Recorded in 2000 at the Montreal Jazz Festival, this lengthy performance by singer Dianne Reeves and her four-man band is a genuine tour de force. Reeves is a fine vocalist, if not one of the true greats; she lacks the virtuosity of a Sarah Vaughan or an Ella Fitzgerald (then again, who doesn't?), favoring the more direct and unsweetened approach of say, Carmen McRae. It's her repertoire and arrangements that really set her apart, however. Her own tunes, especially the lilting “Nine,” are good, while the several standards featured in this 13-song set--Gershwin's “Summertime” (sounding the way Weather Report might have done it), Ellington's “Mood Indigo” (a cool duet with Reginald Veal's walking bass), Mongo Santamaria's “Afro Blue,” Cole Porter's “Love for Sale”--are all imaginatively treated. Most of all, Reeves' choice of newer material is inspired. Cat Stevens (“Morning Has Broken,” with an African vibe) and Peter Gabriel (an extended “In Your Eyes,” with brilliant keyboard work by Otmaro Ruiz) are not your usual jazz composers, but Reeves pulls their tunes off almost as well as she handles Joni Mitchell's lovely “River.” Reeves is a jazz artist, but neither she nor her musicians are afraid to use electric instruments, contemporary beats, tight vocal harmonies, and other pop trappings. Presented in DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1, this is highly recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)
Dianne Reeves: Live in Montreal
(2000) 111 min. DVD: $19.99. Image Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 20, Issue 3
Dianne Reeves: Live in Montreal
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