DVD Review: Wyclef Jean’s All Star Jam at Carnegie Hall
The release of “Wyclef Jean’s All Star Jam at Carnegie Hall” is about four years overdue. The eclectic mastermind rallied up some of the game’s hottest musicians ? Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, Marc Anthony ? and the legends ? Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder ? and became the first hip hop act to play in Carnegie Hall, a feat he still raps about in his latest droppings.
Watching the DVD, one can?t help but feel pride for Jean, watching his dreams come true in front of the eyes of the packed audience in New York in 2001. He gushes with admiration when he brings Clapton onstage for a duet of “Wonderful Tonight” and later for “My Song.”
Similarly, his smile speaks volumes when he brings out Wonder midway through Jean’s biggest hit, “Gone ‘Til Novemeber.” Wonder performs in a manner only he can do, improvising his way through the song that he clearly didn’t know all the lyrics to.
Jean receives an invaluable service from this DVD, as it shows all his different sides. Many hip hop acts claim they’re eclectic but few can prove it. Jean can. He shows that he can hold his own with Clapton, the guitar legend, be comfortable with a music marvel in Wonder, and hype up an audience like no other, with the concert’s closer, “Guantanamera.”
There are some moments to be forgotten, such as Macy Gray’s off-key rendition of “Wish You Were Here,” and the unnecessary Destiny’s Child performance (Jean wasn’t even onstage), but overall, it makes one wonder why Jean doesn’t hold more events like this, and why he rarely tours.
Jean shows he is one of hip hop’s most talented artists and most natural performers.
Track list:
1. Minnie The Moocher/Take The A-Train
2. Ave Maria – Charlotte Church
3. Now That We Found Love – Third World/Stevie Wonder
4. Lift Every Heart And Sing – Candice (Clef’s Kids)
5. Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
6. No Woman No Cry – Steven Marley
7. Stayin’ Alive
8. 911 – Mary J. Blige
9. Amazing Grace – Tim (Clef’s Kids)
10. Bach Medley – Clef’s Kids Orchestra
11. Gone ‘Til November – Stevie Wonder
12. Summertime – Charlotte Church
13. Wish You Were Here – Macy Gray
14. Say My Name – Destiny’s Child
15. Independent Women – Destiny’s Child
16. My Song – Eric Clapton
17. Maria Maria – Wyclef Jean
18. Guantanamera/Hot Hot Hot – Entire Cast and Marc Anthony
Related Stories:
- Wyclef Jean to Release Live DVD
- CD Review: Wyclef Jean – The Preacher’s Son
- CD Review: Wyclef Jean – Greatest Hits
- Wyclef Jean Signs TV Deal with HBO
- Interview: Wyclef Jean to Release ‘Carnival 2,’ But Where Are the Fugees?