Customer Reviews

Deep Purple: Live at Montreux 2006 [HD DVD]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't watch a lot of concert videos, but as a fan of classic rock, I figured Deep Purple was a safe bet. This concert took place in Montreux in 2006, so Deep Purple wasn't in their prime, but this is still a solid show. The band sounds excellent, but the lead vocals don't always keep up the pace. This is never too much of a concern however and as the show moves on, Ian Gillan is able to get into the groove with his vocals. The technical aspects of the concert are top notch, with a lot of cameras used and that provides numerous perspectives, giving it a kinetic texture. The lighting is great and the camerawork is terrific, a professionally photographed and enjoyable to watch concert from start to finish. Below is a list of the songs performed.

1. Pictures of Home

2. Things I Never Said

3. Strange Kind of Woman

4. Rapture of the Deep

5. Wrong Man

6. The Well-Dressed Guitar

7. Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye

8. When a Blind Man Cries

9. Lazy

10. Keyboard Solo

11. Space Truckin'

12. Highway Star

13. Smoke on the Water

14. Hush

15. Too Much Fun

16. Black Night

VIDEO:
The concert is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is a recent concert and as such, it looks quite good. The image captures all the bright lights that flash across the stage, which means at times detail is lost, but even during strobes, the visuals hold up well. The colors weren't as vivid as I expected, but hues still come off as bright. No trouble with contrast, black levels are spot on and don't waver in the least. This is as close as you can get to being in the front row unless you were there, so I think fans will be most pleased.

AUDIO:
I went with the DTS HD 5.1 option here and without question, this soundtrack rocks. The sound design here is impressive, I couldn't believe how well crafted the audio was at times. While the video was close to the live experience, I have to think this sounds even better than being at the show in person. The surround use is beyond great, thanks to directional presence and just superb movement. The instruments really shine in this mix, but the vocals also sound terrific. This disc also includes a Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 option, as well as an LPCM stereo soundtrack.

EXTRAS:
This disc includes interviews with the band, as well as the London Hard Rock Cafe performance in 2006. This concert runs about an hour and should please fans. The interviews cover a wide range of topics, from the story behind Smoke on the Water to their fans and beyond.

I can't get over how much I enjoyed this disc. The video is great and it sounds incredible. This HD-DVD is worth it if only for Well Dressed Guitar. One of the most amazing guitar solos I have ever heard. There isn't a bad song on this disc.

This is well worth $17. It is perfect for showing off a HD / audio setup.

They sound amazing. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the performance. Video quality is super as well. All in all - one of the best concert videos I've seen

Life at Montreux HD titles just outstanding.
Who could resist to experience Deep Purple concert in High Definition quality Audio and Video? Great Production. Also if you really would like to explore the possibilities of sound in HD try this Disc:
Uncommon Bach - Music Experience in 3-Dimensional Sound Reality TM [HD DVD DTSHD Surround Music Disc]
This is defiantly something I never heard before.

Loved DP when a kid and really looked forward to seeing and hearing on HD-DDVD. The sound and video are very good EXCEPT when the shrill and strained sound of the singer is present. too bad as he single handily almost ruins many songs. the only redeeming aspect is the rest of the banc which sounds great. so if you can suffer the lead singer, worth getting but with reservations.

Firstly let me say I was a purple devotee right from the early days in 1969 from the first band line up and then onto the best line up of blackmore, lord, glover, paice and gillan.
Stephen morse and Don Airey (replacing blackmore and lord respectively) are excellent musicians and produce some great spontaneous musical pieces, however both are not in the class of blackmore or lord.
The camera work in this DVD is brilliant and the music track is well mixed and recorded and the band is as instrumentally as tight as it ever was.
However the vocals of long time front man Ian Gillan are atrocious. He can barely keep the tune these days and it is sad to see this once great heavy rock band battling on with a vocalist that should have walked around the time blackmore went.
I would liken the quality of Gillan vocals now to that of a karaoke display at your local club or restaurant and probably similar to that of the 'fried' ozzy osbourne trying to recapture the best of his 'sabbath' days.
Apart from the vocals the DVD is worth a look at what was once one of the best heavy outfits in their time.

I tried to play this DVD this weekend and it would not play... please send me a refund for this - and let me know where to return it.

great band but its time to call in the dogs.gilliam's voice quality is shot but the band itself still shines to a degree.i was a little disappointed in moorse leads,and i,m still wondering why he still goes in to doing other legends music in his leads.