While watching a concert in the comfort of your home isn't quite like attending the real thing, there have been a few notable concert films released on Blu-ray and DVD this year that will appeal to a variety of tastes.

Two legendary concert festivals are getting the deluxe treatment in "Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music" (1969) and Criterion's "The Complete Monterey Pop Festival" (1967). I prefer Monterey myself for its rawness, but if the '60s are your thing, you can't go wrong with either release.

"Marilyn Manson: Guns, God and Government -- Live in L.A." was filmed on the last night of the "Holy Wood" tour. It drastically differs from the 2002 DVD release that was made up by footage filmed on multiple stops on the tour and spliced together. Fans who already own the DVD will be treated to some new footage.

"Billy Idol: In Super Overdrive Live" was filmed earlier this year in Chicago and offers a glimpse of Idol reunited with guitarist Steve Stevens as they offer up a highly energetic set featuring classic hits, new songs and a pair of tracks that reach back to when Idol was the singer for British punk act Generation X. Even as a casual fan, I was impressed by Idol's ability to entertain 30 years after his career began.

In the early '80s, long before "Silence of the Lambs," director Jonathan Demme collaborated with art-punk group Taking Heads to create one of the most critically acclaimed concert films in "Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense." Like The Rolling Stones' "Gimmie Shelter" (which also debuts on Blu-ray next month) "Stop Making Sense" is as much a snapshot of the era as it is a concert experience. Even if you aren't a fan of Talking Heads, "Stop Making Sense" is worthy of your attention.

Some artists need to be seen live to truly understand what all the fan devotion is all about. Tori Amos is one of those artists. On "Tori Amos: Live at Montreux 1991/1992," viewers are given a glimpse into the early years as Amos found breakout success with her album "Little Earthquakes" but had yet to ascend to the dizzying heights that would come with her subsequent albums. Highly recommended to both the curious and the die-hard Amos fans.

By far my favorite Blu-ray concert release came early this year when "The Cure: Trilogy" made its way to the high definition format. It doesn't hurt that The Cure are my favorite band and that I was in attendance at the two shows in Berlin when the band performed the "Pornography," "Disintegration" and "Bloodflowers" albums in their entirety. I was worried that there wouldn't be a noticeable difference in visual and audio quality when compared to the previously released DVD, but was happily blown away by the upgraded picture and sound.

"Eminem: Live from New York City" showcases the once-controversial artist at the height of his popularity in 2005. Featuring guest performers D12, Stat Quo and Obie Trice Eminem tears through 23 tracks just to remind us that sometimes all the hype and attention is well deserved.

Those more interested in the blues should check out the recently released "Carlos Santana Prsents Blues at Montreux." Filmed in 2004, this collection features three complete sets from acclaimed blues musicians Buddy Guy, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and Bobby Parker.

Ray Charles fans won't want to miss out on "Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis play Ray Charles." On paper, it might look like an odd combination of musicians but the duo's obvious love for the material and Marsalis' backing band make this release more enthralling that you'd expect.

Those who have yet to upgrade (or are buying for those who are still DVD bound), all of these titles are available on DVD. Recommendable titles released only on DVD include "ZZ Top: Double Down Live" which features two concerts, one from 1980 and the other from 2008, "John Denver: Rocky Mountain High -- Live in Japan," "The Chieftains: Live in Montreux" and "Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Live" (2 DVD, 1 CD set) which was recorded in Glasgow, Berlin and Dublin at the end of 2007 while I was out on the road with the band handing merchandise duties (you can read about my experiences surrounding the three shows at inthisweek.com).