Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Selected Musical Blu-ray Review




Queen: Rock Montreal & Live Aid [Blu-ray]
Overall Grade 4.5 out of 5
Product Description
"Queen Rock Montreal" will be released simultaneously in both high definition formats, HDDVD and Blu-Ray. This version includes the full Queen Live Aid performance, never before seen full performance footage of Queen rehearsing for Live Aid: Bohemian Rhapsody + Radio Gaga + Hammer To Fall and previously unreleased Live Aid interview with the whole band.

The Montreal concert is presented in high definition, while the Live Aid and all bonus materials will remain in standard definition.

Tracklisting: 1. Intro 2. We Will Rock You (fast) 3. Let Me Entertain You 4. Play The Game 5. Somebody To Love 6. Killer Queen 7. I'm In Love With My Car 8. Get Down Make Love 9. Save Me 10. Now I'm Here 11. Dragon Attack 12. Now I'm Here (reprise)13. Love Of My Life 14. Under Pressure 15. Keep Yourself Alive 16. Drum & Timpani Solo 17. Guitar Solo 18. Crazy Little Thing Called Love 19. Jailhouse Rock 20. Bohemian Rhapsody 21. Tie Your Mother Down 22. Another One Bites The Dust 23. Sheer Heart Attack 24. We Will Rock You 25. We Are The Champions 26. God Save The Queen

Bonus Features: * Brand new audio commentary by Brian May and Roger Taylor * The full Queen Live Aid performance * Never before seen full performance footage of Queen rehearsing for Live Aid: Bohemian Rhapsody + Radio Gaga + Hammer To Fall * Previously unreleased Live Aid interview with the whole band * 1982 news feature from US TV series PM Magazine * "Before & After" restoration comparison * Weblink to microsite.


The Beyonce Experience Live [Coming soon]

Street Date: February [TBA - To be announce}

Product Description
Beyoncé's sophomore release B'DAY is a celebration and a milestone released worldwide on her 25th birthday. B'DAY has sold over 5 million ringtones, 5 million singles and 5 million CD's...... and counting. To highlight this release, THE BEYONCE EXPERIENCE LIVE Blu-ray Disc is the full concert performance shot in Los Angeles during her international tour. As one of the world's biggest female entertainers Beyoncé mesmerizes the audience with hits from both solo albums "Dangerously In Love" & "B'DAY", Destiny's Child classics, Dreamgirls and a host of surprises. Guest Appearances include superstars Jay-Z, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. As a triple threat on the stage: singer, dancer, and theatrical starlet, she offers one of this years most electrifying concert experiences.

Blu-ray Disc Tracklisting
1.Intro THE BEYONCE EXPERIENCE FANFARE 2.Crazy In Love CRAZY MIX
3.Green Light 4.Baby Boy REGGAE MEDLEY 5.Beautiful Liar 6.Naughty Girl
7.Me, Myself & I 8.Dangerously In Love HE LOVES ME MIX 9.Flaws And All
10.Destiny's Child Medley COPS AND ROBBERS INTRO 11.Independent Woman Part 1
12.No, No, No Part 213.Bootylicious 14.Bug a Boo H TOWN SCREWED MIX 15.Bills, Bills, Bills
16.Cater 2 U 17.Say My Name 18.Jumpin', Jumpin'
19.Soldier SOLDIER BOY CRANK MIX 20.Survivor DESTINY'S CHILD REUNION 21.SPEECHLESS 22.Ring The Alarm Intro Skit JAILHOUSE CONFESSIONS
23.Ring The Alarm24.Suga Mama 25.Upgrade U feat Jay -Z
26.Bonnie and Clyde '03 BEYONCE'S PRINCE MIX 27.Check On It SPECIAL TOUR VERSION
28.Déjà Vu 29.Get Me Bodied 30.Welcome To Hollywood 31.Deena/Dreamgirls
32.Listen 33.Irreplaceable 34.Beyoncé B'DAY surprise 35.The Beyoncé Experience Credits

Special Features
Included on this Blu-ray Disc is a special Beyoncé Experience Live enhanced jukebox. Customize your own Blu-ray concert set list; determining when, and how often, your favorite songs play.





Celine Dion: Live in Las Vegas - A New Day [Blu-ray]

Street Date: February 05, 2008

Product Description

An unprecedented 5 year run! More than 700 sold out shows! 3 million spectators! Everything about the record -breaking show that changed the history of entertainment scene in Las Vegas!
This 2 set Blu-ray Disc includes Celine Dion's show in the colosseum at Caesars Palace and three exclusive documentaries: Travel to Las Vegas with the fans- join Celine at home, in her car, in her dressing room and even backstage - find out all the secrets of "A New Day"
More Than 5 hours of Never Before Seen Footage

Blu-ray Disc Trackslisting:
1.A New Day Has Come 2.The Power Of Love 3.It's All Coming Back To Me Now
4.Because You Loved Me 5.To Love You More 6.I'm Alive7.I Drove All Night
8.Seduces Me 9.If I Could 10.Pour Que Tu M'aimes Encore11.I Surrender
12.Ammore Annascunnuto 13.All The Way 14.I've Got The World On A String
15.I Wish 16.Love Can Move Mountains 17.River Deep, Mountain High
18.My Heart Will Go On

Disc 1
The Concert (93 minutes)
Because You Loved Me - A Tribute to The Fans (41 minutes)

Disc 2
A New Day: All Access (120 minutes)
A New Day: The Secrets (53 minutes)

Video/Audio:
Mastered in High Definition
PCM (uncompressed) Stereo (48kHz/24bit)
Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround Sound (96 kHz/24bit)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound (448kbps)


Shakira: Oral Fixation Tour [Blu-ray] ~ Shakira, Wyclef Jean, and Alejandro Sanz
Overall Grade 4 out of 5
5.0 out of 5 stars Shakira's concert shows what blu-ray was meant for. Worth every penny.

Following her multi-platinum two-CD assault of "Fijación Oral Vol. 1" and "Oral Fixation Vol. 2," Shakira embarked on her marathon Oral Fixation Tour. Spanning one hundred dates over nearly 14 months, the jaunt saw her selling out arenas worldwide and performing a stageshow filled with song, costume and dance that easily ranks up there with the concert extravaganzas put on by Madonna, Cher and Celine. Performing new songs and older hits alike, Shakira belted out a 17-strong track list that kept the audience on their feet for nearly the entire two-hour show.

ADVERTISEMENT

As a live performer, where Shakira excels above even her fiercest pop peers is in her multi-instrumental skills and charming enthusiasm for exhibitionism. Whether she's running around barefoot, jamming on the harmonica like a distaff Bob Dylan, or letting it rip on a guitar as if she wants to be the next heavy metal rock god, she beams from ear to ear. She's like the little girl down the block who dreamed of being a pop star in front of the mirror and actually got her wish, but lost none of her child-like enthusiasm along the way. Simply put, her spirit is infectious.

As has become the standard over the years since Madonna launched the Blonde Ambition tour back in 1991, female artists must now merge theatrics with the music, and throw in a bit of Cirque Du Soleil for good measure. Shakira doesn't skimp here, either, bringing a cavalcade of dancers and musicians together to create quite the spectacle. Although all the hip-shaking grows a bit tiresome by the end of the concert, and the musical nods to multiculturalism sometimes feel a bit forced, Shakira is still one of the few pop stars out there who doesn't seem to be merely pandering as she blends her influences together seamlessly, with top-flight production and professionalism throughout. Whether you like her music or not, there's no denying that this is one pop star who has her act together.

The 17-song tracklist is as follows:
01. Intro 02. Estoy Aqui 03. Te Dejo Madrid 04. Don't Bother 05. Antologia 06. Hey You
07. Inevitable 08. Si Te Vas 09. La Tartura 10. No 11. Whenever, Wherever
12. La Pared 13. Underneath Your Clothes 14. Pies Descalzos 15. Ciega, Sordomuda
16. Ojos Asi 17. Hips Don't Lie

The Supplements: Digging Into the Good Stuff

'Oral Fixation Tour' comes to Blu-ray with a very well-rounded supplements package that mirrors the standard-def DVD release. Not one but two documentaries are included, plus the obligatory bonus tracks, music video and still gallery. There's even a bonus CD of additional audio-only tracks included to sweeten the deal.

  • Documentary: "Around the World in 397 Days" (SD, 12 minutes) - At first glance, 'Around the World in 397 Days" seems like your average concert video EPK, but in reality this one cuts beneath the slick surface of rock pomposity to reveal the hard work and dedication that goes into mounting a year-long concert spectacular. Although this isn't nearly as much fun as, say, Madonna's 'Truth or Dare,' it's way better than most features of this ilk.

  • Documentary: "Barefoot" (HD, 21 minutes) - I normally bristle at public service announcements made by rich pop stars, but "Barefoot" is actually a heartfelt and genuine extended promo for Shakira's Pies Descalzos (Barefoot) Foundation. The singer was instrumental in constructing a school for impoverished children near her hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia, which will potentially bring opportunities to thousands of children in the coming years. This mini doc ends on a cute note, with Shakira and a group of young students performing to "Hips Don't Lie."

  • Music Video (SD) - The official music video for "Las De La Intucion" is included.

  • Live Tracks (SD) - Alternate versions of two tunes from the show are included: "La Pared" and "Obtener Un Si." Oddly, both are presented in 4:3 full screen and SD only.

  • Photo Gallery (HD) - Rounding out the extras is this nice (but all too slim) gallery of live shots, many from angles not seen in the concert film. Presented entirely in HD, there are 14 photographs total.

  • Bonus CD - Unlike some other recent next-gen music releases that have dropped the freebies found on the DVD versions ('Elton 60' comes to mind), Sony BMG has not chintzed Shakira's Blu-ray fans, and includes here the bonus CD of live tracks also found on the standard-def release of 'Oral Fixation Tour.' The compact disc includes audio-only versions of six songs, presented in 2.0 stereo: ("Intro," "Estoy Aqui," "Don't Bother," "Inevitable," "La Pared" and "Hips Don't Lie").





Legends of Jazz: Showcase [Blu-ray]
Overall Grade 3.5 out of 5
Product Description
The critically-acclaimed Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis - the first weekly television series devoted to jazz in more than 40 years - debuted nationally on PBS stations in April 2006. Now presented on the superior new Blu-ray Disc format, Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis "Showcase" is an all-star collection of 13 riveting live performances from the series by some of the biggest stars in jazz.
The full suite of performances include:
1. Al Jarreau and Kurt Elling, "Take 5" / 2. Chris Botti, "My Funny Valentine" '
3. Marcus Miller, George Duke and Lee Ritenour, "The Panther" /
4. David Sanborn and Phil Woods, "Senor Blues" / 5. Chick Corea, "Armando’s Rhumba" /
6. Robert Cray and Keb' Mo' "12 Year Old Boy" / 7. Benny Golson, "Killer Joe" /
8. Ivan Lins, "The Island" / 9. Clark Terry, "Mumbles" /
10. Jane Monheit and John Pizzarelli, "They Can’t Take That Away From Me" /
11. Dave Valentin, "Obsession" / 12. Dave Brubeck and Billy Taylor, "Take The ‘A’ Train" /
13. Ramsey Lewis, "Dear Lord"



Tony Bennett - An American Classic [Blu-ray] ~ Tony Bennett, Christina Aguilera, Billy Crystal, and k.d. lang
Overall Grade 4 out of 5
Product Description
On August 3, 2006, Tony Bennett turned 80 years-old. It was a milestone moment both for the artist, and for popular music as well. I know it's a cliche, but they just don't make 'em like Bennett anymore. A consummate showman, the guy did it all -- sing as well as entertain, combining elements of pop, jazz, dance, musical theater and classic vaudeville. His list of accomplishments is so long and his collaborators so varied that his resume alone could easily fill the halls of the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame. Frank Sinatra didn't call this guy "the greatest singer ever" for nuthin'.

To celebrate Bennett's birthday and further cement his legacy, NBC produced a one-of-a-kind television special in late 2006, called 'An American Classic.' It was a true rarity for network TV these days, reminiscent of the variety shows and musical revues more common to the medium in the '60s and '70s. There are biographical sequences on Bennett's rise to stardom and "surprise" tributes from various celebrities (including Bruce Willis, Robert De Niro and John Travolta), which bridge ten different stand-alone duets with top musical artists. Interspersed throughout are several dance numbers and a few comedy bits (which work surprisingly well).

The track list for 'An American Classic' is: 01. "Smile," Barbra Streisand / 02. "Sing You Sinners," John Legend / 03. "Because Of You," k.d. lang and Chris Botti / 04. "The Best Is Yet To Come," Diana Krall / 05. "The Shadow Of Your Smile," Juanes / 06. "Rags To Riches," Elton John / 07. "Just In Time," Michael Buble / 08. "For Once In My Life," Stevie Wonder /
09. "Steppin' Out With My Baby," Christina Aguilera /
10. "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," Tony Bennett



John Legend - Live at the House of Blues [Blu-ray]
Overall Grade 4 out of 5
Product Description
One of the real joys of my job is reviewing music discs and discovering new artists I might never have been exposed to otherwise. I knew next to nothing about John Legend going into his 'Live at the House of Blues' Blu-ray, and now I'm kicking myself for having waited so long. Despite all the recent acclaim the singer-songwriter has earned in the past couple of years (multiple Grammys, millions of CDs sold, the obligatory Oprah visit, etc.), somehow I just never came into contact with a single one of his songs. If you're in the same boat, I recommend picking up this disc (or one of his CDs) pronto.

John Legend has been called an heir apparent to the greats -- Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding -- and for once, the comparisons are worthy. With his respect for songcraft, intricate arrangements and a gorgeous voice, this guy's the real deal. (Not to mention those good looks, which I'm sure haven't hurt.) But what impresses most is that he never oversells a song. I suppose it is sad to say in this day of manufactured pop stars and "artists" known more for controversy than their music, that a great tune that's well performed now seems like a novelty. Legend almost has a non-image, and doesn't need to resort to anything but talent to get his music across. When was the last time that modern pop music has been restrained?

The track list includes: 01. Intro / 02. Get Lifted / 03. Alright / 04. She Don't Have to Know / 05. Number One / 06. Do It Again / 07. Live It Up / 08. Medley / 09. Selfish / 10. I Can Change / 11. Used To Love You / 12. Again / 13. Ordinary People / 14. So High /
15. Stay With You / 16. Refuge


Elton John: Elton 60 - Live At Madison Square Garden [Blu-ray]
Overall Grade 3.5 out of 5
'Elton 60: Live at Madison Square Garden' was first released on standard-def DVD as a two-disc set back in October 2007, with the second disc filled with bonus TV performances and other vintage material. Although press materials released by Universal Music (as well as Elton John's official website) indicate that the Blu-ray also contains this extra disc (as did the review package we received at High-Def Digest), the distributor has since confirmed to us that the retail Blu-ray version of 'Elton 60' is in fact only a single-disc set with no extra features. No reason has been given for the decision, but we've updated our review accordingly.

If 'Elton 60' suffers, it's only due to the inevitable fact that many of these songs have been performed so often (John himself estimates he's sung "Your Song" over a thousand times) that there's sometimes a lingering Vegas-y feel to the interpretations. Though the occasion of his 60th birthday adds a touching vulnerability even to usually mawkish numbers like "Daniel," it's not enough to save other tunes from simply feeling tired. Still, it's impossible to argue with a roster as impressive as this, and with 'Elton 60,' John proves that no matter what the date may say on his birth certificate, he's still got plenty of stage fight left in him. Here's to 'Elton 70,' 'Elton 80,' and beyond...

The complete tracklist is as follows:
1. Sixty Years On 2. Madman Across the Water 3. Where to Now, St. Peter? 4. Hercules
5. Ballad of a Well Known Gun 6. Take Me to the Pilot 7. High Flying Bird
8. Holiday Inn 9. Burn Down the Mission 10. Better Off Dead 11. Levon 12. Empty Garden
13. Daniel 14. Honkey Cat 15. Rocket Man 16. I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
17. The Bridge 18. Roy Rodgers 19. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
20. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word 21. Bennie and the Jets 22. All the Girls Love Alice
23. Tiny Dancer 24. Something About the Way You Look Tonight 25. Philadelphia Freedom
26. Sad Songs (Say So Much) 27. Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me 28. I'm Still Standing
29. The Bitch Is Back 30. Crocodile Rock 31. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
32. Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding 33. Your Song





Destiny's Child: Live in Atlanta [Blu-ray]
Overall Grade 4 out of 5
Product Description
DESTINY'S CHILD: LIVE IN ATLANTA is a high-energy, breath-taking stage production that displays why Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle comprise one of the biggest-selling female groups of all time. Taped at Philips Arena during their farewell "Destiny Fulfilled" Tour, this stunning show in hotlanta features the group singing and dancing to their classic hits. Opening the show with the Grammy Award-Winning "Say My Name,", the trio powers through hits such as "No, No, No", "Bugaboo", "Bills, Bills, Bills","Bootylicious", and "Jumpin' Jumpin". Concert highlights include a performance of "Soldier" with guest stars T.I & Lil Wayne as well as segments in which each member showcases their biggest hits as solo stars. Featuring bonus audio tracks as well as fan testimonials and a featurette about the group, DESTINY'S CHILD: LIVE IN ATLANTA is an eye-catching, pulse-raising music experience that will thrill generations to come.

The disc includes 22 songs, plus a wealth of intros, interludes and costume changes. The actual songs performed are: "Say My Name," "Independent Women," "No, No, No," "Bug A Boo," "Bills, Bills, Bills," "Bootylicious," "Jumpin' Jumpin'," "Soldier," "Dilemma," "Do You Know," "Baby Boy," "Naughty Girl," "Cater 2 U," "Girl," "Free," "If," "Through with Love," "Bad Habit," "Dangerously in Love," "Crazy in Love," "Survivor" and "Lose My Breath."



Chris Botti: Live (With Orchestra and Special Guests) [Blu-ray]
Overall Grade 4 out of 5
Product Description
Love it or hate it, the "Smooth Jazz" phenomenon has all but taken over the genre, at least in terms of mainstream appeal. Chris Botti, Kenny G., Dave Koz, Najee -- if you've never heard one of these instrumentalists interpret the classics with their New Age-y musical stylings, then somehow you've managed to avoid riding in an elevator over the last decade or so. Combined, they're a commercial force to be reckoned with, having sold a gazillion CDs, and commanding what seems to be the musical entirety of the far corners of the radio dial. But whether you consider their work a fresh take on a commercially impoverished musical genre or a cynical repackaging for the Oprah Book Club set, one thing's for sure: all those "Best of Smooth Jazz" CD collections on the racks of your local Starbucks are here to stay.

Truth be told, it's probably unfair to lump Botti in with such critically-despised contemporaries as Kenny G. and (heaven help us) John Tesh. He may be a bit bland for younger audiences, but his reverence for the material and love of his instrument is obvious, while his Sinatra-esque wit and rakish good looks seem to reduce normally-composed soccer moms into swooning, giggling schoolgirls.

The complete tracklisting is: 01. "Someone to Watch Over Me" / 02. "When I Fall in Love" / 03. "A Thousand Kisses Deep" / 04. "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" / 05. "Good Morning Heartache" / 06. "My One and Only Love" / 07. "The Look of Love" / 08. "Cinema Paradiso" / 09. "Pennies From Heaven" / 10. "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" / 11. "Lover Man" / 12. "My Funny Valentine" / 13. "Why Not" / 14. "One for My Baby"

















Purple Rain [Blu-ray]
Overall Grade 3 out of 5

Every once in a while, there are rare moments in pop culture when the stars align, and for a brief glorious moment, an artist and his audience fuse into one. Like a fly in amber, the zeitgeist is captured, and the moment becomes permanently etched in our collective consciousness.

One such moment came in 1984, when Prince captivated the world with 'Purple Rain.' More than just an album, more than just a movie, and more than just a gargantuan tour, 'Purple Rain' signaled a seismic shift in music, fashion, film and celebrity. Just as when the Beatles first appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, or Michael Jackson moonwalked on the Motown 50th Anniversary Special, even at the time, you had a distinct sense that lightning had just been caught in a bottle.




































No comments: