Doo Wop at 51 1 & 2 (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)Like the other reviewers, I loved Doo Wop 50 and snapped this concert up when it became available. I loved this concert also, but didn't feel that the sets and production quality were up to the first concert set. Still great, just not as great. I thought some of the camera manipulation was hokey and unnecessary. With performances like these, they can stand on their own without any technical finesse.
However, this is no reflection on the performers or their work. Like the prior concert, there is an overwhelming feeling of warmth and loving respect between this audience and the entertainers. I've never been to an 'oldies' concert, but if the atmosphere on these DVD's is typical, I can see why so many of these long-forgotten performers have made a new career of touring.
I have noticed that almost without exception, the performers endeavor to duplicate their recordings, rather than treading new ground. I appreciate this, as I've listened to those recordings for decades and those are the versions I want to hear!
For me, the high point of this DVD was the performance of 'Little Darlin' with both the Diamonds and Maurice Williams. Truly, though, all of the performers give it their best and that's very good indeed. Mel Carter's "Hold Me..." is as dynamic as on his original recording, and the reunion of the Tokens is a treasure.
This is feel-good music of the highest order; I've shown this DVD to many who aren't necessarily fans of 'doo-wop' on the radio and they've left very impressed. The depth of feeling, the obvious love the performance and audience have for this music, permeates every minute of these performances.
I'm so glad someone made the effort to bring these performers together, as each year takes more of them from us. Through the magic of recording, people will be able to learn, to enjoy, and to appreciate this specialized genre of music long after all of us are gone.

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Join host Jerry "The Iceman" Butler as he guides performances by The Chiffons, The Coasters, The Tokens, and many more during the premiere of Doo Wop 51. Songs: Tonight [Could Be The Night] (The Velvets with Virgil Johnson), Let's Go Let's Go Let's Go, Work With Me Annie (Hank Ballard and the Midnighters), The Lion Sleeps Tonight (The Tokens), Drip Drop (Bill Pinkney & Bobby Hendricks), There Goes My Baby, This Magic Moment (Charlie Thomas), White Christmas (Bill Pinkney), Da Doo Ron Ron (The Crystals), Why Do Fools Fall in Love (The Teenagers), Don't Ask Me to Be Lonely, Could This Be Magic (The Dubs), Denise (Randy and the Rainbows), Rama Lama Ding Dong (The Edsels), Will You Love Me Tomorrow (Shirley Alston Reeves), Stranded in the Jungle, Why Don't You Write Me (The Cadets), Oh What a Night (The Dells), So Much in Love (The Tymes with George Williams), Love Potion #9, Devil or Angel (The Clovers), The Stroll (The Diamonds), Little Darlin' (The Diamonds with Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs), Stay (Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs), One Fine Day (The Chiffons), Coney Island Baby (The Excellents), What's Your Name (Don and Juan), Poison Ivy (The Coasters), Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me (Mel Carter and Pure Gold), Let It Be Me (Betty Everett & Jerry Butler), Up on the Mountain (The Magnificents), At My Front Door (The El Dorados), Close Your Eyes (The Five Keys), Crying in the Chapel (The Orioles), Till Then (The Classics). 160 minutes.

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