TV is all about the reruns. The blockbuster movies of 2008 won’t be a theatre near you anytime soon. There aren’t even any big new CDs in stores. But there are tons of music DVDs, including these recent releases.

Celine Dion Live in Las Vegas - A New Day

Some shows must be seen to be believed. This DVD of Celine Dion’s Vegas extravaganza is truly one of them. Between the cavernous stage, the surreal Cirque du Soleil production, the dancers, the costume changes — and Dion herself, belting power ballads like a Valkyrie and striking her geeky poses — this is Sin City shmaltz at its gaudy, tacky finest. She should have stayed in Vegas.

Mariah Carey The Adventures of Mimi

Apparently, the stage isn’t just Mariah Carey’s home — it’s her bedroom, too. Why else would the diva spend much of this concert swanning about in spangly undies? And that’s the best part. The rest is a garden-variety gig — the giant M-shaped set with staircase, the dance troupe, the satellite stage, the video screens. Wardrobe aside, Mimi isn’t as adventurous as she thinks.

Nelly Furtado Loose: The Concert

Nelly Furtado may be the biggest-selling female artist in the world for 2007, but watching this DVD, it’s almost hard to see why. This recording of her last Toronto concert is a tepid affair. Furtado has a fine voice, but she doesn’t come off as much of a performer, casually strolling or dancing and letting the dancers and production do the heavy lifting. This is a little too Loose for its own good.

R. Kelly Trapped in the Closet: The Big Package

If you’ve seen one chapter of R. Kelly’s soapy hip-hopera, you know it’s crazy stuff. And you know that you have to see the rest of it. Kelly is happy to oblige. This DVD has all 22 chapters of the loopy serial about gangsters, gay preachers, pimps and midgets, along with commentaries, a quiz and live lip-synch versions. It will hold you until Chapter 23 comes out.

Eminem Live from New York City

These days, we’ll take any new Eminem we can get. Not that the show on this live disc is particularly new — it was recorded on 2005’s Anger Management tour. But on the plus side, it’s an expertly shot affair with cuts from his politically minded Encore album, comedic backstage footage and strong support from D12, Obie Trice and an Em puppet. Now, how about a new CD, Slim?

Shakin’ All Over: Canadian Pop Music in the ’60s Various Artists

This CBC rock documentary aired a couple of years ago. For those who missed it, here’s a chance to get up to speed. The superb 90-minute show chronicles the evolution of Canadian pop, from Ian and Sylvia to Neil Young, with tons of archival footage and interviews. Extras include longer chats with some CanCon icons; too bad it doesn’t include unedited clips of the vintage performances.

Finger Eleven Us vs. Then vs. Now

The dance-rock hit Paralyzer put CanRockers Finger Eleven back on the charts. And they’re striking again while the iron is hot. This two-disc package collects a pair of recent mini-concerts, along with 20 videos, TV appearances and performances dating back to their Rainbow Butt Monkeys days. A CD of unreleased cuts — including a Paralyzer demo — rounds out the exhaustive set.

The Wreckers Way Back Home: Live from New York City

Pop singer Michelle Branch went country with her former backup singer Jessica Harp in 2006, putting out a CD called Stand Still, Look Pretty. While it seems a good move for both of them, the intimate but unexceptional Big Apple club performance on this DVD finds them mostly living up — or down — to that title as they dish out generic Dixie Chickish fare.

Rufus Wainwright Rufus! Rufus! Rufus! does Judy! Judy! Judy!

Only Rufus Wainwright would be gutsy (or crazy) enough to recreate Judy Garland’s legendary 1961 Carnegie Hall show in all its orchestral grandeur. Luckily, perhaps only Wainwright is flamboyant enough to pull it off so spectacularly. From the reverent recreations of Garland’s standards to the playful banter and guest spots by Lorna Luft, sis Martha and more, this will send you over the rainbow.

Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007

Like last year’s instalment, this two-disc set is an all-star salute to the six-string that finds Eric (Slowhand) Clapton welcoming and jamming with an incredible list of pickers: Jeff Beck and Albert Lee, Willie Nelson and Vince Gill, Johnny Winter and Buddy Guy. It’s magnificent if you love guitar solos, but a wee bit monotonous if you don’t.

Concert for Diana Various Artists

We can understand why Elton John, Duran Duran, Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Bryan Ferry and other British stars took part in this massive tribute concert last summer. But we wonder what Diana would have made of Diddy, Kanye West, Pharrell and Fergie. In any case, it’s a fairly enjoyable affair — assuming you don’t mind the many filmed segments about Diana’s life and work.

Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis Various Artists

Al Gore’s multi-continent pop festival from last July is distilled down to 36 performances from the usual superstar suspects such as Duran Duran, Black Eyed Peas and John Mayer. On the plus side, it has the Foos, Beastie Boys, Keith Urban and Alicia Keys’ smokin’ Gimme Shelter, along with Madonna’s version of Isla Bonita with Gogol Bordello. On the downside, it has Gore.

Tool Vicarious

Yep, it’s the video for one nine-minute song from Tool’s last album. But in typically inscrutable Tool fashion, it comes with a 40-minute documentary, not one but two audio commentaries — both by comic David Cross, for some reason — a short documentary on artist Alex Grey and the same fancy stereoscopic packaging as 10,000 Days. Makes no sense, but it’s still kind of cool.

Dave Matthews Band Live at Piedmont Park

Yep, another Dave Matthews Band live release. In fact, by our count, the band has put out five live discs in four years — not including bootlegs. We know the stage is really where the band shines. And that every gig is different — this one has a few newer cuts and cameos by Gregg Allman and guitarist Warren Haynes. But seriously, Dave — book some studio time already, will ya?

Billy Talent 666 Deluxe Live

Deluxe? Try Deja Vu. Once is apparently not enough for Billy Talent. So, on its live release 666, the Ontario screamo-rock kings offer up not one, but two full shows from their last European tour, along with a CD of one gig, a festival set and the usual backstage documentary footage. Too bad the two shows — from Dusseldorf and London, England — are virtually identical. Too much of a good thing.

The First Barbarians Live from Kilburn

Here’s a treat for Stones fans: A long-lost 1974 gig by Ronnie Wood, with Keith Richards, Ian McLagan and Rod Stewart in the backing band. Be warned: The video and audio quality are pretty awful — the picture jitters, rolls and even switches from colour to black and white. But it’s still worth a scan just for the historical value — and for Wood’s hilariously feathered Paul Stanley jacket.
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