Femi Kuti - Live at the Shrine [Deluxe Edition DVD + Live CD]

I just recently saw Femi Kuti at the Hollywood Bowl and was totally blown away by this amazing musical experience. As a Westerner, we rarely see music as such a spiritual experience as this. I was very excited to see the "Live at the Shrine" DVD. Unfortunately, it really is not all that impressive. It's very slow at times. The camera always focuses on Femi, and fails to capture the energy of the band as a whole (did we EVER see the amazing drummer), and the mix of the music is very "off." The other problem is that we didn't get nearly enough background about Femi, Fela, Nigeria, his life etc. I think a narrator would have really helped during the dull portions. So why did I give it 4 stars?The accompanying audio CD is AWESOME!! Well worth the price paid. Even though it is the same performance as the DVD, for some reason listening to the audio cd really captures the amazing live performance. The drums are commanding, the horns blare. The rythyms are tantric. It really hits the spot. If you like Afrobeat, buy this package for the CD alone and use the DVD as a coaster. Ok the DVD isn't THAT bad, but you get the idea. And if Femi comes to your town, DEFINITELY go to the show.

I first watched the live concert at the Shrine on cable and was hooked by the raw power and intensity of the music. I also listened to the audio CD. I rate the audio quality a 6.5 out of 10, considering the live event and audience participation, but forget audio quality because rhythm is the over-riding theme. Femi Kuti has great stage presence and the reaction of the audience tells the story. I like the camera work on the live event and back stage scenes. You see the artist living, creating and performing all in the same environment - "The Shrine" - a concert-hall & night-club & Femi's living quarters - that has achieved cult status. In the interview Femi talks about difficulties of shooting & recording a live concert. He humbly states emphasis on the program was about feeling rather than technical accuracy. Femi is highly capable with vocals, sax and keyboard. On vocals my vote goes to his father Fela. The base lines driving the music sound fresh and original on every listen. The feeling I get from this music is a great sense of freedom and abandon. The performance is highly charged, spontaneous and explodes with energy. Audience members star-struck with Femi throw plastic bottles and chairs to show their appreciation :-)Femi communicates strong political themes and does a pretty good job continuing his father's legacy.[...]

The Shrine Auditorium in Lagos, Nigeria reminds me of the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco circa 1967 where people milled around in front of the stage and throughout the floor. Instead of stoned mellow vibes and psychedelic light shows, we see frenzied expressions of righteous anger and liberation. At our rock concerts the young wave their arms and get a little rowdy. At Femi's concerts they raise chairs and throw plastic bottles. But they're mainly dancing and not fighting, because the Shrine is a place of worship where the tolerant prophet knows how much to let them get away with and when to keep them in line. Femi Kuti, Fela Kuti's oldest son, is an impassioned entertainer who sings, plays keyboards, soprano and tenor saxophones, and the trumpet. He is above all a luminary, a cultural icon, an anointed symbol of hope, and a force unto himself. Lagos is perhaps the most miserable city in the world. We learn that everything is bad and in need of change. Kuti's background dancers are mesmerizing with their costumes and their gyrations will blow you away. The strong tenor sax melodies stick with you. His best numbers are in the last half hour of the film. The CD is haunting. As Kuti says, No Communism...No Capitalism...AFRICANISM! He's cultural dynamite.

Excellent documentary of Femi Kuti and his family and nation's musical sanctum, the New African Shrine. the focus on Femi and his commitment to music is at times touching, particularly the way in which he deals with the stage diver and his comments on the importance of music to his life. athough the comparisons with his father will probably only increase after a viewing of this (sometimes femi, shirtless and grimacing at the audience with a spliff between his fingers literally looks as if he has morphed into Fela before our eyes) the man's own musical acumen and personality comes through powerfully.definitely reccomended.

If you like Femi's music, then absolutely get the DVD. Haven been to the new shrine, this sure gives a good picture of the place. Other than the music, I loved the interview with Femi's security aka "shrine boys", simply hilarious. The DVD would have been even better if more of the daily life in Nigeria was shown in order to provide a proper context for his lyrics.I guess I could give this 4 stars, however, it's hard when one judges Femi by Fela's standard.

Live at the Shrine is a great film about Femi Kuti and the scene surrounding the Shrine in Nigeria. Unfortunately, the sound mix is awful. Femi's band is pushed way into the background of the mix so you would never know he has like a dozen musicians up there. The sound is totally flat and lifeless, nothing at all like the electrifying live shows I've seen. The CD has exactly the same mix, too. Usually I'm not one to complain, especially about dry technical issues, but this seriously undermines an otherwise enjoyable concert film. What a shame.

I enjoyed every moment of this video, very lively, informative and full of music, loved it...A lot of people have no idea who Femi Kuti is or what he's about, but if you watch this video you get to know a little bit about him, his family and his music, there's a lot to know about Femi Kuti.

Too bad all this talent was recorded so poorly.Great music but recorded live in Afica at the Shrine....what did I expect anyway??

ce DVD est axé principalement autour d'un concert de Femi Kuti donné en 2004 au Shrine, le club de Lagos qu'il a reconstruit après que celui de son père Fela ait été détruit par les policiers nigérians. Femi a pris le relais de son père pour dénoncer l'incompétence du pouvoir politique nigérian, ses magouilles, la dictature, la richesse qui est détenue par une infime minorité, la pauvreté, l'insécurité, le système éducatif en lambeaux, les multinationales toutes puissantes,....En fait, rien ne marche comme il faut dans ce pays le plus peuplé d'Afrique qu'est le Nigéria alors qu'il pourrait être le moteur de l'Afrique s'il était convenablement géré. C'est tout cela que dénonce Femi dans ses chansons et dans son afro-beat absolument renversant. On a donc la chance de le voir dans son antre, le Shrine (il y habite même), où il donne un concert cuivré, rythmé, légèrement jazzy et sensuel grâce à ses danseuses qui n'arrêtent pas de remuer du popotin tout au long. Ce concert a quand même une autre allure que s'il avait été filmé dans une salle française par exemple. L'ambiance dans la salle est par moment hystérique et les bouteilles d'eau ou d'autres liquides volent quand ce ne sont pas les chaises (en plastique) tout simplement. Il est entrecoupé de témoignages, d'images extérieures et d'interview de Femi dans lequel il exprime tout son amour de la musique et sa haine des politiciens. Les paroles des chansons sont traduites en français ce qui est très intéressant pour comprendre les thèmes abordés. Le son est très bon et le seul reproche que je pourrais faire est une image parfois granuleuse. On se rend compte avec ce DVD que si, en France, on arrête pas de se plaindre de nos politiciens et de râler, les Nigérians ont mille fois plus de raisons de le faire et que la vie au Nigéria est au moins mille fois plus dure que chez nous. Pourtant les Nigerians filmés dans ce DVD arborent tous un sourire vivifiant. Cherchez l'erreur!

Proponents of Afrobeat, your holy grail has been forged! Seek & purchase this gem without hesitation. Femi himself hails "Live at the Shrine" to be his most cherished project because it reflects the reality of his music, his life, and of the Nigerian people."Live at the Shrine" contains a blistering live set interspersed with documentary footage of the Afrika Shrine (a nightclub, daytime hang-out, Femi's house, and spiritual & political center). Via the documentary we visit backstage with Femi's band & entourage, Lagos street life, and even Femi's inner sanctum (his on-site living quarters). We hear from Fela's sister (Yeni) and aunt (Fela's sister Dolupo), and see Femi interacting playfully with his girlfriend. Like his father, Femi has created a community around his venue- and his disciples idolize him as a prophet & guardian- it is quite heartening to witness.This concert (70 min) & interspersed documentary (20 min) was filmed in Lagos during three shows on Femi's weekly "Sunday Jumps". All songs are strong, and all were chosen for performance/inclusion by his audience via democratic vote! Most songs are recorded uninterrupted and in their entirety. The quality of the video & sound is impeccable, though audio choices are limited to PCM 2.0 or AC3 2.0 only. It is equally amazing that such quality was achieved on a remote recording, and that the footage made it out of Nigeria (especially considering many of the songs denounce the abuses of the corrupt government). The band's sound is clear & well-balanced (amazing considering they are 20 strong!). Raphaël Frydman's cinematic sensibilities are quite pleasing, sensitive, and well edited. Frydman often employs split screen (like Woodstock) to great effect. DVD has optional subtitles in English, French, and Spanish (helpful in understanding Nigerian pidgin). The navigation screens are clear, attractive and efficient. Bonus footage includes more Femi interviews, a video for Shotan, and live uninterrupted footage of Yeparipa & Water no get Enemy.OluFemi has matured greatly in the three years since his last offering. The music on this DVD (same on the "Africa Shrine" CD) is simply stunning- his best writing & performance to date. "Live at the Shrine" demonstrates Femi's return to pure, rootsy, powerful Afrobeat. This is unwesternized music for the hometown crowd! The songs have a groovy lope- absent is Femi's old tendency to rush his songs live. His 20+ member band is top-notch, infusing this recording with their own unique facets (ex. his jazz-influenced guitarist adds a lovely dimension).Songs include: Dem bobo , Oyimbo , I wanna be free , If them want to hear, Eho , "1, 2, 3, 4", Yeparipa , Can't buy me , Bring Me the Man Now , '97 , Shotan , andWater no get enemy. "Live at the Shrine" is a masterpiece!

Black man rise above the white man, his name is Kuti

ce DVD a provoqué une furieuse envie de partir a Lagos et de nous installer au mythique Shrine pour une petite semaine