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List Price: $19.94 | | Label: Sony Pictures
Salesrank: 48650
Released: October 21, 1998 |
| Our Price: $44.99 |
| Used Price: $18.04 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Riverdance, the Irish hard-shoe sensation that took PBS viewers by storm, underwent its second incarnation with Live from New York City, a 1996 performance filmed at Radio City Music Hall. While most of the attributes from 1995's Riverdance: The Show remain--the dazzling ensemble choreography, Bill Whelan's energetic score, and the New Age-y view of Celtic mythology--the most significant difference is at the top, where Colin Dunne replaced bombastic lead dancer Michael Flatley. Though lacking Flatley's bravura, Dunne is a superb technician who works well with Flatley's former co-lead, Jean Butler. Flamenco dancer Maria Pagis returns, as do the Riverdance Singers (formerly known as Anuna) with soloist Katie McMahon and the orchestra with fiery fiddler Eileen Ivers.
About a half-hour longer than the 1995 original, Live from New York City expands upon the second act's theme of the Irish leaving their homeland for other parts of the world. "Lift the Wings" becomes a set piece for the people who are saying goodbye (it's hard not to miss the original's solo voice of Aine Um Cheallaigh), and a new song, "Heal Their Hearts," is a showcase anthem for bass Morgan Crowley. In the most engaging new number, "Trading Taps," a trio of Irish dancers faces off against two urban American tappers. While much of this follow-up show will be familiar to those who know the original, it's different enough to be enjoyed on its own terms. It's also more stylishly shot, but that's also its biggest drawback--frenetic editing that allows only brief glimpses of the dancers and leaves the viewer dizzy. --David Horiuchi
Riverdance - Live From New York City Reviews:
Missing a few things from the original Ireland Tape-but still a very good performance 
2009-12-04 - Missing a few things from the original Ireland Tape-but still a very good performance for these Riverdance dancers. Now, I don't like tapdancing, but this crew did definitely set my mood adrift, and made me dream that my brain was sailing on a white light cloud-layer. The DVD was set into 2 sides. The first side is of the first act, and the other side is of the second act. Very good on the overall. Something you have to see in person, to believe.
Looking for the Michael Flately
2009-06-22 - I have been looking for the original Riverdance spirit and Michael's performance. I bought the book and the CD of the music, but I wanted Michael Flately's performance, not Colin Dunne's and all the extra junk that has been shoveled into the show. It was all I could have wished for and more.
Riverdance Live from New York City 
2009-05-26 - I bought 2 Riverdance Live from New York City. I purchased them from two different sources. One was great. The other one had no music. I sent an email to the defecive seller and they sent me instructions on how I might be able to get the music to come on. However, I haven't figured it out yet.
RIVERDANCE 
2009-04-26 -
I ORDERED DVD AND MERCHANT SENT VHS. WHAT A WASTE OF POSTAGE
Disappointed 
2009-04-24 - I bought this DVD to replace my VHS tape because I thought it would be better quality and easier to skip around between tracks.
Wrong on both counts. This is NOT HD quality by any stretch of the imagination. It is very grainy on my $20,000 home theater system. The movement is jerky at times, and honestly is LESS impressive than my five year old VCR tape.
Furthermore, the videographer skips around, often showing just the faces of the performers when this is a DANCE video, not a beauty contest. Granted, Jean Butler is a beautiful woman, but her feet say things her smile simply cannot.
Additionally, when I go to the SCENE SELECTION page, I found it impossible to navigate to individual scenes. It's hard to explain what I mean, but trust me, this feature does NOT work on any of my three DVD players. So, you have to just start on the first, use the SKIP button, and hope it stops at the right place.
Curiously, no sound was produced on my Panasonic DVD player, but it did work on my other two.
I am very disappointed at the quality and videography of this version of Riverdance. I LOVE this show, and will simply go back to my VCR tape which is the best I've found to date.
If you want to buy a Riverdance DVD, I would suggest one of the other options.
