Rating: 
Summary: A Legendary Performer's Last Recorded Performance
Review: "Mack is Back" is a must-have for any Darin fan. Other reviewers have commented that Darin was "trying too hard" to keep up with the times by performing a great deal of country, folk and R&B during this 1973 show for NBC. I beg to differ, however.While songs like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Midnight Special" may not be as musically sophisticated as "Mack the Knife" and "Beyond the Sea," that is not the point. The point is that Darin could do anything, in any genre, and do it better than so-called "legends" of those genres, like Paul Simon for instance. Darin's rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is soulful, bluesy and ga-zillions of times better than the Simon version. Ditto for every other song Darin performs that is not one of his own originals. Darin was unusual. He wanted to excel in every genre, and did. He was also driven to do that to a degree that most of us aren't. As practically every biography of him has stated, Darin was always haunted by the fact that he was likely to die young. Therefore, there was a lot that he felt he had to cram into a short time. So for those who think that Darin was merely "trying to be hip", I disagree. Rather, it was more likely that he was always experimenting and trying new things because he might never again have the chance. Plus, watching this performance, one would never guess that Darin would be dead in less than a year. He was quite ill at the time he did this, but you'd never guess that from his tour de force performance. So to sum up, this is a great performance from a great entertainer. There never has been, and never will be, another one like Bobby Darin.
Rating:
Summary: Darin is amazing...
Review: After watching this, I defy you to believe this man was deathly ill while taping this (he had septicemia and died a short nine months later). Bobby moves around the stage like a teenager, does stand up comedy, banters with the audience. But it's when he sings that he simply blows everyone away. The sheer enjoyment he gets out of performing completely sucks you in. This tape shows the kind of entertainer that is no longer bred. You won't be sorry for a moment that you own this DVD.
Rating:
Summary: A true performer!
Review: Bobby Darin was (and still is) an original! What an excellent performer. There was nobody like him and this video proves it. I am only 39 at this writing (Jan. 2001) and believe that Bobby Darin is among the all-time greats. I discovered him while watching a television documentary and have since been listening to his music. But it is this video which spotlights his varied talents and love for different musical styles. He could do it all. What a loss to have such a magnificent entertainer die so young. This video should be shown to all performance arts students to show them what real stage presence is. This guy had charisma dripping out of every pore in his body. He never stopped moving and you can tell by watching this that he felt every note of every song. There are only a very few true performers and Bobby Darin is one of them. It is such a shame he was taken away from us so soon. It is also a shame in the midst of all of this horrible so-called music, younger people will never know what real entertainment really is. If you loved Darin, this video is a MUST! If you want to see what a true, talented entertainer does - this is the video! Bobby Darin had such a smooth and what appeared to be effortless vocal delivery and a totally unique and special vocal style and voice. Grab every Darin video and CD that you can. Talent does not come along like this anymore!
Rating: 
Summary: It was good but not Darin's song's
Review: Bobby Darin was a talent but, when I think of Bobby Darin I think of "Mack the Knife" and "Splish Splash" not "Bridge Over Troubled Water' and "Midnight Special." He sings many songs in this film but only four are his songs. If it weren't for those it would be a one star Think of it as Elvis singing songs from Frank Sinatra (besides "My Way") it would sound terrible because Elvis sings a different type of music. I was very upset that I paid for this film.
Rating:
Summary: The Most Electrifiying Roller-Coaster of a Nightclub Act
Review: Bobby Darin's energy is absolutely remarkable in his last recorded performance before his death. He sings, dances, plays the harmonica, guitar, and piano with remarkable soul, feeling, and unabashed confidence. This is one of those shows where you walk out with your heart beating fast, feeling refreshed and alive.
Darin swings the big band numbers hard, croons better than Sinatra, rocks out with soul and power like James Brown and Jerry Lee Lewis rolled together, and whispers tender folk songs like a Dylanesque-poet bard.
Some reviewers may wish that he stay in one type (crooner, rocker, folkie, etc.) that is their particular favorite genre of music, but Darin will wow you with his command of all styles of music. Even more remarkably, he shifts genres seamlessly to maintain the continuity of the show, thus giving the audience an appreciation for all types of music and how they are inter-related and fused.
See this video and be energized at the remarkable last recorded show of a man that has been repeatedly called by fans and musicians "the greatest performer of the 20th century."
Even his elder and more famous rival, Frank Sinatra, said it best when he said, "Nobody does it better than Darin."
Too right!
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Rating: 
Summary: Nice Show - Not Perfect - But Fun
Review: Bobby was a bit before my time. As a young child of the 70's I can remember the plethora of TV variety shows before the days of cable. However, I was only familiar with Darin by hearing "Splish Splash" during commercials tauting "The Best of the 50's" record compilations. So, it wasn't until his son Dodd Darin, produced a PBS special in 1998 on the life of his Dad that I understood the man and his talent. So, I'm rather new to this Darin fandom, and have made room in my indie/alt.rock/folkie/rock Gen X-er CD collection for a bit of Bobby D (gladly next to another favorite Bobby D - Mr. Dylan.)
This DVD of Bobby Darin's last TV performance (uncut) shows him during an era where polyester ruled. In fact, anyone from age 10 to 30 at that time ran for the hills at the sight of someone like Darin in his tux, bowtie and lavelier microphone. Back then, if it didn't have denim, long hair and looked like Robert Plant - forget it. Bobby looked corny in this taping, but please - the whole 1970's were cheezy, so don't blame him for glitzying it up. The only thing is - there was so much more to him that the glitz. Knowing this, it's good to be open minded to the dazzle of such a performance, and just let oneself go with the Bobby flow...comb over, frills and all in this DVD. It's the style of an era long gone, and worth watching.
I found this uncut variety show a hoot to watch. You see all the errors and banter that would be edited for air. Bobby was the ultimate showbiz performer with a spectacular voice, sweet face and a nice rear-end if I must say, but the performance does have some cringe inducing moments. The chatter is fun and the songs are cool. However, when you see him try to get down and be funky, he gives comedian and comedic musicians - from Paul Schaffer to Bill Murray - fodder for their Vegas-y, showbizzy parodies.
Still, he looks like he's having a blast. It's amazing how energetic and well he looked for a man who sadly had to run off stage to take a hit off an oxygen tank during live shows. I was disappointed that he did a bit too much vamping during a gorgeous song like "Beyond the Sea". I will say, his self deprecating humor and honesty with the audience was refreshing. Too bad he didn't shed the toupe and bowtie for a more down to earth version of himself in this show. And what a shame he died so soon after. It would be wonderful to have him around today.
This DVD has some nice special features of Bobby's various television appearances, film trailers and comedy sketches. So, there's more to feast on. Bobby deserves to be remembered, and although there are some moments that don't soar, it's worthwhile to hear those golden chops, and see that smiling face one last time.
Rating:
Summary: Fish Out Of Water
Review: Bobby was a tremendous talent and his career took off like a rocket from the beginning. Deservedly so, for his style & swagger supported his great vocal abilities. He was clearly on his way to becoming the next Sinatra, someone he admired greatly. Except for his health problems, Bobby's road to success seemed well-paved. Until...the British invasion. Suddenly, Bobby, Fabian & Frankie became icons of the past. Bobby's music took a back seat to the Beatles & Stones. Flash forward to the late sixties. The great impact that Bobby Kennedy's assasination had on him caused Bobby to take off for Baja. When he finally re-emerged from the Airstream, he tried to re-invent himself. He succeeded to a certain extent with "IF I WERE A CARPENTER" and some of his other folksy pop music. So let me get to the point about this DVD...it had such great potential. Unfortunately, Bobby didn't rise up to his previous level of showmanship. It almost seems as if he was out of step with the times. It's a shame that this DVD is one of his final appearances on film before his tragic death. During this television special, Bobby tried so hard to be 70's hip and funny. Regrettably, he seemed so unnatural in the process. Bobby should have followed his earlier instincts - less glitz and less silliness. More soulful rock and a more straightforward rendition of his oldies. I love ya Bobby, and it pains me to have to write this review. But, your comedy schtick (and bad Burt Reynolds jokes) during BEYOND THE SEA pushed me over the edge. And, the tux just didn't work. Bobby should have stuck with the sweater and button-down look. After watching this DVD, I decided that Bobby's great style and vocal talents would best be enjoyed on CD. So, I turned this DVD over to the Wherehouse in a five for one exchange.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Buy it now ! It's great ! Darin is a hell of a talent. The "Beyond the sea" performance is outstanding.
Rating:
Summary: Look out - Ole Mackie's Back!!
Review: Excellent DVD! It's about time I didn't regret the money I'd spent on a disk. This one is a KEEPER.
Rating:
Summary: Bought It For 1 Song That Wasn't There!
Review: First of all, I love Bobby Darin and this DVD is great BUT it's lists "Simple Song of Freedom" as track #11 but it isn't there!! All you get is the chorus singing "Freedom" over and over, then it goes into the next song. I bought this dvd specifically for a live version of this song. VERY DISAPPOINTED. Some mention of this omission should be in the description. But, overall, it is worth having.
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