Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0094637895795
Format: Color
Label: Manhattan Records
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Manhattan Records
MPN: 78957
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Manhattan Records
Region Code: 0
Release Date: 2007-06-05
Running Time: 90
Studio: Manhattan Records
Theatrical Release Date: 2007

Prepare to be captivated by the graceful beauty and infectious energy of the 12 Girls Band! Two years after their best-selling, chart-topping US debut, Eastern Energy, the group returns with a brand-new album (Shanghai) and concert DVD (Live from Shanghai), showcasing an eclectic mix of traditional Chinese folk melodies and selections of jazz, classical, and pop music.

Formed in 2001, their 2003 debut album in Japan, Beautiful Energy, sold 2 million units, and ranks as the highest-selling Chinese band in Japan. These 12 talented young women playing traditional Chinese instruments — the erhu, pipa, yanguin, and gu zheng — create masterful music on a broad musical canvas in an unforgettable and distinctive style all their own.

American audiences will witness the worldwide phenomenon in concert when 12 Girls Band embarks on a major 30-city U.S. tour in the fall of 2007.

More from 12 Girls Band

Eastern Energy

Shining Energy

Best of 12 Girls Band

Romantic Energy

PBS darlings the 12 Girls Band captivates fans all over again in their dazzling concert DVD Live from Shanghai. The band actually consists of 13 (a baker's dozen?) comely virtuoso young Chinese women, who play both traditional Chinese melodies and Western classical and pop tunes on their classic East Asian instruments, the erhu, pipa, yanguin, dizi, and guzheng. The spectacle is just as entertaining as the tightly delivered musical offerings, and this concert, which also showcases the gorgeous setting and skyline of Shanghai, is about as close to a trip to China as you can get without a passport.

Highlights include the band's renditions of Handel, Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach--the last an especially accomplished, memorable version of the Concerto for Violin in A Minor. Traditional Chinese melodies are striking on pieces like "High Mountain and Floating Water." The band is joined by the talented singer Lila Downs for such vocals as "La Habanera" from Carmen--for which goosebumps are the order of the evening. Even a hoary jazz standard like "Take Five" sounds fresh in the hands of these enthusiastic musicians. (Tip: Skip over the theme from Titanic, or that refrain may haunt the rest of the concert.) Music fans from across the globe should be dazzled by the talent contained on this single stage. --A.T. Hurley

Customer Rating:
Summary: As always, Amazing
Comment: Awesome Live DVD! Been a fan for over 5 years and they have never let me down! This DVD is high quality and shows their full potential! When these girls play music, you get lost into it. I could go on and on but will leave it at that! 5 STARS!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Fascination
Comment: I came across the 12 Girls Band by accident as one item of the in-flight entertainment on an Airbus 380 flight. I was fascinated by the Chinese instruments and style with adapted to suit western ears. The traditional Chinese music played in this manner is wonderful and the Chinese playing of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, & Handel is astonishing. All this is combined with spectacular views of Shanghai. Listen with an open mind. I hope we get more of this kind of music from China. I bought several copies of the disc, to give away.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Love the band... but this DVD not the best.
Comment: The 12 Girls Band is such a great find. There a so few examples of traditional Chinese instrument (erhu, pipa, dizi, etc.) performances. These artists seem to be trying to revitalize interest in these instruments through playing more modern pieces. This unfortunately lead to the inclusion of a rock band at this concert, complete with electric and bass guitars as well as a drum set. It seems like some sort of bizarre combination of a Western rock band and Chinese instruments. Also, at the same time, the photographer/cameraman zigs and zooms around enough to make you nauseated (not to mention has a disturbing obsession with filming one of the dizi players). Anyway, I don't want to place any criticism toward the 12 Girls Band. Their music is incredible! I would recommend my subsequent purchase of the CD/DVD combination of Romantic Energy (only has 3 videos, but is so much better for an example of entertaining music more purely on traditional Chinese instruments.)
Nathan H.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: 12 Girls Band
Comment: If you like Asian music played on unique instruments by 12 lovely young ladies, then this DVD is a must have. Contemporary tunes as well as selected Oriental selections make this a one of a kind DVD. Get it you won't be sorry.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Comment: Shanghai Excellent c.d. If you love msic, you must listento these wonderful girls. Ans you should check out their DVD. What a pleasure!!

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