Jason Aldean – Wide Open Live & More (2009/Eagle Blu-ray)

 

Picture: B-     Sound: B     Extras: C     Concert: C

 

 

Since his debut album in 2005, Jason Aldean has been establishing himself as one of the newest top male County Music vocalists, with three albums and several hit singles that show as ascension to greater success.  He is now upping that ante with one of the first all-Country Blu-ray releases of his 3/6/09 concert.  Wide Open Live & More is named after his latest hit album, Wide Open, and runs a surprisingly short 66 minutes.

 

The 15 tracks are well-performed and Mr. Aldean shows showmanship lacking in so much regressive, substanceless Country we have suffered through since the genre started to go into decline in the 1980s, but the material is not too memorable and this is more “tear in your beer” Country than music in the genre with any challenge, anything to really say or even much humor.  He does treat his audience well to his credit, but unless you are a fan, you will likely get bored as I did.

 

The 1080i 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image is one of the darkest HD shoots we have seen, even including bad Horror releases, but there is good color here.  Unfortunately, fine detail can be an issue along with motion blur and some lack of depth.  It is so different that some will want to see it just to see what it looks like, flaws and all.  The DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 mix is superior to the Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM 2.0 Stereo mixes and mark the highlight of the release with the DTS offering a rich sound you rarely hear in Country Music releases of any kind.  The soundstage is not perfect and recording not always state-of-the-art all the way, but it is solid for what it is.  Extras include a bonus track, interview with Aldean and color booklet inside the case with text and color stills.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo