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Reviews (2)

Entertaining, shows Rock's roots
This video is the first in a 10-video set documenting Rock `n' Roll in America.It's very entertaining and informative.
Great for High School Students
I teach a high school History of Rock and Roll class.This video has proven to be a valuable teaching tool.Volume 1 focuses on the roots or rock: blues, gospel, country and jazz.Great film of Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry are flanked by commentary by contemporary artists (Eddie Van Halen, Bono, Tina Turner). Apart from Van Halen using the S*** word once, this is clean fun suitable for high schoolers and perhaps 8th graders. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie    3. Music Video    4. Music Video (Concert/Performance)    5. Performance   

Editorial Review

Sure, everyone's seen Read more

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Reviews (5)

Sound of Movies a fine treat
Good variety, good pacing, good music - a fun, relaxing treat

Wonderful for R&H Fans
Aside from the excellent documentary the extras are a great bonus-especially the screen tests. For the remake of STATE FAIR you get to see Ann-Margret's entire original Fox screen test, she sings Bill Bailey, Mack the Knife and in a test for the role of Margy she does a scene and sings It Might As Well Be Spring. Also included are test scenes for the part of Emily-the part she played in the movie. Andy Williams tests for the part of Pat (the reporter) with Barbara Eden as Margy and he sings a bit of All I Owe Ioway (he's from Iowa) and then does a great version of It Might As Well Be Spring. There's also something called Foreign Dubbing Test/The Sound of Music which is Marni Nixon singing most of the songs Julie Andrews sings in the movie. They don't explain exactly what it's for but it's a nice bonus. Mitzi Gaynor performs A Cockeyed Optimist and A Wonderful Guy in her test for South Pacific. There are also a bunch of Sound of Music tests as well.Since these aren't on the DVDs of the movies themselves they are a great addition for R&H movie fans.

This is a Wonderful Documentary
I have the first one The Sound of Movies one on VHS that I bought back in 1996 and this new DVD version is so much better than the one I have on VHS.
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Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie   

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Reviews (7)

THE TITLE SAYS IT ALL
How can any one hate on a film that takes you on a ride to the real streets of the us, not these lttle suburban areas. The people hating on this are most likely the kids that act like they came from these places. They see what it is really like and turn their noses up at it. My advice for everybody out there is to learn a thing or two and see what the real world is like outside of your paradise.

The real world!
... Hip Hop??????
Not even worth a dime. Don't even bother scrolling down or up. Hit the "back" button because this is the worst DVD. I was forced to give one star, it doesn't deserve a star at all. I'd give it a rusty penny.Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

This installment of the Classic Albums series follows themaking of two Grateful Dead albums, the fiercely experimental Read more

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Reviews (12)

Intelligent Documentary- A Must for DeadHeads
I saw this years ago on PBS and was thrilled to find it on DVD. This is a great inside look at the Dead and the process they went through recording Anthem of the Sun and American beauty. Amusing and enlightening interviews with band members and others involved in the scene and some great performance footage makes this an absolute joy to watch. Anyone who loves the Dead will love owning this video.

From an old Dead Fan
I laughed out loud quite a few times while watching this superb DVD; nearly cried once or twice. The music, of course, is excellent, and my foot was tapping throughout. Great footage & storytelling of the Grateful Dead's earlier years.
Incredible look back at an incredible era for the Dead
I've had this one for a while but felt compelled to give a bit of a review. Like what has been said before, there's very little by way of performance footage (although there are bits). What we're mainly given here is a fond and loving look back at a classic era by the creators who shaped it. Along the way we get the Classic Albums trademark of isolating instruments from the multi-track to showcase a vocal, a guitar part, harmonies, etc.. Some of the reactions are priceless (the expression on Bob Weir's face when his vocal for "Sugar Magnolia" becomes isolated is priceless, also his recounting of an incident with Dave Hassinger and looking for the sound of "thick air" for "Born Crosseyed"). Phil Lesh remembering how young Jerry Garcia sounded during "Ripple". Robert Hunter's recollections of being in Europe while writing material for American Beauty are particularly moving. Then you have the Warner Brothers record exec who recounted a memo sent about how unruly the band was in the studio, particularly Phil. This is also a great look into the band itself at that time.
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Country-Rock    3. Folk-Rock    4. Music Video    5. Music Video - Pop/Rock    6. Performance    7. Pop    8. Rock   

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Reviews (26)

An amazing work...
This dvd is all you blind melon's fans need.
Phenominal
Great DVD from a would be legendary band.If you are unfamiliar with them, buy anything with their name on it, you will not regret it.I don't care for too much music nowadays, but I have not stop listening to this great band for 14 years.I doubt a month has passed in those 14 years that I have not listened to one of their albums.

Blind Melon video !! Nuff said!
I am a huge fan of Bands that let us see behind the scenes of making their music.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. American Trad Rock    3. Music Video - Pop/Rock    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. United States of America   

Editorial Review

There's a moment in Jeff Feuerzeig's rockumentary Read more

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Reviews (9)

fairly interesting documentary about ADHD
This is a documentary about ADHD-not Half Japanese.Most of the so-called critics can't remember a dambed thing except for how great they are for recognizing the greatness of Jad while continuously ranting about their major label conspiracy theories.Penn Jillette even goes so far as to brag about how he conned a homless person out of Jad's material and then threatened Jad with physical violence if he ever talked to the guy.If you're interested in mental illness and sleazy people like Penn Jillette stroking themselves then by all means watch this.If you're interested in a great American rock band then just buy the albums and listen.

An okay documentary of a band that deserves so much more
Please, before the rotten vegetables start flying, I'm in no way disparaging the brilliance of Half Japanese by low-balling this documentary. I just think there are glaring flaws abounding here. To start with, the film almost completely whitewashes over the music and era that really made the band unique. They talk at length about 1/2 Gentlemen/Not Beasts, but we hear none (or next to none) of the music!! We get a few seconds of "Calling All Girls" and some live versions of "Firecracker Firecracker," and then suddenly we're in Jad's indie-rock later period. All of Jad's "Zany" later songs about Walt Disney and his wholesome songs about dating Juanita and her red dress are emphasized, while his completely seminal work, which revealed a much greater fear of being hurt by women, is ignored. You're going to play "This Could Be The Night" but totally avoid "Nicole Told Me" or "I Know How It Feels...bad"??!?! It's this love/terror mix that makes Jad such a complex artistic figure. Nearly all the music covered is from the Charmed Life/Band That Would Be King era, which is apparently all the thing for certain 1/2 Jap fans, but c'mon, we don't ever hear word (or sound) one about the "Loud" album! For Indie Rock fans
This is a very cute and amusing documentary on "Half Japanese".It seems really relavent to the rock music scene here in the U.S. in which " ...rock" groups like Korn and Limp Bizkit are the big sellers.If you're a big indie rock fan (like me) then this will definately tickle your fancy and give you hope that someone out there is in their garage making another breakthrough album. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comedies    2. Documentary    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

In Read more

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Reviews (36)

Superb.
This is THE video to own if you are a fan of latin jazz, or any type of improvisational music for that matter. Each performance features a unique artist who has been instrumental in shaping the Latin music of today. There are performances on here that you won't find anywhere else.
a billion stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bravo! Bravo! As my 3 year old daughter would say after watching Tito Puento, Titooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!Daddy Tito's rocking out! Yes Tito does rock out. So do Bebo and Chucho(her fvaorite). The CD is incredible. We watch it over and over. My little three year old is hooked on Bebo and Chucho. I love Fort Apache, Michael Camilo and so many more of the musicians. It is just a great album period!, latin or not.

Latin Jazz and its historical infusion of culture in the arts.......
This DVD was very informational. The interviewed artists, selected, introduced this music art form called Latin Jazz and the infusion, the connection, and combination of African, European, and probably to a lesser highlighted recognition, its Latin American indigenous relationship. One form cannot exit without the other, this is because, Latin Jazz, from the beginning had its foundation "seeds" early in history before it was called anything but sound or music without any particular label or form.
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Subjects:  1. Documentary   

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Subjects:  1. Music Documentaries    2. Television & Documentary   

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Reviews (2)

Hilarious & Insightful Interview Clips with KISS circa 1980
Judging by the outfits they're wearing, the main footage is NEAR the 'Dynasty' period...but this is TV interview footage which lasts an hour with the whole band, and EVERYONE is in an exceptional mood and in exceptional form. I've seen a lot of KISS and grew up with them, but never have seen each member so funny, so animated, and so clear in their communication on topics from their personal likes & hobbies to details about the band's history and individual songs from their historic catalog.
Kiss Killer
It's a good documentary about the hottest band in the worldit's not the better but for a collector it's an important piece of collection ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Editorial Review

And what a day it was: nearly 60 jazz musicians, gathered on a Harlem street one morning in 1958 for what photographer Art Kane rightly, if immodestly, calls "the greatest picture of that era of musicians ever taken" (incredibly, it was also Kane's first professional shoot). Like Ken Burns's Read more

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Reviews (15)

A Great Teaching Tool in Harlem
I bought the VHS Tape years ago with the poster of the photograph and have used it to teach about Jazz in my music classes.I am purchasing the DVD for easier navigation for specific instruction.However, the best thing is using the internet to go to the photo at www.harlem.org.There the kids can click on any person in the photo and find all sorts of info about the artist, the instruments, the music, and CDs available. And thanks to Amazon.com, when you click on a CD or album, you can get to hear a sample of the music.The kids love it!

Beyond wonderful
For just about everyone, but specifically jazz lovers, this account of the memorable photograph in Harlem in the late 1950's and is really a necessity, and also a wonderful record of the great jazz musicians of the 40's and 50's.This is like visiting the famous who you'd have loved to have been your friends.

very good.
yeah both these are good but its really all about thephoto. great to see some of milt hinton's cine footage from the day and other fotos too. the stories are all good from the musicians interviewed even if the photographer does come across a bit of a pratt sometimes. well worth it if you are a jazz fan or appreciate modern history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie   

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Reviews (2)

Very moving
I have seen this video several times and owned it at one time. My husband, who was a former marine and served where it was filmed, never tired of watching it. I'm not sure what the above viewer was looking for, but if you want a way to honor our military in your own home, this video is for you. I have been searching for a new copy for over a year.

Waste of Money
This video looks like a home video made by some proud mom who watched the ceremony!Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. Music Documentaries    3. Special Interests    4. Television & Documentary   

Editorial Review

O Brother, wherever thou art, behold what thou and thy kin hath wrought.With the documentary Read more

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Reviews (7)

Weak, Confusing, Disappointing
Its hard to believe someone budgeted a 4-part series that says so little about such a fascinating and important subject. This is truly one of the worst documentaries I've ever seen and in four volumes! The first episode makes no sense, its just bits and pieces of sound clips, film and photos supposedly representing the development of roots music but there's no story that ties it together. For example, gospel music is one of the foundations of roots music. The documentary spends a fair amount of time on the topic but gives no real explanation of what it is or why its so important. You have to already be familiar with the history of american roots music to put together the confusing pieces. Kris Kristoffersen narrates and sounds like he's about to fall asleep. Its very lame, don't waste your money.

Typical - very, VERY typical
Some great footage of real music legends edited into obscenely short clips with unenlightening narrative commentary by a bunch of folk-music has-beens and nobodies vieing for the viewers sympathies by maundering on cluelessly about the fabled sufferings of the American underclasses.Lots of bogus romanticization which would be thoroughly unecessasary if they had simply shut up and let the music speak for itself (like i give a crap what KEB MO has to say about any of the great bluesmen!!). The treatment of most of the musical forms is hoplessley brief and slapdash - particularily the cajun and Zydeco segments. Unfortunately, a lot of people will claim to like this simply because they feel like they SHOULD, but this was a concept that had a lot of potential that was ultimately squandered.A waste of time and money.

Nearly Perfect
The PBS American Roots Music series - both the 4 part documentary on DVD and 4 CD boxed set - is a commendable work.It is an incredible education in not only popular American music and culture, but history, and should be required viewing and listening in high schools.Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Cowboy    3. Field Recordings    4. Folk Revival    5. Music Videos - Blues    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Traditional Bluegrass    9. Traditional Country    10. Traditional Folk    11. V/a Compilations   

Editorial Review

Serving as an introduction for neophytes and a refresher course for experts, Read more

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Reviews (32)

Just not as in depth as expected, a let down
I just finished this series today, and I just don't feel I walked away with any new knowledge than when I started watching the series.It has many stars scattered throughout the film, but none really said anything that was groundbreaking. Big theme, rock is here to stay. Yeah, I got that after tape two.The first4 episodes in the series (rock & roll explodes, Good rockin' tonight, Britian invades america/america fights back, and Plugging in) did a fair job at looking at the roots of rock. But I got a sense in part two that this was going to get somewhat repetitive.I think it concentrated to much on these basic roots in the first two, and missed many opportunities to highlight the groups and music.The british invasions really again seemed to just highlight groups, but never had much depth in the scenes or development.Episode 5, Sounds of soul, Just don't know why this was in the set.Yes, its was an important development along with Rock, but really a seperate genre.This episode could have been chance to expande on the Beatles, stones, and their development, as well as the who, and Pink Floyd. Yes, they briefly had david Gillmoure in Episode 6, but that was about it.Episode 6 (My generation) was to short, and very superficial, just not much said.Again, the 5th episode could have bridged the gap between episode 3-4 and 6.Episode 7, guitar heros, Just a dissapointment. I don't think it covered much at all. It concentrates on the fact people used electric guitars, rehasing the rise of Hendrix.But it really missed the boat to expand itself as an episode showing how these first bands gave rise to Metal, and the 80's rock and punk.Real dissapointment to not see a tape following this one going into the genre of Hard rock/metal.The have a nice 70's episode 8, again, just vauge. I thought it would have concentrated on the many different branches of rock that came out of the era. It did a fair job at showin how the industry changed, and marketing took off.Episode 9, Punk, Not bad. did a fair job at covering the scene. Episode 10, up from the underground....When did Rap become rock and roll, this tape concentrated over half of it to the rap scene.It did cover MTV, and eventually got to "alternative rock"and briefly mentioned grundge and nirvana, but completly skipped over Hair metal and Hard rock.
More Negatives than Positives
While the scope of such an attempt at compiling the history of rock and roll onto film is an advantageous venture, the producers of this documentary fail at so many different points it's hard to tell if there are any redeeming qualities. For instance, the very minimal mention of The Beatles is abysmal, but that would still better than what we have here, which is nothing. Whatever the issues (legality, no breadth to discussable material, or sheer need to avoid the Liverpoolites altogether, etc) something would be better than simply avoiding the issue altogether, which speaks volumes to rock and roll purists. Note, also, that this diatribe on The Beatles isn't simply my fanaticism coming in to play; they were simply just that good. As a result of their innovations, we now consider making popular music an art form. That had never happened before John, Paul, George, and Ringo! Now, there are many other factual explanations for why this DVD set is inadequate and inept. Another reason this video-log fails miserably is for the simple reason that there is not enough music; there's a lot of talk about music, but not enough of the actual music that we love. This rock piece is supposed to be about the architecture, foundation, and rise of rock and roll. What this DVD set does is talk about what was cool and why it was. There are some valuable aesthetic qualities (seeing the artists performing their hits, for instance). All in all, a beautiful concept that, with brilliance and thought, could have been a remarkable keepsake for avid music aficionados. But, what we got is a rock and roll doc that sorely misses the mark.

WELL ALL RIGHT
While it is certainly fun to watch just to see the performers,this HISTORY OF ROCK simply doesn't jell as a whole.By trying to explain the evolution of the music,the pleasure gets lost along the way.If you are a rock connaisseur,you won't learn many new things if you watch this.What you should do is take it as a starter point and then go further with documents who gets deeper with one particular field(ex:MOTOWN or BRITISH INVASION).As it is,it tries to cover too much ground at once and still manages to forget a few artists like EMERSON,LAKE AND PALMER and KING CRIMSON among others.It costs me $80 dollars (CANADIAN money)for this 5 dvd set, which is too much for what it's worth.Rent it and enjoy the clips. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

If you are a new or original fan of the Doors, this spectacular DVD should give you enough incentive to jump on the DVD bandwagon without reservation. It's quite simply the finest single audio-visual source of Doors music and history, presented with the full participation of the band's surviving members (Ray Manzarek, Robbie Krieger, John Densmore) and featuring a variety of bonus features that will send any Doors-phile into a state of rock & roll euphoria. We're not kidding, folks--this is a must-have disc for anyone who's ever been mesmerized by Jim Morrison and the late-1960s, early-'70s rock phenomenon known as the Doors.Read more

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Reviews (41)

The Doors Collection
This DVD is a great DVD if you like the doors.Jim Morrison is great at the Hollywood Bowl!

Great performances
Loved the dvd- Dance on Fire is my favorite- the band's music is timeless!!!

The Essential Doors DVD
For any Doors fan, this DVD is a must have. It's got essentially every piece of footage ever shot of Jim Morrison (except for performances appearing on other DVD's). It's got an audio commentary by Ray Manzarek, Robbie Krieger, and John Densmore. And it's one of the most interesting and entertaining music DVD's ever. From a huge fan of The Doors standpoint.
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Subjects:  1. Gift Set    2. Music Video - Pop/Rock    3. Pop    4. Psychedelic    5. Rock    6. Rock & Roll    7. Rock/Pop   

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Reviews (1)

I only wish it was a longer video!
Most of this video has to do with Rachmaninoff's battle with depression after his Symphony #1 was trashed by the critics.After his treatment by Dr. Dahl, a hypnotherapist, Rachmaninoff was able to write his most famous work--Piano Concerto #2 in C minor.Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie    3. Music Video    4. Music Videos - Classical    5. Performance   

Editorial Review

The genesis of America's singular, most enduring art form provides fertile ground for this handsomely executed six-part series, which brackets segments devoted to four acknowledged jazz masters with separate overviews of jazz and blues.Developed through a partnership between German, Japanese, and U.S. producers, Read more

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Reviews (1)

a great buy
all i can say is wow.These videos are wonderful.My favorite is the Monk video.It has a ton of footage of him playing.If you play the piano and you need some inspiration just watch this video and you will be readyto play all day long.The story of jazz one is really good also, exceptits mostly early stuff( big band, etc. )...it doesn't have that much onbebop, modern jazz.It's a great buy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Gift Set    3. Jazz Collections    4. Movie   

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• Classical
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Reviews (14)

Great music and scenery , but average sound and video
This is a great documentary and showcase for the talent of Julian Bream . He proves himself a master at playing a number of different musical styles and has the advantage of visual settings that complement the music so well . The program is also an advertisement for Spain itself .
Good
In general I liked, mainly from the part of the classic guitar from now on since am not fanatic of the Baroque music. I would have liked more the scenes were focused more in Julian Bream playing the guitar instead of landscapes, cities and people.
A Collector's Treasure
If you're a classical guitar music lover, you'll love it. If you're a music lover, or even a lover of art, you don't want to miss it.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Artists    3. Documentary    4. Performing Arts   

Editorial Review

Watching a Nick Broomfield documentary (Read more

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Reviews (84)

Haunting and Interesting
Kurt & Courtney is the haunting documentary, about the death of Nirvana guitarist/singer/lyricist Kurt Cobain. Everyone knows the story of Kurt Cobain, but here director Nick Broomfield presents us with a different story.
Spinal Tap Meets True Hollywood Stories
There are some classic hilarious moments in this documentary. The director taking the stage at Courtney's speaking engagement? Hilarious! El Duce? You couldn;t ask for a more bizarre, surreal interview. And then, too, I'll never forget that pity me Kurt clip where he laments that he can't go into second hand/thrift stores anymore, because he's so famous. It ranks up there with that amp that goes to 11. And after seeing this movie a second time, I don't think the director is leaning towards one verdict, because even those who claim that Kurt was murdered, a lot of them are made to look at times dubious. If he wanted to push one side, he would not have included this. Fascinating, with worthy humor.

1950s Cinematic Persona Appeals To A Murderer
# 1 -- Did Kurt Cobain, or did he not, inject heroin into both of his arms inside his own home in April of 1994 ?If he did, why would he WANT TO shoot himself ?The issue is NOT whether he COULD do it.The issue is NOT whether some eccentric British researcher cited by Mr. Broomfield (the maker of this film) could stand on one foot while he's stoned on this or that.What IS the issue ?It's that anyone knowledgeable about heroin can tell you that nobody who is on it WANTS to shoot himself / herself at that moment.