Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Let me start by saying this could have been one of the great DVD sets ever released but Rhino really dropped the ball.
Some reviewers seem to think they are viewing the complete performances or the performances as "originally aired". Lets clear that up right now. These are the edited performances that aired on VH1 and in no way are they as originally performed on the Ed Sullivan Show in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Anyone who believes they are viewing the original performance need only compare the Beatles Ed Sullivan appearances from "Beatles Anthology" or "Beatles First US Visit" to the same performances contained in this DVD set. You will then see and hear exactly what you are missing. All songs suffer a similar editing done so skillfully that anyone unfamiliar with the songs or original broadcasts might be fooled. Don't think for a second that a group fortunate enough to appear on Ed Sullivan's show would have chosen to perform a "shortened" version of their songs. It just didn't happen. Sorry folks, but if you think you are viewing the original performance as aired you are just plain wrong.
Because of the price I was convinced that we would now see the full versions of these songs and not the hatchet job we saw on VH1. But Rhino really fooled us. One reviewer felt that the high price may be due to royalty payments to so many artists. Maybe, but I doubt it. The Hullabaloo DVD series has many artists but the set is very affordable and you get the complete performances as aired. As for groups like the Dave Clark Five being absent (they made 18 appearances on the Ed Sullivan show) it's possible that Dave Clark was able to avoid being part of this project. He was and is very protective of the usage of the DC5 material. But if he could avoid it then surely Apple (the Beatles management) would have disassociated themselves from this set as well. They are highly protective of the Beatles and would have opted out if possible. But that's another debate.
Sound quality is as good as you can expect from mono sources so long ago. Remember, Ed didn't broadcast in stereo. The so called 5.1 mix is just processed mono but does give the sound more depth than the plain mono track.
Overall this set is just a huge disappointment for the serious collector but may satisfy the casual fan although at quite a price. I would return mine for a refund if I could. I would really like to see Rhino post a response on this site and explain their decisions.
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On Sunday nights throughout the '50s and '60s, Ed Sullivan brought pop culture into America's living rooms with the most influential show of its kind. If you made it there, you had it made because for the first time, the entire county was at home watching. During the course of the show's run, many of the early rock and roll legends were featured in career-defining performances. These cultural milestones have been compiled for Ed Sullivan's Rock 'n' Roll Classics, along with archival footage and narration for insight on the artists, their eras, and their classic appearances. Now seen with half a century of hindsight , it's clear Ed Sullivan was right--his was a really big show. -Chart Toppers Volume 1: Top Hits of 1965 (Sonny and Cher, Tom Jones, 4 Seasons, Lovin' Spoonful, Herman's Hermits), Top Hits of 1966 (Rolling Stones, The Animals, The Association, The Mamas and the Papas, Lou Rawls, The Supremes) , Top Hits of 1967 (Rolling Stones, The Association, Johnny Rivers, The Supremes, The Mamas and The Papas) -Chart Toppers Volume 2: Top Hits of 1968 (Beach Boys, Chambers Brothers, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, Spanky and Our Gang, Tommy James and the Shondells), Top Hits of 1969 (Brooklyn Bridge, Smith, CCR, Oliver, The 5th Dimension), Top Hits of 1970 (Jackson 5, The Supremes, Carpenters, BJ Thomas, 5th Dimension) -The Soul of the Motor City: Motortown Review (Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Supremes, Jackson 5, Temptations, Stevie Wonder), Sweet Sounds of Soul (The Supremes, Four Tops, James Brown, Righteous Brothers, Temptations), Motor City Magic (Four Tops, Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder)-Elvis and Other Rock Greats: Elvis Presley (Songs: Don't Be Cruel, Ready Teddy, Hound Dog, Too Much, When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold, Peace In The Valley), Move to the Music (The Beatles: Twist and Shout, Jerry Lee Lewis: Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On, Martha and the Vandellas: Dancing In The Streets, Jay and the Techniques: Keep The Ball Rolling, Jackie Wilson: That's Why, Freddie and the Dreamers: Do The Freddie, Sly and the Family Stone: Dance To The Music)-The Temptations & The Supremes: The Temptations (Songs: Don't Look Back, September In The Rain, You've Made Me So Very Happy, Run Away Child, I Can't Get Next To You, Just My Imagination), The Supremes (Songs: Come See About Me, Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart, I'm Living In Shame, Forever Came Today, No Matter What Sign You Are, Up The Ladder To The Roof)-Love Songs: Classic Love Songs (The Beatles, Carpenters, Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Fifth Dimension, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Elvis Presley), Rock 'n' Roll Love Songs (Beatles, Lulu, Jackie Wilson, Little Anthony and the Imperials) Teen Idols (Bobby Rydell, Dino Desi and Billy, Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Bobby Darin)-Rockin' the Sixties: San Francisco Scene (Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Janis Joplin, CCR, Sly and the Family Stone), Smash Hits of the Sixties (Beatles, Beach Boys, Petula Clark, 4 Seasons, Tommy James), Psychedelic Sixties (The Doors, Steppenwolf, Vanilla Fudge, Temptations)-Legends of Rock: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Beach Boys, CCR, James Brown), Rock Legends - Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (Elvis Presley, James Brown, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Bo Diddley, Jackie Wilson)-The British Invasion: The British Invasion Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (Beatles, Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, The Animals, Gerry and The Pacemakers, Freddie and The Dreamers) Plus trivia tracks, selected discographies, interview with John Moffit (director), and a rare interview of Ed & Sylvia.
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