Search - Diana Krall - Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival on DVD

Great sound, great music, manic camera work

J. Cummings | Seattle, WA United States | 11/24/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have to disagree with one of the previous reviewers regarding the sound on this recording. I found the sound to be superior to the "Live in Paris" DVD which has a consistent echo throughout the performance. I'm sure this was just an acoustic anomaly from the concert hall, but it's still distracting when listened to on head phones. This new DVD however has excellent sound.



The only complaint I have about it is the frantic camerawork throughout the concert. There are so many camera angles fading in and out that it gets tiring to watch. I just wished that the camera would sit still for at least 10 seconds. I get the feeling that it was directed by someone who has only directed 30 second commercials.



Of course, the music is terrific and includes all the new tunes that weren't on the Paris DVD. I also prefer the quartet sound to the full orchestra from the other disc.

"

DK and co. once again show the highest level of music.....

L. Sion | 12/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Diana Krall live at the very very famous Montreal Jazz Festival, still with the almighty Anthony Wilson on guitar, but this time on bass is Robert Hurst, and Peter Erskine on drum, two of the most renowned players in jazz scene. Seeing Diana Krall and Co. play is like attending a great jazz music workshop, they show very strong understanding of different kind of jazz music, and improvise them,



the opening track "Sometimes I Just Freak Out" combine standard swing to more uptempo "bebop"-ish groove, the transition is so smooth. "Devil May Care" show how Erskine and Hurst manage the super fast bop groove with ease. the bluesy "Love Me Like A Man", and sentimental "Departure Bay" made the finale of the show. And with Elvis Costello co-writing tunes, i found that the melodies become more smooth and easy-listening, but that became a interesting blend with Krall master piano works, and great solos are all over the place, like Hurst and Erskine blaze over "East of the Sun" and "Devil May Care", the improvisation of Wilson and Krall on "Stop this World" is just jaw-dropping as well.



GET THIS!! If you are interested in jazz music and jazz vocal and solo stuff you'll like this one, this DVD highlights one of the most impotant moments of the Montreal Jazz Fest 2004, as well as Krall's music journey, though this might not be typically "Krall"-ish style of music for the sake of the co-writer Costello, but it doesn't affect the quality of music thru out, check it out!!!"

Disappointing release..

Jesper Daugaard Nielsen | Aarhus, Denmark | 11/12/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I was at Diana's concert yesterday in Vejle, Denmark and brought home the new Montreal DVD. A great 5-star live concert in Vejle - but the DVD is very disappointing. Granted.. after "Live in Paris" my expectations were high.. probably too high. But this DVD release really leaves a lot to be desired.



The video boasts "stunning 14-camera shoot".. and it's alright.. but are we supposed to believe that the greatness of a video shoot is equal to the number of cameras in use? The editing seems random at times, but you do get a nice view of Diana's piano playing for all us piano players out there.



The audio options are 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby surround. Why no DTS? The audio sounds thin and cold, there's no warmth or depth to the sound of any of the instruments... again (unfairly maybe) compared to "Live in Paris".



The concert is also not complete (not that "Live in Paris" was), but the highlight of this particular concert (June 29, 2004) is supposed to have been a closing duet with Diana and Ron Sexsmith performing "Secret Heart". This was promised to be on the DVD - it is not.



Also promised to be on this release was a 15-minute documentary on the Montreal Jazz festival and its 25th anniversary - not on the DVD.



The promised Oscar Peterson Awards ceremony (recipient Diana Krall) was also promised to be on this DVD - it is not.



The extras you do get are:



- the video for "Narrow Daylight"



and in case you do not have internet access (well.. how could you be reading this then?) - you can spend a good 1 or 2 minutes exploring:



- a Diana Krall "discography" and

- a photo gallery



On a positive note.. the next Diana Krall DVD-release is guaranteed to exceed this one .. unless they decide to sell it on adding one and using FIFTEEN cameras!"

Don't listen to the people caught up on DVD extras

Chet | Columbus, OH | 11/25/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rather than complain about a lack of DVD extras, or about sound options, let's concentrate on the music here. This is a live concert DVD, and it should be judged on the quality of the music, not on peripherals.



If you've had the chance to see Diana live (which I've been able to do three times now), you'll love this DVD. It much better captures the live concert that you typically see with her, as opposed to "Live in Paris." What I've always loved about seeing her live is listening to her strech out on piano, and seeing her guitarist do the same. I've seen Anthony Wilson (the guitarist seen on this DVD) with her the last two times I saw her in concert, and he always comes dangerously close to stealing the show. He's an absolutely great improvisor, and it's great to see him play.



If you like Diana on stage more than in the studio, definitely get this DVD. Even is you like Diana in the studio more, still get it, because she shines as always."