As we reported several days ago, Warner Music Group was the first of the major studios to announce releases in the new DVD-Audio format, and we’ve just gotten some details about several of the first releases.
Please Note: these discs will play on all DVD players; however, the advanced resolution DVD-Audio 96 KHZ, 24 bit tracks and any video content will play only on players with the DVD-Audio logo.

Jazz At The Movies: The Bedroom Mixes

This is a compilation album featuring Smooth Jazz reditions of beloved music originally heard in some of the greatest movies of all-time, from “Casablanca’s” “As Time Goes By” and “This Gun For Hire” to the “Love Theme From Cinema Paradiso” and “Calling You” from “Bagdad Cafe.” Other featured selections are Body Heat; Black Orpheus; White Heat; Farewell, My Lovely; Calling You; This One’s From the Heart; Last Tango In Paris; The Bad and the Beautiful; and Touch of Evil.

The disc contains DVD-Audio 6-Channel, DVD-Audio Stereo, and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Extras include on-screen music and film credits and film synopses, plus trailers for Body Heat and Casablanca.

Natalie Merchant: Tigerlily

In 1995, when Natalie Merchant released Tigerlily, her first solo album, she created a collection of songs that clearly defined her talent as both songwriter and performer and sold over 4 million albums. This great album includes the following tracks: San Andreas Fault; Wonder; Beloved Wife; River; Carnival; I May Know the Word; The Letter; Cowboy Romance; Jealousy; Where I Go; and Seven Years.

The disc contains DVD-Audio 6-Channel, DVD-Audio Stereo, and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Extras include a biography, and production stills.

Emerson, Lake And Palmer: Brain Salad Surgery

One of the great “supergroups” of the 70s, this band’s spectacular concerts were the stuff of legend, as they defined progressive rock. “Brain Salad Surgery” is surely the trio’s finest hour. This DVD presents the original 1973 album in its entirety with nine new advanced resolution mutichannel surround mixes and includes the ELP classics “Karn Evil 9,” “Still…You Turn Me On,” Jerusalem,“ and more!

The disc contains DVD-Audio 6-Channel, DVD-Audio Stereo, and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Extras include a band history, production stills, discography, on-screen track-by-track commentary, interview with Emerson, Lake, Palmer, and frequent co-lyricist Pete Sinfield about the making of this album; video footage from ”Return Of the Manticore” concert film; complete lyrics to all songs.

Beethoven: Symphony 4 & 5: Daniel Barenboim

Daniel Barenboim’s widely hailed interpretations of the Beethoven symphonies, recently released as a boxed set, are now available in the new DVD-Audio format. This recording of Beethoven’s most famous work offers a listening experience enhanced by visual details such as images of personalities and events contemporary with the composer’s life, not included in the liner notes. With the Staatskapelle Berlin, the Chor der Deutshcen Staatsoper Berlin, and an international quartet of singers, this DVD-Audio will please Beethoven lovers everywhere.

The disc contains DVD-Audio 6-Channel, DVD-Audio Stereo, and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Extras: production stills, discography, and the above mentioned video imagery.

All of these discs are scheduled for release on November 7th and will carry a suggested retail price of $24.98.

These initial offerings are a nice indication of the variety to come. Happy listening…