Concert dvd recommendations - Page 4

Re: Prince---


I'm soooooooo mad. I saw this in a used store about 3 weeks ago for $10. I grabbed it but the checkout line was really long and moving slow and I was on my lunch break. I took the DVD and hid it on a shelf of old movies where I thought it would go unnoticed. Went back later that day and--- yep, it was gone. Arrrrrrghhhh!!

Performance 4-5
Audio 5
Video 4

This is an excellently recorded and directed performance of the Boss from 2001. The audio is stellar, it suffers none of the negatives of the stadium sound, but still has that huge revirberating sound, so you know your in a stadium. The sound producers and directors deserve credit. The same day I got this, I received a live recording of another performer, that was taped in a sound studio: Bruce's stadium recording sounds much better.

The performance is vintage Bruce, he is great in concert, and seems to treat it as almost a religous experience. None of his songs are played like they are on the studio album. his songs metamorphizes on the road, he will slow them down , or speed them up, and ... well ... the results are always pretty good


Nice band too, great Sax player, they arent incredibly complex, and often the sound is rather slow and quiet, but the songwriting and the sincerity are there...

the grateful dead the closing of winterland is quite good[you're not a true deadhead imho if you don't have this dvd]

Wow!

Has to be the best concert(s) DVD I've seen, so many extras it makes your head spin.

The PQ and Audio is stunning. And I'm not a Stone fan!

4 discs (4:3 ) 3 different concerts Paris, New York & someother place in Europe.

Jessica

Ive been eyeing this disk, the quality is good?
I probably would have bought it by now, but I was afraid someone would see it on my shelf, and think I was a deadhead!



I never cared for their studio stuff, but I used to own a concert album of theirs that was soo good.

I cant remember the title, but it was a studio release 2 album set released in the very early 80s, and I remember perfectly recorded layered guitarwork throughout...

Shirley Bassey The Diva. Comes with an excellent documentary and commentary from THE DIVA herself.She ldropped her earring while performing and you wouldn't notice it.

One more "AMEN!!!" on Allison Krauss. I'm no fan of most bluegrass I've heard, but this woman's voice is so pure and mesmerizing- you can't help but love it!

-shrugger

Let me mention four DVD's that may not have all the criteria to be great choices to sit beside the already mentioned demo discs of Krall, James Taylor, The Boss, Orbison, Santana, Dave Matthews Band, and Allison Krauss (I am genetically incapable of appreciating most hard rock), but are worth mentioning as good performance discs seem to be such rarities that any worth mentioning should be. As far as I am concerned, performance DVD's are the highest and best use of my theater.

Three Mo Tenors -
4 out of 5 video
4 audio
5 performance

The three performers prove their versatility in a wide range of styles from opera to blues and on. Rodrick Dixon singing and playing A Song For You is worth the price of the disc alone.

Smokey Joe's Café -
4 video
3 audio
5 performance

This is a stage performance as opposed to concert performance, and was shot in HD, but miked with those on the head things, which never seem to capture the best sound although necessary where movement is required of the artists. I never liked doowop music before seeing this one on Broadway. This is the last performance of the original cast, and is faithful of the live show, which, of course, it was.

America: A Tribute To Heroes -

4 video
3-4 audio
4 performance

Some great performances and some not so great. Skip the intros and verbal tributes if you wish and anything with Mariah Carey mugging uncontrollably. I did not know that Faith Hill could really sing until this disc.

Jane Monheit: Live At The Rainbow Room -

5 video
5 audio
3 performance

Cabaret performance the equal in production value of the Krall disc. This singer certainly has the voice and training, but lacks the maturity that will hopefully come with age, IMHO. Others more attuned to this type performance may give a higher rating to the performance, of course.

Not to be off topic but I can't let this go; she can't. I promise. I've seen it. If they have made it appear otherwise it's with post-production and Antares Auto-tune

A really cool DVD is (I'm paraphrasing the title) TRIBUTE TO BRIAN WILSON.

It features Elton John, Paul Simon, Carley Simon, and all kinds of other performers doing their versions of Brians Wilson's compositions. Very interesting. Brian even got it together enough to do a walk-on toward the end of the show.

Tim A.

Well, she gets a high five for just standing there.

Production of performance DVD's brings up an interesting subject though. We all know that almost any performer can be made palatable in the studio, but just how much can be rectified on live performance video recordings? My guess is not nearly as much, and that may account in large part for the relative paucity of decent discs - the performers have to actually be talented.

Eric Clapton Live at Hyde Park is reference.

I wouldn't call myself a huge Faith Hill fan (although she is incredible to look at!) I was pretty impressed with her during her live performance at the Grammy's this year. The song she did, "Cry" can't be an easy one to pull off live, and I thought she did just fine. (Again, watching her in a gold mini-dress in HDTV might have had something to do with it, but I can't be sure......)

Thanks for the atypical recommends, Distorted! I agree with your take on this stuff, watching concerts and such, is an incredible use of this technology.

Theres several bands that mix rock with jazz and classical instrumentation, and lovely voices of all types, and some of those discs are the best, IMHO, so dont give up on Rockers yet

Well, if a band IS talented they don't need to touch up much. But you'd be amazed at what can be done after the fact to tweak a less than stellar performance (I've done it myself ) And for the truly not-good there's always the retrack the whole show in the studio option. There is a famous live album from the 70's that doesn't have an actual "live" note on it. (And it's not Frampton Comes Alive, that was one of the notable exceptions. though I think Pete recut a few of his vocals!)

Even truly talented bands will often "sweeten" the live sound a bit in the studio- watch Keys To Ascension by Yes and check out all the backup vocals when theres no one within 10 feet of a mic! It's just how it's done...

And its not just musicians! Radio DJs and talkshow hosts send their voices through their signature processors. Do you really think Rush Limbaugh has that deep resonant voice for real? Do you really think Lara Sleshinger still has that sweet toned 20 year old voice?

Its mostly thiers, but they have magical sound engineers helping them out

U2's New DVD, it comes out on Tuesday and it is a very good show. Done in England at a famous castlle.

Also Peter Gabriel, Secret World Live, music is excellent video quality is so, so.

it's in ireland not england fyi

Red Hot Chili Pepper's also did a concert at the same castle. This dvd is also available on 11-18. Will someone please post a review of this DVD.

Good thread. I've definitely got to check out the new U2.

Here are the best I've seen:
James Taylor Live at the BT
Roger Waters In the Flesh
Diana Krall in Paris
Talking Heads Stop Making Sense
Eagles Hell Freezes Over
Sade Lovers Live

jimnc,

"James Taylor Live at the BT;"
I've been contemplating getting this DVD, why did it make your top list. PQ, Audio, Content? I understand its 16:9.

Jessica

First of all, it's a good concert, great performances, 109 minutes.
Second, the production quality is excellent: PQ(you can see the beads of sweat on JT's balding head), sound(DD), editing. I can't stress how much editing is a factor in a DVD concert. It can make you feel like a member of the audience, or it can tire you out and make you feel like you're watching a music video. This is a well-paced edit.
I don't even recall what the aspect ratio is; doesn't say on the box; can't play it right now.
I'm not a JT fanatic; I just like watching well-produced concerts. I've been disappointed by quite a few concert DVDs. But this one is first-rate.

I also recommend The Cranberries Beneath the Skin Version 2.

Is there a forum somewhere that restricts it's discussion to concert/performance dvd's?

I don't think so.

Your in it bruddah!

I have about 50 concert DVDs, and order a few more every month.

So far, my favorites are Prince (Rave Unto) David Gilmore (Live) , Roger Waters (InTheFlesh), Eagles (HellFreezes), Dixie Chicks (evening with), Diane Krall (Paris), and Rush (Rio).

I've never liked the band U2 ... actually the band is rather nice, its just that Bono's self-important krooning rubs me the wrong way. That said i wouldnt mind renting it, or maybe buying it used,to see if i can stomach it

That JT concert sounds interesting, i will keep an eye out for it, thanks!

Ive been playing the heck out of "Prince: Rave Unto The Year 2000", he jumps from blues to rock to soul to R&B and puts on a helluva stageshow while hes doing it, all in a party atmosphere with excellent players (Lenny Kravitz, George Clinton, to name just a couple).

I agree with the earlier comment that editing is HUGE. Jethro Tull's "LIving IN the Past" is ruined by horrible editing.

A real gem is "An Evening With The Dixie Chicks", awesome editing, beautiful Nashville Theater, 1st class sound quality ....

Ok I will stop rambling

This is primarily a movie bb, which is good for film, but only about 2% music oriented, which is insufficient. Maybe a new forum here at AVS is in order as performance DVD's come on?

JohnR,
I saw the Tull DVD. I agree.
About the Prince DVD: when I saw him live many years ago, he kept pointing his mike at the audience encouraging a singalong. That bugged me. Does he do any of that in Rave Unto?

bruce springsteen live in barcelona...this dvd's better than the live in nyc one imho

The U2 concert is actually at Slane Castle in Ireland. You'll likely to piss off any Irish viewers with comments that is in England. Not surprsing though since even the Best Buy ad lists at as from England !!! You would think they could pay their researchers enough to get simple facts correct.

The concert itself is excellent with great sound but poor quality picture. Their other Elevation DVD has a much higher quality picture.