Jazz Legend

Starring:Buddy Rich
Studio: Warner Brothers Pub.
Product Type: DVD

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 BublÃ©
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.

Average customer rating:

Elaine's Pity Party
Perfection
Insufferable
A has-been
Defining a Legend

Elaine Stritch at Liberty
Starring: Elaine Stritch
Director: D.A. Pennebaker , Chris Hegedus , Andy Picheta , Nick Doob , and Rick McKay
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Original Cast Album - Company
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ASIN: B0000C23HO
Release Date: 2003-10-21

Amazon.com

Star, legend, force of nature--whatever you call Elaine Stritch, it probably applies, and it's never more apparent than in her deeply personal one-woman show, At Liberty. With only an oversize shirt, black tights, and a chair, Stritch mesmerizes a full house at London's Old Vic Theatre with tales of her 50-plus-year career on stage and screen. It's a priceless glimpse of backstage theatre to hear her recount how she served as standby for Ethel Merman in Call Me Madam in New York at the same time she had a featured role in Pal Joey playing in New Haven, Connecticut. And she tells about the people she mingled with (Noel Coward, Judy Garland, Rock Hudson), her disappointments both professional ("I blew The Golden Girls!") and personal (her bouts with drinking). At Liberty is more of a monologue than a musical performance, though she does perform some of her signature songs like "Zip" and "The Ladies Who Lunch." At Liberty won a Tony Award in June 2002 for Special Theatrical Event, but Stritch's triumph was tempered when she was not allowed to complete her acceptance speech. Her response to it here is just one of the touching moments in a remembrance of a historic career. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Elaine's Pity Party.......2007-04-16

I have been an Elaine Stritch fan since 1970 when I was a freshman in college and saw her in "Company". Perhaps if I had seen "At Liberty" live rather than on dvd I would have had a better reaction to it. Perhaps what comes across as whiny, self-indulgent and disagreeable on dvd would have been electric and fascinating in person. I don't know. As it is I deeply regret having watched this. For the most part, I have never wanted to meet the performers whom I enjoy and admire, because I don't want a possible negative encounter to ruin my enjoyment of their performances. I've heard too many stories from people who have had dealings with singers or actors and regretted meeting them. That's a little how I feel about watching this performance. It is going to be a while before I can once again enjoy her other performances without being influenced by my totally negative reaction to this performance.

Perfection.......2006-11-10

I was lucky enough to see this show at The Old Vic theatre in London, which is where the DVD version was filmed. An incredible lady, an amazing performer, a magnificent show! Can't wait for her next venture...

Insufferable.......2006-08-12

I know, I know - Elaine Stritch is a "legend" - she makes sure you know it, believe me... Maybe I'm the only one in the universe who felt like smacking her, but, I felt like smacking her. She offers a few bon mots about Old Hollywood and Broadway, however the rest seems like a self-congratulatory vanity piece. I got the feeling that she's been practicing these "naked" little soliloquies for her audience of one, in front of the mirror, for years. Maybe that is the point of the show, I don't know. Perhaps some think she should be humored because she's 80, but crikey, I just found most of it insufferable. Sorry Elaine...

A has-been.......2006-06-16

The reviewers here are rating the performer, not the show. Stritch looks haggard, sings horribly, and most of her stories are only interesting to her. A dreadful performance all around.

Defining a Legend.......2006-04-23

Just about as honest, open, and vulnerable as a performer can be. I saw this show when it first aired and bought the DVD so I can watch it over again. The performance Stritch gives is greater than any of her other work because it incorporates the best of so much of her stage, screen, and TV work. I had the pleasure of meeting Stritch at a SAGE awards dinner in 2005. When I asked her to autograph my DVD she seemed genuinely flattered. The nakedness seen in this show is a glimpse into the personality of a truly gifted performer.

Benny Goodman - Adventures in the Kingdom of Swing

Average customer rating:

Kingdom of swing and "The King"
GOODMAN FAN'S SHOULD OWN THIS
A great hour about BG
Beautifully done!
Good, straight-forward introduction to Benny's world

Benny Goodman - Adventures in the Kingdom of Swing
Starring: Benny Goodman
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Best of the Big Bands - Artie Shaw and Friends
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ASIN: B000050IKZ
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Customer Reviews:

Kingdom of swing and "The King".......2005-09-09

Benny has only one thing in his mind since the age of nine: "Clarinet".
This documentary reveals in an excelent manner in only one hour what minds Clarinet and swing music in the hands and body of this virtuose man called Benny Goodman.
You can find a lot of his music and interpretations and take in mind the next two things: if you know Benny you must see the movie; but if you don't know Benny, plese see the documentary and enjoy his magnificient playing from his young years during all his career.

GOODMAN FAN'S SHOULD OWN THIS.......2004-07-24

I FOUND THIS DVD VERY INTERESTING. YOU'LL BE DISSAPPOINTED IF YOU'RE EXPECTING A CONCERT. ANYWAY THIS DVD COVERS BENNY'S RISE TO THE TOP. INTERVIEWS WITH FORMER BAND MEMBERS AND FAMILY, PLUS BENNY HIMSELF, MAKE THIS GOOD. WHAT A FANTATIC MUSICIAN. HE ALWAYS SURROUNDED HIMSELF WITH A GREAT BAND, SOME OF WHOM BECAME STARS THEMSELVES. THERE ARE LOTS OF EXAMPLES OF BENNY PLAYING IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. ONE OF THE BEST IS BENNY PLAYING "AVALON" WITH LIONEL HAMPTON, GENE KRUPA AND TEDDY WILSON. THIS ALONE IS WORTH THE COST.

A great hour about BG.......2004-07-23

I agree with most comments from previous reviewers, but they forget this was only a one hour program for pubic television! Benny's career lasted for 60 years; even a mini-series wouldn't be long enough to do it real justice.

This hour offers reasonable length clips from movies that Benny was featured in. All of these films are difficult or impossible to buy; and rarely, if ever, shown on cable / satellite. (Okay studios, when can we buy copies of 'Hollywood Hotel', 'Big Broadcast Of 1937', etc.?). Add in the home movie and Vitaphone soundie clips, and it is a wonderful assortment of BG video.

The various interviews with various BG band members, and BG himself, are tremendous, even if some are embellished a bit.
The commentary does contain some inaccuracies, but serves to connect all the pieces in a way that holds your attention.

Overall, this is a must addition to any Benny Goodman collection, large or small.

Beautifully done!.......2004-03-06

If you are a fan of Benny Goodman, this is a required purchase. Yes, there are a number of problems and I will briefly mention them up front. Benny as a human being is not the focus here, and this did irritate me. He was amazingly difficult, cheap, severe with his sidemen and almost impossible to get close to. These problems were exacerbated in later years by his use of prescription drugs which made him "moody," to put it mildly. Benny's personality is not examined here and that is a major flaw.

In addition, Benny's amazing classical career is glossed over with scarcely a mention. His later years, from 1960 onwards, are also hustled through and I found this disappointing. Some of his European concerts from the 70's really were swingin' affairs, I have the casette tapes to prove it.

So why with these myriad problems am I still giving this five stars? Simply because the rest of the documentary is stellar. They focus on Benny's swing years, from 1935-1944, and they show some amazing footage, including color footage of Gene, Ziggy, Harry, Teddy and the rest of the boys. I wish they would have spent more time on the seminal 1938 Carnegie Hall concert, but they do cover this event in some detail. The picture quality is exceptional, though the audio is inconsistent.

Still, I give it a high recomendation for all Benny Goodman enthusiasts.

Good, straight-forward introduction to Benny's world.......2001-12-18

This is a good, basic intro to the Benny Goodman who was known to millions as "The King of Swing." They could have gone a lot farther with aspects of Benny most people know nothing about--he commissioned and performed great works from Bela Barok, Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein, for example, but that isn't even *mentioned*--but the appeal here is to a mainstream understanding of BG. The documentary footage is fascinating, though we could have stayed longer in Carnegie Hall. They also whitewash Benny's severe personality problems, which only got worse as he aged. His Russian Tour, during which he alienated virutally all his men and may have been acting strangely because of a cocktail of pain-killers and uppers he was taking, isn't even mentioned, nor is the simple significance of the fact that his was the first American cultural institution allowed behind the Iron Curtain. His whole classical career is dealt with in about 30 seconds. There are some interesting details: we learn of his secret affair with and near-marriage to singer Helen Ward. We find out his daughters felt distanced from him because all he could talk about was music. And we see some great Carnegie Hall footage. (Despite the persistent myth, the great big overhanging mike wasn't used to record that concert; three mikes off to the sides of the stage recorded it. The NBC "Diamond" microphone, used to record Toscanini's famous broadcasts, was switched off that night.)

Some of the sidemen seem to tell tales that grow longer with every year. (Lionel Hampton says he told someone who asked what jazz is "If you have to ask, don't mess with it." Supposedly Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller, among others, also said the same thing.) And there are a few factual errors: the Let's Dance broadcasts didn't really triumph on the west coast because Goodman's band went last and the west coast audience was the only one still awake when it played; the bands actually rotated through the night, and everyone heard an even dose of all the musics performed; why Benny succeeded so big not on the whole west coast but specifically in LA is something that will never be known. Also the super near the end that identifies Goodmand and Krupa together as from a rehearsal for the Carnegie Hall Anniversary concert is a mistake. It should read "The Timex All-Star Sessions."

Amazon.com

The neo-pop divas of the late 20th century may have turned up the glamour, and a few even introduced formidable technical prowess, epitomized by Mariah Carey's seemingly helium-induced falsetto (the bane of canine fans everywhere) or Celine Dion's breast-beating, stentorian climaxes. Yet only a few verses from an earlier, charter member of the first-name-only club provides instant perspective: when Ella opened her mouth, that perfectly pitched, luminous voice could leap octaves without breaking a sweat, its tonal purity and immaculate phrasing creating that illusion of "effortlessness" achieved only through true artistry.

Writer-director Charlotte Zwerin performs similar sleight of hand with this beautifully composed documentary, originally produced for public television's American Masters series. Created nearly four years after Ella Fitzgerald's death, Zwerin's film uses the lush voice and superb repertoire of "the First Lady of Song" to provide continuity while assembling convincing, if composite, narrative quotes gleaned from various interviews. The latter are noteworthy given the singer's lifelong modesty and insistence on privacy. Archival footage of early performances, as well as later television appearances, capture Ella's pilgrimage from Depression-era New York, through her discovery at the Apollo Theater and subsequent emergence as a swing vocalist and on to her long career as a matchless pop and jazz stylist.

Tony Bennett is a sympathetic narrator, while added affection and insight are provided through interviews with some of the myriad jazz titans that accompanied her. Yet, ultimately, it's Ella's music, generously featured throughout, that proves most eloquent. As one of her definitive Gershwin favorites put it, "'Swonderful." --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

simply the best - The Queen of Swing.......2007-03-12

"She could swing. She was a natural" She was the queen of swing. She liked lyrics because they could tell a story.

In her lifetime she won 13 Grammy awards, and sold over 40 million records. Her off-stage life was as interesting as her life as an artist singer. She loved her adopted son, and supported her extended family with what they needed. One secret about Ella was her deep concern for children, because of her difficult early years. She would give grants to children, without any publicity.

Ella Fitzgerald has been my introduction into the wonderful world of Jazz. The queen of swing, was so talented she could sing many times of genres (big band, bipbop) but she was primarily a vocalist, and a very talented one.

This documentary has some extraordinary footage from different international concerts, and also from different times in her career. At the beginning of the movie, I really did not know who Ella Fitzgerald was or that she was even known only by her first name (can't really blame me, an engineer), but now I want to hear more music sung by Ella. I found this American Master's series DVD at my local library

No product.......2007-01-11

After several months the DVD still didn't arrive and therefore I will be extremely hesitant to by anything else from this store again!

Wonderful glimpse of "the First Lady of Song" .......2006-11-11

This DVD is a magnificent review of the life and career of the incomparable jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald! Essentially a bio flick spliced with spell-binding footage of Fitzgerald in concert at the peak of her prowess as the consummate song stylist, "Something to Live For" is a superb showcase of her octave-defying ability to elevate scat-singing to a fine art. Except for Sarah Vaughan--Fitzgerald's only real rival--no one could touch Fitzgerald's smoothness, her uncanny musical ear and improvisationary skills. Blessed with perfect pitch--an all-too-rare musical gift--Fitzgerald set a near-unmatchable course, dating from the swing and bebop eras through stripped-down combos incorporating post-modernism and retro.

"Something to Live For" charts her rise from Harlem beginnings to world-famous jazz diva. Her musical development is juxtaposed with her often unhappy personal life, which included the early death of her mother (before Fitzgerald was a pre-teen), two failed marriages, her inability to have children, the eventual toll of near-constant touring, along with her willful ignorance of the diabetes which eventually killed her. At times, you feel as if music was the only thing that kept her afloat--indeed something she truly lived for. Narrated by the great Tony Bennett, this DVD features a considerable number of wry, funny and insightful interviews with peers, friends and fellow artist admirers (Johnny Mathis, pianist Oscar Peterson)

Ella Fitzgerald has been slammed by some who have found her cool perfection boring, but this DVD makes it clear that she was anything but. She may have been a letter-perfect recording artist, but her live performances are revelations! Many of her televised and filmed performances (alone and with other artists) of are filled with humor and exceptional warmth. On the flip side, her stunning versions of "Lover Man where can You be" and "Something to Live For" prick the heart: you can actually see and FEEL her pain and pathos. As filmographies go, "Something to Live For" is as good it gets. Highly recommended!

The First Lady of Song, from teenager to legend........2005-10-24

This exciting, 86-minute video of Ella Fitzgerald's life and career, directed by Charlotte Zwerin, highlights aspects of her private life and combines that personal story with extensive footage of some of her early performances. Narrated by Tony Bennett, and containing excerpts from her long interview with Andre Previn, the bio ranges widely in time and place, filling in important biographical information, at the same time that it focuses on her development as a singer.

From her earliest days when she was an aspiring dancer, we learn of her difficulties at home, and following the death of her mother, her possible abuse by her stepfather. After escaping from a girls' reformatory, she goes on the road with Chick Webb, who mentors her, and following his death she gets the "greatest education I've ever had"--singing bebop. Playing the role of a horn (vocally), she learns to imitate its sound exactly, with her perfect pitch, and it is through this imitation of the trumpet that she creates and becomes an expert on scat.

Norman Granz, who became her manager from 1953 through her death in 1997, makes jazz "classy," refusing to allow racial discrimination in the halls where Ella performs, arranging performances of jazz at the Philharmonic, and making his musicians feel important. Through the Great American Songbook series which he arranges for her, Ella gains many new fans, and her numerous TV performances make her name a household word.

Wonderful clips of Ella singing with Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong (who cracks her up), Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante, a Mel Torme so young his voice is still almost soprano, and even in a trio with Joan Sutherland and Dinah Shore, show Ella as a trouper, having fun, enjoying the company of these other famous stars, and always hitting every note.

Though she had a difficult personal life, Ella, as seen here, is often playful, singing wild country and western and a "soul" piece at a London concert, a terrific medley of children's songs with Bing Crosby, in which she sings scat while he whistles, and even an amazing tune in which she sings virtually every instrument in the band.

Many of her most famous songs are featured: "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Misty," 1968's "Summertime," "Lady is a Tramp" with Frank Sinatra, and "Azure (In An Azure Mood)." Showing Ella on the road during her entire 58-year career, this video brings her to life once again and inspires our even greater appreciation. Mary Whipple

"SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR" IS ELLA'S VOICE!!!!!.......2004-05-22

Luckily I was able to see Ella In Concert numerous times throughout the 70's and 80's and was honored to have her autograph two L.P.'s by her limousine after a concert she gave at the Junior College I attended at the time in 1972...Ella was kind and gracious and that quailty plus her brilliant artistry really come through and shine in this stunning documentary of her life and incomparable career. Tony Bennett is the perfect choice to narrate this magnificent "American Masters" production and his love of Ella comes through and adds alot of soul to the special. Performance footage is ultimately what becomes breathtaking to experience and when Ella sings the classic "Something To Live For" it is breathtakingly beautiful and completely haunting. The use of concert footage from the various stages of her career show that Ella found joy in sharing her gift with her audience and songs like "For Once In My Life" become life experiences that are emotionally engrossing and technically brilliant. This "American Masters" special is a keeper so for anyone who loves the legendary Ella get this historical work fast while it is available as this is the definitive work about the life and career of this wonderous and gifted talent...BRAVO ELLA and thank you are all the wonderful years of sublime singing and you are truly missed!!!

Average customer rating:

Essential to any Wes fan
the info
nigey2000
Intimidating

Legends of Jazz Guitar, Vol. 1
Starring: Wes Montgomery , Barney Kessel , and Joe Pass
Manufacturer: Vestapol
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Legends of Jazz Guitar 2
Legends of Jazz Guitar 3
Solo Jazz Guitar
George Benson: The Art of Jazz Guitar
Joe Pass: The Blues Side Of Jazz

ASIN: B00005NX1D
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Customer Reviews:

Essential to any Wes fan.......2007-03-22

This dvd has some of the best jazz on film. The bonus footage includes the entire set from Belgium. You'll also be wanting Vol. 2 for the rest of the BBC set (two clips from the BBC are not on Vol. 1).

This dvd shows Wes playing in a very relaxed atmosphere and he clearly is enjoying himself. I've never seen any footage of Wes before so this dvd is a welcome addition to my home. Yes, I love the others on this dvd, but Wes is my favorite guitarist I've ever heard.

the info.......2006-11-29

1.Wes Twisted Blues (1965)
2. Pass Glues in G(1974)
3. Barney Basie's Blues(1973)
4. Ellis Medley: Might as well be spring; things aint what they used to be(1986)
5. Wes Jingles (1965)
6. Ellis and Barney A Slow Burn (1979)
7. Pass Do nothin' till you hear from me (1976)
8. Barney The Shadow of Your smile ((1973)
9. Wes Yesterdays (1965)
10. Ellis Sweet Georgia Brown (1986)
bonus tracks (all Wes)(1965)
11. Impressions
12. Twisted Blues
13. Here's that rainy day (listen for qoute on piano of "were having a heatwave", then Wes smiles)
14. the boy next door

Wes= Wes Montgomery
Barney= Barney Kassel
Pass= Joe Pass
Ellis= Herb Ellis

the Wes stuff is in black and white the rest is color
All of these performances are very good if this is the music you like

nigey2000.......2005-08-03

This is an amazing dvd. I am a guitarist and have been searching for footage of Wes Montgomery since I discovered his playing. It is a treat to see him execute those great lines with such ease. A great study on the artistry of one of the greatest jazz guitarist of all time. The bonus material of Wes in Belguim makes it a definite bargain. A must have for the serious jazz guitarist. I own all 3 volumes of Legends of Jazz Guitar.

Intimidating.......2002-10-03

Priceless footage of 4 guys who knew how to play. The camera angles focus mainly upon the fretboard, enabling us to see how beautiful jazz guitar is when it's played well. If you like jazz guitar, you need this. Be prepared to quit the instrument, though...I'll never play this well.

Miles Davis - Live from the Montreal Jazz Festival

Average customer rating:

Not Smooth Jazz
fabulous concert !
The loudest Miles Davis ever. Horrible.
Horrific
5 stars

Miles Davis - Live from the Montreal Jazz Festival
Starring: Miles Davis
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Miles Davis - Live in Munich
Miles Electric - A Different Kind of Blue
Miles Davis - Cool Jazz Sound
Live in Germany 1988
Miles Davis Story

ASIN: B00004UEEI
Release Date: 2000-09-05

Amazon.com

How bad were the 1980s in music? Not even jazz great Miles Davis could escape the black hole. The decade that saw synthesizers and slick approaches ruin pop music somehow caught the master trumpet player's ear and resulted in one of Davis's poorest periods. Of course, Davis was lucky to even be alive during the '80s, surviving sickness and drug abuse, and this hour-long performance, shot during the 1985 Montreal Jazz Festival, shows a performer looking happy just to be playing. Appearing thin and sickly, Davis and his six-piece fusion outfit run through six tunes, none coming close to the trumpet player's past experimental achievements. Songs like "One Phone Call" are long, metallic funk jams that nonetheless give Davis plenty of room to maneuver in spirited solos, when the rhythm section and keyboards aren't drowning him out. Davis also reinvents pop hits of the era--ballads like Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" (from Thriller) and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," but they come across more like soulless "smooth jazz." Still, on all of the numbers, if you can block out everything else and simply focus in on Davis's trumpet, the aging great possessed the ability to mesmerize, even in his down years. Despite the lack of terrific music material, this DVD is wonderfully packaged. The Milestones Biographical Time Line is a great source to introduce beginners to Davis's legacy, while the extensive liner notes on each individual song performed in Montreal are equally impressive. --Dave McCoy

Description

This 1985 performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival captures Miles at one of his peaks in popularity. Throughout his long career, Miles utilized the best in contemporary pop music, and this time he had some uniquely suitable sources; Cyndi Lauper's hit "Time After Time" and Michael Jackson's "Human Nature." Combine funk, pop, and the founder of the Birth of the Cool, the result is an elegant restrained restatement of everything Miles Davis. Add in the virtuoso guitarist John Scofield - and the result is a musical treasure.

Customer Reviews:

Not Smooth Jazz.......2005-12-28

I was a bit unsure whether this would be any good due to some bad reviews. Anyone saying this is 'Smooth Jazz' needs their ears examined!

Much better than 'Live In Paris' DVD (boring, and Miles isn't in great health i would say), never did get 'Foley' on lead bass although K Garret is good. However back to Montreal 85....

Scofield and Berg are out of this world. Sco' absolutely rips on the first track. Anyone saying he is too loud needs togo back to their little world of Miles pre 60's.

Sure some of it is a little bit cold but only a little. I forgot what a great album Decoy was.

You have got to laugh at Miles, how many times have you seen him go in front of the speakers with his radio mic' resulting in feedback! Doh!

fabulous concert !.......2005-07-27

in the summer of '85 , those who were lucky enough witnessed miles & co. transform the stage of the theatre st. denis into downtown manhattan , so electrifying was the vibe they created . yes , i was at this concert and it was one of the best montreal jazz fest shows that i've been to ; as usual , the good folks at spectel video captured the essence of that vibe in splendid fashion ; i've seen miles in concert four times and this is still my favorite performance of his ; i've seen john scofield live several times and , wow , was he " on " that evening ; well done !

The loudest Miles Davis ever. Horrible........2005-04-21

I own four Miles Davis DVDs and many of his CDs, so I can say I know him pretty well. This DVD contains what I think is by far the worst music I have ever heard him play, from the Fifties to his death. John Scofield in particular is unbearably loud. Good money gone down the tubes. Forget this one and buy instead Live in Munich.

Horrific.......2004-07-01

Miles Davis legacy from when he was a much younger lad never translated to good performances when aged. This DVD literally blows. It is the single worst performance I've ever purchased.

5 stars.......2003-05-05

Absolutely brilliant. Much better than Live In Munich. John Scofield shines brightly on this DVD. So does Miles of course. Listen to the duet playing of Miles and John on Time After Time. Just delicate.

Average customer rating:

Not the greatest
Awesome DVD

Ray Charles - 50 Years in Music
Starring: Ray Charles , Paul McCartney , Stevie Wonder , Bill Cosby , and James Ingram
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

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

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Ray Charles - Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival
Ray Charles - In Concert
The Dick Cavett Show - Ray Charles Collection
Ray Charles - O Genio - Live in Brazil 1963
Teddy: Live in '79

ASIN: B000BD1LI6
Release Date: 2005-11-08

Product Description

1. What'd I Say
2. Hallelujah (I Love Her So)
3. Livin' for the City
4. Can't Keep a Good Man Down
5. Busted
6. Never Stop!
7. Georgia on My Mind
8. Your Cheatin' Heart
9. I Can't Stop Loving You
10. I Got a Woman
11. Happy Birthday to You
12. I Wish I Never Loved You at All
13. America the Beautiful

System Requirements:
One of the most influential and electrifying musicians of all time, the legendary Ray Charles transformed every musical style he touched - R&B, gospel, soul and even country - with his remarkable talent, passion and energy, dazzling generation after generation of listeners. In celebration of an extraordinary career that spanned more than 50 years, some of his most devoted fans gather together to celebrate Ray's remarkable career and give him a birthday party to remember, a spectacular, star-studded, once-in-a-lifetime music- and laugh-filled tribute. A selection of Ray's greatest songs are lovingly rendered by James Ingram, Randy Travis, Michael McDonald and others while such greats as Willie Nelson and Michael Bolton join Ray himself for breathtaking duets of the master's best. And history is made when two legends, Ray and the incomparable Stevie Wonder, perform together on stage for the first time! Filled with touching personal tributes from Paul McCartney, Quincy Jones, Bill Cosby, Gloria Estefan, George Lopez and many others as well as rare behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage, this magical evening with one of music's most beloved performers is a must-have for every fan.

Format: DVD VIDEO

Amazon.com

It's possible, likely even, that Ray Charles put on a few poor or at least perfunctory performances in his career, but 50 Years in Music isn't one of them. Combined with his sheer talent, the man's natural ebullience and joy at playing music were enough to transcend the restrictions of any given scene--in this case, an antiseptic concert hall filled with a glamorous crowd barely visible beyond the footlights. In fact, if there's any significant drawback to this 90-minute show, recorded in 1991 in Pasadena, California, it's that there isn't enough Ray. Days before his 60th birthday, he showed up to deliver versions of a few of his standards ("What'd I Say," "Busted," "Georgia On My Mind," "America the Beautiful"), along with some less usual fare (the country-tinged "Just for a Thrill," the bluesy "Can't Keep a Good Man Down"), imbuing every tune with a freshness one might have thought impossible, given how many times he'd performed them. But there's a lengthy mid-show stretch when Charles isn't even onstage, and classics like "Your Cheatin' Heart," "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "I Got a Woman" are performed by Randy Travis, James Ingram, and Michael McDonald respectively; good singers all, but not in a league with Brother Ray. Meanwhile, three duets yield mixed results: Ray and Stevie Wonder mesh superbly on "Livin' for the City" and Willie Nelson relaxes with the star on "Busted," but the egregious Michael Bolton damn near ruins "Georgia" with his ear-shattering, over-the-top emoting. And the presence of Tevin Campbell (a young Quincy Jones protégé who comes on like a more wholesome version of Michael Jackson) and Brit band the Brand New Heavies, neither of whom performs a song that has anything to do with Ray Charles, is merely baffling. 50 Years in Music is just fine as tributes go, but as the late attorney Johnnie Cochran might have put it, "If you've got Ray, let him play." --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews:

Not the greatest.......2007-06-27

I should have read the description more carefully. Really thought that I
was buying a Ray Charles CD. Instead there was a minimum of
music performed by Ray, and a lot of less than great performances by others. Disappointing!

Awesome DVD.......2007-03-27

This is a must have DVD. We thoroughtly enjoyed watching Ray dance in his seat. Thanks for having it.

Average customer rating:

Gene Krupa Jazz Innovator

Gene Krupa Jazz Legend
Starring: Steve Allen , Louis Bellson , Benny Goodman , Sid Catlett , and Roy Eldridge
Director: Glenn Mangel
Manufacturer: Warner Bros Publications
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

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

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

Music Video & Concerts | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Special Interests | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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Gene Krupa Swing, Swing, Swing DVD
The Gene Krupa Story
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Jazz Legend
World of Gene Krupa: That Legendary Drummin' Man

ASIN: B0001XAM5O
Release Date: 2004-01-21

Description

Gene Krupa made the drums a solo instrument, and he remains one of the most famous drummers in history. Rare footage from the 1940's. Featured is an interview with Krupa, commentary from Louis Bellson and narrated by Steve Allen. Bonus DVD Features include: Six never-before-seen performances, Eight additional audio tracks featuring Gene's brilliant performances, Printable drum charts, Internet connectivity.

Customer Reviews:

Gene Krupa Jazz Innovator.......2006-07-15

A person is usually recognized as an innovator if they dramatically change how something is done, or perceived. Gene Krupa no doubt changed the role of the drummer, and how drums were played in the world of music in general and more specifically, the world of jazz. Krupa's unique style, showmanship and dedication to his art transformed the role of the drummer from one of insignificance to solo status, the equal of any other instrumentalist in a band. Gene Krupa, Jazz Legend, is an absolute must have for anyone interested in drumming, great music, or a well done biography of a true jazz giant.

The DVD contains many taped and filmed Krupa performances including a killer version of Sing, Sing, Sing from the 1937 movie, Hollywood Hotel. Krupa's own big band is featured and highlights performances by Krupa, Roy Eldridge and Anita O'Day. Of particular interest were several taped reunion performances from the early 1970s featuring Krupa, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson and Buddy Rich. These performances marked a period in Krupa's life when illness was taking a toll on his body, but was unable to conquer the man's heart, spirit, and love of his music. Gene Krupa, Jazz Legend also offers additional performances, and a number of audio tracks.

Louis Bellson, a fine drummer in his own right, injects his own personal thoughts on Krupa, as friend, colleague and fellow artist. Adding to the commentary is a fine interview with Krupa himself. Gene noted his own thoughts on drumming, and the influences on his own style which included the contributions of Baby Dodds, and the incredible Chick Webb.

If I had to offer one criticism, it would be that the scope of Krupa's career and contributions probably warranted a slightly longer biographical examination; however this does not significantly detract from this overall fine presentation.

Gene Krupa was a true innovator, but more simply put, he was a man that loved music and performing. He was a rare talent who transcended musical generations, and still has much to offer any lover of music. Have a listen and a look. You won't be disappointed.

The Jazz Channel Presents B.B. King (BET on Jazz)

Average customer rating:

Fine BB
80 years young and still doing it
Outstanding concert and DVD
Incredible clarity of sound and picture.
This is a MUST HAVE dvd

The Jazz Channel Presents B.B. King (BET on Jazz)
Starring: B.B. King
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

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

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Music Video & Concerts | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
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B.B. King - Live by Request
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ASIN: B000055XSL
Release Date: 2001-01-30

Amazon.com

If you want an hour with the master, you need look no farther than this production of the Jazz Channel and BET. A live concert performance by the 75-year-old blues legend, this video shows the robust King at the height of his guitar and singing powers. Though it's a little sad to see him forced to sit in a chair to perform, that impression is quickly wiped away by his music. Whether wringing stinging solos from Lucille, his beloved guitar, or singing songs as varied as "The Thrill Is Gone" and "Making Love Is Good for You," King is like some blues-soaked Buddha, so lively that you forget he's sitting down. He acts out a whole lifetime of drama in the facial expressions of a single guitar solo; multiply that times an hour and you've got a King so animated that you expect him to hop up and start dancing. --Marshall Fine

Description

The reigning king of the blues, B.B. King, rules supreme on BET on Jazz: The Jazz Channel. The legendary blues guitarist and his beloved "Lucille," let the good times roll in a live concert recorded at Black Entertainment Television Studio II in Washington, DC. This electrifying Jazz Central performance features the trademark guitar and vocal styles that have made B.B. King one of the most influential blues musicians of the 20th century. Songs: Two I Shoot Blues, Let the Good Times Roll, I'll Survive, Bad Case of Love, Peace of Mind, Caldonia, Blues Boys Tune, Early in the Morning, Just Like a Woman, I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town, The Thrill is Gone, I Know, Don't Go No Further (You Need Meat), Please Accept My Love, Making Love is Good for You. 65 minutes.

Customer Reviews:

Fine BB.......2007-01-17

Lucille and BB were in fine form for this video. We really enjoyed listening and watching him play. And as typical of recent years, he lets others shine out while taking a step back. Worth having in the collection.

80 years young and still doing it.......2006-07-15

B.B. King still has it. Saw him in concert recently and the man had the audience on its feet.

Outstanding concert and DVD.......2004-01-02

This DVD does an excellent job of capturing the essence of the performances B.B. King puts on today. It's amazing the energy he continues to put into his music despite his age and infirmities. Ditto to the other reviews praising the production values. The DTS recording is superb. Great for fans, great to introduce newbies to the master.

Incredible clarity of sound and picture........2003-04-29

This is yet another great DVD I purchased at Amazon. This is BB King in concert taken from the BET network show BET on Jazz. This is a fairly recnt concert. BB sits while he performs now due to his age and weight I suppose. He still puts on a great show though. He has the whole band with him and a horn section. This DVD is encoded in the DTS format. If you haven't heard DVDs in DTS you don't know what your missing. It opens the sound up that much more and you hear greater separation and clarity. The sound quality on this DVD is just incredible. My hat's off to whomever recorded and mixed this concert. There's a few other BB DVDs out there and they are all good, but the sound on this one beats them. If you have a good sourround sound system (with DTS) and you play this DVD and close your eyes you would swear you were listening to BB live. It's that good. A great choice to add to your DVD collection.

This is a MUST HAVE dvd.......2003-04-22

...well neither is winning a million dollars!!!! This dvd is great. "Making Love is Good for You" is a great tune. Hey the man is a couple of years shy of 80 years old... and can still make beautiful music. "Please Accept My Love" is sweet song and good introduction to "Makin' love is good for you". Heck if you ain't seen the man play it's about high time. You will not be dissatisfied. The sound is great and the "Interview with B.B. King" segment is great too...... Buy this dvd!!!

A Night in Havana - Dizzy Gillespie in Cuba

Average customer rating:

DIZZY GILLESPIE - A Night In Havana!
FIVE STARS!
Arturo + Dizzy = KingGod:-)

A Night in Havana - Dizzy Gillespie in Cuba
Starring: Dizzy Gillespie , and Arturo Sandoval
Director: Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Manufacturer: New Video Group
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

International | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( N ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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Latin Jazz Founders
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Cubanissimo: A History of Cuban Music

ASIN: B00092ZT4G
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Amazon.com

Part travelogue, part concert film, A Night in Havana is an enjoyable tour through the origins of Afro-Cuban jazz and one of its earliest purveyors, Dizzy Gillespie. Throughout the documentary, Dizzy tours various Cuban festivals of music and dance, smokes cigars with Fidel Castro, and waxes philosophic on his role in introducing Cuban rhythms to bebop, how his horn got turned up the way it is, and, of course, his cheeks. Featuring great renditions of Afro-Cuban jazz classics "A Night in Tunisia" and "Manteca" and guest appearances by Arturo Sandoval and a very young Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Dizzy Gillespie in Cuba is a breezy trip to our forbidden neighbors down south. --Kristian St. Clair

Description

The indisputable founding father of "bebop," Dizzy Gillespie remains one of the most recognizable and popular figures in jazz history. During his heyday in the 1940s, Dizzy was one of the first American jazz musicians to incorporate the electrifying sound of Afro-Cuban rhythms into a big-band setting. Forty years later, the legendary jazz trumpeter was invited to Cuba, the wellspring of his inspiration, to headline the Fifth International Jazz Festival in Havana. The journey, as documented in this star-studded film, was a spiritual and triumphal homecoming for the musical genius.

Customer Reviews:

DIZZY GILLESPIE - A Night In Havana!.......2007-02-07

Just as I expected. But the satisfaction really comes from the content of the DVD. A worthy purchase.

FIVE STARS!.......2005-09-29

The best DVD that i own. Amazing, heartwarming, emotional production that will take you back to the roots of Latin Jazz. Fans of Latin/Afr-Cuban Jazz must have this film. I learned so much about the roots of this most wonderfull music watching this film. Dizzie is absolutley captivating, one of the most generous musicians, a prodigy a grand master of soulfull music. Deffinate in your Latin collections.

Arturo + Dizzy = KingGod:-).......2005-08-17

First to say, that this is not a concert but a documentary movie. With a lot of music thoug. Its really fun to watch two of the worlds greatest trumpeters joke around! A lot of great trumpet playing and cool interwies... A trumpeters best buy this year. >-iii- <0

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