CMT Crossroads: Taylor Swift & Def Leppard

Everything you wanted to know how to be Taylor Swift and love Def Leppard.

I'm an English rock guy (guitarist for 30+ years) and surprise, surprise, love Def Leppard! Coincidentally, I have just recently discovered Taylor Swift's music, and have been utterly blown over by her song writing talent. I don't really listen to much modern pop, but I came across Swift's output on Youtube, and after absorbing her performances/videos/songs and buying her back catalogue, have been deeply, deeply impressed. So imagine my surprise when I came across this DVD of her performing with Def Lep! I had to get it! In this show, Swift is pretty young, I think it is just after her Fearless record release. Swift is often attacked for not being the best vocalist, but I think this is really mean. Obviously her core talent is her amazing song writing (she's one of the best hook writers ever IMO), but her vocals can be really beautiful, and I personally love the character of her voice. I think it would be fairer to say her live vocal performances can be a bit inconsistent, particularly when she was very young, as in this performance with Def Lep (but she's very steady in this vid). But one of the most impressive things about Swift is how she just LOVES performing.. whether that's to a small crowd or a packed stadium, she's always just so up for it, and as a musician myself I just love her infectious enthusiasm. Swift's music at this time was Country-Pop-Rock and Def Lep are Rock-Pop, and so the pop-rock commonality is there, and this "collab" works really well. The set is half Def Lep songs (like Pour Some Sugar on Me), half Swift songs (like Love Story). The highlight for me was an all acoustic version of Two Steps Behind, where everybody (including Joe and Taylor) grabs a guitar. There are some funny moments where Joe has to alter some Swift lyrics that he's singing (coz, well, he's a bloke, like), and Def Lep teaching Swift some proper Yorkshire phrases like "Ey Up Chuck"! The interview "extras" are interesting.. seeing the experienced rockers offer the young Swift some advice/insight into the music world, and discussing how pop is a common love and theme to their music. Of course, since this show, she's gone on to be one of the biggest acts in music history, and make the "1989" pure pop album, which IMO, like "Hysteria", is one of the greatest albums ever made. Anyway, if you like either of these two artists, then you will definitely enjoy this.

This DVD is the best. To see Def Leppard (one of my favourite rock bands ever) and Taylor Swift singing each other's songs together is just fantastic. The music is amazing and has been produced to one of the highest standards I've ever heard from a live gig on DVD. For standard definition, the picture quality is very good, as is the editing.If you like Def Leppard and/ or Taylor Swift, and you like it mixed up a little, you will love this.I found this DVD accidentally and bought it immediately...one of my best decisions!jay - UK

Great mix up, especially if you like both artists. Hysteria with the added twist of Taylor's vocals is sublime. Excellent production with both stereo 2.0 and Dolby Digital 5.1 mix.Tracklist (*Bonus Footage)PhotographPicture To BurnLove StoryHysteriaTeardrops On My GuitarWhen Love And Hate CollideShould've Said NoPour Some Sugar On MeOur Song*Love*Two Steps Behind*

Def Leppard made Taylor Swift's songs sound great, but Taylor Swift absolutely butchered Def Leppard's.It was funny to watch.

This works so well and you know why - Miss Swift and Def Leppard are both musically gifted and they have the utmost respect for each other's talent. I can watch this time and time again and, as far as I am concerned, it's musicianship at its bestA great, great combination

This was supposed to be a gift for someone else. After watching it on the net for a while, I finally got the DVD and had to keep it for myself. It was delivered well before estimated.

GOOD STUFF