Kylie – Showgirl Tour
Reviewer: Lee Griffiths
Issue 72 Xmas 2005
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There’s no business like show business.
Review: The pint-sized queen of pop sets London’s Earls Court Arena alight with her six act, 27 track long Showgirl concert, a glitzy, glamorous affair that functions as Kylie’s most flamboyant gig to date… and then there’s the feathers. Taking to the stage in an outfit that apparently took four months to make (sequins, feathers, the whole shebang), it’s just a taster of the glam overload that characterises this performance. It took 15 trucks to haul all of Kylie’s shit from one town to the next, with half of one lorry dedicated just to carrying the feathers. This is Kylie’s big thank you to her fans, celebrating with a greatest hits rundown spanning her entire career. It’s big, it’s expensive, and above all, it’s pop at its very best.
Showgirl functions as a less smutty version of the atrocious film, with more singing and far less sex. Thankfully, the showmanship never upstages the music (not for the most part anyway), and aside from the big screen TVs, the scantily clad dancers, the intricate choreography and Kylie’s numerous costume changes, Showgirl consists of all the milestone music that saw her transform from soap idol to universally adored pop veteran.
All the tracks you’d expect to make it into a greatest hits package are present, from the opening crowd-pleaser, ‘Better The Devil You Know’, to the colossal hit, ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’. Unlike the younger disciples of pop who are equally obsessed with their concert aesthetics, Kylie actually sings live. There’s a deliciously campy rendition of ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’, complete with Kylie sitting atop a crescent moon, for which the Aussie sounds superb. Then, just when the end of the concert is nigh, she pulls a fantastic version of ‘The Locomotion’ out of her pert bottom. It’s a jazzy, Shirley Bassey-esque rendition of the track, complete with enough sass to make the welsh Dame proud. She may be knocking on in years, but Kylie effortlessly blows all of the Britneys and the Duffs out of the water.
Needless to say, no Kylie greatest hits compilation would be complete without the Jason Donavon collaboration, ‘Especially For You’. She asks if we remember it, and of course, we do, but we’re treated to a karaoke rendition of the gem regardless, with those immortal words projected onto immense screens for some glorious sing along schmaltz.
It’s a pity that the special features side of the disc isn’t so impressive, but the 20 minute long featurette is fairly entertaining. It features plenty of input from the guys behind the scenes, including the creative director and the production designer, who discuss the inspiration and thinking behind the tour. There’s plenty of Kylie chatter, as she talks about the various influences for the show’s themes. It’s a fairly interesting insight, for fans especially, but certainly not the most inspiring backstage visit ever produced. There are some additional DVD-ROM goodies to be accessed, and the option to view five of the live tracks with the screen projections taking up half the screen.
The package could have been a lot better, but what the heck, this is Kylie, and what’s more, it’s the mini Minogue at her best. Regardless of special features, the splendour of the concert has been transferred beautifully to DVD. The visuals are first rate, the DTS audio option is a blessing, and for £17.99, you get a sensational concert that’ll have you on your feet dancing. Camp? Most definitely. Yet it’s also one of the music DVD events of the year. Put on those high heel shoes, the gold hot pants and release that red-blooded woman (or man) within you.
Film: 9
Extras: 5
Disc Info:
Certificate: E
Director: Russell Thomas
Distributor: EMI Records
Original Release: 2005
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1
Visuals: 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen
Running Time: 108 mins
Price: £17.99
Special Features:
‘Behind The Feathers’ Featurette
‘Screen Projections’ Option
DVD-ROM Features
Track Selection
Tracklisting: 1.Overture 2.Better The Devil You Know 3.In Your Eyes 4.Giving You Up 5.On A Night Like This 6.Shocked 7.What Do I Have To Do 8.Spinning Around 9.Denial 10.Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi 11.Confide In Me 12.Red Blooded Woman/Where The Wild Roses Grow 13.Slow 14.Please Stay 15.Over The Rainbow 16.Come Into My World 17.Chocolate 18.I Believe In You 19.Dreams (Impossible Princess) 20.Hand On Your Heart 21.The Locomotion 22.I Should Be So Lucky 23.Your Disco Needs You 24.Put Yourself In My Place 25.Can’t Get You Out Of My Head 26.Especially For You 27.Love At First Sight
