From: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org (avalon-digest) To: avalon-digest@smoe.org Subject: avalon-digest V12 #513 Reply-To: avalon@smoe.org Sender: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk avalon-digest Sunday, December 14 2008 Volume 12 : Number 513 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [AVALON] Bete Noire Tour DVD [Jeff Turner ] To leave the list, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon-digest ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:36:50 -0600 From: Jeff Turner Subject: [AVALON] Bete Noire Tour DVD I finally had a chance to sit down and watch the "new" Ferry DVD this evening and I thought I'd share my thoughts on it. First, I must say it's wonderful to be able own this title on a format better than VHS after all this years. It's also wonderful that I finally have a copy that has a clean soundtrack that's missing that burring sound that plagued the American VHS release. That said, there are some issues that are less than pleasing. In spite of initial reports, the soundtrack is NOT Dolby Digital 5.1 channel sound, for starters. On the Bete Noire concert, you have a choice of two soundtracks, a 2-channel Dolby soundtrack and a 2-channel soundtrack that may or may not be Dolby (I can't remember if the indicator was on). The one that is Dolby sounded louder and cleaner than the other soundtrack, but it is, regrettably, only two channels. For the bonus 2002 concert, there is no menu option for audio setup, so I assumed that the audio options set in the Bete Noire menu are supposed to carry through. One you're in the concert, if you press the audio button on your DVD remote, the on-screen indicator suggests that there is more than one soundtrack, but when you try to go to it, you find that function is disabled. I don't know what the story is on that. Long story short, the 2002 concert, though much newer than the Bete Noire tour, is only 2-channel also. Moreover, the 2002 performance was plagued by what seemed to be a 60-Hz hum. You can't notice it during the songs, but it's apparent during the interludes. Not surprisingly, there's a marked difference in video quality between the two concerts. The Bete Noire concert looks exactly like the old VHS, soft and grainy (in fact, it still bears the old "New Town" title sequence). Bear in mind that I have only a 20-year old, 25-inch CRT TV that has definitely seen better days, so Lord knows what this concert would look like on a 60-inch plasma. The 2002 concert is crisp and bright, just as one might expect. Oddly, that look does not necessarily serve it well. Since it is so crisp and bright, all the sweat and wrinkles and bags under eyes are on full display for all to see. A presentation more similar to the Bete Noire show would have been much more flattering for Mr. Ferry and his entourage, most of whom were approximately of Ferry's age. Another difference between the two shows lies in the direction. The Bete Noire video was directed by Ferry himself with a co-director. I have no idea who directed the 2002 shoot, as I noted no end credits. I'm guessing it was whoever filmed the entire festival. In any case, the Bete Noire concert, for all its soft graininess, is far and away the superior cinematic experience. The drama and intrigue that suffuses this show is utterly lacking from the 2002 concert. The 2002 concert has the feel of Ferry and Co. trying to cram as much material as possible as quickly as possible into the timeslot they were allotted during the Virgin Music festival. Bete Noire, by contrast, is an EVENT in and of itself, and that event is all Ferry's. So, that's how the concerts look and sound, but how is the MUSIC? Most of you have probably already heard the Bete Noire concert and know that it's a respectable, occasionally rocking performance of these songs. The 2002 concert, while competent, is rather perfunctory, leggy go-go girls and leggy Vegas dancers notwithstanding. The audience is polite, though not inspired, for the bulk of the show. They perked up toward the end, as the band itself seemed to. Final analysis.... If you're like me, you've been waiting for this DVD for what seems like a lifetime (and in fact, I was hoping for a Blu-ray Disc at this point, but I suppose that's a bit unrealistic). In that context, I am very happy to have it. Is it the hottest concert video ever? Not by a long shot. However, if you're a Ferry fan (and who here isn't?), then you're probably going to consider it essential. I know I do! Regards, Jeff _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhere _122008 ___________________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ End of avalon-digest V12 #513 ***************************** ======================================================================== For further info, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: info avalon-digest