The packaging to Diana Krall's enjoyable Live in Montreal (Universal, £16.99) looks similar to her albums, but it's a rougher, tougher product - a straight live recording.
The camerawork is annoying in places (too many crane shots), but it's good at revealing details(1) - "nice" moments, facial expressions and musical nuances, such as the thunky accompaniment in Tom Waits's song Temptation: it's Diana damping the strings of her piano with one hand while playing with the other.
The DVD medium suits authenticity, intimacy and accuracy, which is good for jazz (and Krall is a genuine jazz musician) and world music. Plugged into a decent hi-fi, at the correct pitch, with the possibility of surround sound, the sound is full-range - we're a long way from VHS.(2)
Krall's DVD includes a discography, a "photo gallery" and a video for Narrow Daylight, a so-so promo with Krall playing piano in a house overlooking a beautiful landscape (3). I'd sooner watch her band, though.
1 - ok, so I should watch the video... Until now, I have only listened to the concert.
2 - is it better than the sound on the Live in Paris DVD? I listened to it through my 5.1 sound system, it was ok, but, in my opinion, not as great as the Live in Paris was. (hey, Al Schmitt didn't record the show this time)
3 - I think we all agree, they could have included better bonuses.
