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Christina Aguilera - Back to Basics: Live and Down Under (DVD)

You’ve got to give it to the girl. She’s sidestepped the trademark celeb tragedy, she’s reinvented herself and she married for love (because she sure didn’t marry Jordan Bratman for his looks). She’s a happy woman and it’s evident throughout this DVD. Even the token childhood dramedy bits are served with a cherry on top.

Back to Basics is a 30s/40s inspired album and Christina (as creative director for the show) channels that into every aspect of the live production, from the wardrobe to the band. “Come On Over” - a big hit from her lace-up leather pants days - is recreated with sultry, hovering trumpets and a jive dance routine. Clever, interchangeable outfits and perfectly timed intervals give the show a kind of Brylcreem slick.
“Slow Down Baby”, “Still Dirrty” and “I Got Trouble” reveal the bitch beneath the blonde. Yes, this married mama is still a freak underneath it all. “Candyman” is performed with panty-dropping perfection, incorporating the backup dancers into the act for a playfully erotic ensemble performance. Elsewhere “Makes Me Wanna Pray” is a colossal gospel hit. Her vocals trill over the notes with conviction, making it almost easy to mistake her for a large ‘n lovely Aretha. Through the smoke and mirrors, feathered outfits and spectacular sequences, her voice bursts out like a genie finally freed.

Unfortunately her power woman image is tainted toward the end. A video interlude of squeaky teenagers screaming “I love you Xtina!” and “You helped me reconsider suicide” drop you back down to China Town. Fast forward. Bring back the sing-a-long hits so we can practice our moves.

This candy girl doesn’t beat around her bush. She says it like it is. She romps around in revealing variations of a bejewelled leotard and in “Still Dirrty” she and the dancers indulge in some crotch grabbing. Sex oozes from her pouty lips. She clearly wants her audience to get some action tonight. And if you don’t have a willing partner, you could always just take the DVD home for some hand-held help.

- Sam Brighton
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