Blues Story

Starring:Blues Story
Studio: Shout Factory
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
A little over a hundred years ago in the Mississippi Delta, America gave birth to the music which would become the cornerstone of all popular American music: the Blues.

Blues Story presents an impressionistic history of one of the most lasting art forms America has ever produced, as told for the first time through the eyes of the artists who lived it. Combining exclusive interview and performance footage from vintage clips and the music of many Blues legends long gone, the history of this richly felt music is illuminatedfrom its African roots to its American urban expressionalong with its profound place in our cultural heritage. The result is a rare first-hand glimpse into the lives of these vanishing artists, and a moving, insightful and informative look into a music that continues to be loved by millions throughout the world.

Amazon.com essential video

The winner of 10 Academy Awards, this 1961 musical by choreographer Jerome Robbins and director Robert Wise (The Sound of Music) remains irresistible. Based on a smash Broadway play updating Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to the 1950s era of juvenile delinquency, the film stars Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer as the star-crossed lovers from different neighborhoods--and ethnicities. The film's real selling points, however, are the highly charged and inventive song-and-dance numbers, the passionate ballads, the moody sets, colorful support from Rita Moreno, and the sheer accomplishment of Hollywood talent and technology producing a film so stirring. Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim wrote the score. --Tom Keogh

Description

This brilliant (The New Republic) film sets the ageless story of Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950s New York. Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins and scripted by Ernest Lehman, the film combines Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's unforgettable score ( Maria, America, 'somewhere, 'tonight ) with Robbins own exuberant choreography to achieve an exhilarating work of art (Saturday Review). A love affair is fated for tragedy amidst the vicious rivalry of two street gangsthe Jets and the Sharks. When Jets member Tony (RichardBeymer) falls for Maria (Natalie Wood), the sister of the Sharks leader, it's more than these two warring gangs can handle. And as mounting tensions rise, a battle to the death ensues, and innocent blood is shed in a heartbreaking finale.

Customer Reviews:

West Side Story.......2007-07-02

Adapted by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins from the long-running Broadway play, this triumphant production combines a brilliant score and jaw-dropping choreography with a heart-rending tale of doomed love. The leads work well together, with Wood particularly effective, but supporting players Russ Tamblyn (as Jet leader Riff), Chakiris and Rita Moreno (as Bernardo's sassy girlfriend Anita) virtually eclipse the stars with their intense moves and portrayals. This vibrant film is also elevated by an unsurpassed, evergreen Bernstein/Sondheim score. Winner of a staggering ten Oscars, including Best Picture.

West Side Story (Full Screen Edition.......2007-06-27

I don't have much to say about this DVD as I only purchsed it for my husband, he is very pleased with the order, he only bought this DVD as he likes Westside story and has seen it numerous times and loves it, he thinks it is the best musical that ever was made

West Side Not Snorie.......2007-06-27

West Side Story is a clasic. The theam is almost timeless, and the songs are first rate. Anyone who enjoys good music, and/or acting should make an effort to view this film.

Gonna Rock It Tonight!.......2007-05-30

My goodness, after wearing out my old VHS copy, it was amazing to see this in such clarity. The one-hour documentary and production home movies and stills were fascinating!!!

The Movie's OK..........2007-05-11

"West Side Story" is an interesting film to analyze. It won Best Picture in 1961; it's #41 on The American Film Institute's Top 100; But look at the top 250 films according to the Internet Movie Database. It's nowhere to be found..."West Side Story" is not, in my opinion, a masterpiece. It's a good film, but it's overly long and none of the singers are particularly good (except Marni Nixon, who dubbed Natalie Wood's vocals), and it's also very cheesy. A modern update of Romeo & Juliet, a movie about rival gangs that sing and dance. It's almost campy.

The movie takes place in New York, where the rival gangs The Jets (whites) and The Sharks (Puerto Ricans) frequently fight for the right to certain turf. After a school dance, a Jet named Tony (Richard Beymer) falls for Maria (Wood), the Puerto Rican sister of Bernardo (George Chakiris) the leader of The Sharks. The film features such memorable tunes as "I Feel Pretty" and "Gee, Officer Krupke."

It's definitely well made, as the acting is fine, and the choreography is superb...But at 2 hours and 30 minutes, I was thinking (once it hit the 90-minute mark) "END ALREADY!" I guess I should clarify however that I'm not a very big fan of musicals and I guess if you are, you'll probably like "West Side Story" a lot more than I did. But I think this is one of the 10 or so films that appear on the A.F.I. list that I can honestly say don't deserve to be there.
GRADE: B-

West Side Story (Special Edition DVD Collector's Set)

Average customer rating:

West Side Story
West Side Story (Full Screen Edition
West Side Not Snorie
Gonna Rock It Tonight!
The Movie's OK...

West Side Story (Special Edition DVD Collector's Set)
Starring: Natalie Wood , Richard Beymer , Russ Tamblyn , Rita Moreno , and George Chakiris
Director: Jerome Robbins , and Robert Wise
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00008972S
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Amazon.com essential video

Description

Customer Reviews:

West Side Story.......2007-07-02

West Side Story (Full Screen Edition.......2007-06-27

West Side Not Snorie.......2007-06-27

West Side Story is a clasic. The theam is almost timeless, and the songs are first rate. Anyone who enjoys good music, and/or acting should make an effort to view this film.

Gonna Rock It Tonight!.......2007-05-30

My goodness, after wearing out my old VHS copy, it was amazing to see this in such clarity. The one-hour documentary and production home movies and stills were fascinating!!!

The Movie's OK..........2007-05-11

Average customer rating:

Blues Story
A PBS Documentary
Must Have
Fantastic!! Best Blues DVD available!!
georgia love blues

Blues Story
Director: Jay Levey
Manufacturer: Shout Factory
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Blues Masters - The Essential History of the Blues
The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1969, Vol. 3
The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966, Vol. 1
The Howlin' Wolf Story - The Secret History of Rock & Roll
The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966, Vol. 2

ASIN: B0000CEB4G
Release Date: 2003-09-30

Description

A little over a hundred years ago in the Mississippi Delta, America gave birth to the music which would become the cornerstone of all popular American music: the Blues.

Blues Story presents an impressionistic history of one of the most lasting art forms America has ever produced, as told for the first time through the eyes of the artists who lived it. Combining exclusive interview and performance footage from vintage clips and the music of many Blues legends long gone, the history of this richly felt music is illuminated—from its African roots to its American urban expression—along with its profound place in our cultural heritage. The result is a rare first-hand glimpse into the lives of these vanishing artists, and a moving, insightful and informative look into a music that continues to be loved by millions throughout the world.

Customer Reviews:

Blues Story.......2007-05-07

Although this is a fairly comprehensive work, it will take a lot more than 120 minutes to give a thorough disertation on this, one of only two uniquely American forms of music. Bluegrass and later, Country music being the other. Overall, the interviews were good. Especially the Hubert Sumlin, R.L.Burnside, and Buddy Guy segments. Not enough can be said of the importance of and the impact the Blues has had on our lives. It is the common thread that connects us all regardless of race religion or social status. Everybody gets the Blues sometime or another. Sometimes happy, sometimes sad. But, they're always there to express the human condition no matter what it may be. I recommend this DVD as a good addition to your collection, but, there are a lot more out there to supplement your knowledge and enjoyment of this uniquely American art form.
Terry McClanahan
San Diego,CA

A PBS Documentary.......2007-04-07

Doesn't say a whole lot that hasn't been said. It's good viewing, accurate, and educational.

Must Have.......2007-02-16

This DVD has been well critiqued, my comment is simple, if You Love the back wood rea deal blues and are familiar with the names featured here but never layed eyes on em' your in for a treat, plus the antedotes and stories of Hubert Sumlin Pinetop Perkins, fairly old footage of the Great Buddy Guy who at first glance looks and sounds like a blues up Jimi Hendrix...really! If You enjoyed DEEP BLUE You will dig this, it is gritty but well edited, sound is good and with a running time of 2 hours, you'll think it was only 45 minutes because there is not a weak moment. There is 30 minutes of extra footage not shown on PBS, I got most converted to DVD's anything to do with blues library and this DVD gets highest honors in my collection, its not pretentious, its the BLUES STORY.

Fantastic!! Best Blues DVD available!!.......2007-01-05

If you wish to hear many songs and stories told by the second major generation of Blues Artists, this is the DVD! Their are also short film clips and pictures of some of the earlier generation such as Bessie Smith and Robert Lockwood.

georgia love blues.......2006-01-11

this item is amaizing.blues story yes thanks to shout factory for this i am glead.when i was 14 yers old i met the blues first.it was eric and stevie tin pan alley ow thet greit song but when i hear this is the blues i sad what is it and my friend tell me if you want to know what is it you have learn the blues story,yes they are wright.i was reading and reading but when i so it this was amaizing to see people like buddy guy muddy waters snooky bb king and more.i love this people like my mother father buy this item my friend.

The Howlin' Wolf Story - The Secret History of Rock & Roll

Average customer rating:

Great archival footage and information
The Howlin'Wolf Story- The Secret of Rock & Roll
pleased as punch
Review of the Howlin' Wolf Story
Fantastic!! Blues at it's best.

The Howlin' Wolf Story - The Secret History of Rock & Roll
Starring: Howlin' Wolf
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966, Vol. 1
The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966, Vol. 2
The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1969, Vol. 3
Blues Masters - The Essential History of the Blues
John Lee Hooker - Come and See About Me: The Definitive DVD

ASIN: B0000DJZ81
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Amazon.com

What better way to cap off 2003, the "Year of the Blues," than with this eminently watchable documentary about Chester A. Burnett, better known as Howlin' Wolf? Arguably second only to Muddy Waters among the Mississippi Delta singers who traveled north and pioneered urban electric blues (their supposed rivalry is the subject of one of this DVD's bonus features), Wolf was a big, imposing man with an inimitable, booming voice and a lasting influence on generations of rock & rollers--all of which comes across in the 90-minute film. Not only do we get a history of his life (told by family members, musical associates like longtime guitarist Hubert Sumlin, and Wolf himself) that's far more entertaining than the norm for this genre, we also get some history of the blues in general. And not only do we hear snippets of Wolf's music, we hear several complete songs, including some priceless filmed performances. Quite simply, this one should become a touchstone for documentaries of its kind. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews:

Great archival footage and information.......2007-04-14

One of the finest bluesmen in history, the real father of rock and roll, is brilliantly captured on this DVD. Excellent choice for anyone interested in this amazing man.

"When you thinkin' evil, you thinking 'bout the blues."

The Howlin'Wolf Story- The Secret of Rock & Roll.......2007-03-09

Essential part of Blues history! A simply must have!

pleased as punch.......2007-03-09

I thoroughly enjoyed the DVD. It told the story of his life, with great music, and included his family and friends. It made him come to life for me, and was informative of his life and relationships with those close to him.

Review of the Howlin' Wolf Story.......2007-02-20

I was generqally pleased with the music on this DVD. However, it did not meet my objective to obtain video footage of the Howlin' Wolf performing before a live audience. The recordings of him sitting in a chair in an empty room was not what I was searching for.

Fantastic!! Blues at it's best........2007-01-05

As I stated in my review of the "Blues Masters," this DVD and the Blues Masters are second only to the DVD "The Blues." Anyone who loves the blues should have this DVD in his/her collection.

The Barry White Story: Let the Music Play

Average customer rating:

Unforgettable Video
The Sadness behind the music of the sexiest composer in history
Great Overview
Amazed and Astonished!!

The Barry White Story: Let the Music Play
Starring: Barry White
Manufacturer: Eagle Vision USA
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000MG2LJU
Release Date: 2007-02-20

Description

An intimate portrait of the life and work of the legendary Barry White told through extensive archive interviews with the great man himself and new interviews with his family, friends and colleagues including Smokey Robinson, Ray Parker Jr., Nathan East, Taboo from Black Eyed Peas, producer Jack Perry, record company boss Russ Regan, Love Unlimited member and ex-wife Glodean White and his children Barry White, Jr. and Shahera White among many others.

Bonus features include additional interviews and footage not seen in the main program.

Features excerpts from the following songs:
Let The Music Play
Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe
You're The First, The Last, My Everything
Staying Power
Never, Never Gonna Give You Up
It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me
And many more

Customer Reviews:

Unforgettable Video.......2007-03-26

This it is an excellent video, narrated by he himself "Maestro" Barry, about its life and its encounter with music. The interviews to Smokey Robinson, to their producer Jack Perry, Ray Parker Jr, are a permanent memory by the great "Maestro". The Dvd is done and produced by Jack Perry very well, producer of the Maestro, I recommend this Dvd, really wonderful. Greetings from Peru Lima (South America) Manuel Pacifico

The Sadness behind the music of the sexiest composer in history.......2007-03-04

Barry White is one of those recording artists that you know the minute you hear him on the radio. As a major magazine said years ago, :For three years running the birth rate in the US increased 5% because of Barry White's records!". The guy ain't attractive - he's big with lots of hair but his voice can turn women of nearly every age and ethnicity into butter. And it's not just his voice. His INSTRUMENTAL hit "Love's Theme" is a standard now.

Okay, so you know the voice and the name but, like me, probably not much else - except that he died about 10 years ago.

This 2006 documentary produced by EagleVision and the UK's Channel 4 TV will tell you more than you'll ever want to know about the man. Using lots of archival footage of performances (mostly from a concert in Belgium), and narration from White himself for the first half of this 70 minute documentary, the producers have put together a complete picture of this artist beginning with his criminal record in his teens to the fight over access to him by his family in his last weeks of life. (Shades of the Anna Nicole Smith fiasco). We learn that his Business manager had his Power of Attorney and would not let his wife (they were separated) and children see him as he was dying.

Yep, mixed in with the music (no really complete performances) and comments on his music from Gamble & Huff and Smokey Robinson, among others, is a sad story. The bonus features are limited to 18 minutes of outtakes of partial performances and interviews.

Nicely done, it's definitely worth watching. It might have been improved by complete Music Videos that White produced to watch on repeated viewing.

But it's certainly priced right.

Steve Ramm "Anything Phonographic"

Great Overview.......2007-02-27

Classic Reflections on the Man&His Music. this is a Must have for all Barry White fans. I've been a fan of the Man's work for such a really long,long time.this DVD covers his career&also contains Interviews with other Industry Greats reflecting on the Man&His Music. I enjoyed the Project a Great Deal. RIP to the "MAESTRO". His Genius left a lasting impact.

Amazed and Astonished!!.......2007-02-23

First of all, I'm an old school guy and a real music lover, whether it be R&B, Jazz, Classical and even sometimes country music. I've been listen to Barry White since 1960 for those of you who didn't know he had been out here that long. I have every one of his albums,every one!, and I have damn near wore them out. Please note, this is not a "Live Concert" by any means, it is an excellent documentary about the life and times of "The Maestro" himself. Please; if you were ever a Barry White fan, do not deprive yourself of buying this DVD. You will be completely "Astonished and Amazed",especially during the days leading up to the end of his life. I couldn't wait to tell somebody about it, well done!!

The Life and Music of Robert Johnson: Can't You Hear the Wind Howl?

Average customer rating:

Best Robert Johnson documentary yet
The life and music of Robert Johnson
Best Robert Johnson DVD
A Steady Rollin' Man
Ambitious, a little cheesy?

The Life and Music of Robert Johnson: Can't You Hear the Wind Howl?
Starring: Danny Glover , Johnny Shines , Robert Cray , Keith Richards (II) , and John Hammond
Director: Peter Meyer
Manufacturer: Shout Factory
ProductGroup: DVD
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The Search for Robert Johnson
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ASIN: B00009VU36
Release Date: 2003-07-22

Amazon.com

This ambitious mixture of dramatic reconstruction with traditional documentary affords excellent insight into legendary bluesman Robert Johnson's life, the enduring power of his music, and the myth which surrounds him. Can't You Hear The Wind Howl transcends its genre of "docudrama," providing the well-researched information we'd expect from a conventional documentary with the dramatic impact we could hope for from a Hollywood film.

Contemporary bluesman Keb' Mo' (Kevin Moore) plays Johnson, and Danny Glover narrates, but the real star is Robert Johnson's music. The film's strength is its power of suggestion; we never see the Johnson character up close, never hear him talk. As if in a dream, he flits in and out of scenes, whether courting his girlfriend or stirring a juke joint to mayhem. But you'd be hard put picking him out of a police lineup. We never see him such that we can know him, which is an accurate representation of the elusive musician, according to the interview footage with Johnson's proteges and peers--among them Johnny Shines, Robert Lockwood Jr., and Honeyboy Edwards. Keb' Mo', who has included Robert Johnson songs on each of his three CDs, says that portraying Johnson had a lasting effect. "It's an internal thing," says Mo'. "In playing him, you pull in some of the spirit. The spirit of a juke joint, the spirit of the south at that time." This film falls nicely between an homage and an explanation. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Best Robert Johnson documentary yet .......2007-07-08

This documentary was produced in 1997, and very little new and meaningful information on Robert Johnson has surfaced since then, except for further details over his death. So, the important facts about his life are contained here. But this is more than a documentary --- the dramatizations are fabulous. It is a very relaxing film, and beautifully showcases Johnson's original recordings. Keb Mo does a fine job in recreating Johnson's recording sessions. It is visually beautiful, and takes you to the heart of the Delta. Johnny Shines, Johnson's former traveling buddy, is wonderful, and credible. I grow weary of listening to Honeyboy Edwards because the authenticity of his claims are highly questionable. Just reading the back of Johnson's death certificate raises serious questions about Edwards' recollections. No matter. This is a very entertaining and transcending work.

The life and music of Robert Johnson.......2007-05-08

Great overall presentation about the man and his music.

Best Robert Johnson DVD.......2007-02-26

I think I have seen all the Robert Johnson documentaries available. I like this one the most. The interviews are good, most info that is around in other places too. Integrating the artful sequences of Keb Mo as Robert Johnson is what distinguishes this disc most to me. Turn the sound up on my system, watch it on the big plasma... it's about as close as most of us will ever get to the authentic roots of what is now called blues.

A Steady Rollin' Man.......2005-07-19

Robert Johnson was one of the most enigmatic bluesmen of the 20th century and his life is still a mystery today.Fans only have two grainy pictures of Johnson and various accounts of the mans' life by those who knew him and those who purport to have known him.Having died at the age of 27 by poisoning only adds to the legacy.Johnson, like many of his contemporaries in that early century era, liked women and whiskey and that became his undoing...a jealous husband poisoned his drink and sent Johnson off into the history books forever.In this documentary, other bluesmen will tell you what Johnson was all about, right up to those final hours but some of their testimony is questionable, as was Johnsons' entire life.But the music is there and it lives up to the Johnson image. Many songs are haunting (Hellhound on My Trail, Come On In My Kitchen) and many are sad (Drunkenhearted Man,From Four Til Late)but they all carry Johnsons'unique stamp on the blues. One listen and you'll hear it.Danny Glover's narration is compassionate and blues musician Keb Mos' silhouetted figure makes you feel that you are watching actual footage of Johnson himself. Good stuff...

Ambitious, a little cheesy?.......2005-03-23

6-7 years after John Hammond provided us with a decent (if somewhat slight) documentary on Robert Johnson in 'The Search for Robert Johnson', 'Can You Hear the Wind Howl' attempted a far more ambitious interpretation of Johnson's life which, whilst offering little new information (and rehashing stories from interviewees [Johnny Shines, David Edwards] that have long circulated in 'blues' circles), nevertheless provided a good deal of (musical) context missing from the Hammond outing.

The depiction of Johnson here often times feels a little cheesy, until one realises that he's never quite been visualized like this before. And it's intelligently done, with Keb' Mo striking the famous pose from the 'King of the Delta Blues Vol. 1' album cover (an overhead view of a seated Johnson playing guitar) in a sequence that is artfully constructed via chiaroscuro lighting. (The only 'letdown' is that Mo mimes to Johnson's recordings; it might have been more convincing to have him perform them outright). Indeed, the filmmakers bravely attempt to depict Johnson living his daily life, which, whilst largely understated, becomes slightly repetitive (apparently Johnson spent quite a bit of time aimlessly wandering deserted warehouse backalleys and empty city streets!). Nevertheless, this is an interesting approach and prods the viewer to reflect upon the common life experiences of Johnson (and his personal tragedies) in straightforward dramatic terms.

We also receive information about Johnson's 'dying message'. I for one had never heard this piece of information before, and I wonder if it has since been disproven (Clapton's latest DVD, which offers an overview of Johnson 'evidence', makes no mention of this). Accompanied by an unsettling depiction of Johnson's final moments, this is perhaps the most important element of the documentary.

Danny Glover is serviceable in narration, although his somewhat stilted 'enthusiasm' grates at times. With a figure like Johnson, the need for a 'personality' to narrate the events of his life is questionable; Johnson needs no-one to make him interesting.

Overall, this is a largely entertaining depiction of Johnson that attempts to break away from 'museum piece' academics and consider Johnson's music in its lived, performed state. Whilst it does traffic in silliness at times (the 'Crossroads' sequence is more amusing than terrifying), 'Can't You Hear The Wind Howl' is a nice companion piece - if somewhat redundant - to the Hammond documentary.

Average customer rating:

Hank Williams:Honky Tonk Blues.BFI AwardWinner 2004
Hank Williams
A Must Have For Any Hank Williams Fan
A simply outstanding documentary on a major musical figure
Great Film

Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues
Starring: Hank Williams
Director: Morgan Neville
Manufacturer: Mercury Nashville
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00028G7JI
Release Date: 2004-06-08

Amazon.com

Honky Tonk Blues is an expanded director's cut of an American Masters television special about Hank Williams, and every minute of it illuminates Williams's importance as a seminal artist and American archetype. Produced with an understated fascination for the country legend's gifts and demons that shortened his career, played havoc with his marriages, and led to a haunting death at 29, Honky Tonk Blues builds a seamless profile from rare footage and rich interviews with (among others) Rick Bragg, Big Bill Lister (Williams's longtime opening act), Hank Williams Jr., and members of Williams's backup band, the Drifting Cowboys. Williams's story, including his mentorship in the blues by Rufus "Tee Tot" Payne, childhood loneliness, and emergence as a whole-cloth singer-songwriter "who taught people it's okay to bear your soul in everyday language," is thoroughly compelling and resonates with many American originals (e.g., Kurt Cobain) who followed him. An outstanding documentary. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Hank Williams:Honky Tonk Blues.BFI AwardWinner 2004.......2007-06-29

There are two Documentories I have baught This and Woody Guthrie This Machine Kills Fachists I belive both Documentaries are winners of the Times BFI film fastivel.2004&2005.Woody Guthrie and Hank Williams recorded a song (Pictures from Lifes Other Side)Woody Guthrie in the1930s and Hank Williams in I Belive in 1947.It would have been interesting if they had Met and recorded a record togther.sadly not tobe.But Listen to Bouth of these Musions. There Music Is Great and Lives.6/28/2007.

Hank Williams.......2007-05-06

This is by far the only Hank DVD you will need to see. After seeing this I feel like I know the man who is only a shadow in my memory. If this doesn't bring a tear to your eye and a hollow to your heart, you don't have a soul. If you just like sittin around listen to your grandfather speak, you will appreciate this video. And just watch those legs a shakin!!

A Must Have For Any Hank Williams Fan.......2006-12-18

This is a fairly well produced look into the life of country musics greatest singer songwriter. There are so few videos of Hank williams and this DVD offers only a few tidbits. Some of the interviews with his old bandmates and his son and grandson are priceless. Hank truly was an American Master!

A simply outstanding documentary on a major musical figure.......2006-08-13

In my opinion the great 20th century American songwriters were Bob Dylan, Cole Porter, Woody Guthrie, and Hank Williams. His stature is acknowledged in this film in part by the failure to bring this point home. The filmmakers clearly assume that anyone watching the film is aware of Hank Williams importance not just in country music, but in music period. The debate is not whether he is the premier country songwriter, but who the second most important writer is. There is a lot of talk of the Great American Songbook, comprised by the work of figures like Cole Porter, the Gershwins, and Irving Berlin, but it is also true that there is a Great American Country Songbook. And Hank Williams wrote it. He may also be the most influential country singer as well. George Jones and Lefty Frizzell are usually regarded as the greatest of all male country singers, but neither has influenced other singers in quite the way Williams has. Other singers listen to Jones and Frizzell, but they sing like Hank Williams.

The only weakness of the film is that doesn't quite communicate the bleakness of Williams's life as glimpsed through the various biographies. I've read two biographies on Williams (including the one by Colin Escott, whose book provided the basis for the screenplay that Escott assisted on) and both convey far more than the documentary the remarkable emptiness of Williams's life. He was simultaneously a very simple and enormously complex individual. He had astonishingly few interests or obsessions apart from music, religion, women, drinking, comic books, and fishing, yet he produced a body of work that is clearly the achievement of a genius. His songs are perhaps the most passionate that have ever been written. Although I rank Dylan, Porter, and Guthrie as his equals as writers, none of them contained much in the way of passion and heartache. None of those three could have penned lines such as:

It's hard to know another's lips will kiss you
And hold you just the way I used to do
Oh heaven only knows how much I miss you
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you

The film does make very clear that Williams was deeply unhappy, but a book can do a better job of portraying this by depicting a host of unpleasant incidents, whereas the documentary is restricted to only a few. In the biographies I have read Williams's life emerges as one of grim unpleasantness.

The film does a great job of hitting all the highlights in Williams's career. There is a great deal of archival footage and photos, along with a fair amount of tasteful period recreation. It also gives a good impression of Williams's music as a whole, with one major exception: very little of his gospel music is included in the documentary nor is it even hinted at. But his explicitly religious recordings are among his most personal and affecting work.

Williams's demise is dealt with in tasteful manner. Although it is tragic that he died so young, it is unlikely that he could have lived much longer under any circumstances. Even without the binge drinking and the drug abuse that resulted from attempting to deal with the intense suffering caused by his back problems (as the film points out, medical experts feel that he suffered from undiagnosed spinal bifida) he never looked healthy in any of the photos or film footage one sees.

I strongly recommend this to anyone who doesn't know much about Williams's life. He is clearly the dominant figure even today in country music and the absolutely stunning number of great songs he wrote are familiar even to those who are unaware that Williams wrote them. History is made as much by people who shape a culture as by those who shape a nation's politics, and by that standard Williams is one of the great figures in American history. I can imagine no better introduction to him than this film.

Great Film.......2006-07-14

Incredibly insightful, great interviews by people who were close to Hank, who could tell you not only what he said, but also what was in his mind.

Average customer rating:

A Smart DVD for A Smart Stylist

Tony Bennett's New York
Starring: Tony Bennett
Manufacturer: Eagle Vision USA
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Tony Bennett's Wonderful World: Live San Francisco
Tony Bennett - American Classic
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Sinatra - The Classic Duets

ASIN: B0002GTXA0
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Amazon.com

His heart may be in San Francisco and his act in Atlantic City (at least for the purposes of this program), but singer Tony Bennett, the son of an Italian immigrant grocer born in Astoria, Queens, is a New Yorker through and through, a point this documentary-cum-performance DVD makes abundantly clear. With writer-coproducer Reggie Nadelson providing narration (she's not exactly James Earl Jones, to put it charitably, but she clearly knows and loves her subject) and such quintessential New Yorkers as writer Jimmy Breslin and ex-governor Mario Cuomo offering insight, the highlights and lowlights of Bennett's life and career are all covered: the influence of Louis Armstrong, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, and others; his early days as a heartthrob pop crooner through his '60s civil rights activism, '70s career doldrums, and '80s renaissance as the urbane and elegant epitome of cool, thanks to MTV; his sideline as a painter of considerable merit; and more.

There's plenty of music too, with Bennett leading his crack trio through what he calls "the best folk songs in the world," including standards like "A Foggy Day," "I Got Rhythm," and "I Wanna Be Around"--and, natch, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," preceded here by a medley of endearingly awful karaoke performances of the signature Bennett tune. All right, so Tony Bennett may not be a giant on the order of Sinatra, Crosby, or Armstrong. But he's still here, both an embodiment of a bygone era and a still-vital performer of depthless class and style. We're lucky to have him. --Sam Graham

Description

A unique video special that features the golden voiced Tony Bennett performing live in Atlantic City and interview clips in and around New York City in 1996. Also included are archive footage clips and contributions from many of his entertainment friends.

Track Listing:
1. Civil Rights And Rebellion
2. Yesterday's Man
3. A New Sensation
4. Shakin Blues
5. Stepping Out
6. Firefly
7. Old Devil Moon
8. You Can Only Be Yourself
9. The Best Is Yet To Come
10. I May Be Wrong
11. The Music Never Ends
12. Younger Than Spring
13. Dreams
14. Just In Time
15. My Hometown
16. New York Kid
17. Music Of America
18. Stepping Out
19. Got Rhythm
20. All The World To Me
21. Up Beat In Music
22. American Pop Is Born
23. Can't Take That Away From Me
24. Earning A Buck Singing
25. Bells Ring For Me
26. Mechanical Music
27. Because Of You
28. Stereotypes Of Success
29. Rags To Riches
30. Foggy Day
31. Musical Small Town
32. Changes Made
33. For Once In My Life
34. Golden Sun
35. San Francisco
36. I Wanna Be Around

Customer Reviews:

A Smart DVD for A Smart Stylist.......2003-05-01

Buy this one if you don't have any video with Tony Bennett. Material includes a show at the Caesar's Park Hotel and parts of an intelligent interview when Bennett tells of his life, his origins and his view of the New York City. Although you will find his all-time greatest hits here, the show also contains some uncommon songs typically not found on other Bennett's video titles.I particularly love Michel Legrand's "How do you Keep The Music Playing". Mr. Bennett is backed by the Ralph Sharon Trio, top quality as usual. The video was produced for BBC, very good.

Legend of a Band - The Story of the Moody Blues

Average customer rating:

Better than Classic Artists Version
Dated, but still worth a look
Not "Moody Blues Anthology," but pretty good
Wonderful Insight to the "Blues"
An Amazing Band

Legend of a Band - The Story of the Moody Blues
Starring: Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

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

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Art & Artists | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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The Moody Blues - A Night at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra
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Moody Blues - Live at Montreux 1991

ASIN: B00005RIIL
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Amazon.com

For a band that never aspired to hit singles, the Moody Blues have had a remarkably lengthy career, as evidenced by this glossy 1990 profile. Interview snippets with engagingly chatty band members are interspersed with a dozen of their videos, including those for their hits from the 1981 comeback album Long Distance Voyager: "The Voice" and "Gemini Dream." Singer-guitarist-songwriter Justin Hayward speaks most eloquently and interestingly among the quintet, and for the most part the videos are hilariously cheesy examples of the bad, cheap-looking, early-MTV-days genre. The band lip-syncs the song as a ridiculous story plays out starring the group's members. Some vintage performance footage is unearthed, which should please the group's voraciously loyal fan base, if not those still unconvinced. --Kevin Filipski

Customer Reviews:

Better than Classic Artists Version.......2007-05-24

I recently purchased Legend of a Band along with the longer and more expensive Classic Artists 3-DVD set. I must say while LOAB doesn't show as much footage as CA, it does seem to tell the story much clearer and without a lot of the superfulous interviews of people that most of us have never heard of anyway. I am a huge John Lodge fan and the segment of him at the site of The Isle of Wight Festival was fantastic and that alone was well worth the price of the DVD! I highly recommend this to any MB fan.

Dated, but still worth a look.......2006-12-27

I was very eager to see this documentary, and it did not disappoint. Despite it being filmed in 1991, it is still worth seeing because by that stage the the Moody Blues had achieved over 30 years of success. The documentary features a mix of interviews and videos. It was fascinating listening to Justin Hayward describe the early days and how songs were created. He even performs an acoustic version of "Tuesday afternoon". The DVD contains about 10 videos in their entirety, including the original videos of "Nights in white satin", and "I'm just a singer". The remaining videos are from the later years except for the remix of "Question". I am pleased to have all of these videos now im my library, but would have liked to see more videos from the early days, or even early concert footage. Perhaps some footage from the famous Isle of Whyte concert in 1970.

Overall, this is an effective documentary containing footage that any fan of this incredible band will want it in their collection. it's also a good way to get 10 of their videos in their entirety too.

Not "Moody Blues Anthology," but pretty good.......2006-09-27

Until the release of the "Classic Artists" DVD, this is as good a biography of the Moody Blues as you are going to find. There is interesting information about the band, and it does give you a chance to hear from the individuals, so Ray Thomas and Graeme Edge become more than accompanists, just as they were in days of future past, and Justin Hayward and John Lodge show a little of the minds behind the voices up front.

Two things would have made this a better program: it would have been nice to have had more footage of the "Mark II" band in performance, and it would have been invaluable to have Mike Pinder participate, since he was essentially the founder of the band and his Mellotron helped to define the Moodies' sound at its best. (It is also striking that Patrick Moraz was not interviewed; it is as though the producers were avoiding the controversy about whether he was a member of the band which broke out shortly after this.)

This could have been longer to good effect, but it is good for what it is, and certainly helps the viewer to know a little bit about one of the best bands to (so far) be denied enshrinement in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Wonderful Insight to the "Blues".......2006-07-13

I have been a fan of the Moody Blues since my high school days. I have seen them in concert several times over the past several years. This DVD provides a more comprehensive look at the band and especially the artists. Quite franly, I was very impressed by the devotion of the Blues to their music and their fans. The quality of the DVD could have been better, however some of the footage was old and recarding equipment "back them" was only a shadow of what it is today. Overall an excellent addition to an Moddy Blues fan collection.

An Amazing Band.......2006-04-22

My DVD just arrived today and I wasted no time in watching it. The quality isn't the best technically but the band makes up for it in their telling of their story. It was very informative to discover how the band evolved from "just another rock 'n' roll band." I remember the "Go Now!" days, how the group disappeared from the public scene in North America for a while, only to emerge with a totally different and very welcome image and style.

It is great to hear it from the band members. It is good to hear the band explain that the songs were just that...songs. There were no secret meanings, spiritual or otherwise. If you "dig" the sound of the Moody Blues, past or present, you'll enjoy this DVD.

Average customer rating:

West Side Story
West Side Story (Full Screen Edition
West Side Not Snorie
Gonna Rock It Tonight!
The Movie's OK...

West Side Story
Starring: Natalie Wood , Richard Beymer , Russ Tamblyn , Rita Moreno , and George Chakiris
Director: Jerome Robbins , and Robert Wise
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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

7-9 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

10-12 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Adapted from Books | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

My Fair Lady
Fiddler on the Roof (Special Edition)
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Singin' in the Rain (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: 6305132984
Release Date: 1998-10-20

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

West Side Story.......2007-07-02

West Side Story (Full Screen Edition.......2007-06-27

West Side Not Snorie.......2007-06-27

West Side Story is a clasic. The theam is almost timeless, and the songs are first rate. Anyone who enjoys good music, and/or acting should make an effort to view this film.

Gonna Rock It Tonight!.......2007-05-30

My goodness, after wearing out my old VHS copy, it was amazing to see this in such clarity. The one-hour documentary and production home movies and stills were fascinating!!!

The Movie's OK..........2007-05-11

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

A Summer to Remember

Freddie Starr - Live And Dangerous And Very, Very Rude

Saving Private Ryan (DTS) [1998]

DVD: Action Pack ( Big Trouble In Little China / Fight Club

The Others