Ray Charles – Live At Montreux 1997 (Eagle Eye Media DVD)

 

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

 

 

It is one thing to talk about the great legacy of music Ray Charles left behind and another to show it.  You can get special projects, hit movies and documentaries explaining and showing the diversity and history, but there is nothing like actually seeing the man in action in peak form and one such opportunity is in a new DVD.

 

Ray Charles – Live At Montreux 1997 shows the why he really is the legend you have always heard about.  The songs here in this hour-long concert include:

 

1)     I’ll Be Home (Sadie’s Tune)

2)     Busted

3)     Georgia On My Mind

4)     Mississippi Mud

5)     Just For A Thrill

6)     You Made Me Love You

7)     Scotia Blues (Blues For Big Scotia)

8)     Song For You

Ray Charles introduces The Rayettes

9)     Watch Them Dogs

10)  Shadows Of My Mind

11)  I Can’t Stop Loving You

12)  What’d I Say

 

 

And the result is nonstop great music and an appreciative crowd that just gets crazier and crazier; just what you want from a great concert.  Charles only became better as he went along, knowing his audience like few others.  Knowing what we know now, it is a rich experience, far from his final hour and a most welcome DVD release that could not arrive fast enough.

 

The 1.78 X 1 image is a little soft, but it is an older video shoot, so expect that.  However, this is still color consistent and nicely shot.  The DTS 5.1 sound and lesser Dolby Digital 5.1 mixes show this was not recorded or conceived as a multi-channel program, which is why luckily there is the inclusion of a PCM 16/48 2.0 Stereo track for purists.  The combination is fine for its age and enjoyable, with the PCM and DTS vying for which is best.

 

There are no extras, though a paper foldout with an essay and list of musicians is in the DVD case.  For more on Ray Charles, try these links:

 

DVD with Edmonton Symphony

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/1581/Ray+Charles+Live+w/Edmonton

 

SACD of Genius Loves Company

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/1644/Ray+Charles+-+Genius+Loves+Com

 

Ray (HD-DVD)

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4202/Ray+(HD-DVD)

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo