i love the documentary on the dvd to, the only reason i didn't give this 5 stars (the cd) is because i don' speak spanish and would love to have heard some of her past songs that she wrote in spanish, in english on the cd. but other then that this cd/dvd is in my opinoin one of the best ones out there so far. shakira please please ROCK! your next album I can't wait for it.

The CD section of this album shows that Shakira is one of the few recording artists around today who sounds even beter live than on her studio produced albums. Her vocal range soars like an eagle and is just as tough and strong. The DVD section of this compilation gives a fascinating insight into this very talented artist and woman. As Shakira says "A mongoose can kill a cobra so there is hope for us all" Amen to that.