Live in Sydney [VHS]
Through her many incarnations--country maverick, gender-bending pop stylist, torchy chanteuse--k.d. lang has kept a refreshing directness in her persona, which shines through in this engrossing concert video. Filmed in 1997, the 83-minute documentary focuses largely on lang's splendid performance and includes footage of backstage preparations and patter à la Madonna'sTruth or Dare. Highlights are lang's sly version of "Sexuality," the over-the-top weepie "Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray," and her drop-dead delivery of Roy Orbison's "Crying," which only makes one wish lang would tackle more songs that really allow her to cut loose. While there's no denying the smoky appeal of "Constant Craving," too many of her recent songs--several included here--seem to have been cut from the same languorous cloth. But that's a small quibble; lang's fans will be delighted at this thoughtful documentary showcasing one of the singer's best high-energy shows.--Anne Hurley