Video = 4 of 5
Audio = 5 of 5
Having first heard the music of �Live� on their SACD version, I was free to imagine how the stage appearance may have been. For all I knew, Alison Krauss could�ve been prancing all around during her performance of �Oh, Atlanta� given the sultry bit of swing expressed in her voice. And, honestly, that�s kind of what I pictured. So, naturally, I was a wee bit disappointed once I finally got a chance to watch the real show on this DVD-Video release.
Nowhere does Alison or any of the other members of AKUS move around or about. They pretty much stand there next to their mikes the whole time. Perhaps this is due to the fact that they knew this would be recorded for SACD using Direct Stream Digital (DSD) technology, which at the time had limited editing features when the signal was kept pure---as opposed to converted to PCM for editing. So maybe the band wanted to do its best to get things right the first time. Or maybe that is just how AKUS operates, as consummate musicians putting each note before any footsteps. Who knows? Regardless, it does make me realize that sometimes there can be certain charms of an audio-only disc, such as the SACD, that are lost when adding a video. But not all is lost!
Once I got past my initial disappointment, I realized that the video quality was top-notch. Sure, they might�ve just been standing their like telephone poles; but at least the 16:9 anamorphic widescreen picture was clearly visible and the viewer wasn�t forced to suffer from some dizzying MTV-style video-editing where the film cuts to a new shot or angle every half second or so. This way it is much easier to at least pretend that the listner is actually a part of the concert, rather than so obviously some outside viewer in his living room. And, for all the charms to be imagined with an audio disc, I must confess that I do have a soft spot for a good concert video. And this one ain't half bad. Besides, the audio on this one is most excellent! Sonically, the ambient DTS surround mix isn�t quite as good as the SACD version; but it comes close. So for those in need of a video companion for "Live" (or for those who are unable to locate an SACD copy) this DVD-Video version is, indeed, worthy of buying.
