Al Di Meola – One Of These Nights
(DVD-Video Concert)
Picture: C+
Sound: B- Extras: C Concert: B-
Three guitarists, a string quartet, and some of the best
musicians in the business converged co-operatively on May 17th 2004
in Ludwigsburg, Germany as the Scala for an impressive Latino/Jazz
concert. Headed by Al Di Meola, One
of These Nights (which does not offers The Eagles’ classic) offers nearly
two hours of surprises and jumps across all kinds of music genres during its
course. The music is as follows, most
written by Di Meola:
1)
Innamorata
2)
Misterio
3)
Azzurra
4)
Orient Blue
5)
Rhapsody Of Fire
6)
This Way Before
7)
One Last June Night
8)
Fugatta*
9)
Libertango*
10)
Beyond The
Mirage
11)
Egyptian
Danza
The songs designated with an * are by Astor Piazzolla,
whose music we have already reviewed on this website in the Super Audio Compact
Disc format. This DVD-Video does not
sound as good, but it is a decent performer that offers a big auditorium and a
good audience, which is not always guaranteed in these events. Fortunately, some people appreciate music
more than others, and you can never get enough such people in the crowd.
The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1/16 X 9 was shot on
video, but is still softness in its finer details. It is still decent enough to enjoy. The Dolby Digital 4.1 is an odd configuration for a current
concert, but this has a slight edge over the usual Pro Logic, though there was
room for DTS of some sort and would have really brought this show home. An alternate PCM 2.0 Stereo with Pro Logic
surrounds has a limited range where there is fullness and detail over the
Dolby, but the Dolby is better here overall.
The show is solid and performance of the DVD is almost up to capturing
the show overall. The only extras are
text frames on Di Meola and a 9-minutes-long piece showing the preparation of
all involved for the night’s performance.
There is also a nice 8-page multi-lingual booklet inside the unusual
silver boardpaper case, where the suspended DVD holder has room behind it for
the booklet. This is an unusual
novelty, from a title that tries to be different in many ways. Priced nicely, you can find out for
yourself.
- Nicholas Sheffo
