Daniel O'Donnell: Branson Encore

In this PBS-aired concert taped before a live audience in Branson, Missouri in November 2004, Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell, glides through 20-some (counting medleys) country tunes and pop classics, occasionally turning the stage over to the very talented Mary Duff, who is also from the old country. Charming and low-key—think of an Irish Perry Como—O'Donnell is accompanied by a full orchestra and traditional country instruments. The singer breezes through "I Love You Because" (perhaps best known as an early Elvis Presley recording), before turning the stage into a Grand Old Opry surrogate with "Only This Moment Is Mine," followed by Duff, who evokes Patsy Cline's original sound and phrasing on the great "Crazy," then waltzes with O'Donnell during a duet of "I Just Want to Dance With You." Although O'Donnell seems like an improbable candidate to tackle Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill," he carries it off here, while "Adios Amigo" has a sweetened, Tex-Mex sound, and O'Donnell and Duff partner up again for a nice cover of Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton's "Making Plans." DVD extras include an interesting interview with O'Donnell, in which he talks about slowly building his audience in the U.S. Recommended. Aud: P. (T. Keogh)