Remember:70's Greatest Hits Live

Rating:
Summary: This is Fantastic!
Review: I was very impressed with the collection. I have never seen these songs performed by the artists and they are just an excellent selection. The narration is entertaining and the nostalgia value is A+. This is different than most compilation DVDs because the music is put into context with interesting news of the time which makes it an especially entertaining show to watch. This is a great value. I hope they publish future editions.

Rating:
Summary: Remember??
Review: This is truly one of the best-value music DVDs available to 70s buffs. Not only is the footage a flashback, needless to say, the history narrations at the end of each song have an almost 70s classroom filmstrip feel to them, with the female narrator asking "remember?" at the end of each entry. You almost expect to hear the beep sound for the next slide! I actually really appreciate that the makers of this DVD played it completely straight with such touches, and resisted the urge to go campy. While the clothes of the era, for one, are now certainly considered campy in themselves, the DVD is more interested in putting us in the time frame which such fads existed. I find that approach not only refreshing, but also beneficial to the overall nostalgia we want out of these things.

In terms of the performances, there are some great ones here. Jim Croce and the Grass Roots are standouts. I was a little disappointed that Ike & Tina Turner, although a visually stunning performance, do a shortened version of "Proud Mary," as opposed to their "Nice & Easy/Rough & Hard" version. Al Green sounds amazing, but is singing to a music track and not a live band. He sounds so good, however, it really doesn't matter. Mark Lindsay & the Raiders appear to be lip-synching "Indian Reservation." I believe their performance is the only one done this way. Again, this is admissable considering the pop status of the song (we're not expecting a improv jam out of this tune are we?). On the other hand, Malo's "Suavecito" delivers more than I thought it would. The whole shebang is worth the price if just to see Kenny Rogers & the First Edition's matching blue & white leisure suits! Their "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" is a mellow masterpiece.

Something I certainly miss from this era is the diversity of the pop music of the time. Southern-fried First Edition clearly has a love for R&B, soul, country & rock, and seem thrilled to have brought it together on a tv show.



Rating:
Summary: Hats Off to Mickey Jones!!
Review: What a pleasant surprise it was to view this DVD. Not only are some of the best acts of the early seventies represented on this disc but the sound and quality are excellant. I really enjoyed "First Edition" drummer (& actor) Mickey Jones insightful commentary on each of the artists. He showed what a talented, fun and compationate man he is. For music buffs, his comments and tributes to these great artists were just as good as the music. Just listen to the bonus feature on artists such as Jim Croce and you feel what respect (and for some, a sense of loss) he had for his fellow music entertainers. His "behind the scenes" stories were very enjoyable.

I can only wish that additional footage from this show follows this high quality DVD.