Suzanne Vega Live at Montreux 2004 (DVD + CD)

When arty folk-rocker Suzanne Vega emerged in the post-Joni Mitchell/pre-Alanis Morrisette 1980s, the pioneering singer-songwriter heralded the arrival of a new generation of female troubadours who merged the contemplative folk tradition with a decidedly modernistic approach. With a cool, vibrato-less vocal delivery and artful lyrics that owed much to modern poetry, Vega's sophisticated popcraft brought an awareness that acoustic-based music could be arch and urbane without sacrificing emotional honesty. This concert film captures the trailblazing Vega in her second appearance at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival, accompanied by a full band for live performances of classics like "Marlene on the Wall," "Left of Center," "When Heroes Go Down," "Tom's Diner," and "Luka."