Terry Paullin’s Column
Dear Gary:
I enjoyed reading Terry Paullin’s article “Better Than Movies...”. I agree completely. I like quite a few of the concerts he recommended. My vote for “concert of the year” goes to Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles (Sony BMG Entertainment).
I knew nothing about the guy when I got it from NetFlix, but WOW what a concert! He does three sets: acoustic, rock/blues trio, and full band with saxes, trumpets, etc. All three are superb, ranging from nice quiet sets showing off his acoustic guitar talents, through B.B. King covers to Hendrix and beyond. All the band members are superb and in total sync. It’ll give your subwoofer an intense workout!
Chris Botti Live is a nice mellow jazz trumpet concert with several guest vocalists. I’ve played it over and over.
The Orchestra Mozart does Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos well (on Medici Arts label), although the camera work could be better. Why zoom in on an instrument so tightly that you chop its player’s head off?
It is so much more fun watching a performance than just listening to it!
Expecting huge new audible advances, I’ve switched from low-res Dolby Digital to Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio and notice little difference through Revel loudspeakers that would be capable of playing it (HDMI all the way, with Onkyo showing proper decoding). Perhaps the stunning visual images distract from the seemingly minor differences in sound. Of course, my ears aren’t what they used to be either.
Bob Muenchen
editorgary@widescreenreview.com
Editor-In-Chief and Publisher Gary Reber Comments:
We will have a review of the fabulous John Mayer concert video in Issue 139. Two other great music videos Dolby TrueHD and/or DTS-HD Master Audio reviewed in this issue are Live From Abby Road: Best Of Season One and Ray Charles Live At Montreaux 1997.
I am puzzled by your comment that you find little difference between lossless Dolby True HD or DTS-HD Master Audio and lossy compressed Dolby Digital. We find a significant difference in resolution, articulation, and nuance listening through our various reference systems using Dunlavy Signature, Thiel, and Genesis loudspeakers.
You can E-mail Widescreen Review @ editorgary@widescreenreview.com