Caro Emerald in Concert

Jazz-pop entertainer Caro Emerald (Caroline Esmerelda van de Leeuw) turns on the charm in this 18-song 2013 concert from the BBC Radio Theatre in London. Adding electronic touches, the Dutch vocalist reinvents a classic style for traditionalists and modernists alike. Both Emerald and her band come dressed for the occasion in black and white, which fits the retro vibe—with a black dress and white bolero jacket for Emerald (the fashion lover also sparks up her look with red lipstick and silver-glitter heels). As they segue between upbeat and down tempo selections, Emerald sings smoothly, but lightly—so lightly that the brassy accompaniment sometimes threatens to drown her out, but she always manages to come through. Occasional audience shots reveal attendees swaying to the beat, but director Helen Scott wisely keeps the focus on Emerald, who sings, dances, and converses between songs. Alongside conventional instruments like piano, bass, guitar, and drums, a DJ adds samples of record scratches and vocals from Louis Armstrong (some jazz fans may balk, but it's fairly subtle and unobtrusive). Performing hits including “Stuck,” “Back It Up,” and “A Night Like This,” Emerald introduces “Completely” by noting that, “This might be the most personal song I've ever written.” Presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include an interview with Emerald, who cites John Barry and Shirley Bassey as influences. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)