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| The Jazz Channel Presents Keiko Matsui (BET on Jazz) | 
 enlarge | Actor: Keiko Matsui
Studio: Image Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.99
Buy New: $6.90
You Save: $3.09 (31%)
Buy New/Used from $4.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  (14 reviews)
Sales Rank: 40113
Format: Color, Dolby, Dts Surround Sound, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Catalan (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), Japanese (Dubbed), Korean (Dubbed), Mandarin Chinese (Dubbed)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 83 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.7 x 0.7
MPN: 9802
ISBN: 6306244875
UPC: 014381980226
EAN: 9786305211976
ASIN: 6305211973
Release Date: February 20, 2001
Theatrical Release Date: 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Keiko Matsui may have won a few Smooth Jazz Awards, but the Japanese- born, classically influenced keyboardist's music is not jazz--at least not if your definition of jazz includes swinging, the blues, and improvisation, all of which are in relatively short supply in this nearly 90-minute performance (plus DVD bonus features, including an interview with the artist). Not that it matters, really. Whatever you call the style--"contemporary instrumental" seems as good a term as any--Matsui is one of its more appealing, and certainly most popular, exponents. A capable if not virtuosic player, she and her four-piece band (including a Japanese guitarist who seems to have listened to a lot more Jimi Hendrix than Jim Hall) offer up a generous set of 14 songs, all of them Matsui compositions. As titles like "Beyond the Light," "Night Waltz" and "Bridge over the Stars" would indicate, the sound is melodic, accessible, and, well, smooth; this is the kind of music that smooth-jazz radio was created for. And while that makes for few challenging moments, Matsui does provide enough variety--say, the minor-key, rhythmic drive of "Doll," or the shifting dynamics of "Foot Steps" (the two "jazziest" numbers here)--to keep things interesting. Best of all, she brings out Kazu Matsui, her husband and record producer, to play the shakuhachi (the Japanese wooden flute) on the final three numbers. Kazu's distinctively breathy sound and casual, humorous mien provide a welcome change of pace in a show that is otherwise a bit too safe for its own good. --Sam Graham
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 Keiko Matsui in a small venue August 28, 2008
This provides an excellent opportunity to witness the amazing talents of this gifted lady; however, some of her arranging talents are lost in the smaller setting / group.
Still, an excellent performance.The Jazz Channel Presents Keiko Matsui (BET on Jazz)
 Kieko is excellant April 9, 2008
Excellant performance and good sound quality.Highly recommend purchasing this dvd if your a fan of Keieko's.
The Jazz Channel Presents Keiko Matsui July 19, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Keiko Matsui is one of my favorites Jazz/New Age musicians. Saw her live in Boston Summer Concerts a few years ago. Have most of her CDs. This is my first DVD of hers. Don't expect too much of stage performance but music!
Excellent jazz show by a talented, gracious performer June 11, 2004
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Keiko Matsui brings to the stage of BET Jazz a solid performance of some of her more well-known songs (as of 2000), complemented by a good supporting band and the virtuoso bamboo flute playing of her husband, Kazu. Typical of most of Keiko's music, many of the numbers introduce a musical motif, move on to an improvisational middle section, then end with a more glorious layering of instrumentation. Any follower of smooth jazz will recognize her formula, and it plays well for this show.I would describe most of the numbers as uplifting; however, some diversity is added with the heartfelt "Forever, Forever," written for Keiko's daughter, the ethereal compositions featuring Kazu's flute ("shakuhachi" in Japanese), and the jazzed up tempo to some of the hits. "Bridge Over the Stars" was noteworthy with it's altered (from the original studio version) tempo and much cooler ending. "White Gate" was really up-tempo with bass and drums alternating flourishes. Keiko works well with the other band members and trades off some hip riffs with sax-man Greg Reilly on a song or two. Personally, I'm not convinced that the shakuhachi works all that well as a jazz instrument, but I can't criticize the inventiveness in employing a traditional Japanese flute along with contemporary jazz instrumentation. Jazz aside, the last song is a BLUES number, trading off between featured soloists, including Kazu ("Wanna check it out?") with his breathy flute intro. Overall, the camera work, editing and the sound quality are all very good. No major negatives with this disc, although the run time of 84 minutes left me wanting a bit more, and the DVD extras aren't that captivating (11-minute interview with Keiko and a 30-second TV spot). Still, this is a performance that any jazz fan can enjoy.
Almost Great March 3, 2004
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Well, like other BET productions, this one has very nice video and DTS audio. Video still suffers from occasional shots of a completely dark crowd. Audio gripes include lame sounding saxaphone (D. Matthews Band - Live from Central Park is reference standard)My main disappointment is that Keiko doesn't play the REAL PIANO on more tracks. I think about 5 tracks have real piano. It is very well recorded and beautiful sounding. Unfortunately all the other tracks feature electronic synth piano which pales in comparison. Highlight is the gentleman playing the oriental flute. Wonderfully recorded. Fabulous control over the instrument. Overall 4/5 due to the sax recording quality and the lack of more tracks with the majestic sounding real piano.
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