Search - Quincy Jones: The 75th Birthday Celebration - Live at Montreux on DVD

Great Concert, Poor Recording

Veganeyes | Denver | 09/08/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Wow, there's no doubt that someone pulled out all the stops to produce this concert. The lineup of stars, from Petula Clark to Herbie Hancock is incredible. They are backed up by a first-rate rhythm section of seasoned American musicians and a big band comprised of young Swiss(?) players that does a very credible job. The music is wonderful too, with updated but familiar arrangements of Quincy Jones classics.



Unfortunately, the problem with this disc is in the recording. You'd think with this much money invested, and probably $100k of expensive microphones visible onstage, that they could have gotten it right. But they didn't... I listened to the DTS-HD Master soundtrack and was very disappointed, especially with the lead vocals. Maybe it was use of the wireless mics or the venue, but the lead vocals consistently sounded like they were coming from the next room. (muffled tone, more and/or different reverb than the rest of the band, not loud enough) It was bad enough that it very much detracted from my enjoyment of the concert. Too bad."

A Wonderful 3-hour tribute to a true music legend!

Steven I. Ramm | Phila, PA USA | 08/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Quincy Jones has had one heck of a career! Older jazz fans know him from his years as trumpeter and arranger for Dizzy Gillespie, sixties rock and roll fans know him from all the hits he produced with Lesley Gore and - of course - everyone knows him from his work on the mega-platinum albums of Michael Jackson. He even worked with early hip-hop artists with his "Back On The Block" CD - still one of my favorites.



Jones is highly respected in every pop and jazz genre and has fostered young musicians with his involvement in school music programs and with scholarships.



This beautifully crafted - once-in-a-lifetime concert - was organized by Montreux Jazz Festival founder Claude Nobs - in July 2008 and features, not only well know artists who Jones has worked with over his career - a literal "who's who" including, Al Jarreau, Toots Theilmans, James Moody, Nana Mouskouri, Petula Clark, Chaka Kahn and the incredible Patti Austin - who in my opinion steals the show! It concert must have lated longer, but its edited here down to THREE HOURS! The combinations of performers is unique: Herbie Hancock, with Patti Austin vocalizing on the theme from the film "The Good , The Bad and the Ugly" start it off and later Miss Austin joins Miss Kahn for "Miss Celie's Blues" from the film "The Color Purple". (Oh did I mention that Jones composed lots of film scores, including this one? Michael Jackson was not in attendance at the party so All Jarreau and the a capella group Naturally 7, handle his hits. The camera work is excellent - as it usually is on the Montreux Jazz DVDs from Eagle Vision and there's a nice 48-page booklet of photos and tributes included. (They could have used some of those pages to discuss Q's career, but that's just a minor quibble.



The guy is still producing and making great music at age 76. Imagine what they'll come up for his 80th Birthday party!



Steve Ramm

"Anything Phonographic"

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WOW !!

Larry Ross | 08/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Got this Blu Ray from Amazon today and put it on tonight. The video and DTS Master Audio 5.1 are unreal. It's like your at one of the best jazz concerts ever. I was expecting a good concert but this is blowing me away. If you are a jazz or Quincy Jones fan....get it."

Wanted to Love it...Just misses mark

R.Henry | Bronx, NY USA | 10/17/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The premise and execution are first rate,I really wanted to give this concert five stars but ......After all it's a concert and the sound mix was definately lacking,poor sound staging,some instruments seeming lost entirely ( DTS HD Master included). For all of the extrodinary talent and musicianship assembled for this once in a lifetime event it left me wanting. The video was shot extremely well and I will watch it,probably just with the LPCM stereo mix"