Filmed live in July 2012 at the Montreux Jazz Festival, former child actress turned ‘90s pop-rock star Alanis Morissette performs a somewhat underwhelming 20-song set while monotonously pacing back and forth across the stage or playing (limited) rhythm guitar and harmonica. Backed by Julian Coryell and Jason Orme on guitars, Cedric LeMoyne on bass, Michael Farrell on keyboards, and Victor Indrizzo on drums, Team Morissette are seen here on their Guardian Angel tour in support of the singer's 2012 album Havoc and Bright Lights. For unapparent reasons, Morissette sings “I Remain” from the Prince of Persia soundtrack three separate times, while only serving up four songs from the new CD, including the strong rocker “Woman Down” and solid pop tune “Guardian.” Not surprisingly, the lioness's share of the concert is devoted to Morissette's 1995 breakout, Jagged Little Pill—a total of seven songs—including the hits “You Oughta Know,” “Hand in My Pocket,” and “Ironic” (the bane of English majors everywhere for its constant misuse of the titular term). Anyone doing the math up to this point will realize that only six songs are left: one is the watered-down-Led-Zep-ish “Uninvited” from the City of Angels soundtrack, which leaves a mere five songs from Morissette's four studio albums that came between Jagged Little Pill and the new release. And that says a lot about Morissette's musical impact, post-Pill. Presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, this will likely appeal to diehard Morissette fans, but is otherwise optional. (R. Pitman)
Alanis Morissette: Live at Montreux 2012
(2012) 98 min. DVD: $14.98, Blu-ray: $19.98. Eagle Rock Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Volume 28, Issue 4
Alanis Morissette: Live at Montreux 2012
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