Glen Campbell: Good Times Again (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a fabulous hour well spent enjoying some terrific songs and performances and Glen (in current day interviews) intros many of the songs.
The other reviewer moaned about what ISN'T on this DVD....but frankly..for $15 I feel I got a LOT more than my monies worth and I will watch this over and over....goodness. Glen could sure play guitar and his guests? The Ricky Nelson clip alone is wonderful...and that leaves Ray Charles, Willie Nelson , Roger Miller, Ann Murray, Cher, Linda Ronstadt, The Smothers Brothers, BJ Thomas, Johnny Cash and lets not forget the late great writer of "Gentle On My Mind" John Hartford....doesn't sound like much to complain about...and I'm not....this is wonderful.

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Item Name: Good Times Again; Studio:Time Life Records

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Willie Nelson and Friends - Live & Kickin' (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a strange bird of a DVD. For one thing, it contrasts the problems with watered-down, blown-up, and talent-lacking country music industry of today, with the rich talents of yesterday's country music scene, as well as the wealth of talent in other genres of new and current music. And for another thing, it's very entertaining to see Wyclef Jean freestyle rapping in front of a room full of mortified country fans.

It starts off well enough, with Willie performing an adequate rendition of one of his standards. And one would think a duet with Shania Twain doing "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" would be at least passable. But instead, Shania comes off sounding more like Celine Dion. Willie was completely unable to keep up, due to this very strange, overdone, and bland style of singing. Contrast that to Norah Jones who can sing with Willie incredibly beautifully and works with his style like a musical instrument in of itself. And she isn't even a country singer!

I would also like to know exactly how many Kenny Chesney fans will buy this DVD. The guy looks like a gay porn star. He actually makes me appreciate the originality of Garth Brooks. Sorry Garth, that was a bit cruel. In school one day, a couple of students said they liked country. Our teacher immediately asked "Willie Nelson?" They said "No, he's too old. We like Kenny Chesney!"

Notwithstanding, there are some great songs. When Ray Charles sang "A Song for You," I was crying right along with Willie. The Ray Price songs are fantastic and show Willie still has it after all these years. Paul Simon sings "Homeward Bound" in near perfect duet with Willie, not to mention a great guitar solo via Trigger. And although I may think Toby Keith has about as much charisma as Larry the Cable Guy, "I'll Never Smoke Weed With Willie Again," is thoroughly decent. But an up-beat country song in "Beer for My Horses" about terrorism is downright nauseating and horrifying. We certainly aren't all back at the saloon yet and probably never will be.
As far as the bonus tracks go, one can and cannot see why certain songs were cut. Willie's original opener of Whisky River was somewhat anemic. Kris Kristofferson can be an acquired taste. Sheryl Crow borderlines the same problem Shania has, but her song is pretty good. What was mindboggling was why they cut the other Norah Jones song which was just as outstanding as the one they kept in the show.

Now, finally the greatest specticle of them all. Leon Russell singing "Jumpin' Jack Flash." All the audience and Willie are very confused and don't know what to do. Even Leon seems a little surprised at what's coming out of him. And the biggest shock of all, the song is incredible. It burns the house down. But everybody stands around very uncomfortably. This alone, is worth the price of the DVD. I never thought I would hear a version of the song that would rival the Stones and then see everyone looking at their watches.

The same can be said of the Steven Tyler number. I wasn't even going to watch it, but I had to, just out of morbid curiosity. Going against all logic, reason, even physics, Steven makes a great country singer. He sounds very similar to Janis Joplin. It pains me to think of the missed opportunity of hearing him sing "Me and Bobby McGee" with Kristofferson. All I know now is that if Steven Tyler released a country album, I would certainly buy it and three copies for my friends.

So, all things considered this is a rather fascinating show. Sure, most country fans will give this one listen, complain about the chances it took, praise Twain and Keith, and forget it. But if you look and listen deeper you'll hear a completely original, strange, and satisfying showcase of talent doing what they do best, and sometimes trying something completely new and different.

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Item Name: Willie Nelson and Friends - Live & Kickin'; Studio:Lost Highway

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The Dick Cavett Show - Ray Charles Collection (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)The three shows in this series each have their own charm.
In the first one, there is a hilarious opening with Dick trying out a special effects motion machine. The Ray Charles segment that follows meets all expectations, and Ray and Dick's conversation after the music shows their growing rapport. Tony Randall, another guest, is very funny as he describes a provocative new California trend, and Margaret Mead says more interesting and intelligent things in her first ten minutes than most of us say all year.
In the second one, Dick and Ray have the show to themselves. The music is great, and the conversation is heartwarming and very much up to the usual Dick Cavett show standard of intelligence.
In the last show in the series, there are three guests. For those of us who remember Mayor John Lindsay, it is great to see him again. Those who are too young to have seen him before will be charmed and encouraged that a government leader can actually be intelligent. Again, Ray's music is stirring, and Dr. Sam Rosen, an ear surgeon is very interesting to listen to.

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3 Complete Episodes of the Legendary Late-Night Talk ShowFeatures Candid Interviews, Unforgettable Moments and 14 Live PerformancesGenius is a word that is often used too casually. That’s certainly not the case with Ray Charles. The word was so appropriate in his case that it became his nickname. The Genius was a guest on The Dick Cavett Show three times, including one where he was Cavett’s only guest. As a performer and a conversationalist, his magnetism is in full force. On this 2-DVD set Ray speaks candidly about his life and career and performs 14 songs.The Ray Charles Collection includes:Episode One - June 26, 1972 Ray performs: - America The Beautiful - Blues For Big Scotia - Am I Blue (duet with Dick Cavett) (Other guests: Tony Randall, Margaret Mead) Episode Two - January 26, 1973 Ray performs: - I Feel So Bad - Georgia On My Mind - Eleanor Rigby - I Can’t Stop Loving You - Lift Every Voice And Sing - America The Beautiful - Shake - Am I Blue (duet with Dick Cavett) Episode Three - July 9, 1973 Ray performs: - I Feel So Bad - Born To Lose - Am I Blue (duet with Dick Cavett) (Other guests: John Lindsay, Dr. Samuel Rosen)Plus New Episode Introductions and the Bonus Featurette Cavett Remembers Ray.

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