Dion

It's amazing to think that, almost 50 years into his career, Dion's Live in Concert is the only video release available on him as of the spring of 2005. True, he's had a lot of phases to his career and some ups and downs in life, but he's such a total natural and so inspired in his work that you've got to wonder how he hasn't gotten out on a high-end video before this. The primary bonus feature, "One On One With Dion," is worth the price of admission by itself, capturing Dion on acoustic guitar, playing and discussing music (especially the blues) and his history (especially recollections of the tragic Winter Dance Party Tour of 1959, on which Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens were killed). He pays tribute to Bo Diddley, and is featured in a Dick Clark clip doing "Ruby Baby" in 1961 -- these bonuses are attractive features of the DVD as well. The main program, running an hour, captures Dion doing solo acoustic blues, leading into the stage performance that opens with "I Wonder Why," done in such a joyous and upbeat manner as to be totally, irresistibly seductive. The live stage performance is intercut with Dion's commentary and solo acoustic illustrations of the music, and it is funny to hear him describe his sound as black blues "filtered through an Italian neighborhood," because there's little of the Italian influence left in his own playing or singing. He's moved in the direction of John Hammond, Jr. or Chris Farlowe, truly a "black white man" stylistically; his modern performance of "Ruby Baby" could make the Drifters' original almost sound anemic. The image -- letterboxed to about 1.85-to-1, with 16x9 enhancements for those with widescreen monitors -- is perfect throughout, as crisp as the sound (which is loud enough, for a change). Each song gets its own chapter marker, the opening menu is easy to use, and the bonus features are very simple to access. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide