Jeff Barry & Friends - Chapel of Love

Rating:
Summary: Goin' to the Chapel...
Review: Anybody who was alive during the Sixties is familiar with the music of Jeff Barry. And many folks who hadn't yet been born during Jeff's heyday have come to know his work. You can't possibly miss it ... Jeff's fingerprints are everywhere around us! Producer ("I'm a Believer") and songwriter ("Sugar, Sugar") par excellence, Jeff was such a part of American pop culture that I simply cannot imagine life without his presence in it.

"Chapel of Love: Jeff Barry and Friends," originally taped in March of 2000 as a PBS special and now available on home video, is a gem. It's pure magic from start to finish. Think of it as an hourlong music video. The first act on the tape is the show's namesake, "Chapel of Love," and the Dixie Cups' beautiful three-part harmonies on the song make it as close to a religious experience as you can get outside of church. I literally got goose bumps. That performance alone is worth the price of the tape. But then there are 13 more after that one, and each one will make someone smile with a fond memory. "Da Doo Ron Ron" by The Crystals, "Be My Baby" by Brian Wilson (his genuine affection for the song coming through with every note), "I Can Hear Music" by Ronnie Spector with harmonies by Brian W., and the energetic "River Deep Mountain High" by Mary Wilson. After this, a stirring rendition of a song I admit I'm a little biased towards, "Tell Laura I Love Her," by Ray Peterson who still sounds the same as he did when he first recorded the tune.

Next, Ron Dante, the lead voice of The Archies, comes onstage with his guitar and performs a rockin' version of "Sugar, Sugar" that was a delight from start to finish. Afterwards, the three excellent singers who had been providing background vocals, Jana Anderson, Mindy Stein and Melanie Taylor, do emotionally charged justice to the heart-tugging "Leader of the Pack." The Crystals are next with "Then He Kissed Me." Jeffrey Osborne and Deniece Williams perform the sweetly sentimental "The Last Time I Made Love," then Deniece takes the stage alone for "I Honestly Love You." After this, Andy Kim, the co-composer of "Sugar, Sugar" and a bright star in his own right, does a soulful version of his signature "Baby I Love You." Ron Dante then returns to the stage for a fantastic and fun performance of "Hanky Panky." The finale is "Doo Wah Diddy Diddy" sung by the entire gang.

The video is interspersed with recollections by Jeff and each of the artists. The pacing is perfect; it never lags or goes flat. You won't even have been aware that an hour has passed until you see the credits start to roll. In short, a fantastic trip down memory lane for this baby-boomer and highly recommended for all ages!

Rating:
Summary: Goin' to the Chapel...
Review: Anybody who was alive during the Sixties is familiar with the music of Jeff Barry. And many folks who hadn't yet been born during Jeff's heyday have come to know his work. You can't possibly miss it ... Jeff's fingerprints are everywhere around us! Producer ("I'm a Believer") and songwriter ("Sugar, Sugar") par excellence, Jeff was such a part of American pop culture that I simply cannot imagine life without his presence in it.

"Chapel of Love: Jeff Barry and Friends," originally taped in March of 2000 as a PBS special and now available on home video, is a gem. It's pure magic from start to finish. Think of it as an hourlong music video. The first act on the tape is the show's namesake, "Chapel of Love," and the Dixie Cups' beautiful three-part harmonies on the song make it as close to a religious experience as you can get outside of church. I literally got goose bumps. That performance alone is worth the price of the tape. But then there are 13 more after that one, and each one will make someone smile with a fond memory. "Da Doo Ron Ron" by The Crystals, "Be My Baby" by Brian Wilson (his genuine affection for the song coming through with every note), "I Can Hear Music" by Ronnie Spector with harmonies by Brian W., and the energetic "River Deep Mountain High" by Mary Wilson. After this, a stirring rendition of a song I admit I'm a little biased towards, "Tell Laura I Love Her," by Ray Peterson who still sounds the same as he did when he first recorded the tune.

Next, Ron Dante, the lead voice of The Archies, comes onstage with his guitar and performs a rockin' version of "Sugar, Sugar" that was a delight from start to finish. Afterwards, the three excellent singers who had been providing background vocals, Jana Anderson, Mindy Stein and Melanie Taylor, do emotionally charged justice to the heart-tugging "Leader of the Pack." The Crystals are next with "Then He Kissed Me." Jeffrey Osborne and Deniece Williams perform the sweetly sentimental "The Last Time I Made Love," then Deniece takes the stage alone for "I Honestly Love You." After this, Andy Kim, the co-composer of "Sugar, Sugar" and a bright star in his own right, does a soulful version of his signature "Baby I Love You." Ron Dante then returns to the stage for a fantastic and fun performance of "Hanky Panky." The finale is "Doo Wah Diddy Diddy" sung by the entire gang.

The video is interspersed with recollections by Jeff and each of the artists. The pacing is perfect; it never lags or goes flat. You won't even have been aware that an hour has passed until you see the credits start to roll. In short, a fantastic trip down memory lane for this baby-boomer and highly recommended for all ages!

Rating:
Summary: Some good and some uneven performances
Review: I enjoyed this video and plan on showing it to my after school class for them to enjoy as well. There were a few selections I would have chosen in place of some that were included, but I guess that's to be expected. Also, I know Brian Wilson enjoys "Be My Baby", but I would have much preferred to have Ronnie Spector (who sang the next song) sing it instead. Still, it is a worthwhile video and I would certainly suggest you include it in your collection if you enjoy music from the 1960's.

Rating:
Summary: A Video You Will be Sure to Enjoy
Review: I enjoyed this video and plan on showing it to my after school class for them to enjoy as well. There were a few selections I would have chosen in place of some that were included, but I guess that's to be expected. Also, I know Brian Wilson enjoys "Be My Baby", but I would have much preferred to have Ronnie Spector (who sang the next song) sing it instead. Still, it is a worthwhile video and I would certainly suggest you include it in your collection if you enjoy music from the 1960's.

Rating:
Summary: Memorable performances
Review: Jeff Barry is not in the Songwriters Hall of Fame for nothing. I defy anyone not to have a Jeff Barry-penned or produced song as one of their favorites. This video features people who have helped made his music famous and long-lasting. The Dixie Cups, Jeffrey Osbourne & Denise Williams, Ronnie Spector, Andy Kim,Brian Wilson and Ron Dante are all contributors. Ron's segments weren't in the original PBS airing of this show so his contributions with "Sugar Sugar" and "Hanky Panky" are an appreciated bonus. The sound quality and the video quality are all first rate.

Rating:
Summary: Jeff Barry Classics
Review: Jeff Barry is not in the Songwriters Hall of Fame for nothing. I defy anyone not to have a Jeff Barry-penned or produced song as one of their favorites. This video features people who have helped made his music famous and long-lasting. The Dixie Cups, Jeffrey Osbourne & Denise Williams, Ronnie Spector, Andy Kim,Brian Wilson and Ron Dante are all contributors. Ron's segments weren't in the original PBS airing of this show so his contributions with "Sugar Sugar" and "Hanky Panky" are an appreciated bonus. The sound quality and the video quality are all first rate.

Rating:
Summary: Memorable performances
Review: Obviously Jeff Barry is an incredible songwriter. But the performances of Jeffrey Osborne and Denice Williams make this DVD a must have for anyone who is into excellent music. Superb musicianship. Ronnie Spector really belts it on "I can hear music". Guitar solo on "Baby I love you" is a all time classic.
Rated 5

Rating:
Summary: Some good and some uneven performances
Review: Tribute to songwriting legends seem to have become standard fare these days. In this tribute to songwriter Jeff Barry by veteran singing artists,we get some that still have it and some that definitely don't.
The show begins with a nice little harmony set by the Dixie Cups and the goes from highs to lows. The highlights were a good version of "I Honestly Love You" by Deniece Williams,a good effort by Andy Kim singing "Baby I Love You" and a heartfelt performance of "Tell Laura I Love Her" by Ray Peterson.The lowlights were a dismal performance by Brian Wilson of "Be My Baby" where Brian sings badly off key and out of tune.Brian then proceeds to sing out of tune backing vocals to Ronnie Spector's "I Can Hear Music".
Someone really needs to tell this guy that he should go to a singing teacher.
Another disappointment was Ron Dante of The Cufflinks and The Archies fame. Age has not done his voice any good as his singing was uneven.
So you have some good and some bad. Buy it at your own risk.