I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas
{{Short description|2009 live video album by Beyoncé}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox album
| name = I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas
| type = live
| longtype = and video
| artist = Beyoncé
| cover = I_Am... Yours (CD Cover Art).png
| alt =
| released = November 23, 2009
| recorded = August 2, 2009
| venue = Encore Theater
(Paradise, Nevada)
| studio =
| genre = *Pop
| length = 87:48
| language = English
| label = *Music World
| director = Nick Wickham
| prev_title = Above and Beyoncé: Video Collection & Dance Mixes
| prev_year = 2009
| next_title = I Am... World Tour
| next_year = 2010
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Beyoncé
| type = video
| prev_title = Above and Beyoncé: Video Collection & Dance Mixes
| prev_year = 2009
| title = I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas
| year = 2009
| next_title = I Am... World Tour
| next_year = 2010
}}
}}
I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas is the third live and fourth video album by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on November 23, 2009 through Music World Entertainment and Columbia Records. The album was recorded at the Encore Theater in Paradise, Nevada, being filmed by Ed Burke, on August 2, 2009, during a stint of Beyoncé's I Am... World Tour (2009–2010). It features performances of over thirty songs, including her solo material, her recordings with the girl group Destiny's Child as well as behind-the-scenes footage. The film was directed by Nick Wickham and produced by Emer Patten.
Footage from the film, titled Beyoncé – I Am... Yours, aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on November 26, 2009. The special featured behind-the-scenes footage of Beyoncé's I Am... World Tour and it was watched by over 5.2 million viewers. The album was also promoted by being broadcast on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom and reissued in the form of a live instrumentals album. Upon its release, I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas received positive reviews from music critics, who generally praised the acoustic live performances of the songs. Beyoncé's vocals, the intimate performances, and the narrating story of the album were also complimented. The live version of "Halo", which is featured on the album, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards (2011).
I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas stayed atop the US Top Music Videos for eight weeks, and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipments of 200,000 copies. It became Beyoncé's second number-one DVD in the United States and has spent fifty-two weeks on the Top Music Videos. The album was also successful on the DVD and albums charts across the world and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for selling over 15,000 copies.
Background and development
{{main|I Am... Yours}}
File:Michael Jackson in 1988.jpg" by Michael Jackson (pictured) during the revue.]]
Between July 30–August 2, 2009, Beyoncé had a revue titled I Am... Yours at the Encore Theater in Wynn Las Vegas during a stint on her worldwide I Am... World Tour (2009–2010). Her performance was backed by her all-female band Suga Mama and an orchestra. The show was choreographed by Beyoncé and Frank Gatson Jr. Regarding her I Am... Yours revue, Beyoncé said: "I've always wanted to perform in Las Vegas, I've always wanted to do my own show there, because a lot of the icons that I look up to had amazing shows in Las Vegas. I thought if I'm going to have my own Las Vegas show, it has to be right and it has to have heart and soul and it has to be something memorable... My whole objective here is for people to see what they don't get to see. Just give me my band, give me a stage, some cool smoke and lights and you see the sweat, you see the pain, you see the love, you see the soul and it's about music."
According to Beyoncé's father and then-manager, Music World Entertainment president and CEO Mathew Knowles, the decision to release I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas was prompted by the way the music was presented in the digital world and because "the live experience is becoming more important". He added that the live performances show the ability of the artists to entertain live, something that, according to him, "Beyoncé has proven [...] time after time".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1261911/year-end-beyonce-tops-rbhip-hop-album-artists-chart|title=Year-End: Beyonce Tops R&B/Hip Hop Album Artists Chart|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|first=Gail|last=Mitchell|date=December 10, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2012|archive-date=May 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505125607/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1261911/year-end-beyonce-tops-rbhip-hop-album-artists-chart|url-status=live}} The film was directed by Nick Wickham and produced by Emer Patten.{{cite web|url=http://www.beyonce.com/music/i-am-yours-an-intimate-performance-at-wynn-las-vegas|title=Beyoncé > Music > I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas|publisher=Beyonce.com. Parkwood Entertainment|access-date=April 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815195430/http://www.beyonce.com/music/i-am-yours-an-intimate-performance-at-wynn-las-vegas|archive-date=August 15, 2012|url-status=dead}} It was filmed by Ed Burke and executively produced by Beyoncé, Mathew Knowles and Sheira Rees-Davies.
Film synopsis
The show begins with a narrator introducing Beyoncé to the audience. She appears from the back of the theater performing "Hello". She greets the audience and makes her way towards the stage as she continues to perform. At the stage, Beyoncé sings "Halo". Next, she performs "Irreplaceable" and interacts with the audience. She later moves into an acoustic medley, performing a down-tempo version of "Sweet Dreams",{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2009/11/12/new-music-beyonce-sweet-dreams-acoustic/|title=New Music: Beyoncé – 'Sweet Dreams (Acoustic)'|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devin Lazerine|date=November 12, 2009|access-date=February 5, 2012|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030135908/https://www.rap-up.com/2009/11/12/new-music-beyonce-sweet-dreams-acoustic/|url-status=live}} "Dangerously in Love 2" and "Sweet Love" (originally recorded by Anita Baker). The medley leads into "If I Were a Boy" (which contains excerpts from "You Oughta Know", originally recorded by Alanis Morissette) and "Scared of Lonely". The show continues with a performance of "That's Why You're Beautiful", intertwined with excerpts from "The Beautiful Ones" (originally recorded by Prince), "Satellites" and "Resentment". The first act concludes with Beyoncé performing a jazz-fused version of "Déjà Vu". Before the next act begins, three dancers appear and perform a tap sequence called "Bebop".
Beyoncé begins the second act by telling the story of her career, starting from when she was nine years old to her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). Beyoncé highlights one of the first songs she remembers learning was Michael Jackson's "I Wanna Be Where You Are". She continues with a medley of Destiny's Child's hit songs, including "No No No", "Bug a Boo", "Bills, Bills, Bills", and "Say My Name" whilst in between the songs, she talks about the story behind them. The medley leads into "Work It Out" and "'03 Bonnie & Clyde, as she begins to talk about the start her solo career. As the set continues, Beyoncé explains how her record company felt her debut album did not have one hit song, to which she sarcastically remarks: "I guess they were kinda right... I had five." Beyoncé goes on to perform "Crazy in Love" (reminiscent of "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner), "Naughty Girl" and "Get Me Bodied". As the show draws to a close, Beyoncé performs "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"; she then exits the stage after thanking the audience for their presence.{{cite AV media|people=Beyoncé|date=2009|title=I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas|type=DVD/Blu-ray|publisher=Music World Entertainment/Columbia Records|time=1:38:19}}
Release and promotion
File:Encore-wynn-towers.JPG in Wynn Las Vegas.]]
After Beyoncé finished her I Am... Yours revue, several publications reported that a live album containing the performance of the revue would be released.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2009/08/01/beyonce-puts-on-intimate-vegas-show/|title=Beyoncé Puts On Intimate Vegas Show|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devin Lazerine|date=August 1, 2009|access-date=February 5, 2012|archive-date=August 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806050105/http://www.rap-up.com/2009/08/01/beyonce-puts-on-intimate-vegas-show/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.lvrj.com/neon/52169137.html|title=Beyoncé creating a special show for cozy Encore theater|first=Mike|last=Weatherford|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|publisher=Stephens Media, LLC|date=July 31, 2009|access-date=February 5, 2012|archive-date=November 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105152215/http://www.lvrj.com/neon/52169137.html|url-status=live}} In early November 2009, it was announced that she would be releasing a concert performance DVD and live CD titled I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266828/beyonce-preps-live-release-network-special-lady-gaga-collaboration|title=Beyonce Preps Live Release, Network Special, Lady Gaga Collaboration|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|first=Kelsey|last=Paine|date=November 3, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2012|archive-date=September 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919031431/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266828/beyonce-preps-live-release-network-special-lady-gaga-collaboration|url-status=live}} The DVD features performances from the I Am... Yours revue containing performances of over thirty songs, including Beyoncé's solo material as well as her recordings with the girl group Destiny's Child. Exclusive behind-the-scenes footage was also placed on the album;{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2009/11/02/beyonce-sets-date-for-deluxe-album-dvd-lady-gaga-duet-video-to-premiere/|title=Beyoncé Sets Date for Deluxe Album & DVD, Lady Gaga Duet Video to Premiere|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devin Lazerine|date=November 2, 2009|access-date=February 5, 2012|archive-date=November 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105164805/http://www.rap-up.com/2009/11/02/beyonce-sets-date-for-deluxe-album-dvd-lady-gaga-duet-video-to-premiere/|url-status=live}} part of which was later added on Beyoncé's sixth video album Live at Roseland: Elements of 4 (2011).{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/27/arts/music/new-concert-dvds-from-beyonce-and-adele.html|title=New Concert DVDs from Beyoncé and Adele – A Pair of Pop Queens Flaunt Winning Hands|first=Nate|last=Chinen|work=The New York Times|page=1|date=November 25, 2011|access-date=January 2, 2012|archive-date=December 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201200208/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/27/arts/music/new-concert-dvds-from-beyonce-and-adele.html|url-status=live}}
The album was released in the United States on November 23, 2009, the same day the deluxe edition of Beyoncé's third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce was reissued, as well as the release of her extended play (EP) I Am... Sasha Fierce – The Bonus Tracks. The standard edition (DVD) and deluxe edition (CD+DVD) of the album were released simultaneously. It was released for Blu-ray on December 15, 2009. The DVD and Blu-ray editions feature the entire concert (split into three parts), as well as over twenty-three minutes of behind-the-scenes footage, while the two CDs include the audio from the main performances. On November 26, 2009, American Broadcasting Company (ABC) aired a one-hour Thanksgiving special, titled Beyoncé – I Am... Yours at 9 p.m.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/beyonce-concert-thanksgiving/story?id=9168086|title=Beyonce: What I'm Thankful For|publisher=ABC News. American Broadcasting Company|page=1|first=Lauren|last=Sher|date=November 25, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2012|archive-date=December 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218143103/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/beyonce-concert-thanksgiving/story?id=9168086|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2009/10/31/beyonce-serves-up-thanksgiving-special/|title=Beyoncé Serves Up Thanksgiving Special|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devin Lazerine|date=October 31, 2009|access-date=February 5, 2012|archive-date=November 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145056/http://www.rap-up.com/2009/10/31/beyonce-serves-up-thanksgiving-special/|url-status=live}} A one-minute trailer of the special was posted online on November 12, 2009;{{cite web|url=http://www.beyonceonline.com/us/news/beyonc%C3%A9-i-am-yours-thanksgiving-special-trailer|title=Beyoncé I Am... Yours Thanksgiving Special Trailer|publisher=Beyonceonline.com|date=November 12, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203122959/http://www.beyonceonline.com/us/news/beyonc%C3%A9-i-am-yours-thanksgiving-special-trailer|archive-date=February 3, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/11/turkey-with-beyonc%C3%A9-rb-star-scores-thanksgiving-special.html|title=Turkey with Beyonce: R&B star scores Thanksgiving special|work=Los Angeles Times|first=Todd|last=Martens|date=November 1, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2012|archive-date=April 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429093923/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/11/turkey-with-beyonc%C3%A9-rb-star-scores-thanksgiving-special.html|url-status=live}} it showed Beyoncé during her I Am... World Tour, behind-the-scenes footage including rehearsals, as well as personal videos.{{cite web|url=http://uk.eonline.com/news/beyonc233_yours_on_thanksgiving/155538|title=Beyoncé Is Yours on Thanksgiving|publisher=E! Online. NBCUniversal|first=Natalie|last=Finn|date=November 25, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1625283/beyonce-host-thanksgiving-special.jhtml|title=Beyonce To Host Thanksgiving Special|publisher=MTV News. MTV Networks|first=Gil|last=Kaufman|date=November 2, 2009|access-date=February 4, 2012|archive-date=June 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622091357/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1625283/beyonce-host-thanksgiving-special.jhtml|url-status=dead}} According to USA Today, the special was watched by 5.2 million viewers.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/LIFE/usaedition/2009-12-03-nielchatter03_ST_U.htm|title=A good week for dog tales|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|first=Gary|last=Levin|date=December 2, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2012}} Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Brad Wete commented that she "danced her tail off" during the special.{{cite magazine |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/11/01/beyonce-i-am-tour-abc-special/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105022319/http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/11/01/beyonce-i-am-tour-abc-special/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 5, 2010 |title=Beyoncé's I Am... tour special set for another Thanksgiving primetime TV debut: Watch the preview here |first=Brad |last=Wete |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Time Inc |date=November 1, 2010 |access-date=November 29, 2010 }} John Griffiths of Us Weekly reviewed the special positively, calling it "shimmery... mostly culled from her lavish concert". He added that she further "dishes about her career, shows off her childhood home videos, belts out her hits and more."{{cite news|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/us-musts-im-yours-beyonce-20091711|title=Review – Beyonce: I Am ...Yours|work=Us Weekly|publisher=Time Inc|first=John|last=Griffiths|date=November 17, 2009|access-date=April 3, 2012|archive-date=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910184308/http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/us-musts-im-yours-beyonce-20091711|url-status=live}} The show was broadcast on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom on December 25, 2009 (Christmas Day).{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/beyonce-i-am-yours/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1|title=Beyonce: I Am Yours – An Intimate Performance from Las Vegas|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=February 2, 2012|archive-date=April 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405074907/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/beyonce-i-am-yours/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1|url-status=live}} A live instrumentals album of the songs performed on the revue was released digitally via Amazon Music and the iTunes Store on September 28, 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043VPOVW|title=Live In Vegas Instrumentals: Beyoncé: MP3 Downloads|website=Amazon |access-date=December 30, 2011}}{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/live-in-vegas-instrumentals/id393249923|title=Live In Vegas Instrumentals (Instrumental) – Beyoncé|publisher=iTunes Store. (US) Apple Inc|access-date=February 4, 2012|archive-date=November 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119055928/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/live-in-vegas-instrumentals/id393249923|url-status=dead}} Several videos of the live performances of "Halo", "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" and "Scared of Lonely" were released in MTV Latin America.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtvla.com/musica/artistas/beyonc%C3%A9/videos/world-stage-beyonc%C3%A9-halo-live-at-wynn-theatre-las-vegas-552216/|title=Beyoncé – Halo, live at Wynn Theatre, Las Vegas|publisher=MTV Latin America. MTV Networks|date=August 24, 2010|access-date=January 3, 2012|archive-date=March 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323014650/http://www.mtvla.com/musica/artistas/beyonc%C3%A9/videos/world-stage-beyonc%C3%A9-halo-live-at-wynn-theatre-las-vegas-552216/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtvla.com/musica/artistas/beyonc%C3%A9/videos/single-ladies-put-a-ring-on-it-290679/|title=Beyoncé – Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)|publisher=MTV Latin America. MTV Networks|date=May 14, 2010|access-date=January 3, 2012|archive-date=March 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323014701/http://www.mtvla.com/musica/artistas/beyonc%C3%A9/videos/single-ladies-put-a-ring-on-it-290679/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtvla.com/musica/artistas/beyonc%C3%A9/videos/scene-six-scared-of-lonely-649387/|title=Beyoncé : Scene Six: Scared of Lonely|publisher=MTV Latin America. MTV Networks|date=May 13, 2010|access-date=January 3, 2012|archive-date=March 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323014711/http://www.mtvla.com/musica/artistas/beyonc%C3%A9/videos/scene-six-scared-of-lonely-649387/|url-status=dead}} These videos were used to promote the album in Latin America as well as the television special titled MTV World Stage: Beyoncé Live from Las Vegas.{{cite AV media|title=MTV World Stage: Beyoncé Live from Las Vegas|publisher=MTV Latin America. MTV Networks|author=Beyoncé|year=2009}}
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev2 = BBC Online
| rev3 = Jam!
| rev3Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}
| rev4 = People
| rev4Score = {{rating|3.5|4}}
| rev5 = The Huffington Post
| rev6 = The New York Times
| rev7 = The Salt Lake Tribune
}}
Tanya Remekie of Rap-Up felt that the album contains a "show-stopping event as Sasha Fierce and Bey[oncé] come out to play". She finished her review by writing that the "Broadway-fashioned narration of her life story, told through song and dance.. shares her magical story."{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2009/11/19/beyonce-unleashes-sasha-fierce-on-dvd/|title=Beyoncé Unleashes Sasha Fierce on DVD|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devin Lazerine|first=Tanya|last=Remekie|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=February 4, 2012|archive-date=May 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531013358/http://www.rap-up.com/2009/11/19/beyonce-unleashes-sasha-fierce-on-dvd/|url-status=live}} During a review of the album, the writers of People magazine rated it with three-and-a-half out of four stars and wrote that it "offers nicely subdued versions of her hits", further describing the show as a "magic".{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20335572,00.html|title=Picks and Pans Review: DVD Concert Roundup|work=People|publisher=Time Inc|first1=Jessica|last1=Herndon|first2=Ivory|last2=Jeff Clinton|first3=Chuck|last3=Arnold|first4=Randy|last4=Vest|first5=Eileen|last5=Finan|date=January 18, 2010|access-date=June 24, 2012|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402095818/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20335572,00.html|url-status=dead}} Another writer of the same publication praised the album, writing that "You'll get to know Beyoncé like never before".{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20319296,00.html|title=First Look: Beyoncé Is Yours|work=People|publisher=Time Inc|date=November 12, 2009|access-date=February 5, 2012|archive-date=March 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110328221336/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20319296,00.html|url-status=dead}} Similarly, a writer of Eye Weekly called the album "extraordinary", before adding that it is "the chance to experience her (Beyoncé) up close and personal".{{cite news|url=http://archives.eyeweekly.com/totallywired/article/77830|title=Tuesday Guide: November 24 edition|work=Eye Weekly|publisher=Torstar|first=Brian|last=Hughes|date=November 24, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425232812/http://archives.eyeweekly.com/totallywired/article/77830|archive-date=April 25, 2012|url-status=dead}} A writer of Us Weekly said that to see Beyoncé's "fiereceness", people should listen to her album I Am... Sasha Fierce or buy the DVD I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas to see the live experience.{{cite news|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/beyonces-grammy-record-reaction-2010102|title=Exclusive: Beyoncé's 2010 Grammy Record Reaction!|work=Us Weekly|publisher=Wenner Media|date=February 10, 2010|access-date=January 14, 2012|archive-date=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910035543/http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/beyonces-grammy-record-reaction-2010102|url-status=live}} AllMusic's Andy Kellman awarded I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas a rating of four out of five stars, describing it as a "theatrical production worthy of Vegas, with Beyoncé and her large backing band energetically rolling [through Beyoncé's songs]".{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/i-amyours-an-intimate-performance-at-wynn-las-vegas-mw0001332449|title=I Am...Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas|publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation|first=Andy|last=Kellman|access-date=March 11, 2011|archive-date=September 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914045450/http://www.allmusic.com/album/i-amyours-an-intimate-performance-at-wynn-las-vegas-mw0001332449|url-status=live}} He noted that "what makes I Am...Yours stand apart from a typical live-album cash-in is the mostly unexpected covers that are weaved into the set." Kellman finished his review by writing, "As live albums go, this is not quite destined to be one of those all-time classics; a couple missing songs and a little too much talk aside, however, the fans couldn't ask for more."
Ed Masley of The Arizona Republic praised the intimacy of the concert and the acoustic versions of the songs.{{cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/music/articles/2009/11/23/20091123newcdreleases.html|title=New CD releases: Lambert, Rihanna, Shakira, more|work=The Arizona Republic|publisher=Gannett Company|first=Ed|last=Masley|date=November 24, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2012}} A writer of The Boston Globe also gave I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas a positive review, comparing it with Sin City. He commended the jazz interlude, the acoustic rearrangements of the songs, and the "charming B[eyoncé] telling her life story in [the] song[s]".{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2009/11/27/music_gift_guide_dvds/|title=Music gift guide – DVDs|work=The Boston Globe|publisher=The New York Times Company|date=November 27, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2012|archive-date=June 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610223215/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2009/11/27/music_gift_guide_dvds/|url-status=live}} Darryl Sterdan of the website Jam! also compared the album with Sin City and commented: "Only Beyoncé would think an 'intimate' theatre gig should include her massive all-girl band, an orchestra, lasers, dancers, costume changes and a wind machine to keep her hair blowing majestically. And only Beyoncé could pull it all together as superbly as she does in this 98-minute... show".{{cite news|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2009/12/27/12281016-qmi.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115083352/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2009/12/27/12281016-qmi.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=Stay in with concert CDs, DVDs|publisher=Jam!. Sun Media|first=Darryl|last=Sterdan|date=December 28, 2009|access-date=February 5, 2012}} Grading I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas with an A− and calling it the "best live concert film of the year", David Burger of The Salt Lake Tribune concluded, "Instead of a traditional retread of her hits, she narrates and emotionally sings her way through a souful musical journey that takes her from her first audition song to the mega-hits she unleashed this past year... This is a thrilling tour de force."{{cite news|url=http://www.sltrib.com/features/ci_13944702|title=Pop Top: Beyoncé launches best concert film of year|work=The Salt Lake Tribune|publisher=MediaNews Group|first=David|last=Burger|date=December 7, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213071753/http://www.sltrib.com/features/ci_13944702|archive-date=December 13, 2009|url-status=dead}}
Likewise, Mike Diver of BBC Online reviewed the album positively, praising the narrating story of the performances, calling it "polished, [and] professional". Diver further noted that Beyoncé's vocals "peak and dip, tremble and roar, mercifully without ever hitting Mariah Carey levels of skull-rattling intensity". He added that the album would look predictable because it was an "entirely second-guessable affair with each movement telegraphed and every realigned arrangement (bombast turned down, jazz and funk switched up) meeting the listener's expectations head on".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/qjwx|title=Beyoncé – I Am… Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas – Review|publisher=BBC Online. BBC|first=Mike|last=Diver|date=December 10, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2012|archive-date=April 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401060754/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/qjwx|url-status=live}} The Huffington Post{{'}}s Mike Ragogna compared Beyoncé with Diana Ross during the concert, adding, "Beyoncé's I Am...Yours is a satisfying decade-and-then-some retrospective that reveals the artist's interesting back story with a personal warmth".{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ragogna/emhuffpost-reviewsem-beyo_b_367138.html|title=HuffPost Reviews: Beyonce, Rihanna, Buddy Holly, The Doors, Susan Boyle, and More|work=The Huffington Post|first=Mike|last=Ragogna|date=November 23, 2009|access-date=February 5, 2012|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307114425/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ragogna/emhuffpost-reviewsem-beyo_b_367138.html|url-status=live}} Nate Chinen of The New York Times noted that the album documents a smaller show than the other ones Beyoncé usually makes. He further stated, "But the stagecraft — wind machines, lasers, arena lighting — keeps a viewer at a worshipful remove... Of course Beyoncé has always fared better with declaration than with disclosure, framing her sentiments as actions. Still, the old-fashioned extravagance of this production... feels like some kind of honesty: it's a sincere gesture from a show-business savant."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/arts/music/06playlist.html|title=From Las Vegas, Newport, Norway and Brooklyn|work=The New York Times|first=Nate|last=Chinen|date=December 6, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2012}}
Accolades
Before the release of I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas, Rap-Up listed it as one of the "most notable releases" for the fall of 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2009/10/04/fall-2009-album-release-schedule/#more-28032|title=Fall 2009 Album Release Schedule|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devin Lazerine|date=October 4, 2009|access-date=February 4, 2012|archive-date=October 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019112326/http://www.rap-up.com/2009/10/04/fall-2009-album-release-schedule/#more-28032|url-status=live}} Likewise, MTV News placed the album on its list of "Holiday Album Preview".{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626093/lil-wayne-adam-lambert-lead-our-holiday-album-preview.jhtml|title=Lil Wayne, Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga Lead Our Holiday Album Preview|publisher=MTV News. MTV Networks|first=Gil|last=Kaufman|date=November 12, 2009|access-date=February 4, 2012|archive-date=November 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113062821/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626093/lil-wayne-adam-lambert-lead-our-holiday-album-preview.jhtml|url-status=dead}} USA Today{{'}}s Mike Snider also mentioned it on his list of "Music-video DVDs that make worthy gifts this season" comparing its acoustic style to the VH1 Storytellers series.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2009-12-21-musicvideos21_ST_N.htm|title=Music-video DVDs that make worthy gifts this season|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|first=Mike|last=Snider|date=December 21, 2009|access-date=February 5, 2012|archive-date=January 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129051633/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2009-12-21-musicvideos21_ST_N.htm|url-status=live}} Jay Lustig of New Jersey On-Line listed I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas in two of his lists of most notable albums in the fourth quarter of 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/11/cd_roundup_them_crooked_vultur.html|title=CD Roundup: Them Crooked Vultures, McCartney, Janet Jackson and more|publisher=New Jersey On-Line|first=Jay|last=Lustig|date=November 11, 2009|access-date=February 12, 2012|archive-date=November 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115171513/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/11/cd_roundup_them_crooked_vultur.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/11/cd_roundup_susan_boyle_adam_la.html|title=CD Roundup: Susan Boyle, Adam Lambert, Beyonce and more|publisher=New Jersey On-Line|first=Jay|last=Lustig|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=February 12, 2012|archive-date=November 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121131547/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/11/cd_roundup_susan_boyle_adam_la.html|url-status=live}} Mark Edward Nero of the website About.com put it in his list of "2009 Holiday Gift Guide for R&B Fans".{{cite web|url=http://randb.about.com/od/top5lists/tp/2009GiftGuide.htm|title=2009 Holiday Gift Guide for R&B Fans|publisher=About.com. The New York Times Company|first=Mark|last=Edward Nero|access-date=February 12, 2012|archive-date=December 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203143419/http://randb.about.com/od/top5lists/tp/2009GiftGuide.htm|url-status=dead}} The live performance of "Halo", which is featured on the album, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards (2011).{{cite web |url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees?year=2010&genre=All |title=Nominees And Winners |publisher=Grammy.com. National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences |access-date=January 1, 2012 |date=February 13, 2011 |archive-date=May 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502185119/http://www.grammy.com/nominees?year=2010 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_16759537?nclick_check=1 |title=2011 Grammy Awards – complete list of nominees |work=San Jose Mercury News |publisher=MediaNews Group |date=December 2, 2010 |access-date=January 1, 2012 |archive-date=October 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004041945/https://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_16759537?nclick_check=1 |url-status=live }} The live recording peaked at number fifty-eight on the Canadian Hot 100.{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/beyonc-p349078/charts-awards |title=Beyoncé > Charts & Awards |publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation |access-date=January 1, 2012 |archive-date=December 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111212210952/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/beyonc-p349078/charts-awards |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=i-amyours-an-intimate-performance-at-wynn-las-vegas-r1700137/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}}|title= I Am...Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas – Beyoncé > Charts & Awards|publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation |access-date=January 1, 2012}} On The Village Voice{{'}}s 2009 Pazz & Jop albums list, the album was ranked at number one-thousand-six-hundred-and-forty-three.{{cite web|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/albums/2009/|title=New York Pazz and Jop Albums - 2009|work=The Village Voice|publisher=Village Voice Media|access-date=March 19, 2012|archive-date=August 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815125758/http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/albums/2009/|url-status=live}}
Commercial performance
I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas debuted at number one on the US Top Music Videos, becoming Beyoncé's second number-one DVD in the country.{{cite journal|url=http://www.vibe.com/mt/2009/12/beyonce-scores-1-concert-dvd|title=Beyoncé Scores #1 Concert DVD|issn=1070-4701|journal=Vibe|publisher=Vibe Media|date=December 8, 2009|first=Linda|last=Hobbs|access-date=January 22, 2012|archive-date=January 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114032631/http://www.vibe.com/mt/2009/12/beyonce-scores-1-concert-dvd|url-status=live}}{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beyonces-i-am-world-tour-closes-on-a-high-note-with-sensational-two-week-run-in-south-america-and-a-first-solo-concert-in-the-caribbean-on-the-island-of-trinidad-85832447.html|title=Beyonce's 'I AM...' World Tour Closes on a High Note With Sensational Two-Week Run in South America and a First Solo Concert in the Caribbean (On the Island of Trinidad)|publisher=PR Newsire. Music World Music/Columbia Records|format=Press release|access-date=February 1, 2012|archive-date=March 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306010828/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beyonces-i-am-world-tour-closes-on-a-high-note-with-sensational-two-week-run-in-south-america-and-a-first-solo-concert-in-the-caribbean-on-the-island-of-trinidad-85832447.html|url-status=live}} The following week, it fell to number two, but later rebounded to the top where it stayed for the next seven consecutive weeks. It spent ten weeks inside the top five – eight of them at the top. By the end of 2009, the album sold 99,000 copies in the United States, making it the sixth best-selling music DVD of the year. As of December 29, 2010, it had sold 162,000 units in the United States, and was ranked at number fifteen on the DVD year-end chart of 2010.{{cite web|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/72690/chart-watch-extra-i-amthe-years-1-music-video/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101212946/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/72690/chart-watch-extra-i-amthe-years-1-music-video |archive-date=January 1, 2011 |title=Chart Watch Extra: I Am...The Year's #1 Music Video |first=Pauk |last=Grein |publisher=Yahoo! Music. Yahoo! Inc |date=December 29, 2010|access-date=March 30, 2011|url-status=dead}} It additionally became the best-selling music video of 2010 in the US. It was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipping over 200,000 copies.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS |title=Searchable Database |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=January 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329084033/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS |archive-date=March 29, 2015 }} I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas spent a total of fifty-two weeks on the US Top Music Videos.
Outside the United States, I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas peaked at number eleven on both Australian Music DVD Chart and the Australian Urban Albums Chart. It was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting sales of over 15,000 copies. It became the forty-fourth best-selling DVD of 2010 in Australia. On the New Zealand Music DVD Chart, the album peaked at number six. I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas debuted at number twenty-four on the UK R&B Albums on December 19, 2009. The next week it fell at number thirty-one,{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-albums-chart/20091220/115/|title=2009 Top R&B Albums Archive – 26th December 2009|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=February 1, 2012}} and it was last seen in the top forty of the chart on January 2, 2010, at number thirty-three.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-albums-chart/20091227/115/|title=2010 Top R&B Albums Archive – 2nd January 2009|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=February 1, 2012}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas{{nobold| – Standard edition (DVD/Blu-ray)}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002TFB0XU|title=I Am... Yours An Intimate Performance At Wynn Las Vegas
| extra_column =
| title1 = Hello
| length1 = 3:48
| title2 = Halo
| length2 = 5:33
| title3 = Irreplaceable
| length3 = 5:38
| title4 = Sweet Dreams Medley
| length4 = 9:27
| extra4 =
| title5 = If I Were a Boy
| length5 = 5:35
| extra5 =
| title6 = Scared of Lonely
| length6 = 4:08
| title7 = That's Why You're Beautiful
| length7 = 3:14
| title8 = Satellites
| length8 = 2:31
| title9 = Resentment
| length9 = 6:02
| title10 = Déjà Vu Jazz Medley
| length10 = 2:05
| extra10 =
| title11 = Déjà Vu
| length11 = 2:05
| title12 = I Wanna Be Where You Are
| length12 = 3:24
| extra12 =
| title13 = Destiny's Child Medley
| length13 = 11:52
| extra13 =
| title14 = Work It Out
| length14 = 3:27
| title15 = '03 Bonnie & Clyde
| length15 = 1:37
| title16 = Crazy in Love
| length16 = 6:55
| title17 = Naughty Girl
| length17 = 2:42
| title18 = Get Me Bodied
| length18 = 2:58
| title19 = Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
| length19 = 5:41
| extra19 =
| title20 = Finale
| length20 = 2:26
| extra20 =
| title21 = Credits
| extra21 =
| length21 =
| title22 = What Happens in Vegas...
| note22 =
| length22 = 24:08
| total_length = 2:02:27
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas{{nobold| – Deluxe edition disc one (CD)}}
| extra_column =
| total_length = 48:46
| title1 = Hello
| length1 = 3:48
| title2 = Halo
| length2 = 5:33
| title3 = Irreplaceable
| length3 = 5:38
| title4 = Sweet Dreams Medley
| length4 = 9:27
| extra4 =
| title5 = If I Were a Boy
| length5 = 5:35
| extra5 =
| title6 = Scared of Lonely
| length6 = 4:08
| title7 = That's Why You're Beautiful
| length7 = 3:14
| title8 = Satellites
| length8 = 2:31
| title9 = Resentment
| length9 = 6:02
| title10 = Déjà Vu Jazz Medley
| length10 = 2:05
| extra10 =
| title11 = Déjà Vu
| length11 = 2:05
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas{{nobold| – Deluxe edition disc two (CD)}}
| extra_column =
| title1 = I Wanna Be Where You Are
| length1 = 3:24
| extra1 =
| title2 = Destiny's Child Medley
| length2 = 11:52
| extra2 =
| title3 = Work It Out
| length3 = 3:27
| title4 = '03 Bonnie & Clyde
| length4 = 1:37
| title5 = Crazy in Love
| length5 = 6:55
| title6 = Naughty Girl
| length6 = 2:42
| title7 = Get Me Bodied
| length7 = 2:58
| title8 = Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
| length8 = 5:41
| extra8 =
| title9 = Finale
| length9 = 2:26
| extra9 =
| total_length = 39:02
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas{{nobold| – Japanese edition (bonus tracks)}}{{cite web |title=Beyoncé - I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance At Wynn Las Vegas (2009, CD) |url=https://www.discogs.com/Beyonc%C3%A9-I-Am-Yours-An-Intimate-Performance-At-Wynn-Las-Vegas/release/7745321 |website=Discogs |date=2 December 2009 |access-date=12 November 2020 |archive-date=10 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810044247/https://www.discogs.com/Beyonc%C3%A9-I-Am-Yours-An-Intimate-Performance-At-Wynn-Las-Vegas/release/7745321 |url-status=live }}
| extra_column =
| title10 = Poison
| length10 = 4:05
| title11 = Video Phone
| length11 = 5:04
| note11 = Extended Remix) (featuring Lady Gaga
| total_length = 48:11
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas{{nobold| – Deluxe edition disc three (DVD)}}
| title1 = Scene One: Hello Introduction
| title2 = Scene Two: Halo
| title3 = Scene Three: Irreplaceable
| title4 = Scene Four: Sweet Dreams Medley
| title5 = Scene Five: If I Were a Boy
| title6 = Scene Six: Scared of Lonely
| title7 = Scene Seven: That's Why You're Beautiful
| title8 = Scene Eight: Satellites
| title9 = Scene Nine: Resentment
| title10 = Déjà Vu Jazz Medley
| title11 = Déjà Vu
| title12 = Tap Sequence
| title13 = Scene One: I Wanna Be Where You Are
| title14 = Scene Two: Destiny's Child
| title16 = Scene Three: Beyoncé
| title17 = Scene Four: Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
| title18 = Finale & End Credits
| title19 = What Happens in Vegas...
}}
Notes
- Credits feature the live instrumental of "Halo".
- "Sweet Dreams Medley" contains excerpts from "Dangerously in Love 2" by Beyoncé and "Sweet Love" by Anita Baker
- "If I Were a Boy" contains elements from "California Love" by 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman and “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette
- "Déjà Vu Jazz Medley" contains excerpts from "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" by Duke Ellington and "Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child
- "I Wanna Be Where You Are" contains excerpts from "Welcome to Hollywood" by Beyoncé and Jay-Z and "Hallelujah" from Messiah by George Frideric Handel
- "Destiny's Child Medley" contains excerpts from "No, No, No Part 1", "No, No, No Part 2", "Bug a Boo", "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Say My Name", "Jumpin', Jumpin'", "Independent Women Part I", "Bootylicious" and "Survivor" by Destiny's Child
- "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" contains excerpts from "Electric Feel" by MGMT
- "Finale" contains excerpts from "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" by Duke Ellington and "Ornithology" by The Charles Parker Septet
Personnel
Personnel adapted from AllMusic and album's liner notes.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/i-amyours-an-intimate-performance-at-wynn-las-vegas-r1700137/credits|title=Beyoncé – I Am...Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas > Credits|publisher=Allmusic. Rovi Corporation|access-date=January 2, 2012}}(2009) Album notes for I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas by Beyoncé. Music World Entertainment/Columbia Records.
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
- Emanuel "Bucket" Baker – mixing assistant
- Beyoncé – A&R, director, executive producer, producer, script
- Braddon Williams – vocal engineer, vocals
- Ed Burke – director, photography
- Kim Burse – creative director, music direction
- Anthony Catalano – Pro Tools
- Guy Charbonneau – audio engineer
- Ian C. Charbonneau – assistant engineer
- Fusako Chubachi – package design
- Tom Coyne – mastering
- Matthew Dickens – script
- Divinity Roxx – musical director
- Paul Foley – Pro Tools
- Frank Gatson Jr. – script
- James Griffiths – assistant vocal engineer
- Angelica Haro – mixing assistant
- Jean-Marie Horvat – mixing
- Ty Hunter – stylist
- Quincy Jackson – marketing
- Harold Jones – production manager
- Juli Knapp – A&R
- Mathew Knowles – A&R, executive producer
- Tina Knowles – stylist
- Bibi McGill – musical director
- Emer Patten – producer
- Sheira Rees-Davies – executive producer
- Kevin "Kwiz" Ryan – Pro Tools
- Raquel Smith – stylistic assistant
- Ryan Smith – mastering
- Rie Tsuji – musical director
- Timothy White – stylist
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Charts
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=Weekly charts=
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Certifications
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{{certification Table Entry|type=video|region=Australia|artist=Beyoncé|title=I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas|award=Platinum|certyear=2010|refname="ariacert"}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=video|region=United States|artist=Beyoncé|title=I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2011|certyear=2011|refname="uscert"}}
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Release history
See also
{{Portal|Music|R&B and Soul Music}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.beyonce.com/ Official website]
{{Beyoncé}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:I Am Yours: An Intimate Performance At Wynn Las Vegas}}
Category:2000s live video albums
Category:Columbia Records live albums
Category:Columbia Records video albums