Just bought and watched the Alison Krauss + Union Station LIVE! DVD.
Shot in Hi-Def video, and it looks it, i.e., sharp and clean and highly detailed. But, since it's video, I assume my 3:2 pulldown in the TV (Sony XBR 50" GW II) is of no effect, and since I only have an interlaced DVD player, that might explain the stairsteppy things on the strings on Jerry Douglas's dobro (since they're shown horizontally in several shots).
Sound choices:
DD 5.1 (bitrate 448)
DTS 5.1 (bitrate 1509)
PCM 16 bit (bitrate 1513 or so)
Most of the sound is up front, with audience clapping and occasional comments in the rear speakers, so it's not an "immersive" experience.
For most of Alison's monologues/comments, the guy on the mixer should have turned the volume WAY UP. While I can hear the music just fine at -50db on my receiver, I have to increase the volume to -42 or so to hear most of her comments. This should have been done in the mix.
Alison and the band told the same jokes in Louisville (this concert) as they did when we saw this tour in Fort Worth a week or so later. Alison's career as a singer and violinist are assured from now to eternity, but her (and the guys') jokes and humor, to me, fall a bit flat. In other words, she and the band should probably not switch to stand-up comedy as a career.
They omitted DOWN TO THE RIVER TO PRAY (except during the credits -- voices only, no video) and THERE IS A REASON from the concert, which were the two encore numbers, and which are on the CD of this same concert.
The layer switch occurs while Jerry Douglas is in the middle of saying something. I wish the DVD technicians would try to place layer switches at the least intrusive/obvious points, e.g., scene changes, instead of wherever the bits run out.
Disc 1 is the concert, and Disc 2 is a bunch of extras (an "on the road" compilation of poor video footage; some interviews; a music video; etc.).
Alison had to take a medical rest this summer from singing to save/heal her vocal cords or something, but she's singing and touring again. It's hard to believe she could ever strain her voice, as music seems to effortlessly flow out of her as easily as breathing is for most of the rest of us. Watching and listening to her sing on this DVD is like hearing the voice of an angel. Sweet!
It's not an "exciting" performance by any means. Nothing flashy or fancy, no tearing up the stage, no audience antics, no light shows. Just beautiful music and fabulous musicianship by 5 (plus the drummer) people who are doing what they love and loving what they're doing, and sharing that with their fans.
Shot in Hi-Def video, and it looks it, i.e., sharp and clean and highly detailed. But, since it's video, I assume my 3:2 pulldown in the TV (Sony XBR 50" GW II) is of no effect, and since I only have an interlaced DVD player, that might explain the stairsteppy things on the strings on Jerry Douglas's dobro (since they're shown horizontally in several shots).
Sound choices:
DD 5.1 (bitrate 448)
DTS 5.1 (bitrate 1509)
PCM 16 bit (bitrate 1513 or so)
Most of the sound is up front, with audience clapping and occasional comments in the rear speakers, so it's not an "immersive" experience.
For most of Alison's monologues/comments, the guy on the mixer should have turned the volume WAY UP. While I can hear the music just fine at -50db on my receiver, I have to increase the volume to -42 or so to hear most of her comments. This should have been done in the mix.
Alison and the band told the same jokes in Louisville (this concert) as they did when we saw this tour in Fort Worth a week or so later. Alison's career as a singer and violinist are assured from now to eternity, but her (and the guys') jokes and humor, to me, fall a bit flat. In other words, she and the band should probably not switch to stand-up comedy as a career.
They omitted DOWN TO THE RIVER TO PRAY (except during the credits -- voices only, no video) and THERE IS A REASON from the concert, which were the two encore numbers, and which are on the CD of this same concert.
The layer switch occurs while Jerry Douglas is in the middle of saying something. I wish the DVD technicians would try to place layer switches at the least intrusive/obvious points, e.g., scene changes, instead of wherever the bits run out.
Disc 1 is the concert, and Disc 2 is a bunch of extras (an "on the road" compilation of poor video footage; some interviews; a music video; etc.).
Alison had to take a medical rest this summer from singing to save/heal her vocal cords or something, but she's singing and touring again. It's hard to believe she could ever strain her voice, as music seems to effortlessly flow out of her as easily as breathing is for most of the rest of us. Watching and listening to her sing on this DVD is like hearing the voice of an angel. Sweet!
It's not an "exciting" performance by any means. Nothing flashy or fancy, no tearing up the stage, no audience antics, no light shows. Just beautiful music and fabulous musicianship by 5 (plus the drummer) people who are doing what they love and loving what they're doing, and sharing that with their fans.
