Pearl Jam: Immagine in Cornice

Immagine in Cornice (which translates as "Picture in a Frame"), Pearl Jam's fifth official DVD release, features choice material from all five of the Italian concerts from the band's 2006 European tour. Director Danny Clinch (whose previous credits include Bruce Springsteen's Devils & Dust DVD) also happens to be a longtime friend of Pearl Jam, and the result here is a smoothly-edited combination of outstanding live performance and casual behind-the-scenes footage, shot in a variety of formats (from Super-8 film to high-def video) at some of Italy's most scenic venues. Highlights from the 13 selections include the recent hit "World Wide Suicide" (shown in perfectly edited clips from all five Italian concerts), “Even Flow" from the Palaisozaki in Torino, "Alive" at the Forum in Milan, and a rousing rendition of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" at the Duomo Square in Pistoia (where we also see keyboardist "Boom" Gaspar playing a vintage pipe organ in a local church). Presented in sterling Dolby Digital stereo, Immagine in Cornice finds frontman Eddie Vedder receiving the lion's share of attention (he also performs with My Morning Jacket on one of the three bonus songs included), but viewers are also afforded privileged moments with the rest of the band members as well. Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Shannon)