Norah Jones and The Handsome Band - Live in 2004

Rating:
Summary: disappointing audio quality
Review: An otherwise very pleasant disc is marred by a below par audio track. If you need to hear the cymbals sizzle look elsewhere. The stereo dolby digital (the default track) is especialy poor-be sure to select the multitrack version if you have the necessary gear.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely beautiful DVD
Review: As a connoisseur of music on DVD, I am puzzled by some of the previous reviewers' remarks. I've watched it twice now, and in my opinion this is one of the finest music DVD's to be released in years.

It goes without saying that there is more musical talent in a Q-tip full of Nora Jones' earwax than in any three of the current crop of silly, belly-baring "stars" that have been manufactured for our consumption, and this DVD highlights her talent perfectly.

The fantastic group of musicians that she so graciously introduces to us, (both in her band and appearing as special guests,) only add to the experience. This is stage playing at its very best, and everyone involved seems to be inspired to deliver their all, simply because they are playing with Nora.

Finally, the arrangements, lighting, cinematography, editing and direction are all at or near top-notch. I simply can't think of any complaints; even blurring is used artistically during some of the shot changes, and along with wide-angles and closeups, we get a cornucopia of "musicians" shots of fingers and hands at work on strings and keys.

If you like Nora Jones even a little bit, buy this DVD and after watching it, you'll like her a lot more.

And finally, to those reviewers who seem to feel compelled to comment on her appearance: In my book, she sounds and plays so well that it wouldn't make any difference if she looked like W.C. Fields. That she is beautiful is just a minor and almost irrelevant fringe benefit to being able to watch her genius in action.

Rating:
Summary: The Good and The Bad and The Correct
Review: First, I agree with the other reviewers on the audio mix not being quite as splendid as the previous New Orleans release. The original wasn't DTS...but this one should have been (as should every Music/Concert DVD). The vocals are too hot in relation to the rest of the mix. While Norah sounds great (and looks so much better - style, makeup, poise) the mix is just a bit too forward with her vocals. The recording of the instruments is nearly on par with New Orleans with the stand-up bass being more articulate and controlled than before. Keep in mind most people who complain about boomy or exaggerated bass on a music DVD are just ignorant of the fact that their system is poorly tuned to their room. Subwoofer/Bass tuning is very tricky without the right tools and knowledge. When you get it right, discs that sounded bad before will sound great and you won't find yourself adjusting bass levels disc to disc as much as before. In addition, no one should ever complain about the surrounds being just used for room ambience and crowd noise. That is all it should ever be used for on a concert DVD...unless the live event actually had musicians behind the audience (highly unlikely). Playing cute games with surround mixes is as passé as fast-paced video work that leaves you dizzy from never being able to focus on a single scene for more than 2 seconds. These two things are the mark of amateurs without good taste and they always destroy an otherwise great concert DVD.

The video isn't reference quality, but far superior to New Orleans with lighting. Overall the video was not distracting, but neither was it overly impressive. Could have been better with today's technology.

Finally, although she seems nervous Norah is not profusely sweating in the previous New Orleans DVD. She has glitter on her face. The poor/harsh lighting and extreme close-ups in that DVD make it look like she is sweating, but it is just the glitter and her complexion that you are seeing. Take another look.

Overall the second DVD is decent. For the third, the production staff should aspire to even higher technical quality in both video and audio by building on the good aspects of this second effort.


Rating:
Summary: Like Father Like Daughter..Amazing DVD
Review: Her father (Ravi Shankar) was the best musician in India.
Even The Beatles got much influence from her father.
Now Shankar's deserted daughter grabs the world of music.
Fom Nashiville, she sang like a bird & her band back up in fine
harmony.

Daru Oda(Former Touring Driver, Now Back Up Vocal & Flute)
isn't shy anymore(In New Orleans DVD, She was so nervous for singing).She's so cute - to me she's a scene stealer of Norah
Jones. Oda loves Neil Young so much.

Godmother of Nashiville -Dolly Parton- suddenly came out of back stage, gave audience a memorable duet with Norah...

If you pass this DVD, you're not a music lover,
or you don't have DVD Player.


Rating:
Summary: Nice performances marred by poor audio
Review: I asked for and got this DVD for Christmas and was very disappointed in the quality of the audio. A shame since it is a much more relaxed and comfortable performance by Jones (vs. her New Orleans DVD). Maybe it was unfair of me to listen to is right after the exquisite Diana Krall Live in Paris DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent DVD
Review: I'll keep this short and sweet...this is one of the best DVD's I own. Start with an amazing, gifted singer in Jones, add a fantastic group of instrumentalists, a spattering of excellent numbers with varied guests, set it in an intimate auditorium and recording it all with beautiful cinematography (yes, it's film) and you have this DVD. An outstanding work all the way around!

Rating:
Summary: not bad
Review: like the dvd a lot, am not really a big fan of country music, just found out when i watched the dvd that it is set in nashville and focuses mainly on country music but i love norah jones so i still loved it! awesome!

Rating:
Summary: Technically inferior to the last DVD
Review: Norah's last DVD, from a performance in New Orleans, was visually stunning and an audiophile's dream (if a bit heavy on the bass). This DVD is grainy, occasionally out of focus, and has a decent, but not great, sound (no DTS).

Rating:
Summary: sounds great!
Review: Wow! Someone complaining about vocals being too far forward in the mix on a Norah Jones DVD?!? Go figure! And the bass is too boomy?!? NO! That's an upright bass. It sounds exactly like what it's supposed to sound like! This is not the best sounding DVD I have ever heard (IMO, that would be the John Denver Wildlife Concert), but it's darn good! I do think it could have looked better. It probably should have been HD video, not film, but it's okay for what it is. I'm just glad it's widescreen. If you're a fan of Norah Jones, you MUST have this!





Rating:
Summary: Great Concert, Terrific Video
Review: [...]. The sound is fine. And it's a 5-star concert DVD easy.

Filmed at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville - where the "Oh Brother" concert was filmed - the atmosphere and guests really bring out the country leanings of Norah's second album. The DVD includes an A+++ version of Townes Van Sandt's "Loretta" with Norah joined by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. It includes a terrific duet with Richard Julian on "That's the Way the World Goes Round." And, of course, a duet with Dolly Parton on "Creepin' In." As she did on her recent tour, Norah steps out from behind the piano for a few tunes, including the terrific Tom Waits' song "The Long Way Home." And, also as she did on tour, Norah closes with The Band's "Life is a Carnival" for all of us who share her enthusiasm for The Band. Other highlights are "Don't Miss You at All" and "Moon Song" (Hey Blue Note - "Moon Song" definitely should have been on the last album.)

On top of a loaded show there are are plenty of extras including bonus feature songs and lengthy "behind the scenes" tour interviews. (Norah's gotta work on those videos, though, or leave 'em to the Britneys of the world.)

In sum, if you're a Norah fan or someone who wants to puke at the thought of what currently passes for most of "popular" music today, you'll wanna get this disc. It never gets tired over repeated views.