Diana Krall Live In Rio

Diana Krall Live In Rio features the multi-Grammy award-winner's outstanding jazz group, consisting of John Clayton on acoustic bass, Jeff Hamilton on drums, Anthony Wilson on electric guitar, and Paulinho Da Costa on percussion, accompanied by the Rio De Janeiro Orchestra conducted by Ruria Duprat, who also served as Artistic Director. The concert was recorded in November 2008 at Viva Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The concert features both jazz and Bossa Nova compositions arranged by Claus Ogerman—"I Love Being Here With You," "Let's Fall In Love," "Where Or When," "Too Marvelous For Words," "I've Grown Accustomed To His Face," "Walk On By," "Frim Fram Sauce," "Cheek To Cheek," "You're My Thrill," "Let's Face The Music And Dance," "Every Time We Say Goodbye," "So Nice," "Quiet Nights," "Este Seu Olhar," "The Boy From Ipanema," "I Don't Know Enough About You," "S'Wonderful," and "Exactly Like You." (Gary Reber)

Special features include conversations with Diana Krall, Anthony Wilson, John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, and Tommy LiPuma; Rooftop Session featuring Krall with legendary Brazilian artist Carlos Lyra—"The Boy From Ipanema," "Too Marvelous For Words," "Cheek To Cheek," and "Quiet Nights"; and a promotional film entitled The Boy From Ipanema.

The 1080i AVC picture is wonderful throughout, with visuals of a "live" concert stage performance interspersed with urban and beach footage of Rio De Janeiro, and one black-and-white performance sequence. The imagery is nicely dimensional, with effective lighting highlights against an otherwise black stage setting. Blacks are deep and solid. Occasionally, slight noise is evident in dark audience and stage background shots but is never distracting. The video puts you on the stage and up-close, which will thrill fans. Such a close-up affair is just not a reality in most concert settings. This picture is positively gorgeous, with the musicians highlighted under spots against the otherwise blackness of the staging. Captivating! (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is the one to select. While the linear PCM stereo soundtrack sounds good, it just cannot compete with the spatial dimensionality delivered by the lossless track. The music was recorded by renown engineer Al Schmitt and produced by Tommy LiPuma. Diana's group has been together for years now, and their musicianship is flawless. John Clayton (along with brother Jeff) and Jeff Hamilton lead the incredible Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and Anthony Wilson is a leader of his own group, following his heritage as the son of famous jazz composer and orchestra leader Gerald Wilson. Their artistry is perfectly captured here on this surround music recording. The soundstage is preserved, as one would experience in a live concert, while the surrounds capture instrumental bleed from the PA system and the natural reverberation of the venue, as well as audience reaction, including sing-a-longs, which really envelop the soundfield. The recording creates an impressive "live" natural dimension of being there. The music is wonderful, and the recording will not disappoint! (Gary Reber)