Sessions at West 54th is a much lauded weekly series that has been airing in the US since 1997. Each week an artist who doesn’t necessarily fit within the listening boundaries of your average MTV fashion victim gets to strut their stuff in the middle of a state of the art studio, usually surrounded by an appreciative audience. Whatever you do, just don’t use the word 'unplugged'…

Eclecticism is certainly the key here, and the fifteen acts that host Chris Douridas presents us with from the first season treat us to all manner of musical styles, running the gamut from jazz to folk, twang to modern classical and Eno-esque soundscapes to whine-rock.

Standouts include the ever-captivating Suzanne Vega (Caramel), the fluffy pink hair extension wielding Ani DiFranco (32 Flavors), recent Adelaide immigrant Ben Folds and his band of two masquerading as Five (Smoke), the entrancing Sinead O'Connor (with an incredible take on The Last Day of Our Acquaintance) and the always slightly out there (and bless her for it) Jane Siberry (Love is Everything).

The track listing in full...

Hmm, this is another of those dreaded NTSC formatted discs – you have been warned! Visually this full frame, shot to video presentation is remarkably sharp and clear throughout, with the only blemishes being a few very minor outbreaks of shimmering and the like – almost guaranteed when guitar strings are on hand it would seem.

If you’re after an ‘authentic’ CD-type sound, the PCM mix offered here certainly does the job admirably. However, if you have the ability to do Dolby Digital 5.1 in all its glory then the mix provided is a most deliciously enveloping affair that is much more satisfying, at least to these ears.

Extras are basically non-existent, although you are able to sing along with your favourites at the top of your lungs with the thoughtful, and generally accurate, addition of lyric subtitles - although they do tend to hover rather too close to the bottom of the screen at times.

In all, this is great musical entertainment for anybody who thinks that Britney Spears is a variety of asparagus...