Up! Live in Chicago

Up! Live in Chicago
Video by Shania Twain
Released November 18, 2003
Recorded July 27, 2003
Genre Live
Length 105:44
Label Mercury Nashville
Director Beth McCarthy-Miller
Producer Beth McCarthy-Miller
Shania Twain chronology
A Collection of Video Hits
(2002)		 Up! Live in Chicago
(2003)		 Up! Close and Personal
(2004)

Up! Live in Chicago is the third live video album by Canadian singer Shania Twain. Directed and produced by Beth McCarthy-Miller, the concert was held and filmed on July 27, 2003 at Hutchinson Field in the south-side of Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois; over 50,000 people attended. The concert itself differed from that of the Up! Tour (2003–04), featuring a different stage, setlist and production. Behind-the-scenes footage of the singer visiting local landmarks and events was filmed the same week. The concert film premiered on the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) on August 19, 2003. The special was watched by over 8.87 million viewers, becoming the second-most-viewed concert film on television, behind Celine Dion's A New Day... Live in Las Vegas (2003).

Due to its high television ratings, Up! Live in Chicago was released as a video album on November 18, 2003 by Mercury Records Nashville. Released both in standard DVD packaging and in a jewel case, it featured additional performances not included on the television presentation. The album was also received positively by music critics, who complimented Shania's interaction with the audience; however, some questioned her live singing. The video peaked at number two on Billboard's Top Music Video sales chart, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of 100,000 copies in the United States. It was also certified platinum in Australia and gold in Austria and Brazil. Excerpts from Up! Live in Chicago were used as the music videos for "She's Not Just a Pretty Face" (2003) and "It Only Hurts when I'm Breathing" (2004).

Background

Over three and a half years after her last live show, Shania performed a series of three outdoor concerts in Europe and North America in July 2003 to promote her fourth studio album Up! (2002). The singer scheduled the trek primarily because of her prolonged absence from live performances and to ensure playing a concert in the United States prior to her Up! Tour. At the time, it was to commence in September 2003 in Europe, although it ultimately did so in North America.[1] She said, "With the tour starting in September, I didn't want to miss the summer without staging a concert in the U.S. After living with these 19 songs [from Up!] and going through the recording process, it's time to get on stage and perform them."[1] She conceptualized the shows to consist mainly of uptempo numbers and to be almost void of ballads to "spend the night rocking" and maintain an energized spirit. She also deliberately left much room for improvisation, stating that she preferred for the performances to be very spontaneous, than choreographed and music video-like.[1] She first performed on July 5, 2003 at Nowlan Park in Kilkenny, Ireland,[2] and then on July 12, 2003 at Hyde Park in London, England[3] with a setlist composed of twenty-two songs.

The singer then headed to Chicago, Illinois to perform a free outdoor concert on July 27, 2003, held at the Hutchinson Field in the south-side of Grant Park.[4] Meanwhile, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) was seeking an artist to host a prime time television music special, and contacted Twain to discuss the possibilities of filming the concert in Chicago. NBC executives sought Twain for the special because they believed her lengthy career and crossover history would translate into more viewers. She accepted the offer, and the show was directed and produced by Beth McCarthy-Miller.[1] Prior to performing at Grant Park, Twain spent a week in Chicago to film behind-the-scenes footage that would be used for the television special. She visited landmarks and attended local events, such as a Chicago Cubs game where she tossed the first pitch and sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" for the audience. The singer also took a riverboat trip and visited outposts of her favorite charity Kids Cafés, a program specialized to feed children in America.[1] The concert was produced by JAM Creative Productions, and sponsored by local radio station WUSN and the Chicago Tribune, which disseminated information about obtaining concert tickets.[5] The show was attended by over 50,000 people.[6]

Concert synopsis

"It's not a touring show. It's more the idea of a one-off. There isn't a dramatic theme or anything like that. It's pretty much a straight-ahead rock summer concert in the park. That's the feeling I want to give off. It's not the same sort of production direction you might take on a stadium tour. It's a much freer feeling than that, which is great. I've been off tour for three-and-a-half years. We haven't been onstage for so long, and for me, there's something fresh and exciting about it."[7]

—Shania speaking of the concert's difference from the Up! Tour (2003–04).

The concert's setlist consisted primarily of songs from Up!, with several hits from The Woman in Me (1995) and Come on Over (1997). The songs from Up! were not performed in a specific format from the three studio versions of the album. Shania desired to approach the live productions as their "own beast".[8] The show commenced with Shania, who was costumed by a "Body Glove" top and black cargo pants, arriving from the back of the stage to perform "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" alongside her band.[9][10] The singer then followed with "Up!" and after talking with the audience the singer says it has been 3 and 1/2 years being up on the concert stage and then performed Honey I'm Home. Shania continued to perform a total of ten songs during the segment.[10] At one point, she invited an audience member onstage to propose to his girlfriend. She accepted and the two slow danced onstage as Shania sang "When You Kiss Me", sitting on a stool placed towards the end of the runway.[9][10] The segment ended with a performance of "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!",[11] where Shania invited Sian, Mannie and Ashley to join her onstage. In the succeeding segment, Shania donned a tan, multi-patterned halter top with the words "True Love" spelled on the front and black, sequined wide leg trousers. She begun with "From This Moment On".[9] Then, she performed "No One Needs to Know" with an acoustic guitar[9] and "Thank You Baby! (For Makin' Someday Come So Soon)" with a small orchestra accompanying her.[10] She concluded the nine-song segment with "(If You're Not in It for Love) I'm Outta Here!".[10] The singer returned to the stage for the third and final segment, wearing a black, long-sleeve top with an American flag imprinted in the center and denim capri pants.[9][10] She performed a rendition of "You're Still the One" playing acoustic guitar[10] and ended the show with "Nah!" and "Rock This Country!".[9]

Release

On June 6, 2003, the Chicago Tribune announced the Grant Park concert, which was to be filmed for an August NBC special.[4] Immediately after the show concluded, its premiere date of August 19, 2003 was specified.[6] A two-hour edited version was televised on August 19 at 8:00 P.M. EST to high ratings.[1] Up! Live in Chicago was watched by over 8.87 million viewers in the United States, becoming the second-most-watched concert film in television history, behind Celine Dion's CBS special A New Day... Live in Las Vegas earlier that year.[12] Following the concert film's television success, Mercury Records Nashville released the home video album on November 18, 2003 in Region 1[13] and on November 24, 2003 in Region 2.[14] It was released in DVD format, both in conventional DVD packaging and in a jewel case;[15] both appeared in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 (4:3).[13] The release featured six additional performances that were not shown on the NBC special and also stereo and 5.1 surround sound mixes.[9] Up! Live in Chicago also sourced video material for two of Up!'s singles. The performances of "She's Not Just a Pretty Face" (2003) an "It Only Hurts when I'm Breathing" (2004) served as the songs' music videos,[16][17] while the audio rendition of "It Only Hurts when I'm Breathing" was released as a live CD single and a digital download on March 9, 2004.[18]

Reception

Critical reception

Up! Live from Chicago received favorable critic reviews. Matt Bjorke of About.com reviewed the home release of Up! Close and Personal. He had not attended a Shania concert, nor seen the television special, and was surprised by the singer's stage presence. He believed that the video would make the singer's naysayers realize Shania's vocal talents and ability to entertainment and interact with a crowd. Bjorke concluded, "Up! Live in Chicago is a dynamic DVD experience that is sure to please fans for years to come."[9] Chris Jones of BBC noted the band's differed from most country bands and wanted a more country-influenced sound. However, Jones complimented the singer's incorporation of the audience, naming it her "inimitable style".[11] He added that the video was "far from [a] sterile experience" because of the live setting and crowd ambiance. However, he suspected Shania's "photocopy-perfect" vocal delivery could be attributed to a fair amount of post-production work. "Overall, you know exactly what you're getting with Shania, and for her fans this is bound to be a very good thing indeed."[11] Bobby Reed of the Chicago Sun Times believed Shania failed to give insight into her identity or personality, noting she never mentioned her relocation to Switzerland or her then-new son, Eja. He complimented the band's strong, yet rote efforts of bringing the dense production to life. However, he claimed Shania's vocal delivery was at times frail. Reed also noted the absence of guest stars, in contrast to her two previous concert specials, and acknowledged that inviting fans onstage gave the concert a country-fair vibe.[19] Mark Guarino of Arlington Heights' Daily Herald believed the concert was evidently tailored for television and that Shania played the proper host. He continued, "As the night wore on, Shania tried different ways, with varying degrees of success, to make the magnitude of such a large event work for the small screen. Her reliance on audience participation was an attempt to humanize things, but it often backfired."[20]

Commercial performance

On the week ending December 13, 2003, Up! Live in Chicago debuted at number three on Billboard's Top Music Video sales chart. Two weeks later, it reached its peak at number two.[21] The video spent fourteen weeks on the chart[21] before returning for a fifteenth and final week at number eighteen on the week ending March 12, 2005.[22] In March 2004, Up! Live in Chicago was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of 100,000 copies in the United States.[23] On the week ending January 15, 2005, Up! Live in Chicago peaked at number eight on New Zealand's Top 10 Music DVDs.[24] The video peaked at number sixty-one on the German Albums Chart, and spent a total of eleven weeks on the chart.[25] It was also certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for the shipment of 15,000 copies in the country.[26] In Brazil, the video was certified gold by the Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos (ABPD) for the sale of 15,000 copies.[27] In Austria, the video was certified gold by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) for the sale of 5,000 copies.[28]

Track listing

All tracks written by Shania Twain and Robert John "Mutt" Lange.

No.TitleLength
1."Prologue"  1:15
2."Man! I Feel Like a Woman!"  4:15
3."Up!"  3:33
4."Honey, I'm Home"  4:14
5."She's Not Just a Pretty Face"  4:16
6."Forever and for Always"  4:22
7."Ka-Ching!"  3:41
8."When You Kiss Me"  7:18
9."Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)"  3:49
10."That Don't Impress Me Much"  4:53
11."I'm Gonna Getcha Good!"  7:36 Part 2
12."From This Moment On"  6:08
13."No One Needs to Know"  3:15
14."Thank You Baby! (For Makin' Someday Come So Soon)"  4:10
15."It Only Hurts when I'm Breathing"  3:47
16."Juanita"  4:20
17."Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?"  4:40
18."Any Man of Mine"  4:14
19."In My Car (I'll Be the Driver)"  4:41
20."(If You're Not in It for Love) I'm Outta Here!"  5:52 Encore
21."You're Still the One"  3:29
22."Nah!"  5:00
23."Rock This Country!"  6:25
24."End Credits"  0:22

Charts and certifications

Charts

Charts (2003–05) Peak
position
German Albums Chart[25] 61
New Zealand Top 10 Music DVDs[24] 8
US Billboard Top Music Videos[21] 2

Certifications

Country Certifications
Australia Platinum[26]
Austria Gold[28]
Brazil Gold[27]
United States Platinum[23]

Credits and personnel

  • Brent Barcus – guitar
  • J. D. Blair – drums
  • Roddy Chiong – guitar, percussion, mandolin, violin
  • Cory Churko – background vocals, guitar, mandolin, violin
  • Andy Cichon – bass guitar
  • Allison Cornell – keyboards, mandolin, violin, drums
  • Brad Duns – script coordinator
  • David Foster – film editing

Source:[29]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Petrozzello, Donna (August 17, 2003). "Shania is 'Up' for prime time". Daily News. Mortimer Zuckerman. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Shania Twain set to rock Nowlan Park". The Waterford News & Star. June 27, 2003. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  3. ↑ Hanley, Lynsey (July 13, 2011). "With plugs like these, who needs sincerity?". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  4. 1 2 Kot, Greg (June 6, 2003). "Shania Twain to give free Grant Park show". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  5. ↑ Jeckell, Barry A. (June 6, 2003). "Billboard Bits: Twain, Who, Eno, Bad Moon Music". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  6. 1 2 Elder, Robert K. (July 28, 2003). "Shania Twain stirs the crowd in Grant Park". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Shania Twain is 'Up!' and running in free concert". The Rochester Sentinel. The Sentinel Corporation. August 16, 2003. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  8. ↑ Hayes, John (August 19, 2003). "TV Preview: Shania Twain ups her ante with concert special and new tour". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Block Communications. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Bjorke, Matt. "Up! (Live in Chicago) - Shania Twain". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Twain, Shania (November 18, 2003). Up! Live in Chicago (DVD). Event occurs at 105 minutes.
  11. 1 2 3 Jones, Chris (December 4, 2003). "Shania Twain Up! Live In Chicago (DVD) Review". BBC Online. BBC. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  12. ↑ Braxton, Greg (August 27, 2003). "CBS continues its summer vacation atop the ratings". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  13. 1 2 "Shania Twain: - Up! Live in Chicago: Shania Twain: Movies & TV". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Shania Twain: Up! Live in Chicago [DVD]: Film & TV". Amazon.co.uk. Amazon.com. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Shania Twain - Up! (Live in Chicago) (Jewel Case): Shania Twain: Movies & TV". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Shania Twain: Video: She's Not Just a Pretty Face". Umgnashville.com. Universal Music Group Nashville. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  17. ↑ "It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing by Shania Twain". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Shania Twain: Releases: It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing (Live)". Umgnashville.com. Universal Music Group Nashville. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  19. ↑ Reed, Bobby (July 29, 2003). "Who is Shania Twain? It's a tough question.". Chicago Sun-Times. Sun-Times Media Group. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  20. ↑ Guarino, Mark (July 29, 2003). "Twain's free show tailored for TV.". Daily Herald. Paddock Publications. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  21. 1 2 3 "Top Music Video". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 5, 2011.(subscription required)
  22. ↑ "Top Music Video". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 5, 2011.(subscription required)
  23. 1 2 "RIAA – Gold & Platinum". RIAA.com. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  24. 1 2 "Top Music DVDs - Monday 17 January 2005". Nztop40.com. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  25. 1 2 "Chartverfolgung Twain, Shania". Musicline.de (in German). Media Control Charts. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  26. 1 2 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2004 DVD". ARIA.com.au. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  27. 1 2 "Certificados". ABPD.org.br (in Portuguese). Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  28. 1 2 "IFPI Austria – Gold & Platin Datenbank". IFPI.at (in German). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  29. ↑ "Shania Up! Live in Chicago (2003) (TV) - Full cast and crew". Internet Movie Database. Amazon.com. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
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