Parsons, Chicago Concerts Get Hi-Def Broadcast

10/22/2004 6:42 PM, Reuters
Christopher Walsh

DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, DVD Plus and the imminent DualDisc are among the cutting-edge music delivery formats. But just as these carriers deliver high-resolution audio, so does another medium making inroads in the audio production and consumer communities: high-definition broadcast.

The July 10 "Return to Sin City: A Tribute to Gram Parsons " concert at the Universal Amphitheater near Hollywood will premiere in high-definition video Nov. 15 on video-on-demand and pay-per-view provider iN Demand.

The concert (a version of which was held July 9 in Santa Barbara, Calif.) featured such artists as Keith Richards , Norah Jones , Steve Earle , Lucinda Williams , Dwight Yoakam, John Doe and Kathleen Edwards , as well as a house band comprising James Burton and Al Perkins, both of whom recorded with Parsons.

Likewise, high-resolution audio and high-definition video from two Chicago/Earth, Wind & Fire performances, held Aug. 10-11 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, will premiere Dec. 3 on iN Demand.

The concerts are likely to see a DVD-Video release in 2005, says engineer Michael Frondelli, who worked on both of them.

"It's a fantastic model -- to be able to get a pay-per-view (broadcast) and then to be able to own it. In these days, anything that has value-added content really is a big attraction for the fan."

During "Return to Sin City," he adds, "there's a duet with Norah Jones and Keith Richards on 'Love Hurts.' To see that is just spectacular. On (audio) disc alone, it wouldn't be as heartwarming as it is. To see them share the same passion for Gram Parsons is something else again."

Reuters/Billboard