Search - Norah Jones and The Handsome Band - Live in 2004 on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 9/25/2018...

Only one song that I recognized but it was cool to see Dolly Parton on this.

Absolutely beautiful DVD

Jefferson T. Packer | Taos, NM | 01/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a connoisseur of music on DVD, I am puzzled by some of the previous reviewers' remarks. I've watched it twice now, and in my opinion this is one of the finest music DVD's to be released in years.



It goes without saying that there is more musical talent in a Q-tip full of Nora Jones' earwax than in any three of the current crop of silly, belly-baring "stars" that have been manufactured for our consumption, and this DVD highlights her talent perfectly.



The fantastic group of musicians that she so graciously introduces to us, (both in her band and appearing as special guests,) only add to the experience. This is stage playing at its very best, and everyone involved seems to be inspired to deliver their all, simply because they are playing with Nora.



Finally, the arrangements, lighting, cinematography, editing and direction are all at or near top-notch. I simply can't think of any complaints; even blurring is used artistically during some of the shot changes, and along with wide-angles and closeups, we get a cornucopia of "musicians" shots of fingers and hands at work on strings and keys.



If you like Nora Jones even a little bit, buy this DVD and after watching it, you'll like her a lot more.



And finally, to those reviewers who seem to feel compelled to comment on her appearance: In my book, she sounds and plays so well that it wouldn't make any difference if she looked like W.C. Fields. That she is beautiful is just a minor and almost irrelevant fringe benefit to being able to watch her genius in action."

A most pleasant performance

C. Keogh | Delta, BC | 11/23/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's amazing what a couple years of touring and stage savvy can do. While I never purchased "Norah Jones: Live in New Orleans," the lengthy preview I had of it prompted me to give it a pass. Not that I dislike Jones or her talented backing ensemble. I really felt that she looked scared to death in New Orleans. The close-up camera shots emphasized every nervous grimace and accentuated the beads of sweat on her face. It gave me a most unpleasant feeling watching her like that. It was like she was horrified that we might see her make a rookie mistake or something. "Norah Jones and the Handsome Band: Live in 2004" thankfully has none of the close-ups, none of the nervous looking grimaces and all of the polish an experienced touring band is able to provide. That and Norah, for this disc anyways, seems to be really comfortable on stage in front of the camera.Fans of her CDs will not find the band straying far from their recorded arrangements. The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is clean and captures the band's instruments nicely. I had a minor niggle with the mix being predominantly from the front channels only. The rear channels just provide crowd sounds for the greater degree. In all, every song is well performed. There isn't a weak moment on the whole disc. It is an intimate, relaxed DVD that would be great to entertain with. In addition to Jones herself, standouts for me were Kevin Breit's rootsy rhythm guitar playing, percussionist Andrew Borger's expressive work on his kit and a demure Daru Oda providing some sublime backing vocals.I was very pleased playing this disc and much relieved that I didn't get a repeat of the New Orleans one."

Gracious Performer

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 03/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Norah Jones' 2004 DVD is an excellent concert set, technically well recorded & edited, as well as an artistic success. Never having seen Norah live, I was most impressed by her gracious and giving nature onstage. She gives credit to her accompanying musicians and uses many songs that they have written. Particularly impressive is the drummer Andrew Borger whose broad smile and enthusiasm for Norah and her music brighten the stage. Borger had worked with Chuck Prophet and Tom Waits, which may explain why Norah does a Waits' song co-written with Kathleen Brennan called "The Long Way Home." He also composed "Above Ground" from the "Feels Like Home" CD that appears in this set. Robbie McIntosh was a favorite of mine from his 3 Compass CDs including one of my favorite tunes "Emotional Bends," which was a title track of one release. McIntosh has toured with Paul McCartney & the Pretenders; so his addition to Norah's band is exquisite. "Moon Song" that was not included on the "Feels Like Home" CD is a beautiful tune; so it is a joy to hear here. I thought that I & 70 people from New York City (including Art Garfunkel) were probably the only Richard Julian fans on the planet. One of his tunes, "Siberia," went to #1 on my personal top ten last year. His joining Norah on a John Prine song "That's the Way the World Goes Round" is an utter treat here about a guy who beats his wife with a rubber hose & then takes her out to buy new clothes. With Prine's wry sense of humor & Norah's delightful mischievous side that shines through, this is a great track. Kevin Breit who wears a funky fedora onstage has left the band and released his own CD that depending on the listing sometimes appears as "John & the Sisters" or "Kevin Breit & the Sisters," wrote "Humble Me" that Norah performs beautifully. Norah is wonderfully gracious to the sparkling Dolly Parton who guests on Borger's "Creepin' In." At 60, Dolly's got incredible energy & style and seems to have a genuine chemistry with Norah, despite a great difference in their stage manner. Norah is equally as giving to guests Gillian Welsh & David Rawlings who guest on Townes Van Zandt's "Loretta." Whether on the "Oh Brother" DVD that was also filmed at Nashville's Ryman or on this set, I always get a kick out of David Rawlings' stage enthusiasm. Daru Oda is a delight singing backup. I also greatly enjoyed Norah's version of The Band's "Life Is A Carnival." This is an excellent concert DVD! Enjoy!"