http://blogcritics.org/music/article/bl ... ana-krall/Blu-ray Music Review: Diana Krall - Live In Rio Krall's latest video, Live In Rio, finds the jazz singer/pianist soaking up all things Brazil, largely as a video counterpart to her latest studio album, the bossa nova-inspired Quiet Nights. Her four-piece band - including John Clayton on upright bass, Jeff Hamilton on drums and Anthony Wilson on guitar - is joined by percussionist Paulinho DeCosta, as well as the Rio De Janeiro Orchestra, as they run through the bulk of her latest record, choice cuts from her catalog and a couple of new surprises as well.
The ConcertDon't be fooled by the upbeat jam of the opener, "I Love Being Here With You." This concert is, for the most part, a laid-back and chilled affair. Although not as resolutely slow as the whole of Quiet Nights, Live In Rio definitely leans in that direction, borrowing almost the entire album for the bulk of its set list. The band does a nice job of injecting just enough energy into the rest of the spaces to keep things above the threshold of somnolent reverie. However, this laid-back approach is also a strength, delivering a consistently vibey air as the soundtrack to a romantic outing.
The performances are consistently strong, although Diana herself seems more comfortable behind the piano than interacting with the audience. Things are better when the music flows naturally from song to song, and more forced when setting up and explaining them. Although a couple of songs don't find Diana's voice at her best, the generous length of the concert makes that forgivable.
Audio/VideoThe video presentation suffers a bit on this release, and its mainly due to the inconsistency of shots. First off, an abundant amount of grain is evident in the low-light shots of the hall. Things fare better on stage, where focal points of Diana and the band are generously lit with spots. But even then, quality varies depending on camera angles. Some angles present very clear and detailed shots, while others can be slightly off in color balance or have a more soft focus. The main point with any concert recording is the audio, and the video should mainly not distract. But Live In Rio's inconsistent presentation teeters on the edge, although eventually landing back on the acceptable side.
The audio, thankfully, is much more successful. It helps that Diana has a band of ace musicians, and their performances are delivered, for the most part, with sonic clarity thanks to the DTS-HD Master Audio track. The surround sound experience is very well done, with piano and acoustic guitar tracks featuring prominently in the entire sound field. It is a captivating and immersing music mix, again helped along by exceptional musicianship. The only complaint with the mix is a tendency to muddy the low end in spots. Generally it doesn't come across as a huge issue, but during some of John Clayton's more exposed solos, it would have benefited more from a cleaner punch to the low end of the mix.
Bonus Materials
The main bonus feature, and exclusive to the Blu-ray release, is "The Rooftop Sessions" (HD, 13:57) a four-song acoustic set performed stripped-back and casual in the corner of a top-floor, scenic hotel lounge. Consisting of Diana accompanied by her guitar player and percussionist, the trio run through "The Boy From Ipanema," "Too Marvelous For Words," "Cheek To Cheek," and "Quiet Nights" in an informal setting, amidst the casual atmosphere of patrons relaxing with some drinks. It's a nice, intimate glimpse at the musicians having fun with the songs without the pressure of performance, but also doesn't have a lot of replay value. However, it feels like a unique look at genuine artistry that more videos might do well to emulate.
There is also a nice interview feature with Diana and her band, entitled "Quiet Conversations" (HD, 19:21). It focuses both on her inspiration from and performance in Brazil, as well as the work on her latest record. It's an enjoyable and relaxed look at their thoughts on the music, and all involved are candid and well spoken. Finally, there is a music video of sorts for "The Boy From Ipanema" (HD, 4:58), which feels a bit like a quick, last-minute addition. The footage is very digital video in nature - instead of something more filmic for a traditional music video - and is comprised mostly of b-roll scenes from the beach in Rio, with only a few brief shots of Diana.Conclusion Live In Rio is a successful and admirable live performance video. Featuring a top-notch performance and nice bonus materials, the Blu-ray release succeeds in providing compelling content. On a technical level, the video release is average, if underwhelming in some areas. But the pros should more than outweigh the cons for fans of this sultry chanteuse.
Posted: 07 Mar 2009, 07:05
Not that I'm really going to fool anyone.
