Taylor Swift's "Speak Now" World Tour 2011 live recording features 16 performances, including all 14 songs from her 2010 studio album. The DVD/Blu-ray disc that accompanies some editions of the tour includes 18 performances, as well as home movies and rehearsal footage for the show, which was an elaborate affair that utilized dancers, aerialists, numerous costume changes, and a mammoth, multi-stage setup that more closely resembled a high-profile Broadway musical than it did country music concert.
The performance is a theatrical presentation of a Broadway experience, with Taylor playing 5 different guitars in the show, including electric, acoustic, and 12-string. She also plays 2 banjos, the ukulele, and the piano, and changes costumes 9 times over the course of the evening. She moves around the venue and uses different stages, giving every audience member a great seat.
The liner notes are authored by Paula Erickson, Grant Garner, and Sharon Everitt. The recording information is from Atlanta, GA; Love Shack, Nashville, TN; Nimbus School Of Recording Arts, Vancouver, BC. The directors are Taylor Swift; Baz Halpin; Ryan Polito. The editors are Sharon Everitt. The photographers are Christie Goodwin; Austin Swift. The personnel include Taylor Swift (vocals, guitar, banjo, ukulele, piano), Mike Meadows (guitar, banjo, mandolin, background vocals), Caitlin Evanson (guitar, fiddle, background vocals), Paul Sidoti (guitar, keyboards, background vocals), Grant Mickelson, Jody Harris (guitar); David Cook (keyboards); Al Wilson (drums); Daniel Sadownick (percussion); Marlyn Ortiz, Shannon Beach, Charity Baroni, Meredith Ostrowsky, Justin Boulet, Fernando Miro, Dom Kelley, Claire Callaway (dancer); Liz Huett (background vocals).
Audio mixers include Justin Cortelyou; Chris Rowe; Robert Allen; Bob Ezrin; Brian Virtue.
