Max Raabe & Palast Orchester - The Legendary Sound of the Golden Twenties

Max Raabe and Palast Orchester: Dance & Film Music of 1920s is worth every penny charged, and then some.I cannot add much to the other reviews here (all of which rate this DVD as 5-Star) except to say that, since it arrived, I have watched this show two nights in succession and I can't wait to invite friends over to see it as well. I did not think that such superior entertainers still existed!Frankly, I cannot imagine anyone not enjoying this disc. What a showman! He sings in six languages including Chinese! And what an orchestra! These musicians can make their instruments sound like anything they like (even Chinese instruments!). These people all play several instruments and they play them extremely well. I have a number of records and discs of salon orchestras, but the Palast Orchester is by far the best.I too hope that more DVDs (and CDs) of Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester will be issued. I'll buy every one.====================================================================================================================================Update: March 6, 2010Last night Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester appeared in Philadelphia, PA and my wife and I were there (Merriam Theater, Orchestra Row B, Seats 10 and 12 - really great seats!).Like many people who live in our area, we first heard about Max Raabe from Jill Pasternak's "Crossover" show on WRTI 90.1 MHz. We heard her initial interview with him back in November 2007 but unfortunately it was broadcast the very day he was appearing in Philadelphia and it was impossible for us to get tickets.We've been waiting, watching, and hoping he would return to Philadelphia - and he did!What an entertainer! In addition to being an excellent and versatile singer (he has a very wide range, sings in several languages, and can even sing opera), he is a droll master of ceremonies with a very dry sense of humor (as you can see on this DVD, he rarely smiles on stage). His comments before each number are witty and QUITE risqué (an adult form of humor which, until I saw him, I thought had been lost). As the show on this DVD was from an appearance in Berlin, his announcements are in German (there are subtitles) and the songs are primarily European. In the USA however he speaks in excellent English and his songs are primarily American.It doesn't matter what the primary "country" focus is - the songs are all from the 1920s and 1930s and ALL are great and wonderful pieces. The art of writing good popular music DOES appear to me to be a lost art, at least at the present time. But Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester brings it all back for our enjoyment. (Even some children in the audience appeared to be astounded and pleased.) He and his orchestra perform some of the most wonderful popular music ever written. Most of the songs on this DVD are different from what we heard last night though some included on it, "Cheek to Cheek" and "You're the Cream in My Coffee," have practically become Max Raabe standards and were performed at the show (to the audience's great pleasure).The Palast Orchester plays with a precision which is almost unbelievable (there is no leader!). People around us were gasping when they saw many of the members playing two or even three very different instruments: wind players playing brass - the bass violinist playing tuba - and the versatile bass saxophonist playing his very difficult instrument as if it were easy (and they sing too!) - all this has to be seen to be believed (and it CAN be seen on this DVD!).While waiting for admittance in the lobby (as well as after we were seated), my wife and I spoke to a number of people. None of the people to whom we spoke had actually heard of Max Raabe until Jill Pasternak's re-broadcast of her original 2007 show in January of this year and her newer interview with him broadcast last month. (Two people had read the New York Times announcement of his March 4 New York concert and were able to get last-minute tickets.) All of these people had been intrigued by what they had heard or read and I can tell you that NO ONE was disappointed!He and his orchestra received three standing ovations, one after the "official" end of the show, another after the first encore, and still another after the second encore. (As far as my wife and I were concerned, they could have played all night!)After the show was over (and it was the FASTEST two and a half hours I think I have ever lived through!), everybody whom we saw leaving the theater had a smile on his or her face! I'd be willing to bet that, if and when Max Raabe returns to Philadelphia, almost all there last night will be back - and they'll bring friends! (He'll need a larger theater - the Merriam Theater has a capacity of 1872 - as practically every seat was sold.)In addition to being a fantastic entertainer, Max Raabe is a very gracious gentleman. After the show, we and several other people went backstage where we had the privilege and pleasure of meeting him in person; I myself had the opportunity to speak with him and I can tell you that he is a very nice guy!!!Until you have the opportunity to see him in person (and even if you have), BUY THIS DVD. It is the next best thing to actually being there and is a great souvenir of great performers. And buy it from Amazon which always has it in stock, ships quickly, and has a very good price. Since we've owned it, my wife and I have watched it eight or nine times now and, so far, we have shown it to three other couples. ALL of these couples loved it and one couple even burst into applause after it was finished. (We also own most of his CDs which, almost needless to say, we also highly recommend.)I mentioned above that his show went quickly (TOO quickly!) - and this DVD does the same. But, once you own it, you can watch it over and over at your pleasure. I feel confident in stating that you WILL watch it over and over.Buy it. It is great entertainment and, in my opinion, you'll never regret the purchase.

I'm with all the other reviewers before me -- this is an excellent DVD! Picture and sound are top-notch. Max Raabe and his band handily demonstrate why they are one of the top orchestras in the world today playing this type of 1920s and 1930s music. You don't have to have been around in the 1920s and '30s to appreciate it either. The Palast Orchester sounds great on CD, but one look at this DVD and you'll see that simply listening to the band is only half the experience. They are excellent musicians, of course, but also terrific showmen. This is not corny '20s-style "flapper" music, this is suave, elegant, beautifully arranged and choreographed hot dance and vocal music. The version of "Paddlin' Madelin' Home" on this CD is the best arrangement of the song I've ever heard--the saxophone quartet in the middle is marvelous! Yes, most of the songs are German tunes of the era, but they are absolutely delightful (and subtitles with English translations are available if you choose to turn them on). The bonus features with video footage of trips to New York, Japan, and Rome are excellent as well. I normally don't watch video programs or movies over and over again, but this is one disc I plan to enjoy for years and years. Highly recommended!

This is one great DVD for those of us who like the stylings of this kind of Orchestra, and which can transport one back to those halcyon days of yesterday in a brand-new venue. It's mostly in German, but one can get subtitles by just hitting the right button -- and the subtitles can only enhance the overall effect. The 5.1 surround is very effective, and the music itself is just perfect, reminescent of Berlin in the late '20s and '30s. (There are a few American songs, and they are sung in English --and very well indeed!)For anyone who likes to live in the past (as I do -- it's cheaper!) this DVD is a real treasure!! As extras, there are (very small) snippets of the orchestra's trip to other countries (no music there, however)...but a nice additon to a DVD that doesn't really need any additions!

My mother attended a concert by Max Raabe and Palast Orchester in Chicago and purchased the DVD. When I watched it, I had to have my own copy and purchased it for less At Amazon than what she paid for it at the concert. The vendor(Movie Mars) had really fast delivery(3 days). I love that this music is sung in many languages(German, English, Italian) but that you can have subtitles in English to understand the lyrics and the jokes they make. I was dancing through the whole performance, and have watched it several times since. It really puts me in a good mood. The music from the '20's and '30's with big band feel, and many tangos feels timeless. If you like "Dancing with the Stars," you will enjoy watching this DVD and will dance along while they perform.

GOOD FOR GERMAN SPEAKING PEOPLE. BOREING>

After seeing Max Raabe and his Palast Orchester perform one number on a PBS show, I went to Amazon and found his DVD of the full performance in an open air setting, similar to the Hollywood Bowl, but in Berlin. My wife and I agree that this is the best DVD we have ever purchased. They were performing in the Bay Area, but we could not get good seats, so I went to the internet and got seats in the center of the first row from the stage at the Gallo Theater in Modesto CA. What a great evening. It was as though we had them performing just for us! They even did a parody of Brittany Spears "Ooops, I did it again!" as an encore for the enthusiastic audience.

I've watched this dvd over & over. If you love the popular music of the 1920's, '30's & 40's - this is a real upper. Max Raabe and his orchestra have recreated the authentic sound and look of the era. I have some old recordings of German tangos of the period and many recordings of American music of the period and the arrangements are faithfully reproduced with all the gusto, excitement and life of the originals. This is great music and a wonderfully entertaining dvd, the kind that makes you feel happy - what a gift!

Un fabuleux revival du jazz des années folles, l'humour classe de cet ensemble très populaire en Allemagne.

The band is consistantly equal to the very best British 30s Swing

Bin Fan

Great Music of the 20s and 30s

je regrette que les sous titres ne soient qu'en anglais mais l'enregistrement est excellent