Adele: Live at Royal Albert Hall

RBFC

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
5,158
46
1,225
Albuquerque, NM
www.fightingconcepts.com
For those of you who are fans of Adele, this is a must-have release. I've seen very few concert DVDs, etc. that give you such a personal glimpse of an artist. In between songs, Adele relates the conception of the song and its development in a manner similar to a cockney sailor spinning a tale at the local pub. Her language (many f-bombs, etc.) is quite unexpected from a young lady who channels the likes of Patsy Cline and Carole King in some pieces here.

All the big hits are included.

The video presentation is mediocre, to be honest. Much of the picture seems like up-converted 480p, but the one main camera in center front (on Adele) boasts good HD quality.

The DTS-MA Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack is quite good. Through my system (not really bass-shy), the bottom end is a bit light, but not troubling in that regard since that may be the nature of the sound in Royal Albert Hall with this ensemble. The vocal clarity is on par with the top tiers of concert Blu-rays that I've experienced, and the instruments all sound very good as well. The surround channels provide a good sense of being in the audience.

Highly recommended for fans and for those wanting to experience a concert with an upcoming star. My wife sat transfixed through the entire concert.

Lee
 

amirm

Banned
Apr 2, 2010
15,813
37
0
Seattle, WA
I just finished watching this. Let me cut to the chase: YOU NEED TO HAVE THIS DISC! Did you hear me? You need go and buy this.

I just finished watching it on our casual 2-channel living room system. I found the music sublime. Her voice soars with such clarity and power that gives you goosebumps. Track after track is a delight. She makes the remake of other people's songs better than the original!

On the video front, I actually found it be very good. Yes, the opening shot has some contouring and compression artifacts because the compressionist was sleep at the helm. You can tell this from the very low bit rate allocated to video during that point. But for the rest of the presentation, I found the picture quality to be very good and certainly high-definition. The textures in skins, hair, instruments and ability to see all the audience faces are all hallmarks of high definition video.

I could do away with the cursing but otherwise, her very honest chat in between songs works for me.

BTW, the entire concert is on youtube in 720p high-definition no less! I rushed to buy the disc after the first 2-3 minutes though. It is that good. Amazon for some odd reason has a 6-7 day wait period before shipping so I paid $4 extra to buy it from Fry's. Here is the youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6d9_av3viw


Guys (and Gals), it doesn't get any better than this. The packages also comes with a CD so that you can listen to the songs on your music system. Don't walk. Run to get this disc. It will add far more pleasure to your life than the cost of $20 to $25.
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
51
38
Calgary, AB
Can't get the video...says it's been blocked.
 

treitz3

Super Moderator
Staff member
Dec 25, 2011
5,459
961
1,290
The tube lair in beautiful Rock Hill, SC
Hello, Lee and Amir. I was coincidentally just looking on BluRay.com over the past hour or so and this was one of the BD's I looked at getting. Maybe you gentlemen could answer a question for me, if you wouldn't mind. How would you compare the sound of the BD to the sound of the CD?
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
51
38
Calgary, AB
she's a real star

I don't have the 21 Album. Is it that bad as the other thread here claims

The vinyl version is....much like the releases from Amy Winehouse.. I don't have the CD version of either, but I would suspect they are nothing to be real pleased about it.
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I ask only because her voice is amazing and isn't she 23?

I guess this was filmed before her throat surgery

Only question is "why does she wear the same black dress (or a black dress) every time she's seen? Is it to hide her contour somewhat"
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
51
38
Calgary, AB
what an amazing concert hall

The Royal Albert Hall is a stunning venue. Lots of concerts were filmed there and are now out on Blu-ray. One day I'd love to visit it.
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
51
38
Calgary, AB
I ask only because her voice is amazing and isn't she 23?

I guess this was filmed before her throat surgery

Only question is "why does she wear the same black dress (or a black dress) every time she's seen? Is it to hide her contour somewhat"

Yes, it was filmed before her surgery. Not sure about the black dress though.....
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
51
38
Calgary, AB
I hate to pester you guys, but I do think this song is her best yet......

 

treitz3

Super Moderator
Staff member
Dec 25, 2011
5,459
961
1,290
The tube lair in beautiful Rock Hill, SC
I hate to pester you guys, but I do think this song is her best yet......
That young lady sure does have talent. First time I heard that song and I took an instant liking too it.
 

amirm

Banned
Apr 2, 2010
15,813
37
0
Seattle, WA
Hello, Lee and Amir. I was coincidentally just looking on BluRay.com over the past hour or so and this was one of the BD's I looked at getting. Maybe you gentlemen could answer a question for me, if you wouldn't mind. How would you compare the sound of the BD to the sound of the CD?
It is a bit hard to compare. There are two soundtracks on the BD, both at 48 Khz. DTS lossless 5.1 and Dolby Digital lossy at just 220 kbps :(. The Dolby track while good clearly has compression artifacts. So I selected the DTS 5.1 letting the AVR downmix it to stereo.

The tracks sound very different. The CD sounds harsh and crunchy. There is fair amount of lisping too and the bass tubby. The DTS track is much preferable. The ambiance is better, it doesn't sound compressed. The vocals are lower level but that is due to my downmix to stereo. The bass still sounds a bit tubby but better than the CD.
 

amirm

Banned
Apr 2, 2010
15,813
37
0
Seattle, WA
The Royal Albert Hall is a stunning venue. Lots of concerts were filmed there and are now out on Blu-ray. One day I'd love to visit it.
It is a gorgeous place indeed. I have only walked outside of it and it looks nice from even that vantage point!
 

treitz3

Super Moderator
Staff member
Dec 25, 2011
5,459
961
1,290
The tube lair in beautiful Rock Hill, SC
Thanks gentlemen, for answering my question. Sounds like I may not be wasting my money with the BD. Think I'll give it a whirl. I do love a good concert in my living room. This young lady's CD has only been in the rig twice. Once to discover a really bad recording and once more to provide my observations. It would be nice to get such talent to sound decent in my rig, rather than in the truck.
 

amirm

Banned
Apr 2, 2010
15,813
37
0
Seattle, WA
Keep us posted on how you find the quality. I have yet to hear it on our big system at work. I was travelling and just got home. Wanted to go to the showroom and we have snow!!!
 

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