Michel Legrand & Friends: 50 Years of Music and Movies

Classic scores and popular songs for movies like The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and the Oscar-winning Summer of '42 have made Michel Legrand a celebrated composer. In this PBS-aired gala concert held at the MGM Grand's Garden Arena in Las Vegas in March 2010, Legrand leads an orchestra from the piano while guest artists introduced by emcees Jon Voight and Jennifer O'Neill stroll on stage to sing tunes Legrand wrote, set to lyrics by his long-time collaborators, Alan and Marilyn Bergman (with some performers, like Sting, appearing in pre-recorded inserts). These appearances are occasionally interrupted by instrumental medleys illustrated by film-clip montages. Unfortunately, most of the numbers sound fairly ragged—especially when Legrand adds his voice to the mix—and some of the stars seem alarmingly frail (such as Andy Williams and Jerry Lewis, with the latter doing a hoary comic bit while conducting Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue). Other performers include George Benson, Dionne Warwick, Melissa Manchester, Patti Page, and Frank Sinatra Jr. While O'Neill handles her hosting duties nicely, Voight frequently strains to read his cue cards. Presented in Dolby Digital stereo, DVD extras include a few bonus interviews, and a video of a duet (“Love Makes the Changes”) performed by Legrand and Ray Charles. Not a necessary purchase. (F. Swietek)