Michael Jackson’s “Live at Wembley” is one of the best concert films I have ever seen because it shows him in his prime vocally and his astonishing dance moves. (Photo property of Michael Jackson Estate, Sony Records and Epic Records)
By: Jacob Elyachar
One concert that music lovers have been requesting to be released on DVD for years was one of Michael Jackson’s shows from his first solo world tour.
24 years later, Epic Records in conjunction with Legacy Records and the Michael Jackson Estate has released Michael Jackson: Live at Wembley. This concert is special because this is the show that Princess Diana and Prince Charles attended during the King of Pop’s five-night stay at the legendary arena.
Any music lover or Michael Jackson fan should have this DVD in their collection because it shows him at his prime. From the first notes of Wanna Be Startin’ Something to the Man in the Mirror finale at the end of the concert, Live at Wembley Stadium will be a treat to watch because of his incredible performances, strong backing crew and production value.
Live at Wembley shows off the entire concert in its entirety. You can catch some of the King’s best performances of some his classic hits including Wanna Be Startin Something, Human Nature, Smooth Criminal, Thriller and the tour’s namesake song. The reason why audiences will be intrigued to see Jackson perform these songs is that he sung them live in their entirety and as fans know from watching previous released concerts or rehearsals including the Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour and Michael Jackson’s This is It that Jackson had weak vocals while filming those events and had to use a backing track while he was performing.
Another reason why Live at Wembley is an astonishing DVD is Jackson’s group of backing musicians. This tour featured an unknown Sheryl Crow, who performed I Just Can’t Stop Loving You with Michael and it was great to see how the future Grammy winner could hold her against the King during this performance. Sheryl and her fellow backing singers also had great vocal chemistry with Michael as they helped him deliver a strong performance during the Jackson 5 Medley and the transition to Rock with You. Another standout in the musicians group was Rhythm guitarist Jennifer Batten, who performed astonishing solos during This Place Hotel, Dirty Diana and Beat It.
The production value of this DVD is superb because the footage was very strong and it focused on the stage and Michael instead of all the pandemonium that was in the Wembley audience like in the Live in Bucharest film. I want to give my regards and complements out to the video and sound editors who worked on this project because you have made a lot of fans happy.
While this a terrific concert DVD, there are a few flaws in the film. While it was wonderful to watch the musicians shine during the Bad Groove but it lost my interest eight minutes into the number. Another flaw that I have complain about is that it did not feature any of the documentary series that was shown on NBC or MTV at the time because it would be great to have watched them and learn how this tour was pulled off.
Final thoughts and grade: Despite its flaws, Michael Jackson: Live at Wembley is an impeccable concert experience that will make millions of fans around the world happy and shows why after three years we still miss the King of Pop. A-
