This album is undeniable proof that Anne Murray is incapable of giving a bad performance. You can sense the excitement in the arena from the first notes of the opening song, "Time Don't Run Out On Me".The tone is then set for an exciting and intimate evening with a star who is critically acclaimed and universally admired. And yet, live albums can be iffy propositions in the wrong hands. Many performers who are, shall we say, vocally challenged, resort to special effects, outlandish costumes,entire dance troups and choirs of background singers--anything, frankly, to distract the audience from the fact that the performer really has little or no vocal talent and must rely on gimmickry and over the top spectacle. And then there is Anne Murray. She steps up to the mike and a hush falls over the audience. The house lights dim, a single spotlight illuminates that girl next door face, and then her exquisite voice fills the room. The special effects, the excitement, and the spectacle are all there in that voice. Thirty years of life on stage are in that voice. She has honed her skills and her delightfully outgoing personality surges from the stage. Listen to her acoustic "Annie Unplugged"set where she gets vocally up close and personal. Listen to her banter with her group and vocalize with her guests Jann Arden and Bryan Adams. Listen to how she has the audience perform with her on "Could I Have This Dance".Shesings an eclectic mixture of her hits and her newer material. There's old time rock and roll, some Canadian country, her phenomenal "Croonin'"medley, and some beautiful pop ballads sung as only she can sing them. Her sense of fun is infectious and she makes the arena feel like a warm, intimate club. This all comes across beautifully on the recording. Anne Murray has achieved that special status among singers where hit records are no longer required to sustain a career. People the world over flock to her concerts to enjoy her voice and experience the wonderful rapport she has with audiences. "An Intimate Evening With Anne Murray Live"captures that experience which can now be enjoyed again and again by fans of her music and of the lady herself.

Anne Murray rock ? She certainly does on this one. The opening version of "Time Don't Run Out On Me" proves Anne still has what it takes to deliver a powerful pop song with great emotion. Her performances of " That's the Way Love Goes" and "Shame on Me" proves she can rock with the best of them-not to mention her irresistible duet with fellow Canadian Bryan Adams "What would it Take" . There are still sweet ballads included- "Somebody's always Saying Goodbye" is a good case and point and Jann Arden's performance of "Insensitive" with Anne on backing vocals is just perfect. This is an awesome live CD-Get it now....

This is, quite possibly, the best live album I have ever heard. It is just like being at the concert. The only thing that this album lacks is about 20 tracks. I wish that it was longer. Other than that, you cannot go wrong.

Being a huge fan of Anne Murray, I was excited to finally have a whole CD of nothing but live recordings from this incredible singer. Although, I was *slightly* disappointed that some of Anne's greatest Hits were absent from this CD, the songs that are here are just great. Not that there's no hits here. Far from it: From The opening song: "Time Don't Run Out On Me" to the last track "Danny's Song", there's a lot of great songs here that are a lot of fun to listen to. For anyone who has not listened to Anne Murray for a while, or has never listened at all: All I can say is you have no idea what you're missing. A voice like Anne Murray's doesn't come along every day. I would also recommend the video that is also available-It contains some additional songs that are, sadly, not found on this CD, including a great duet with Celine Dion on "When I Fall In Love". The video and CD "An Intimate Evening With Anne Murray....Live" makes for a terrific evening's worth of entertainment and fun. I highly recommend both. Its a must for any Anne Murray fan and a great introduction to this singer for those who don't know the lady.

I received this CD about 2 years ago as part of a prize package on a phone-in contest on a local TV station. I'd never bought an Anne Murray record before, although of course, being a Canadian growing up in the 60's & 70's I couldn't help but be steeped in her songs.

What great luck to receive this album! I absolutely love it! I listen to it on headphones at work, and never get tired of it. Anne's voice is wonderfully mature, and although slightly raspy (especially at the beginning of the concert), never degenerates into coarseness. Her straight delivery and measured phrasing let the beauty of the songs and the natural quality of her voice take the spotlight. The band and backing vocals are superb.

The duet "What Would it Take" with Bryan Adams is my favourite (even though I don't like Bryan solo and always change the station when he comes on the radio). The slight gravel in Anne's voice works particularly well on this one. Who could have thought Canada's Songbird could rock like that?

This CD would definitely rate 5 stars if, as previous reviewer pointed out, it had been issued as the complete concert special on a 2 CD set. As it is, a solid 4 stars and a great mellow listen anytime.

vr