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Smokey Joe's Cafe - The Songs of Leiber and Stoller

Smokey Joe's Cafe - The Songs of Leiber and Stoller

List Price: $19.95
Your Price: $15.96
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The greatest ever!
Review: There is a reason why this show was one of the longest running on Broadway - and the dvd proves it. From the boys' cheeky 'Young Blood' to DeeLee and Brenda's raunchy 'Trouble'....the crowd pleasing 'On Broadway' to Matt and DeeLee shakin' it up in 'Teach Me How To Shimmy'....BJ and Victor hamming it up in 'Treat Me Nice' and the ball-breakin' 'Hound Dog' to the emotive 'Stand By Me' finale - the cast just nails every song brilliantly. Only downfall is perhaps the bonus features - over time this show has played host to many guest stars such as Rick Springfield, Gloria Gaynor and Gladys Knight, each bringing something wonderful as they were slotted into their roles - it would have been nice to perhaps see some highlights such as Rick's 'Jailhouse Rock' or Gladys and the girls tearing the roof off the house with 'Kansas City'.
Still, an awesome show that every stage-lover MUST have in the collection!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: smokey joe's cafe
Review: this is a great musical for all children of ages and people of all ages i rented this from the library

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wow what a stunner!
Review: This Dvd should be in every Rock N Roll fans collectionfrom the opening number..gets your a tapping.The sound and picture quality are good all the artistsdo the various parts,if youve seen the show you will wantto see it again,

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: smokey joe's cafe
Review: this is a great musical for all children of ages and people of all ages i rented this from the library

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Bravo! Great way to capture this show's musical magic!
Review: Usually I would complain that all these productions wait too long to film their shows. However, this DVD is of the last performance in which they brought back the original cast!

The singing talent in this show is excellent, particularly in the males. Each song is sung flawlessly with harmonies and orchestrations that, in my opinion, are improvements on the original songs and translate effectively to the stage.

Although most of the dancing is done in the first act, it is very fun to watch, hard to emulate and successfully executed.

The show was filmed in front of a live audience and filmed well, there is never any problem with not being able to see an actor on stage, nor is there a problem with people being upstaged. (Unless you want to include one person in the audience who couldn't help but standing up and applauding with their arms above their head).

The only problem I was able to notice was that the cast did seem slightly out of practice. To be more specific: In the song "On Broadway" there were problems establishing a beat as the five males in the song were trying to slow down the song in order to perform the dance steps. Also, "Poison Ivy" was, in a word, rushed.

But, overall, it is undeniable that this is probably the best recorded Broadway musical and it is a rarity to catch a show in its original cast. Also, this is rarely, if ever, on television, I would definately recommend buying it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Bravo! Great way to capture this show's musical magic!
Review: Usually I would complain that all these productions wait too long to film their shows. However, this DVD is of the last performance in which they brought back the original cast!

The singing talent in this show is excellent, particularly in the males. Each song is sung flawlessly with harmonies and orchestrations that, in my opinion, are improvements on the original songs and translate effectively to the stage.

Although most of the dancing is done in the first act, it is very fun to watch, hard to emulate and successfully executed.

The show was filmed in front of a live audience and filmed well, there is never any problem with not being able to see an actor on stage, nor is there a problem with people being upstaged. (Unless you want to include one person in the audience who couldn't help but standing up and applauding with their arms above their head).

The only problem I was able to notice was that the cast did seem slightly out of practice. To be more specific: In the song "On Broadway" there were problems establishing a beat as the five males in the song were trying to slow down the song in order to perform the dance steps. Also, "Poison Ivy" was, in a word, rushed.

But, overall, it is undeniable that this is probably the best recorded Broadway musical and it is a rarity to catch a show in its original cast. Also, this is rarely, if ever, on television, I would definately recommend buying it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Rock and Roll Is Here To Stay!
Review: When I bought this DVD I knew very little about the show. I popped it in that night and was fixated on the tv for the next two hours. This show is so much fun. This music is great and the performance are impeccable. I have never seen a more talented ensemble cast and never before have I seen a cast look like they're having so much fun on stage. Victor Trent Cook and B.J. Crosby steal the show with their powerhouse voices and humorous antics. Do yourself a favor and buy Smokey Joe's Cafe. You won't be dissapointed.


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