Stevie

Starring:Stephen Fielding, Tonya Gregory, Bernice Hagler, Verna Hagler, Brenda Hickam, Doug Hickam, Judy James
Studio: Lions Gate
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

EXCELLENT SOUND AND VISUALS MAKE THIS DVD A MUST!
Lindsey and Stevie
Top rate DVD well worth the money.
Love the Mac
Awesome concert performance!

Fleetwood Mac - The Dance
Starring: Lindsey Buckingham , Christine McVie , John McVie , Stevie Nicks , and Mick Fleetwood
Director: Bruce Gowers
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: 630463949X
Release Date: 1997-11-11

Amazon.com essential video

With each passing year bringing another high-profile rock reunion, prompted as often by balloon mortgage payments as any real artistic hunger, old fans could be excused for greeting 1997's announcement that the big Mac was back with skepticism: at their commercial zenith, Fleetwood Mac had offered superb transatlantic pop-rock with the added spice of a remarkable back-story, but the band's long decline and underwhelming later personnel shifts didn't bode well.

Such guarded expectations make the musical punch of The Dance all the more impressive, and enable the meticulously produced concert special to genuinely surprise. The band's musicianship--the one constant between the original, late '60s English blues band and its platinum '70s lineup featuring guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and singer Stevie Nicks--is in peak form, buttressed by a discreet auxiliary of additional musicians. Even with the hired guns, though, it's the rock-solid rhythm section of founders Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, and Buckingham's impassioned playing that strike sparks. Always a dynamic guitarist, Buckingham brings feverish intensity to both group classics and solo turns such as "Go Insane."

Both familiar hits and new songs (including the solid "Temporary One" and "Bleed to Love Her") further confirm that this isn't a rote exercise--the band sounds fully engaged. Buckingham, Nicks, and the elegant Christine McVie retain their vocal charm (although Nicks has clearly lost her upper register). And the sense of old wounds healed, and older affections acknowledged, gives true poignancy to the set's high mark, a brilliant live version of "Silver Springs," a truly haunting Rumours-era B-side that proves deeply moving. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

EXCELLENT SOUND AND VISUALS MAKE THIS DVD A MUST!.......2007-07-08

I am a fan of Fleetwood Mac,but never went to see them live. I would have liked to see the band at the top of their game,but this DVD gives you a very good idea of what that must of been like. The band is in top form playing a wide range of their material. The only time I was disappointed is when Stevie Nicks didn't reach for the high notes like on the studio recordings. This may be due to her not being able to do it any more or just wanting to change it up a bit. Either way when you know songs as well as these you want to hear them done the way you remember them. Aside from that one small complaint,the sound is rich and clear and the transfer is very good. The band really conects with each other and you feel like you are part of something special when your watching this. If you like concert DVD's,you should have this in your collection.

Lindsey and Stevie.......2007-06-13

I saw this DVD being played at a Bose outlet store and could not move from the performance being showed. Watching Fleetwood Mac perform "Silver Spring" was a real eye opener! It was as if Stevie and Lindsey were singing only to each other. Wonderful music!

Top rate DVD well worth the money........2007-04-03

This band is at the top of their game, and the guitar work is superb. The surround sound top quality.

Love the Mac.......2007-03-25

This is excellent. They sound great and this is a great show, especially with the bonus appearance of the USC marching band at the end. Includes extra tracks not on the CD. Most notable is "Gold Dust Woman", which is my favorite from the whole concert. The sound is very good, with one side in Dolby 5.1. A great final appearance from the band.

Awesome concert performance!.......2007-02-07

My wife & I first had the opportunity to view this DVD at a party several years ago but did not know the title. The host payed this DVD in the background and it was so incredible that my wife and I gravitated to the family room where it was playing. I had no idea at the time that dvd's of concerts were even available so this was a real surprise to actually see them up close at their very best! Our memories of this dvd were so strong that we recently searched and found it available on Amazon.com.

We have always loved the music of Fleetwood Mac but had never had an opportunity to see them in concert-well this is even better. The photography is really well done so you really see the musicians playing their instruments (up close) as their part in the song comes up. Great close ups so you really can get into the concert. The pinnacle of the concert is when the USC marching band comes onto the stage as Tusk begins to play...WOW!!! You can't image how good it sounds!

Even after watching the dvd several times it is still very enjoyable to play as we clean the house or cook. Not only is this the best of Fleetwood Mac but you can watch their amazing talant be shared with some lucky college band members who, I am sure, had the experience of a lifetime! This is our favorite concert DVD. I know you will enjoy it if you like Fleetwood Mac at all.

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985

Average customer rating:

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985
The Kind!
Superb!
A Double-Dose of Historic Documentation
Stevie Ray is sorely needed in today's cookie-cutter music scene

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985
Starring: Stevie Ray Vaughan , and Double Trouble
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Texas Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

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Crossroads Guitar Festival
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live at the El Mocambo 1983
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live From Austin, Texas
Jimi Hendrix - Blue Wild Angel (Live at the Isle of Wight)
A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan

ASIN: B0002SPPSC
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Amazon.com

If you have even a passing interest in Stevie Ray Vaughan's peerless mastery of urban blues guitar, you must own Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985. Spaced almost exactly three years apart, these concerts (60 and 93 minutes, respectively) represent the Texan blues god at his fiery best, with Double Trouble (drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon) laying the solid foundation upon which SRV built a Fender-driven sound as fierce as it was perfectly refined. The '82 show was truly "success in disguise," because despite booing from a festival audience lulled by a day of acoustic blues, and the stunned dejection that SRV felt after persevering through a uncompromising set, this was the turning point in SRV's career, leading to post-show encounters with Jackson Browne and David Bowie, who proved instrumental in bringing Stevie's music to an appreciative global audience.

When Stevie, Chris, and Tommy returned to Switzerland three years later, with organist Reese Wynans adding rich new dimension to the Double Trouble sound, the Montreux crowd was primed for a rip-snorting set, and SRV's jubilant response is a joyous thing to witness. One of SRV's favorite bluesmen, Johnny Copeland, appears for a three-song triumph in a set that's uniformly superior and ecstatically energized. Basic three-camera coverage is all you need, although guitar students--for whom this DVD is a godsend--will surely wish for more emphasis on SRV's picking and fretwork. Recording quality is superb in the Montreux tradition, with 5.1-channel remixes that surpass the original masters. A splendid 23-minute documentary features retrospective interviews with Layton, Shannon, Browne, and John Mayer, and the accompanying booklet includes a heartfelt reminiscence from Bowie. Stevie Ray may be gone, but Live at Montreux ensures that his gold-standard legacy will endure. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985.......2007-05-23

A snapshot into history. His first appearance at Montreux booed and unappreciated. A few short years later at his second appearance, cheered as an icon of Texas blues. In between not only did he become famous but he cleaned up his life and it shows in his personality onstage. Throughout, his music is unmatchable.

The Kind!.......2007-04-04

Great dvd. A must buy for any Stevie fan!I was lucky enough to see him live twice.These two performances brought back great memories.

Superb!.......2007-04-02

I have played these over and over for years. I guess I'll never get tired of them. A few glitches in the 1985 production, but other than that as representative of SRV as we are probably ever going to get. Any fan of SRV or this sort of music has to have these, they are historic. One comment on the booing in 1982. It really reveals what jerks we can all be. If you don't like a performance, like it's too loud for you widdle ears; leave. To sit there and boo a performance like that (or any performance) only tells the world what an ignoramus you are. If the jerks had left that performance, SRV probably would have played on for at least another hour. 40 minutes is pretty short for him. So in the end what they did is rob the rest of us of another hour of that 1982 performance for all time. Thanks! There is a DVD of Buddy Guy at the same festival a couple of decades later (in the Buddy Guy 70 boxed set) where some dufus shouts out "play some real blues" at the end of the performance. Amazing! At least in the Buddy Guy case the crowd got on the heckler.

A Double-Dose of Historic Documentation .......2007-03-19

Stevie Ray Vaughan was a six-string force of nature with his Fender Stratocaster. He was playing small clubs in Texas with drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon in 1982 when someone with connections heard them and declared "you need to play Montreux". Sooo... without a record, a recording contract or any name recognition outside of the handful of people who had heard them playing in Texas, they headed over to Europe where they were booked at the famous Montreux Jazz festival on the same day as several acoustic stars. Stevie and Double Trouble hit the stage with their electrified cyclone and played to a rousing chorus of boos. Stevie, talented as he was, dressed like a cross between a Texas Gunslinger and a New Orleans Pimp, and the crowd reaction ranged between indifference and total hostility. Were they good? Take a listen... the accompanying and extremely informative documentary features interviews with Slater and Layton, along with Jackson Browne, John Mayer, and a few others who knew what happened that day. SRV and DT burned that stage to the ground. They had honed their 3-piece Texas Blues to a fine edge and they unleashed their power on that crowd. The "music fans", too stupid to notice the genius in front of their very eyes, hadn't yet been told by radio disc jockeys who they should like.... so they didn't like SRV - yet. Of course there were musicians there too, though, and the word spread like wildfire through Jackson Browne's band.... and David Bowie.... and soon all the Montreux musicians were down in the musician's lounge listening to the kind of band that makes musicians tell other musicians "come here.... you've just GOT to hear THIS!" (I had the same experience the first time my brother played their first recording - which was made as a result of this very concert.) David Bowie had to figure out a way to get this guitar genius on his CD and in his band. (Listen to Stevie's wailing guitar on "Let's Dance".) Jackson Browne offered the contractless trio the opportunity to record in his studio. They made their way out to California and basically just recorded their live set in the studio. THAT recording became "Texas Flood" and all of a sudden SRV was not an unknown...

Two albums and a keyboardist later, Stevie returned to Montreux in 1985 as a "conquering hero" of sorts and although I would hesitate to say that they sounded better in the '85 concert, it is certainly gratifying to see them received with open-armed enthusiasm. In the '82 concert they only played about 52 minutes. In '85 they turn it on for a hot hour and a half.

Both of those concerts are more than worth a listen - and this fantastic double-disc set includes both concerts, plus the documentary. This is 5-star all the way.

Stevie Ray is sorely needed in today's cookie-cutter music scene.......2007-03-14

Is it just a coincidence that when Stevie Ray Vaughan died in 1990, American music as a whole suddenly seemed to die with him?? Few performers in the last 15 years have possessed the overwhelming firepower and talent that this man had. The 1990's sadly became the decade when real talent and originality became a thing of the past as manufactured pop, rock, and country clones took over the national music scene like a bad disease.

In the first concert presented in this set, we witness a crowd of closed-minded morons mercilessly booing a guy with far more talent than anybody on the charts today could ever hope to have. It was nice to see that at least some in the audience were cheering and applauding in appreciation of SRV's performance, and you gotta love how Stevie Ray and the band totally ignored the boos throughout the entire show and just kept on rockin! It is sad to think that if Vaughan were the opening act for one of today's hot new stars, he would likely receive the same reaction that he got from the Montreux crowd that night in 1982. Would today's pop/metal/rap fans appreciate a guy who only needs "talent" to captivate an audience instead of smoke, lights, mirrors, or half naked girls???

The two concerts on this DVD are significant in SRV's career and are presented with good sound and picture quality, although the far away camera shot during the encore of the 1985 show is disappointing. Both shows consist of solid performances, but neither show truly captures Stevie Ray at his absolute best. The 1982 appearance is probably the best of the two, although Stevie's dynamic stage presence that is evident in other live footage seems a little withheld here. The 1985 show features the expanded Double Trouble line-up with Reese Wynans on keyboards, but Stevie was visibly near the peak of his drug abuse when this concert was filmed, and his performance seems to lack some of the fire and passion that is clearly seen in the 1983 El Mocambo show and the two Austin City Limits appearances.

The segment with blues legend Johnny Copeland is the definite highlight of the 85 concert! Copeland makes the most of his three-song set, holding his own with Stevie Ray in both the guitar and vocal departments. Stevie and Johnny's duet on the down and dirty blues masterpiece "Tin Pan Alley" is probably the best performance on the entire DVD. Copeland's soulful, tortured vocals in the second verse of this song is a lesson in the art of blues singing at its finest! With so many flashy blues-rock guitarists throughout the years, it seems that great blues singing has become a lost art these days. Only the very best blues singers are able to deliver the kind of vocal performance that Johnny Copeland does here. He also cuts loose on some hot solos with Stevie Ray during a rockin' version of "Look at little sister".

Live footage of the great Stevie Ray Vaughan is still pretty rare which makes these two concerts a must-have for any blues fan, even if the El Mocambo show and the Austin City Limits appearances are a little better. We can only hope there are at least one or two more live shows from SRV's short career that will make it to DVD someday.

Saturday Night Live - The Best of Eddie Murphy (Bonus Edition)

Average customer rating:

How About A 'Best Of' SNL By Year?
Not what I expected.
Yes, they messed-- but they did add---
messed with the original VHS release, made it worse
Falls Short!

Saturday Night Live - The Best of Eddie Murphy (Bonus Edition)
Starring: Eddie Murphy , Mr. T , Joe Piscopo , Robin Duke , and Tim Kazurinsky
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00014NE9E
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Amazon.com

Perhaps one of the greatest lights ever to shine on late-night television, Eddie Murphy has gone on to well-deserved international superstardom. Check out his earliest television work on Saturday Night Live: The Best of Eddie Murphy, a collection of his greatest roles, from Gumby to Stevie Wonder to Buckwheat. Of course, some would argue that his best role was as himself, and there is plenty of evidence for that--many of the skits feature Murphy au naturel and the opening sequence is taken from his monologue when he returned to the show triumphantly after leaving for Hollywood. Exploring the world around him and finding laughs everywhere, Murphy can take a simple idea (such as the "James Brown Hot Tub Party") and run wild with it, leaving the audience hysterically begging for more. You don't have to be a fan to enjoy this collection, but odds are you'll be one by the time you're finished. --Rob Lightner

Product Description

In the early 80s, Saturday Night Live came back alive and the reason was Eddie Murphy. It's all here-Gumby, Buckwheat, Little Richard Simmons, a dip in James Brown's Hot Tub. Pay a visit to Mr. Robinson's neighborhood and see the best of Velvet Jones, Stevie Wonder and more!

System Requirements:

Running Time 66 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

How About A 'Best Of' SNL By Year?.......2007-06-23

How about making 'Best Of' Saturday Night Live by year? Not by host, not something with interviews and commentary, just best skits only and by year. Best of 1978, Best Of 1986, Best Of 1994, etc...

Not what I expected........2007-06-08

The DVD blacked out and some of the scenes I rememberd from watching it previously were deleted.

Yes, they messed-- but they did add---.......2007-03-01

I too was surprised that the new, improved DVD version of The Best of Eddie Murphy was not the same as my old VHS version. Sure, James Brown doing Hot Tub and Bu'wheat and Velvet Jones were there; but there was only 1 Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood instead of 2, and it was missing a few gems like the discussion of the Emancipation Proclamation and a sketch with Stevie Wonder. But where the DVD redeemed itself was on the inclusion of a Gumby skit (I didn't care which one, I couldn't believe they didn't include one on the VHS and I wanted Gumby, dammit!), the prison film in which the poet recites the ever-popular and billiant poem, "Kill My Landlord" (C-I-L-L my landlord), and Stevie Wonder playing a nerd trying to do a Stevie Wonder impersonation, only to be taught by Eddie how to do Stevie. So they taketh away with one hand, and giveth with the other. Could they have included ALL of them, and then some, on a new DVD? OF COURSE THEY COULD! And why didn't they? Good question. But to be fair to the DVD, I welcomed the new inclusions. Just don't get rid of your old VHS. If it was ALL in one, it would be 5 stars. But just having Gumby ordering a Morey Amsterdam sandwich again made me feel good all over (dammit). Not perfect, but I'll give it better than a C (a bouncy C).

messed with the original VHS release, made it worse.......2007-02-07

Loren Michels ruins most things he touches. they left out the "Hot Tub" sketch, where eddie play's as the late, great James Brown. it may be one of THE most funny sketches in the history of television!!!! I could see that thing 100 times and i would still laugh as hard as the first time seeing it! i stand buy the greatness of that sketch, SNL was riding the Eddie Murphy thing all the way to the bank ( the show would most likley been canceled, in my opinion, the show was unwatchable without him an piscapo teamed up).
then to make this thing worse is that the VHS version had zero Gumby sketches in it ( still great without it thought). i see they have a Gumby sketch in the dvd version, i think "oh, cool, a Gumby dammit segment", but it ends up being one of the lamest one's around. what, they didn't want to pay piscapo the royalties for showing the one where Gumby goes on Letterman (Piscapo as letterman)?
do everyone a favor and don't purchase this watered down version....Delirious just came out. get that instead. that is GARUNTEED to make u laugh! this dvd....meeeeh!

Falls Short!.......2006-08-21

This DVD fell short of the quality of the original VHS version. There were so many great clips left out. I can sum it up in one sentence: More Eddie, less Buckwheat.

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live From Austin, Texas

Average customer rating:

Stevie Ray is Awesome
must have for SRV afficianados
I wish I could give it six stars
Two priceless performances of Stevie Ray at his BEST!!
Produced by chimps?

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live From Austin, Texas
Starring: Stevie Ray Vaughan , Chris Layton , Tommy Shannon , and Reese Wynans
Director: Gary Menotti
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Texas Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

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All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live at the El Mocambo 1983
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985
A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan
Jimi Hendrix - Blue Wild Angel (Live at the Isle of Wight)
Crossroads Guitar Festival

ASIN: 157330056X
Release Date: 1997-09-03

Amazon.com

Few guitarists ever mastered the Fender Stratocaster like the late, great Texas bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughan, and this priceless digital video disc collects both of the sizzling appearances that Vaughan and his solid band, Double Trouble, made on the PBS concert series Austin City Limits. Combined to form the most popular program in the show's distinguished history, the concerts were taped in 1983 and 1989; both provide a valuable portrait of Vaughan's astounding artistic development. The performances serve as bookends to Vaughan's brilliant career with Double Trouble, showing (in the words of producer Terry Lickona) a striking contrast between "zero self-confidence" and "pure magic," but in both cases you can see a master at work. Songs include "Pride and Joy," "Texas Flood," "Voodoo Chile," "Cold Shot," and "Riviera Paradise." This great-sounding DVD also includes the posthumous music video "Little Wing," featuring clips of Double Trouble and archival footage of blues greats from the 1920s to the mid-1990s. If you're even a part-time blues fan, Stevie Ray Vaughan: Live from Austin, Texas is a must-have disc. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Stevie Ray is Awesome.......2007-07-03

A compilation of the two PBS "Austin City Limits" he did. Video and audio is perfect. Stevie is incredible. "Voodoo Chile" alone is worth the price. If you like Stevie you will love this DVD.

must have for SRV afficianados.......2007-06-27

Too short overall, but every song on this DVD is a keeper. Wish they had a few more (how could they not put "Couldn't Stand the Weather" on there?). If you're looking to comp a few of his licks, it's a great tool (just remember to detune a half step if you want to play along). You can always hear his emotions on his recordings; on this DVD, you can see it too. I don't know how a guy can put that much vibrato on a guitar strung with .13s, but it's amazing to see up close. And how many guitarists can cover Hendrix and blow it away? See "Voodoo Chile" and "Little Wing"....

I wish I could give it six stars.......2007-06-26

For me, this is one of the greatest recorded live performances. It's a combination of two concerts for Austin City Limits years apart from each other. He has his most famous music and a long instrumental that is just amazing. SRV had a sound that was bigger than life. Immitation is one of the greatest compliments and there's practically a whole SRV genre out there. I particularly like (and I'm trying to learn to play) his version of voodoo chile. The DVD isn't expensive, especially on Amazon. I strongly recommend it. However, it's a bit much for people who aren't up for explosive, guitar focused, music. Stevie was a rock god.

Two priceless performances of Stevie Ray at his BEST!!.......2007-05-09

I had never seen any live footage of the great Stevie Ray Vaughan until I first saw this video over ten years ago. Since I've enjoyed it for so long, this is still my favorite SRV video to be released so far, although the El Mocambo show and the two Montreux concerts are both highly recommended.

This DVD presents two classic TV appearances of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble at their dynamic best with Vaughan's electrifying guitar skills and captivating stage presence both fully developed. The only flaw here is the fact that both of these great "Austin City Limits" appearances are not the complete shows. We only get three songs from the 1983 show, and only six songs from the 1989 show. Both of these classic appearances need to be released in their COMPLETE UNEDITED form considering the rarity of SRV concert footage currently available after all these years. What is here though is still top-notch footage of arguably the greatest blues guitarist of all time at the top of his form!

The three songs from the 1983 appearance are top-notch. Stevie Ray captivates the audience with stunning, powerful versions of "Pride and Joy", "Texas Flood", and the Jimi Hendrix classic "Voo Doo Chile". This is Stevie Ray Vaughan doing what he did best....exposing great blues music to a whole new audience and delivering it with a higher level of power and intensity. At a time when MTV and mainstream music fans could've cared less about blues musicians, here was Stevie Ray showing everybody on national television all the great stuff we had been missing out on for too many years.

The 1989 appearance is worth the price of the DVD since this is the only footage we currently have of the clean and sober {and better than ever} Stevie Ray Vaughan. The set list here covers songs from his excellent grammy winning album "In Step". Stevie Ray is brimming with confidence and happiness from start to finish and it is like watching a whole new man in this show. Stevie looks more healthy here than he ever had before, and the same passion and intensity from his earlier days is still there. Reese Wynans also shines with his excellent keyboard playing which added a nice touch to the Double Trouble sound. Highlights include strong performances of "Tightrope", Buddy Guy's great slow blues "Leave my girl alone", and a blistering version of "Crossfire" which might be the best song Vaughan ever did. Stevie Ray ends the show with a mesmerizing version of his soothing jazz masterpiece "Riviera Paradise" which he dedicates to "all those who are still suffering in any way". The gentle feel and mood of this song could literally put anyone's mind at ease.

Believe it or not, I was singing with a local blues band in my area a couple of years ago that didn't want to cover any songs by Stevie Ray Vaughan!! {I probably should have tied them all to a chair and forced them to watch this priceless DVD!} There can only be one reason why any blues band would refuse to play a Stevie Ray Vaughan song...they obviously lack the talent and energy to deliver the explosive passion and firepower that Stevie Ray generated night after night with ease. Needless to say, I was only with that band for two months before moving on....

If you are a blues musician that has played "Stormy Monday" or "Mustang Sally" too many times to count, YOU NEED THIS DVD IN YOUR COLLECTION IMMEDIATELY!

Long live Stevie Ray Vaughan! Long live the Blues!

Produced by chimps?.......2007-04-02

This is the most badly produced concert of any sort I have ever seen on any medium in my life. To say the sound is brutal is giving it too much credit. I give it 2 stars because it's SRV, and I am a big fan. However, if I had produced this I would be too embarassed to release it. It doesn't say much for those who take credit for the production.

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live at the El Mocambo 1983

Average customer rating:

SRV Rules!
Stevie Ray tears it up in Toronto!
Mind blowing..
Live at the El Mocambo 1983
One of Top 5 all time concerts ever filmed

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live at the El Mocambo 1983
Starring: Stevie Ray Vaughan , and Double Trouble
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Texas Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live From Austin, Texas
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985
Jimi Hendrix - Blue Wild Angel (Live at the Isle of Wight)
A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan
Crossroads Guitar Festival

ASIN: 6305019681
Release Date: 1999-12-21

Amazon.com

In 1990, Texas bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughan was just emerging from a long period in which drugs had taken their toll: the previous year's In Step album was the first he had made drug free, and the results were a marvel. But then, after sharing a stage with Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, and Eric Clapton, he boarded a helicopter to Chicago. It crashed, and the career of one of the great blues guitarists was ended.

Rewind to 1983 and here is Stevie Ray at the beginning of his fame, his first album with his backing band Double Trouble, Texas Flood, having just been released to critical and popular acclaim. The venue is the El Mocambo club in Toronto, a dark, smoky joint with a laid-back but appreciative clientele. Vaughan, drummer Chris Layton, and bassist Tommy Shannon share the tiny stage. The guitarist, bedecked in trademark hat and alligator-skin boots, is pale of complexion, sweating from the heat and physical exertion, and physically much smaller than Shannon, who towers over him. But Vaughan dominates, as much by the magnetism of his flamboyant personality as his guitar playing. And what playing: by turns fiery, funky, then limpid and surprisingly graceful. Here is an authentic blues artist captured in the throes of living through his music. At this early stage in his career he was still very much in thrall to Jimi Hendrix (the flower-power shirt gives it away), as covers of "Voodoo Chile" and "Third Stone from the Sun" (the latter a Hendrix-inspired guitar-abuse session) indicate. The highlight of the show, however, is his rendition of "Texas Flood," which turns out to be an amazing essay on the art of blues guitar. This is a raw, intimate, and spontaneous record of a one-time event. All fans of the blues will be grateful to those who had the foresight to capture it on film. --Mark Walker

Customer Reviews:

SRV Rules!.......2007-06-27

One of my favorite live performances ever! I could watch it over and over again.

Stevie Ray tears it up in Toronto!.......2007-03-30

I saw the VHS version of this over ten years ago, and watched it again for the first time in years when I recently bought the DVD. Considering the small amount of concert film currently available of this great talent, it is a blessing that this small club performance was even filmed at all. This is likely the only footage we will ever see of Stevie Ray in a small and intimate club setting, and the camera crew did a nice job of capturing this raw performance on film that night in 1983. The audio and picture quality of the DVD are good, and the insightful bonus interview with Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon is just one more reason this a must-have for any blues-rock fan.

As most of the reviewers here have said already, this performance at Toronto's El Mocambo club captures Stevie Ray at the top of his form during his rise to fame in 1983. Most of the set list covers the songs from his classic debut album Texas Flood. The show is a fairly short set of only 12 songs, but Stevie Ray and the band deliver each and every tune with the kind of power and intensity that is sorely needed in music today.

After kicking things off with two fiery blues intrumentals, Stevie and the band tear into a blistering performance of the Jimi Hendrix classic "Voo Doo Chile" that is superior to Jimi's recording of the song. As great as Hendrix might be, nobody has ever played this song with more power and feeling than SRV. It is the highlight of the show along with Vaughan's tour de force slow blues "Texas Flood" where he cuts loose on those searing, electrifying solos that still pack a punch over 20 years later.

After watching SRV rip through "Texas Flood" with the guitar strapped behind his back, he then proceeds to play "Love Struck Baby" with the guitar behind his neck without missing a note! Was there anything this guy could not do with a guitar?? I'm starting to think Stevie Ray Vaughan would sound better playing a solo with his feet than today's pop stars would sound after a million guitar lessons!

Once upon a time, there was actually a national music scene where artistry, originality, and talent were the requirements for becoming a star. If you are a younger music lover like myself tired of being deprived of real talent in today's dreadful music scene, enlighten yourselves with a copy of this DVD and discover the kind of greatness that simply isn't allowed on the charts today...

Mind blowing.........2007-01-06

I grew up in the midst of 80's hair metal and was never a big fan of the blues. That is until I heard Crossfire on the radio and my hair stood on end. I was never the same since. I think everyone remembers the first time they were slapped in the face by Stevie's playing. It was an epiphany..I now understood what the blues, and on a deeper level, music, was all about. My voyage into a whole new realm of musical enjoyment had begun, and to this day I could never thank Stevie enough.

And even after having said all this, this DVD was just as life changing as when I heard Stevie for the first time. And I guarantee, one listen to his playing "Texas Flood" here will convince you that this man had a direct, wide open, and unfiltered connection right to the heart of the blues. It is absolutely amazing. I don't care what style of music you have been enjoying till now, watching this performance will affect you, change you, and floor you.

Live at the El Mocambo 1983.......2006-12-22

So you have a few SRV albums and you are hungry for more. I understand. The best way to go, in my opinion, is NOT the SRV Box Set. The best way to get more is to buy two things: (1) This DVD, and (2) The Essential SRV & Double Trouble (a 2-CD collection).

When I listened to the first disc of the SRV box set, I loved all the early tracks. But they started to sound same-y after a while. Then a track called "Hug You, Squeeze You" came on and I sat right up. Wow! Turns out that track was from this show at the El Mocambo. So I quickly got this DVD. EVERY song on here is amazing, not just "Hug You Squeeze You." And the footage is incredible, too...watch as Stevie plays behind his back, over his head, and WHILE HE'S SPINNING IT AROUND HIS TORSO. Incredible stuff. Also, on the Jimi Hendrix feedback fest that is "Third Stone From The Sun," Stevie actually bangs his guitar on the stage, hits it, holds it up to the amp, and submits is to various other acts of violence - but manages to actually get music out of the thing. Least importantly by far, but still importantly, the interview with the two members of Double Trouble that is included as a DVD extra is very long and pretty interesting.

The second thing I recommend is "The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble," because although it is mostly stuff from his studio albums, it also collects the best of the best of his rare and live tracks, such as "Shake For Me" from a 1980 show (and the In The Beginning CD), a nine-minute live take of "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)," and a fuzzed-out "Rude Mood/Hideaway" medley that makes Cream seem like a soft rock trio in comparison. Even though I have all of Stevie's studio albums, I find myself listening to The Essential SRV & Double Trouble fairly often.

Bottom line, though, is to GET THIS DVD. It is better than the box set, better even than any of his studio CDs; it's the one SRV item I would keep out of my whole collection. In fact, if I hadn't still been in the womb when this show was played, I'd still be kicking myself for not having been there. As it is I really can't take the blame.

One of Top 5 all time concerts ever filmed .......2006-11-22

SRV in his "high" flying form before he made it big.

This show is so powerful, some people might have to stop it once or so to take a break for a few, then turn it back on. The man runs you right over like no one has ever.

Hendrix wasn't this good. Hendrix was the man, but Hendrix made it all look easy, he just stood there like Tiger Woods and got the job done

SRV just radiates with energy, he looks like he is trying to strangle the guitar.

as a bonus, and its not even mentioned on any site, this DVD is closed captioned if you want to turn it on.

SRV cleaned up and got off drugs and booze a couple years after this show, good for him.

Never be another one. I saw SRV 6 months before he passed, with Jeff Beck. Def an all time top concert of the 100's of all the bands I have attended.

This guitar in the show, old beat up brown finder, bought at a pawn shop, its in the hands of his brother Jimmy, it is THEE most expensive guitar in the world, worth over 1 million. But you know Jimmy will never sell it. I wouldnt either.

Average customer rating:

Great production, great choreography, great performances!
Living Legend!
Great Buy
cancel the CHEEZY dancers -you don't need em + won't miss em
Excelente Concierto de Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett - American Classic
Starring: Tony Bennett , Christina Aguilera , Billy Crystal , k.d. lang , and Chris Botti
Director: Rob Marshall
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Duets: An American Classic
Tony Bennett's New York
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Barbra Streisand - One Voice
Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of An American Classic

ASIN: B000J6I0PC
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Amazon.com

High concept and high class, An American Classic is a worthy visual complement to Tony Bennett's 2006 duets CD of the same name. The notion of pairing veteran artists with a variety of singing partners is nothing new, of course (cf. B.B. King and Frank Sinatra, among many others), but this one goes a step further; under the direction of Rob Marshall (Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha) and his team, Bennett appears in what's described as a "docu-musical," faithfully re-creating a variety of performance settings much like the ones in which the 80-year-old singer has appeared in the course of his long, fruitful career. Thus we find him on a concert stage with Barbra Streisand ("Smile"), in a nightclub with John Legend (a swinging, uptempo "Sing, You Sinners"), in the studio with k.d. lang and trumpeter Chris Botti ("Because of You"), on a '60s-style TV variety show with Diana Krall (a classy "The Best is Yet to Come"), in Vegas with Elton John ("Rags To Riches") and then Michael Buble (an amusing "Just in Time"), and so forth, on up to Bennett's triumphant shot on MTV Unplugged with Christina Aguilera (no jazz singer, but she keeps most of her excesses in check on "Steppin' Out") and the inevitable "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" (Bennett with piano accompaniment only). It's all very respectful, well staged, and entertainingly choreographed, but if this 45-minute cavalcade has a significant shortcoming, it's that it mostly lacks fire and spontaneity; the only time Bennett cuts loose is during an audio-only "I Got Rhythm" heard under the various DVD menus. Viewers may also be disappointed that Sting, Bono, Paul McCartney, James Taylor, the Dixie Chicks, and several others on the CD do not appear here, and it's a notable drag that not a single one of the composers or arrangers of the material is identified. Bonus features include a "making of" documentary and other featurettes. --Sam Graham

Description

Tracks:
1."Smile" Barbra Streisand
2."Sing You Sinners" John Legend
3."Because Of You" k.d. lang and Chris Botti
4."The Best Is Yet To Come" Diana Krall
5."The Shadow Of Your Smile" Juanes
6."Rags To Riches" Elton John
7."Just In Time" Michael Bublé
8."For Once In My Life" Stevie Wonder
9."Steppin' Out With My Baby" Christina Aguilera
10."I Left My Heart In San Francisco" Tony Bennett

Product Description:
TONY BENNETT: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC is a ground-breaking television event that takes us on a musical journey of this legendary entertainer's life. Re-creating the venues of Tony's career, from the downtown Greenwich Village club where Tony was discovered, to the Columbia recording studios of the early 60's, from rat pack Las Vegas to Carnegie Hall, Tony will be joined for each show-stopping number by the myriad of superstars that appear with him on his Duets album. In a bold re-invention of the form, each set piece was filmed as a small movie by an Academy Award-winning team, lead by director Rob Marshall (Memoirs Of A Geisha, Chicago.) Seamlessly woven throughout the program will be introductions and narrative insights. This event invites us to celebrate the life of who Frank Sinatra called "the greatest singer ever." As the special ends, Tony Bennett will take the empty stage, this time alone, and deliver his signature classic, "I Left My Heart In San Francisco."

Customer Reviews:

Great production, great choreography, great performances!.......2007-05-12

Before I purchased this item, I thought I would only enjoy a few tracks by my favorite artists. But, it kept me enthralled all through the playing time. Personally, I bought this one because I like Barbra Streisand. But, wow, all the duet performances are so great. I've watched it twice now (in only 2 weeks). And I think I'll still enjoy it some more times. I think this DVD can be played at your home parties for the enjoyment of your valued guests.

Living Legend!.......2007-03-27

First, I give this four starts and not five only for the brevity of the program. But 40-odd minutes still offer many opportunities to appreciate what this 80 year-old can do! The creative program was directed by Rob Marshall and includes choreography (Tony even dances a bit) and visuals that live up to his Chicago accomplishments. Being something of a purist, I have to say I was initially skeptical of the "guest list." Each musician rises to the challenge, and the songs alternate between touching and flashy. Tony shines in each tune, an effect heightened by a full orchestra and elaborate sets. The film quality is excellent and vivid as is the sound recording. I found myself watching and re-watching sections over and over again -- you will, too. The extra features (including the "making of" documentary) are very interesting, too. This project was clearly a work of love for all involved. What a fine way to celebrate Tony's career.

Great Buy.......2007-03-26

I had caught the tail end of this concert when it was on tv. I enjoyed what I saw and heard, and It was definately what I had expected. Very good singing by Toney B's guest and the incomperable Toney B was excellent as always!!!!!!!! He still has his pipes at 80!!!!! Totally blew me away!!!! The concert is more of a mock tv show. Though I did like this format, it lacked the enthusiasm of those old dean martin tv shows. The director should have had more interaction with Tony and his guest singers. It would have been fun to see him talking about jazz music, with the modern day crooner, Michael Buble , for instance. All in all this is a great dvd definately worth buying, with the performances with Christina Agulara and Michael Buble standing out!!!!

cancel the CHEEZY dancers -you don't need em + won't miss em.......2007-03-20

I am giving four stars because I dont waste my time writing negative reviews- so a four star review means I have to diss something. My stomach was turning watching the cheezy and totally gross dance scenes- feathered fans and top hats and canes- PUHLEEZE !! None of these vocals are enhanced in any way buy these gyrating midriffs with the same old sorry meaningless cliched moves and the horrific non flattering outfits- they look like pole dancers in an atlantic city off the beaten path porn palace. Have I made my case?
Other than that the songs chosen were interesting, everyone does a masterful job singing - but I couldn't watch this tape again. These 2006 scenes just makes one all the more nostalgic for the neon lights of the old time dimly lit smoky jazz clubs when musical craft was king- I bet tony wishes that this style was still reigning as well

Excelente Concierto de Tony Bennett.......2007-02-08

Una vez mas podemos ver la grandeza del inmenso Tonny Bennett, quien junto a estelares de la cancion traen un concierto sin desperdicios.
Quien lo obtenga, tendra un DvD excelente para su coleccion.

We Are the World - The Story Behind the Song (20th Anniversary Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Great Behind-The-Scenes...
It's the best
brings back good memories
Awesome
Pleasantly Surprised

We Are the World - The Story Behind the Song (20th Anniversary Special Edition)
Starring: Sheila E. , Quincy Jones , Tina Turner , Smokey Robinson , and Daryl Hall
Director: Tom Trbovich
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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We Are The World: U.S.A For Africa

ASIN: B0006IUDB2
Release Date: 2005-02-01

Description

A dream that became a song... an event... and a worldwide movement! See the making of a milestone as 45 of the biggest names in American popular music combine to record a song to help alleviate the suffering of starving millions in Africa and America. Narrated by Jane Fonda, this program provides a behind-the-scenes look at the night of January 28, 1985, to provide more than a moving collection of words, pictures and music - it's a living piece of history.

Customer Reviews:

Great Behind-The-Scenes..........2007-05-15

This is a great behind-the-scenes look at one of the biggest musical events of the twentieth century.

The documentary WE ARE THE WORLD: THE STORY BEHIND THE SONG (on dvd #1) is narrated and hosted by Jane Fonda and appears to have been made shortly after the historic recording session, which happened on January 28, 1985. Showing the celebrities arriving, meeting and greeting, and of course the recording of the song "We Are The World," as well as pre-writing and arrangement stages that took place days before(between Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones), viewers get a fly-on-the-wall experience of what went on that night.

It really is remarkable to see so many artist from different generations and musical styles combining forces for a greater cause. Where else would you see Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers, The Pointer Sisters, Paul Simon, Tina Turner, and Ray Charles, among many others, singing together on one song? The documentary shows the actual breakdown of the recording of the chorus parts, the solos and the very short rehearsal sessions that took place that one night. The recording was done in three parts: the chorus, the line of solo artists that we see in the video, and additional solos by artists that were included after. The actual edited music video is also included.

On dvd #2 there is a ten-year anniversary documentary/interview with Harry Belafonte and this is curious to watch. As another reviewer pointed out, during this documentary Belafonte continues to point out how he got the idea and wanted to do something about the famine plaguing Ethiopia etc., but never once does he mention Bob Geldof. For those of you who remember that time, it was Bob Geldof (BOOMTOWN RATS) and Midge Ure(ULTRA-VOX) who started this whole thing with the song "Do They Know It's Christmas" that had many British singers/musicians(as well as American artists Jody Watley and Kool & the Gang and Irish band U2) contributing their talents and collaborating on that single. The British/Irish/American supergroup was called "BAND AID" and was created to help with relief aid to those starving in Ethiopia. The single "DO THEY KNOW..." was released in December 1984 and went to number one almost a month and a half before WE ARE THE WORLD was recorded.

It really has nothing to do with the enjoyment of watching these documentaries or saying which was better BAND AID or USA FOR AFRICA...and really small potatoes in the grand scheme of things...it's just a little troubling to see someone taking credit for a historic event without even mentioning Geldof or Band Aid (who historically were the pre-cursors to "We Are The World"). The documentary also includes the problems that happened with logistics and controversy of why some of the aid money never reached its destination that surrounded USA FOR AFRICA and talks about HANDS ACROSS AMERICA.

Additional footage is also included on dvd #2 including a live 1986 "American Music Awards" performance of WE ARE THE WORLD; Belafonte, Jackson, Richie and Jones accepting various awards for the song; and the "Live Aid" concert performance of that song. Also included is a booklet that gives an hour-by-hour play-by-play description of the recording session, which is a reprint of a 1985 LIFE magazine cover story.

Unless you actually remember this moment in time, or perhaps a huge fan of one of the artists who appear on WATW, this might not be enjoyable to watch.

It's the best.......2007-05-13

Seeing this song and the making of it (behind the scenes) reminds me of the good things about my generation, the best things. Admitedly we did spawn the "me generation" but once in a while we did rock the establishment, we accelerated the end of the Vietnam conflict, and we did do some good altruistic things. This song and the USA for Africa cause and artists like Bob Dylan are testimony to that.

brings back good memories.......2007-05-06

I got this and watched and it brought back such good memories. All these famous personalities banding together for a cause. I love the behind the scenes. Just a really good thorough DVD and then of course the actual video! AND I loved seeing my Main Squeeze Steve Perry!!!!

Awesome .......2007-04-05

We all have to come together and help each other no matter what position you are in.This is what it's all about you don't have to be a star.It makes me feel good to help others so let's not forget it's better to give than receive.

Pleasantly Surprised.......2007-02-01

Although this DVD is a little dated in production values, it is a surprisingly pleasant trip down memory lane of the biggest musical event of the 1980's.

Sadly, there is no reference to the event that inspired USA for Africa being Bob Geldorf's Band Aid (you'd swear America invented everything...), and it treats We Are The World as a stand alone triumph. But that is more a comment about the producer's creative judgement rather than the talent in the studio.

However, this DVD takes you into the studio and allows you access to the world's biggest stars trying to record this epic song at 2am after an industry function.

It's awesome to watch Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie writing the original score and Quincy Jones somehow piecing together so many different musical singing styles to blend together into a final mix. Who else would choose Dionne Warwick and Willie Nelson to sing together!!

It's amazing how big these stars were at the time, and how much today's "artists" pale by comparison. Incredible how great Ray Charles was on the project - and how lost Bob Dylan was in the presence of this talent. Cyndi Lauper's passionate contribution being interupted by her clanging earrings and Billy Joel's mock irritation at discovering the difficult key the song is written in. Springsteen's intense ad lib recording sessions.

A worthy addition to any 1980's music lovers collection.

Average customer rating:

'Beach Party / Bikini Beach' (MGM) Running time - each film: 100 minutes
Beach Party/Bikini Beach
still the "happening place to be"
THIS MOVIE HELPED ME KEEP MY SANITY IN VIETNAM
Fun Lighthearted Romps

Beach Party/Bikini Beach
Starring: Frankie Avalon , Annette Funicello , Martha Hyer , Don Rickles , and Harvey Lembeck
Director: William Asher
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Ride the Wild Surf

ASIN: B0007R4TQW
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Customer Reviews:

'Beach Party / Bikini Beach' (MGM) Running time - each film: 100 minutes.......2007-06-11

Two back-to-back early '60's family beach movies, that I personally thought holds the harsh test of time. Meaning of course they're still fun to watch. First, there's 1963's 'Beach Party' where professor Bob Cummings studies the 'mating ritual' of teenagers. I liked the one scene where teen icon Frankie Avalon croons to "Don't Stop Now" surrounded by several hotties, with {to my suprise, the house band turns out to be surf rock pioneer Dick Dale}. A somewhat humorous movie, specially with gangster wanna-be Eric Von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck), actually this clown was my favorite character in the entire flick. Avalon and Annette Funcello are needless to say great in these two classics. Then, there's 1964's 'Bikini Beach' where Frankie plays duo roles. Wait! Is that young Stevie Wonder making a guest appearance here? A bit dated, but still wroth checking out.

Beach Party/Bikini Beach.......2007-03-06

40 years late it was a fantastic experience te watch these films. Da Cat stands out of the other on Beach Party.Along with Gidget these films were decisive for the updating of the Azorean surf culture. Bikini Beach supplied us information on skateboarding and wake (locally named JET) surfing. They are part of the beach culture of the 60s.

still the "happening place to be".......2006-06-27

rememberwhen teen movies ment the beach bikini's and song instead of sex and grim killing or gross jokes. this double blast from the past is just as much fun now as they were when i was a kid watching these on t.v. and my boys even like them! kick back and watch frankie and annette surf the curel and sing and dance but not do anything dirty. a great family double feature! check them out!!!!!!!!

THIS MOVIE HELPED ME KEEP MY SANITY IN VIETNAM.......2006-06-02

THIS DOPEY BUT FUN MOVIE FOR BABY BOOMERS HELPED KEEP ME SMILEING AND LAUGH A LITTLE ALL THOSE YEARS AGO, WHILE I SERVED IN VIETNAM. ITS FUN TO WATCH THESE VINTAGE MOVIES TO SEE HOW SIMPLE LIFE WAS BACK THEN, AND HOW YOUNG PEOPLE NEW HOW TO HAVE FUN COMPARED TO TODAY, DO YOU AGREE???

Fun Lighthearted Romps.......2006-05-29

First on the bill is the one that started the whole damn thing, Beach Party. Frankie and Annette go out to a house on the beach for vacation. Frankie is excited coz he gets Annette ALONE to do with what he pleases. This isn't the case coz Annette gets freaked out by the idea of being alone with Frankie Avalon and invites a buttload of people. You see, Annette is saving herself for marriage(what a drag, huh?). Frankie's pissed at the change of events but shifts into party mode anyhow and surfs and boogies the night away with his buddies. Surf guitar king Dick Dale is along for the ride providing a few songs. All in all he's not given much to do but wear big pirate earrings and lip synch a few tunes. He spends an awful lot of time on the bongos. Soon the jealousy game begins. Frankie hooks up with a busty blond hungarian in an attempt to get Annette jealous and...horny I guess. Also renting a house on the beach is an anthropology professor who is studying the behaviors of the teenage surf culture(he's gonna write a book comparing them to African tribes). He's also able to put people in a state of suspended animation. He befriends Annette and wants to use her to get the info he needs to talk the talk and walk the walk on the California beach. Annette may have been saving herself for marriage, but she practically gives this professor carte blanche to study her in every way possible just five minutes after meeting him!! The professor is a moral man, and continues to avoid her advances. In fact he's given so many opportunities, you might find yourself yelling at the screen after awhile, telling this schmuck to just go for it. Of course we also get the debut of Frankie's arch-nemesis, Eric Von Zipper. Von Zipper is the leader of a biker gang called The Rats and Mice. He's the typical moron villain character that always says/does the dumbest thing, gets fooled, plan backfires, gets beat up, you name it. Kind of like a live action Yosemite Sam. The climax of the film gives us a Battle Royale between Von Zipper's gang and Frankie's beach buddies. In the end, everybody becomes friends, and they dance the night away. Cool cameo from Vincent Price too.
Bikini Beach ups the zaniness a bit, but if you enjoyed Beach Party, you'll like this coz the style's the same. Frankie and Annette are back at the beach for yet another romp. Annette's still not giving up the goods(not til she's married, remember?). Almost immediately Frankie pisses her off and it's straight back to breakup/make him jealous mode. This chick obviously has alot of issues to sort out, and Frankie should really consider kicking her ass to the curb at this point. But hey, the big lug is in love. Problems arise when a newspaper publisher(played by Keenan Wynn) starts writing articles about our beach buddies, calling them juvenile delinquents and trying to get them kicked off the beach.....PERMENENTLY! He travels everywhere with his pet chimpanzee(played flawlessly and dramatically by a guy in an ape suit) who also drives his Rolls Royce. The ape's name is Clyde(sound familiar?) and his purpose is to prove that what ever activities the Delinquents do, the ape can do as well, thus proving to the world that the surfing subculture live a lifestyle on the same level as an ape. Another obstacle for Frankie is a character called "Potato Bug". Bug is a very famous mod rocker and drag racing champion from Britain. This film was made around the time of the British invasion. The Beatles' popularity and influence, as we all know, would pretty much kill surf rock's popularity. Apparently the film makers didn't think too highly of this new music from across the pond, coz the character of Potato Bug is made as annoyingly and stereotypically British as you could possibly imagine. His accent, his laugh, his teeth, his lingo; I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised if this guy wasn't an influence on Mike Myers when he created Austin Powers. Potato Bug is also played by Frankie Avalon, and very well I might add. Well naturally, this is the schmuck Annette goes for. Frankie can't take this hit to his ego and challenges Potato Bug to a drag race. Don Rickles shows up as a drag race announcer and gives Frankie a few pointers coz after all, Frankie's a surfer not a racer. Also on board to make things more interesting is none other than Eric Von Zipper. He certainly wants to throw a wrench in the plans. Cool cameos from surf greats, The Pyramids, Stevie Wonder(who must be about 12 here), and Boris Karloff.
Now, of all the films I like and watch, I get the most crap from family, friends and coworkers for liking these beach party movies. No kidding, they all put me through the wringer for these. Hey, I know they're corny, I wouldn't like them if they weren't. I just like the fantasy world they exist in. I love surf music, so that's up my alley(some of the original songs for the film are pretty bad). Who wouldn't want to live in a world where it's always sunny, there's always some chick that wants to sleep with you, no one has a job, but seemingly unlimited funds, everybody's having a good time, and aside from a clumsy schmuck like Eric Von Zipper and keeping your surfboard waxed, you have no problems and nothing to worry about. Yes, I'm here to tell the world that I do enjoy these films. It's an escapist fantasy like any other. Some folks may prefer Middle Earth, Tatooine or even Detroit. I like my Swingin' California Beach.

Average customer rating:

A history lesson
BUY IT
Antone's Home of the Blues
A great music documentary!
Passion Exists

Antone's Home of the Blues
Starring: Joe Ely , B.B. King , Stevie Ray Vaughan , Willie Nelson , and Paul Ray (III)
Director: Dan Karlok
Manufacturer: Koch Vision
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000EWBOCC
Release Date: 2006-06-06

Description

Renowned club owner and blues aficionado Clifford Antone's life and career are celebrated in this extraordinary film. Performances by blues legends Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Collins, Pinetop Perkins and more ignite the stage along with contemporary and archival footage that capture the magic that famed Austin blues club Antone's bottled on a nightly basis for over 29 years. In addition to the musical performances, Antone's: Home of the Blues also includes interviews with Clifford Antone as well as B.B. King, Willie Nelson, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan and much more in this exciting glimpse into the magic of the blues.

Customer Reviews:

A history lesson.......2007-05-11

Clifford Antone kept the Blues alive during the 70's, 80's and 90's at his clubs in Austin, TX. His habit of bringing artists in for a week's engagement meant that young artists like SRV and Doyle Bramhall Jr. could hang out with these cats and learn their riffs. This collection of jams, recollections, and pure blues energy will be a treat to any blues lover. Highly recommended.
If you dig this, also check out Kenny Wayne Sheppard's new CD/DVD, 10 Days Out. A similar collection of old blues masters, but with more complete cuts.
Let's hope Antone's Records releases full DVD versions of these seminal bluesmen in their natural environment,

BUY IT.......2007-04-21

An absolutely amazing Blues DVD. This is an absolute must have to anyone who loves the Blues, and I guarantee you'll have more love for the Blues after watching this.

Antone's Home of the Blues.......2007-02-07

I had an equally good experience with this DVD. It arrived in excellent condtion...and the DVD itself was really great. Again, I recommend this DVD to any blues lover. Thank you.
Barbara Butler

A great music documentary!.......2006-09-27

What a great documentary about such legendary venue. Antone's should be registered by the Austin authoritys as a historic landmark. This place can be a meca for blues lovers from all over the world.Cliffford Antones was a man who follow his dreams and provided joy to many blues musicians and public in general.

Passion Exists.......2006-08-30

This DVD is not for anyone expecting muscial performances. It is a history class about someone who contributed to the blues revolution. Antone's shows clips on virtually every important blues act of the day. It is informative and educational. While music was going thru its transition of disco, glam, and metal Antone was creating a foundation of the blues movement. It is an informal documentary that is pleasing. Now that we know tapes of and young Stevie Ray exists, please release them!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Average customer rating:

A must see!
Fun
quirky and quaint
Funny Movie
Love the Actors, MOvie sucked

Undertaking Betty
Starring: Brenda Blethyn , Alfred Molina , Naomi Watts , Lee Evans , and Robert Pugh
Director: Nick Hurran
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000CDGVPI
Release Date: 2006-03-07

Description

Academy Award(R) winner Christopher Walken (Best Supporting Actor, THE DEER HUNTER, 1978; WEDDING CRASHERS) stars with Oscar(R) nominees Naomi Watts (Best Actress, 21 GRAMS, 2003; KING KONG), and Brenda Blethyn (Best Supporting Actress, LITTLE VOICE, 1998; BEHOND THE SEA) in this devilish, offbeat comedy tha