Al Di Meola – Live At Montreux 1986/1993 (Eagle Eye)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B     Extras: D     Concerts: B-

 

 

The remarkable Jazz guitarist Al Di Meola is getting his due on DVD.  Recently, we looked at a recent concert on DVD called One of These Nights, which was not bad and came with an odd 4.1 mix.  Eagle Eye has paired two of his appearances at Montreux from 1986 and 1993 in a single DVD with more audio options.  This Live At Montreux installment only repeats one song from the other DVD, Orient Blue, but otherwise show more sides of his remarkable talent.  The two concerts offer the following:

 

1986:

 

1)     Vertigo Shadow

2)     Medley:  Orient Blue Suite – Passion, Grace & Fire, Atavism Of Twilight, Enigma Of Desire, Cielo E Terra

3)     Etude

4)     Capoiera

 

1993:

 

5)     Indigo

6)     No Mystery

7)     Tango Suite

 

 

I found all of this as interesting as the newer taping, and also noticed some interesting changes through the decade of Meola’s talent.  His energy level stays high, but there is a slight mellowing that is actually overtaken by an ever developing, superior playing skill.  You can even get that from this single disc, but he is one of Jazz’s best-kept secrets, with no excuse for a big crossover not happening in something he could do.  The great thing about DVD is, once again, it gives such talents the chance to be seen and heard in a way they would never get exposed otherwise.  This is very similar to the FM vinyl Rock album radio days and early years of MTV; in both cases, a hit single was not needed for great music to reach the audience.  Of course, Eagle does this all the time in their DVD releases, so that should be no surprise.

 

The two concerts are in two different aspect ratios.  1986 is 1.33 X 1, while 1993 is 1.78 X 1, though not anamorphically enhanced.  They are about even in this case, likely because of similar taping circumstances at the same festival.  Both are adequate in showing the musicians as much as the musicianship.  The newer DVD had been anamorphic, but is not any better than either image here.  As for sound, the music is offered in PCM 48kHz/16Bit 2.0 Stereo, and 5.1 mixes in the Dolby Digital and DTS formats.  The DTS edges out the others, but by only so much in these cases.  1993 sounds a bit better than 1986, but neither sound like they were conceived as surround projects.  The 4.1 Dolby-only of the newer DVD sounds a bit newer, but richness and some aspects of depth are still more available here than in the new concert from 5/17/04.  There are no extras, save a paper pullout from the DVD case with some text that is literate and a nice touch.  There are still two solid concerts that Jazz and guitar fans will find mandatory to catch.  Others who have never seen the man in action should give the disc a shot, because he is one of the best in his field.  Home Theater owners should also take note.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo