What music DVD are you currently enjoying

[Chris D]

Unfortunatley, Santana has been over-commercialized by the industry the last several years, since he released "Supernatural". It sounds, though, like this may still be a quality product, so I'll put it on my Amazon wish list!

[ShadowZA]

Santana Greatest Hits – Live at Montreux 2011 [Blu-ray] (2012)

Ever since Carlos Santana walked onto the stage at Woodstock in 1969 I’ve been a big supporter of his. I’m therefore delighted to report that this is one of the best concerts I’ve watched for a long time.

Normally I start to lose interest in a music DVD after about an hour, but not this one. Apart from the opening songs, which were delivered in a rap style I think, the rest of this 2 hour 20 minute concert held my attention throughout with no thoughts of fast forwarding.

The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous sound. I listened to the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and it is stunningly good. I’m a stereo guy, so I had to listen to the 2-channel mix courtesy of my OPPO BDP-95, but it is as good as any stereo LPCM track I’ve heard. The bass guitar is punchy and totally appropriate for this genre of music, which features a wide range of percussion instruments and has hypnotic Latin rhythms. Santana’s guitar slices through the dominant rhythm section and is crystal clear. The tone of his Paul Reed Smith guitar is exquisite. Carlos may be 64 years old but he hasn’t lost one ounce of his ability or feel. The vocals are as clear as the guitar and in balance with the other instruments at all times. Given that there are 10 or 11 musicians in the band that’s quite an accomplishment. There is excellent separation between all the instruments.

I’m not used to watching Blu-ray quality video but to my inexperienced eyes the picture quality is excellent. There is so much detail to see and all of it is clearly visible. I’m starting to think that my standard DVDs look a little blurry in comparison. Damn. I can’t afford to replace them, not to mention finding even more storage space for the cases.

All the old favourite songs are included in this concert, plus a selection of his more recent ones, which I found quite acceptable. I didn’t mind that Santana’s lead breaks were largely the same as the original versions. I also didn’t mind that brass instruments were featured on some songs that didn’t have them in the original versions. I know that this aspect of the concert has been the source of some criticism.

One of the highlights of the show was the guest appearance of husband and wife team Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi. I love Derek’s guitar work and I think that Susan is one of the best singers on the circuit today. Derek fitted into the concert easily but Susan looked slightly out of her comfort zone on guitar. It’s just not her style of playing. She was definitely in her comfort zone on vocals but never got the full opportunity that she deserved. Their segment of the show looked under-rehearsed to me. Susan looked unsure whether she should be singing and didn’t want to intrude on Santana’s party. Don’t get me wrong though; their participation was a lovely addition.

Another highlight of the show was Santana’s second wife, 53 year old Cindy Blackman, whom he married in 2010. Not only is she attractive and engaging but she also played a stunning drum solo. Carlos looks like a very contented man these days, at peace with himself, and I think that Cindy deserves some of the credit for that. They must make sweet music together at home, just like Derek and Susan.

When you get Carlos Santana you get his spiritualism too. Those of you who follow my reviews know that I don’t appreciate being preached to during a concert (or ever in fact). At least Carlos doesn’t push any particular brand of religion, just a general peace-and-love theme, which is a little bit charming in an old fashioned way I suppose. I suspect that that the live audience got a much bigger dose of it than I did due to time constraints on the recording.

I have watched this Blu-ray disc twice now. It’s a top concert that will get more spins and be used at appropriate times to demonstrate my AV system.

Nigel.

Nigel, you are spot on in my humble opinion. This disc arrived about a week ago and I'm loving it to bits. Chris, if you can put yourself in a position of not worrying too much about the criticisms, I have a strong feel that you're gonna love this one. I've also been a Santana fan for many many years and this is a disc which I was hoping would come to pass. :T

[Chris D]

Just watched this one on BD in my theater, and really enjoyed it! I would never have known about this disc, except one company was using it as a demo disc on the show floor at CEDIA, and it had some good stuff on it. I'm 37, so a lot of Paul Rodger's work is kind of "before my time", but I definitely know his better known work. I just didn't know anything about him particularly.

So this disc has his work from several different eras and bands, including Bad Company, Feel Like Making Love, All Right Now, and other good stuff. I was INCREDIBLY impressed with his voice. The guy is over 60 now! Even though this performance was in 2006, he was still in his late 50's, and looks and sounds several decades younger. Good looking and sounding BD, GREAT music, INCREDIBLE vocal performance. Not a lot of flashy effects with the concert, just stage work, but I really enjoyed this as a sit-and-listen disc.

[David G]

Absolutely LOVE this DVD - must have watched it 10 times at least.

[kpodolski]

oops, no pix

[kpodolski]

Kate Rusby

[madmac]

Kate Rusby

That's not telling me much!!. How about a few details....review....what kind of music is it.....quality of the recording etc........

[bigburner]

I was INCREDIBLY impressed with his voice. The guy is over 60 now! Even though this performance was in 2006, he was still in his late 50's, and looks and sounds several decades younger.

I saw Paul Rodgers a couple of nights ago on the new Joe Bonamassa "Beacon Theatre - Live From New York" Blu-ray, which was recorded in November 2011. He guests for two songs at that concert. His voice is still in great shape, and I think he show up the limitations of Joe's voice a bit. Paul also looks in great physical shape.

Nigel.

[bigburner]

Joe Bonamassa - "Beacon Theatre - Live From New York" [Blu-ray] (2012)

Once in every 20 purchases you get something as good as this. That's good for you guys otherwise you'd get to hear about the other 19 and life is too short.

This is an outstanding artefact in every way. Stunning guitar work, great guest artists, near perfect PQ, and excellent audio. I preferred the LPCM 2.0 track (48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit) to the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track (48 kHz / 4569 kbps / 24-bit), which had inferior separation of instruments to my aging ears.

Read what other people think here: http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Bonamassa-...4566252&sr=1-1

In a world of mundane this one is a sublime, so I encourage you to go out and buy it. That wont stop me from buying the mundane ones of course.

Nigel.

[wettou]

Michael Jackson's This Is It Blu-ray the sound is outstanding and at 9.99 a steal

Crazy Heart Blu-ray

[bigburner]

Crazy Heart Blu-ray

If you like the movie then buy the soundtrack on CD. It has lots of great songs.

http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Heart-Original-Picture-Soundtrack/dp/B002ZPIBLI/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1334652948&sr=1-2

Nigel.

[kpodolski]

Todd Rundgren "Todd".

This was interesting. Todd plays his "Todd" album live. Overall, the performance is good considering that many of the songs were "studio" tracks that, I'm guessing, were never intended to be played live. Modern studio technology sure helps!

Highlights for me are "The Last Ride" & "Sons of 1984". I always get a feeling of nostalgia when I hear them.

Probably for hard-core Todd fans.....

[madmac]

Michael Jackson's This Is It Blu-ray the sound is outstanding and at 9.99 a steal

Crazy Heart Blu-ray

I rented the M.J. one and was very impressed at the performance and audio quality of the disc. :T

[bigburner]

Tony Bennett's Wonderful World: Live in San Francisco (2002)

If you want to see and hear a real pro at work then this is a DVD you should watch. The songs, musicianship, camera work, SQ and PQ ain't half bad either.

Nigel.

[wkhanna]

Hmmmmm......

More TB, aye Nigel?

I think your just getting the DVD's to see if you can get a peek under his toupee. :W

[bigburner]

Robben Ford Trio – “The Paris Concert” (2011)

Superb!

Robben Ford is one of the greatest guitarists on the planet, and the evidence to support this claim can be found on this DVD. He is supported by a great drummer (Toss Panos) and a very competent bass player (Travis Carlton).

The sound quality on this DVD is lovely (I preferred the LPCM track), the picture quality is very good (I’m spoilt by Blu-ray these days) and the camera work is professional and sympathetic (emphasis on solos and no nauseating chopping and changing).

The music is more jazz than blues – much more – but at this quality that’s fine by me.

Highly recommended.

Nigel.

PS I saw Robben Ford live at the Christchurch Town Hall a few years ago. That was pre-earthquake, back in the glorious days when my city actually had some public venues.

[bigburner]

Lindsey Buckingham - "Songs From the Small Machine - Live in L.A." (DVD) (2011)

What an excreable DVD. Buckingham has a voice that's below ordinary, his stage act is utterly cheesy, and most of the songs on this recording are forgettable.

Buckingham is a long time member of Fleetwood Mac so I assumed that my wife would enjoy this DVD because she loves Fleetwood Mac. This DVD was a complete disappointment for both of us. He even murdered the Fleetwood Mac songs that he wrote, which are good songs.

I bought a Stevie Nicks DVD a while ago for the same reasons that I bought this one and it was a success, so I haven't been put off.

In case you're wondering the small machine refers to Buckingham's music career outside of Fleetwood Mac, which is the large machine.

Nigel.

[madmac]

Lindsey Buckingham - "Songs From the Small Machine - Live in L.A." (DVD) (2011)

What an excreable DVD. Buckingham has a voice that's below ordinary, his stage act is utterly cheesy, and most of the songs on this recording are forgettable.

Buckingham is a long time member of Fleetwood Mac so I assumed that my wife would enjoy this DVD because she loves Fleetwood Mac. This DVD was a complete disappointment for both of us. He even murdered the Fleetwood Mac songs that he wrote, which are good songs.

I bought a Stevie Nicks DVD a while ago for the same reasons that I bought this one and it was a success, so I haven't been put off.

In case you're wondering the small machine refers to Buckingham's music career outside of Fleetwood Mac, which is the large machine.

Nigel.

Well ok then Nigel !!! I was wondering about this dvd and now I have my answer!!. 8O

[bigburner]

Well ok then Nigel !!! I was wondering about this dvd and now I have my answer!!. 8O

Don't take my word for it madmac. I read a positive review before I bought it. Your mileage may vary too.

Nigel.

[bigburner]

Richard Thompson - "Live at Celtic Connections" [Blu-ray] (2011)

What a wonderful, wonderful concert!

I've always known who Richard Thompson is but this is the first time that he's made a big impact on me. It makes me wonder what I've been missing all my life.

I'm a huge admirer of American music, in fact it dominates my music experience, but it was so nice to have an evening of English folk rock. It's so distinctive, and if you're put off by the word "folk" then don't be. The rhythm section of this 5 piece band is superb and will fully exercise your hi-fi system. Great songs and a great band playing them. I was rivetted for the full 2 hours+ of the concert.

The sound quality of the this Blu-ray disc is superb (I went for the DTS MA track), the PQ is crisp and clear, and the camera work is exceptional.

This is a 5 star purchase.

Nigel.

[Chris D]

Is "Celtic Connection" the name of the venue? Or were they playing celtic music? (which I like very much)

[bigburner]

Is "Celtic Connection" the name of the venue? Or were they playing celtic music? (which I like very much)

Hi Chris,

This concert was part of the annual Celtic Connections festival held in Glasgow. The first half of the concert focuses on Thompson's most recent album "Dream Attic" and the second half is a 'greatest hits' from his long career. It's not Celtic music, but it is certainly influenced by Celtic music.

If you like Celtic music then "Transatlantic Sessions 5" is a must buy DVD for you. American bluegrass musicians travel to Scotland where they play bluegrass and Celtic music with local musicians in remote country locations. As you know bluegrass has its roots in Celtic and Gaelic music.

Transatlantic Sessions 5 is an exquisite double DVD comprising 3 hours of wonderful music (6 half hour sessions). There are no audiences - just the musicians and the recording team - so the production values are exceptionally high.

Here's some more information: http://www.musicscotland.com/cd/BBC-...l#aWHIRLIEDVD6. Look at the line-up of musicians.

Nigel.

PS. It's Connections (plural) which I have fixed in the title above.

[Chris D]

Thanks for the recommendation! Bummer, I can't find it on Netflix. Amazon wants $38 for it, which seems steep.

[bigburner]

Amazon wants $38 for it, which seems steep.

What did you pay for the tickets to the last high quality Celtic music concert you went to?

It's an unfair question I know, because live is live which is superior of course, and watching this DVD will be... only enjoying it through your hi-fi system... which is quite damn good now that I think about it... with the fridge just feet away and no worries about having one too many... and not a portaloo in sight... and the best seat in the house unless my partner gets there first... hmmm. Tough decision.

You're right. It's too expensive!

Nigel.

[bigburner]

Dean Martin – That’s Amoré (2001)

This DVD took me back to my childhood when I used to watch ‘The Dean Martin Show’ on TV with my parents and sister. Dean Martin always gave the impression of being inebriated on the set but he wasn’t. It was just part of his act. However he probably did have a Jack Daniel's or two to loosen up.

Dean Martin had a lovely smooth voice and a relaxed delivery style. He was so likeable, which is one of the reasons why his TV show was so successful and ran for 9 years (1965 – 1974). As his biographer Nick Tosches once noted, Martin was what the Italians called a menefreghista – "one who simply does not give a f***."

This DVD features the best songs from his TV show, interspersed with a few songs from his early career (before he got his teeth fixed!). Every song is good. SQ and PQ are excellent considering the age of the recording.

I enjoyed every minute of this wonderful DVD.

Nigel.

[Glen B]

Joe Bonamassa: Live from New York - Beacon Theatre. :righton:

[bigburner]

Danny Bryant's RedeyeBand – "Night Life (Live in Holland)" (2012)

I like discovering new musicians and new music so consequently I end up buying a lot of crap. Despite careful research (allmusic.com, amazon.com, YouTube, etc.) a lot of the DVDs I buy just don’t appeal to me once I play them on my system at home. This DVD, which is Bryant’s first, was different and I enjoyed all 80 minutes of it.

Danny Bryant is a 30’ish year old Englishman from the Midlands going by his accent. He plays electric guitar and sings. His RedeyeBand comprises a 40’ish year old drummer and a 60’ish year old bass player. His genre is blues rock. I particularly liked the way he was able to ‘bring it down’, i.e. drop the volume for some passages to very quiet before returning inevitably to full volume. This technique is used widely by the great American guitarist Buddy Guy and it’s an effective way to introduce variety in a genre that can be repetitive. Bryant’s version of Bob Dylan’s song “Girl From The North Country” was excellent.

The LPCM audio track on the DVD was just fine considering it was a low budget production. The camera work was very good. A lot of overpaid music DVD directors with their absurd and annoying filming techniques could learn a lot from watching this DVD.

Highly recommended.

Nigel.

[wkhanna]

To be honest, if it were not for the fact that I find the majority of music DVD’s annoyingly unwatchable due to the poor camera work, I would be more inclined to purchasing the media. Far too much editing & cutting back and forth from shot to shot for my taste. I want an experience that is more like actually being in the audience. But that is just an old curmudgeon’s wish.


Then again, I suppose I could just close my eyes. :E



Glad to hear you found a good one, Nigel. :T

[Ovation]

To be honest, if it were not for the fact that I find the majority of music DVD’s annoyingly unwatchable due to the poor camera work, I would be more inclined to purchasing the media. Far too much editing & cutting back and forth from shot to shot for my taste. I want an experience that is more like actually being in the audience. But that is just an old curmudgeon’s wish.


Then again, I suppose I could just close my eyes. :E



Glad to hear you found a good one, Nigel. :T

If the video production is too annoying to me, I usually just turn off the display and treat it like a live album. Does the trick for me.

[bigburner]

I want an experience that is more like actually being in the audience.

All modern DVDs and Blu-rays should include a camera angle option where the camera is positioned dead centre with the whole band in the frame. Old curmudgeons like us could switch to that camera option when we just want to watch the band and enjoy the music. I wouldn't use that option all the time because I enjoy the closeups too. However if the director happens to be a chop'n'change maniac I could just set it to the centre camera and leave it.

Nigel.

[madmac]

All modern DVDs and Blu-rays should include a camera angle option where the camera is positioned dead centre with the whole band in the frame. Old curmudgeons like us could switch to that camera option when we just want to watch the band and enjoy the music. I wouldn't use that option all the time because I enjoy the closeups too. However if the director happens to be a chop'n'change maniac I could just set it to the centre camera and leave it.

Nigel.

Oh God that is so true Nigel!!. I've got some concert dvd's that look like they were filmed by a squirrel. Rediculous and annoying!. Changing scene and angles about every 2 seconds!!. Having an option to just watch the band front and center would be fabulous!!. I mean, it's not a music video....It's a CONCERT for gods sake!!. :roll:

[wkhanna]

.....look like they were filmed by a squirrel.......

:roflmao:
I love the mental image that phrase conjures.
Little rodent running around with a camera on its shoulder……
I think I have actually seen some at concerts, now that I think about it…….

[bigburner]

.....look like they were filmed by a squirrel.....

This one?

[madmac]

This one?

YES!!!!!.......THAT'S THE GODDAMN ONE!!! :E

[bigburner]

Supertramp – “Live in Paris '79” (2012)

Younger HTG Forum member won’t know who Supertramp are but in 1979 this British band released an album called “Breakfast in America” which went to number one on the Billboard charts, sold four million copies in the United States and reached platinum status in Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. It was the biggest selling album in the world in 1979 and went on to sell in excess of 20 million copies. I loved “Breakfast in America” about as much as I loved their 1974 album “Crime of the Century”, which was also packed with excellent songs.

33 years after this concert was recorded in Paris this DVD has finally been released, and what a superb DVD it is. I cannot believe how good the sound quality is for a 1979 recording. Presumably a clever audio wizard has worked his magic in the studio. The PQ is pretty good too, with sympathetic camerawork, a good level of brightness, a 16:9 presentation, and a slight fuzziness only on the long shots.

It’s fairly rare to find a 1 hour 40 minute hour concert DVD where every song is good, but this is one of them. “Breakfast in America” and “Crime of the Century” are both well represented. Combined with its high quality technical attributes this DVD scores a solid 8.5 points out of 10. It would have scored a 9 if the DVD had included a better 2-channel track. These are the tracks you get on the DVD:

• 192 Kbps 2.0 AC-3
• 448 Kbps 5.1 AC-3
• 1510 Kbps 5.1 DTS

Fortunately the DTS track sounds superb on my 2-channel system so I have nothing to complain about. For those of you who are stereo buffs like me I encourage you always to try all the tracks on a DVD. Ignore the theory and trust your ears!

I now wish I had waited a little longer and bought the Blu-ray version. In fact I might do it anyway and give the DVD to someone for a Christmas present. I know plenty of people who would appreciate it.

Nigel.

[madmac]

Supertramp – “Live in Paris '79” (2012)

Younger HTG Forum member won’t know who Supertramp are but in 1979 this British band released an album called “Breakfast in America” which went to number one on the Billboard charts, sold four million copies in the United States and reached platinum status in Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. It was the biggest selling album in the world in 1979 and went on to sell in excess of 20 million copies. I loved “Breakfast in America” about as much as I loved their 1974 album “Crime of the Century”, which was also packed with excellent songs.

33 years after this concert was recorded in Paris this DVD has finally been released, and what a superb DVD it is. I cannot believe how good the sound quality is for a 1979 recording. Presumably a clever audio wizard has worked his magic in the studio. The PQ is pretty good too, with sympathetic camerawork, a good level of brightness, a 16:9 presentation, and a slight fuzziness only on the long shots.

It’s fairly rare to find a 1 hour 40 minute hour concert DVD where every song is good, but this is one of them. “Breakfast in America” and “Crime of the Century” are both well represented. Combined with its high quality technical attributes this DVD scores a solid 8.5 points out of 10. It would have scored a 9 if the DVD had included a better 2-channel track. These are the tracks you get on the DVD:

• 192 Kbps 2.0 AC-3
• 448 Kbps 5.1 AC-3
• 1510 Kbps 5.1 DTS

Fortunately the DTS track sounds superb on my 2-channel system so I have nothing to complain about. For those of you who are stereo buffs like me I encourage you always to try all the tracks on a DVD. Ignore the theory and trust your ears!

I now wish I had waited a little longer and bought the Blu-ray version. In fact I might do it anyway and give the DVD to someone for a Christmas present. I know plenty of people who would appreciate it.

Nigel.

Hummm....interesting !!. I might check this one out. I have "Roger Hodgson's live in Montreal DVD "Take the long way home" and it's fabulous. Just goes to show what a solo singer/piano player can accomplish on his own. :T

[bigburner]

Hummm....interesting !!. I might check this one out. I have "Roger Hodgson's live in Montreal DVD "Take the long way home" and it's fabulous. Just goes to show what a solo singer/piano player can accomplish on his own. :T

I have that DVD too. The only problem with it is that the Supertramp band is missing! Roger also plays plenty of 6-string guitar on the Paris '79 DVD, and he does a fine job. You may remember that originally he joined the band as their bass guitarist.

Nigel.

[madmac]

I have that DVD too. The only problem with it is that the Supertramp band is missing! Roger also plays plenty of 6-string guitar on the Paris '79 DVD, and he does a fine job. You may remember that originally he joined the band as their bass guitarist.

Nigel.

If you talk about "Breakfast in America" and "Crime of the century", this dude IS Supertramp as far as I'm concerned!!. And, he proves it in this solo concert. Sax player rocks too!!. :T

[bigburner]

Los Lobos – “Kiko Live” [Blu-ray] (2012)

This live concert, which was recorded on 24th February 2006, is a 20th anniversary celebration of the “Kiko” album that Los Lobos recorded in 1992. It is filmed at The House Of Blues in San Diego in front of an intimate and enthusiastic audience.

I’ve known about Los Lobos for a while but this is the first time that I’ve really enjoyed them and their music. They are an East L.A. band that would probably be described in the mainstream media as Tex-Mex rock but I heard a lot more in their music than that. It spans multiple genres and provides a pleasing level of complexity and youthful improvisation (the band isn’t youthful but the “Kiko” album is). They clearly relish playing a favourite old album that they haven’t played for years.

Their main guitarist is a chap called David Hidalgo (they have 3 guitarists). I know his work from being a guest on the Eric Clapton “Crossroads Guitar Festival” concert DVDs. On this recording he demonstrates once again that he’s a very accomplished guitarist.

The disc contains two audio tracks:

#1: DTS-HD MA 5.1 / 96 kHz / 7236 kbps / 24-bit
#2: LPCM 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit

I listened mostly to the LPCM track. I was closer to the stage and the experience was more intense. The DTS-HD MA track sounded really good too but I was at the back of the hall in my slippers smoking a pipe in comparison.

The camera work is very, very good.

Some brief interviews explaining the band’s history and why/how they wrote the songs are interspersed between the songs. I found them insightful and non-intrusive. Fortunately the DVD can be viewed as a concert only, which is so sensible because next time I won’t want to see the interviews again.

Overall this is an excellent concert DVD that I enjoyed a lot and will play again.

Nigel.

[bigburner]

Gary Moore – "Blues for Jimi" [Blu-ray] (2012)

Although I have been looking forward to this concert since I read about it 3 months ago I approached it with some trepidation because Jimi Hendrix is a hard act to follow, notwithstanding that he died 40 years ago.

Gary Moore is one of my favourite guitarists and I was very sad when he died in 2010 aged 58. Not as young as Jimi but still too young.

The concert was recorded in October 2007 at the Hippodrome Theatre in London following the screening of the film “Jimi Hendrix – Live at Monterey”. This was a brave thing for Gary to do. On the one hand he could have ruined Hendrix’s songs by reinterpreting them and on the other hand he could have been labelled a boring copycat by reproducing them true to the originals.

Apparently the 15 year old Gary Moore saw Hendrix in concert on his 25th birthday and Hendrix made a big impression on him. I can understand that.

A highlight of the concert was when former Hendrix band members Mitch Mitchell (drummer) and Billy Cox (bass) appeared on stage to perform with Gary for 3 songs. Although this part of the show was quite loose I really enjoyed it. As Gary said to the audience “they’re the real thing” and he was right.

I’ve only watched this performance once but I’m really looking forward to seeing it again. I thought Moore did a stunningly good job. Beware! It is not a recording for the fainthearted. Moore’s playing is ferocious. Of all the rock guitarists I know Moore is the least understated.

There are 2 audio tracks on the disc:

#1: DTS-HD MA 5.1 / 48 kHz / 5254 kbps / 24-bit
#2: LPCM 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit

I preferred the DTS-HD MA track. It provided a more balanced sound. I listened at a modest volume so that I could pick up the nuances in the music, so perhaps that’s why the DTS-HD MA track sounded better. Next time it could be different.

The PQ was pretty good but not excellent. I’m not knowledgeable enough to describe its deficiencies. I just know that I’ve seen better.

If you are into intense blues rock or hard rock and/or you love Jimi Hendrix and/or you love Gary Moore then I recommend that you give this Blu-ray a try.

Nigel.

[bigburner]

Dusty Springfield - "I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten" (2005)

I acquired this DVD to obtain the few Dusty songs I don't have on DVD. I particularly wanted Dusty singing "Island of Dreams" with The Springfields right at the beginning of her career. I can't keep my eyes off her, even though she's with a couple of handsome men. You can see them here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhF-Mqn-HEQ&feature=player_detailpage

Nigel.

[bigburner]

The Everly Brothers Reunion Concert (2003)

This wonderful concert, which was recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in 1983, is not only packed with appealing songs and lovely harmonies it also marks the reunion of two brothers who allegedly hadn't spoken to each other for 10 years... so it's a concert with real meaning. Don is 46 and Phil is 44.

If you don't know The Everly Brothers they had 35 Billboard Top 100 singles, 26 in the top 40. They hold the record for the most Top 100 singles by any duo. In the UK The Everly Brothers had 30 chart singles, 29 in the top 40, 13 top 10 and 4 at No. 1 between 1957 and 1984. They had 12 top 40 albums between 1960 and 2009. So in summary... they are quite good.

A highlight for me was discovering that the guitarist in the backing band was none other than Mr Albert Lee who played some tasty guitar. Some of you will know Albert from the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival DVDs. I found out afterwards that Albert was also the musical director for the concert.

Highly recommended. My wife loved it too.

Nigel.

[Hdale85]

Adele - Live At The Royal Albert Hall



I really like Adele and think she's one of the few young talents out there of my generation. This bluray is proving to be quite good so far and enjoying it quite a bit. She has an wonderful voice and the DTS-HD track is doing it great justice.

[wkhanna]

I bought this DVD at the Harry Connick Jr concert The Wife & I attended on his tour which all proceeds benefitted Katrina victims.

I have loaned it out a few times to great reviews but have not played it for far too long. This highly improvised session puts the talents of both musicians at the forefront of their craft. Maybe a bit on the 'free' end of the Jazz spectrum for some, but for those who appreciate the genre, well worth the time taken to experience.

[Chris D]

bill, I'll take a look at that disc. Looks like it could be good stuff.