The Best of Sessions at West 54th, Vol. 1

Starring:Suzanne Vega, Jane Siberry, Patti Smith, SinÃ©ad O'Connor, Natalie Merchant, Emmylou Harris, Anggun, Shawn Colvin, David Byrne, Wynton Marsalis, Ani Difranco, Daniel Lanois
Director: Jeb Brien, Jim Gable
Studio: Sony
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Fine production; so-so curating.
Great DVD, But Why the Cuts?
Almost like being there...
basic review
Sen-Session-al

The Best of Sessions at West 54th, Vol. 1
Starring: Suzanne Vega , Jane Siberry , Patti Smith , Sinéad O'Connor , and Natalie Merchant
Director: Jeb Brien , and Jim Gable
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Best of Sessions at West 54th, Vol. 2
Sessions at West 54th: Recorded Live in New York
John Prine - Live from Sessions at West 54th
Ani Di Franco - Trust
Neil Finn - Sessions at West 54th

ASIN: 1573300799
Release Date: 1997-12-10

Customer Reviews:

Fine production; so-so curating........2002-04-28

The video direction is good for the most part. As a musician, I found it frustrating to have to sit through a close-up of Richard Thompson's face while the pyrotechnics ensue on the fretboard, below and out of view.

The audio quality is good, but errs on the side of aseptic cleanliness. For some reason, the engineers favor pickups over microphones in recording acoustic guitars, so every acoustic guitar sounds utterly horrible. Since most artists represented on this collection feature acoustic guitar, this is a serious shortcoming.

Highlights include Emmylou Harris, Ricki Lee Jones, Patti Smith, and Richard Thompson. Also of interest is a Yo-Yo Ma performance of a tango, featuring a spectacular performance by an uncredited concertina player. Sinead O'Connor gives an impassioned performance of a repetitive and boring song. The Ben Folds Five are charming and talented, but the songwriting just doesn't quite hold up. But the endless march of acoustic guitar singer/songwriters becomes oppresive. If you are a *huge* fan of any of the above-mentioned artists, then it may be worth your while.

Great DVD, But Why the Cuts?.......2001-11-22

Recorded live (with a studio audience) at Sony's New York digs, the sound of this series (originally aired on PBS) is absolutely exceptional in the fully digital format. But why did they cut so much (and some of the best performances - i.e. David Bryne bouncin' and rippin' it up in a flame suit, Zap Mamma gettin' down acapella, etc) from the broadcast version of this best of? It originally aired in two one-hour parts, here we just get 70 minutes.

Also, why the heck are so few of the individual performances available? It's a crime to keep these from the pubic! (They are currently airing the series on cable's TRIO channel, but on my cable system the sound and video quality bites. I don't know if that's because they are using poor quality masters or because my cable company isn't devoting sufficient bandwidth for the channel.) If anyone knows who should be peppered with letters or email at Sony to get the DVD's flowing, please share the info here.

Almost like being there..........2001-04-01

This DVD alone is worth the investment in a DVD player. Granted, the collection of artists assembled on this disc is eclectic, but all share a level of talent unsurpassed by anyone currently reaping a high level of commercial success. The first season of Sessions at West 54th featured performances by artists ranging from Ani DiFranco to Tricky (both of which I was fortunate to catch), and recent installments continue to showcase unique and innovating music from bands like Cibo Matto to Speech (of Arrested Development). This DVD captures some of the best performances from the first season, and does so with so much audio and visual perfection it's hard to believe you're not actually sitting at the Sony Music Studios on West 54th. In fact, the performances by Shawn Colvin, Ani DiFranco, and Sinead O'Connor almost match what they offer live -- absent are the tall people who usually end up standing in front of you and the lack of intimacy larger music venues tend to present. To be able to experience (over and over again) the raw, emotional energy of performers like DiFranco and O'Connor alone is worth the $25 -- I almost get the same goosebumps. Of course, nothing can ever compare to the actual live performances, but this disc comes as close to it as I'd imagine anything can ever get. Ben Folds Five, Keb' Mo', and Wynton Marsalis provide stand-out performances, as well. I, too, would like to see a continuation of the "volume" series on DVD, and full sets from select artists. Also, the disc could be even better with multi-angle functionality and the original interviews with Chris Douridas. Overall, though, it doesn't get any better than this! It is by far the best DVD I own.

basic review.......2001-01-21

this is the best of my 20 audio dvd collection. the acoustics are emphasized in this sony studio masterpiece. the best performances are truley special. if you are an audio enthusist you will not be disappointed.

Sen-Session-al.......2001-01-16

I think Sessions is probably the best music series on the air. Nothing on the "all-music" cable channels comes close. This compilation is a great way to sample what the show has to offer. It's a great, eclectic mix of artists. I just received the Neil Finn "Sessions" DVD and can recommend that as well. Keb' Mo' and Volume II are on order. I just hope that the next Sessions DVD will be the great Elvis Costello/Burt Bacharach "Painted from Memory" offering. I have this on VHS and have nearly worn it out.

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