Donny Osmond winked at me once.
That might not seem like a big deal to you, but let me tell you, it made me a mini-celeb in 1972. This was back in the day when parents actually drove girls and their giggling friends to and from concerts and either accompanied them inside or waited a safe distance away.
Apparently, I’m not the only mid-life type who looks at those times through rose-colored bifocals. The video The Osmonds: Live in Concert, London, 2006 captures the audience – comprised mainly of middle aged women – who seem symbolically transported back to those golden days.
The modern-era Osmonds are compelling enough. Gone, for this performance, are Alan (who makes a brief guest appearance) and Donny. Youngest brother Jimmy rounds out the group and does a credible job serving as master of ceremonies and Donny-stand in on hits including “One Bad Apple,” and “Yo Yo.”
The performances captured on the 125-minute long DVD are just what you’d expect — perfectly competent song and dance by good-humored men whose children have most likely left “Puppy Love” far behind. Think the old Andy Williams Shows. Or the Donny and Marie Show. The 1960s era Glen Campbell anyone? Good, clean, family fun and wholesome music is the fare.
The enthusiastic, synchronized dancing that was once an Osmond trademark is much more low-key now. Think swaying instead of dancing. The brothers are all in fine voice as they sing their classic songs as their band plays behind them. The frequent breaks between the songs are filled with bantering and some reminiscing, mostly by Jimmy, who serves as something of the leader that night. That's a bit jarring because back in the day Jimmy was to the Osmonds what young Randy was to the Jackson 5 — just another late-arriving member. But no matter — frequent shots of the audience show the audience loves the good natured fun.
To the casual viewer, the group are just good singers, such as you might find in a local venue. But, of course, the audience that filled London's Hammersmith Apollo for the March 2006 concert likely weren't casual viewers. They were once die-hard fans, much as I was. No doubt they also enjoyed the fan footage, photo gallery, and other extras on part of this DVD.
Article comments
1 - wendi jackson
wow. this review said it all to me just then....it was truly wonderful to read , it makes me want to go out and buy the dvd straight away, im very tempted.
2 - Merce
Just wanted to thank you for your wonderful review on the Osmonds Live DVD. I was right there with you on missing Donny in the line-up. I was at the concert when it was recorded in Hammersmith Apollo last year, having travelled from my home in Spain. It was so worth the trip to see all the Brothers up there, very emotional when Alan joined them on stage. But, we did miss Donny being there so much. We (his faithfull lifelong fans) are still hoping and praying they will do a concert all together like the one planned for Las Vegas in August. Unfortunatley, that's way too far for me to travel (not enough money right now!).
Thanks again for your wonderful review, it's so nice to read a pleasant and honest review these days. I feel the Osmonds always suffered, and still suffer the wrath of the media far too often. A lot of people seem to enjoy just poking fun at them without even listening to them or even realising just how popular they were, and indeed still are with those who loved them. To still be as popular now as they were then (and concert attendances these days will prove that to anyone bothered to attend), there has got to be something about them. If only others in the media would realise that! I wish there were more around like you :)
Thanks once again,
Mercedes
(life-long Osmond fan (but especially Donny!))