Reviews (118)

An Amazing DVD!
We saw part of this dvd at a party at friends house last week and bought it from Amazon. We just watched it all at home tonight. Fantastic! I was never 'into' Orbison in my youth when he was first popular, but after watching this cd I have to recognize him as one of the greatest. What an amazing, unusual, voice. You feel as if it is going to 'crack' at any moment from those long, high notes, but never does--it's always perfectly controlled. As if Orbison doing Orbison's great repertoire wasn't enough, the "Friends" doing backup for Orbison doing all his great songs are, among others: a young Bruce Springsteen [looking star struck the whole night b/c he was playing with Orbison], Jackson Brown, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, with Bonnie Raitt, k.d. Laing, and Jennifer Warnes doing the female backup vocals. The Orbison/Springseen duo on "Sweet Dreams" alone would be worth the price of the album but all the songs are great. Play it in SurroundSound if you have it--can't beat it.

I didn't realize how great Roy was...
I didn't realize exactly how great Roy Orbison was until I saw his "Black & White Night" on PBS several months ago. That session brought all of my memories together into one massive event. I contributed to the PBS station just to get the VHS and CD versions of that concert, recognizing just how special it was. I just now spent nearly five hours listening to that CD while I read most of the 115 reviews on Amazon (avg = 5 stars out of 5) of the DVD, and the advantages (editing, video enhancements, extra tracts) of the DVD over the VHS and CD version I have. I just ordered two copies of the DVD (one to watch/listen to, and one for backup).

If you have read this far, you realize the contribution of Roy, his talent, and the incredible array of stars that attended him at the "Black & White Night" event. For no other reason than your personal satisfaction, buy this DVD!

simply stupendous
I first saw this DVD on public TV as an enticement to donate. What a great investment. Roy's voice and songs are unique and hopefully will live on indefinitely through this CD and DVD. When I'm home alone and can crank up the sound on the DVD and watch and listen to Roy and friends it is almost spellbinding. I can't get enough of the "girls" as backup. Bruce is great (he seems like a baby almost)....totally in awe of Roy and James Burton...who seems to be the White of "Black and White"...what a plucker he is. When in the car, the CD carries me through until I can watch the DVD again.I own many CDs and DVDs but watch/listen to these two the most...over and over!!!

Five stars NOT ENOUGH
I have been to hundreds of concerts, from Jazz, Pop, Big Band, Country, Classic and whatever I've left out. I wasn't aware of this one until I saw it on PBS. With the Boss, k.d.lang, and a group of the best musicians all playing free and singing along with Orbison's unique and beautiful range, this wasn't a concert, it was a celebration. It was in the top 5 I've seen in a lifetime (with my range of interests there have been others, such as a Mahlar's Symphony of a Thousand, The Highwaymen, Jazz at the Philharmonic, etc. that reached a peak of their own form). But the excitement and pure enjoyment of the performers and listeners made it an emotional experience. Like a great Willie Nelson or Louis Armstrong performance it can be seen over and over.

Stunning! Not just for "fans"...
Last year, an electronics store here in Tokyo wisely chose this DVD to try to sell more 'home theater' systems. I was in a huge rush, but was instantly captivated by the phenomenal guitar sounds I was hearing. Milliseconds later, I recognized the song, the major artist and the fact that there was probably a whole, live concert of Roy Orbison being played. I stopped my mad rush to an appointment to listen to "Pretty Woman" in its entirety. [This is the finale...] Then, as the crowd in front of me dissipated, I caught sight of some of the performers on a gigantic, but low, plasma display and was a little surprised to see that the whole concert had obviously been recorded in monochrome.

I have to admit that I've never been a huge Roy Orbison fan--I didn't buy his albums when I was young, but no-one could really DISlike his voice or his compositions. I probably knew every one of his numbers that was regularly played on the radio and I consider myself to have "grown up" singing along to Roy Orbison's mellow sounds. So, although my tastes run the gamut from world and ethnic music, thru blues, jazz and 'fusion' all the way to classics and a (very) little opera, I don't classify myself as a great 'rock-a-billy' fan, or even as an expert on music. That day, however, I became obsessed with getting hold of this particular concert for enjoyment at home.

I got hold of it easily enough from Amazon and have to say that it knocked my socks off. For me, the real highlights are the guitarwork of James Burton and Bruce Springsteen, but the whole 'feel' of this concert is one of a tribute to that inimitable, great voice. Many of the supporting artists are legends in their own neck of the woods, but there are no 'show-ponies' here--it's all just a well-rehearsed, supportive, even modest performance--yet there are many moments when one gets a feeling of watching and hearing musical genius in action.

Younger friends and relatives who had only a passing knowledge of Roy Orbison were stunned by the brilliance of the performances on this DVD. I've bought several copies as gifts, which were very highly appreciated. I think the playing of those at Christmas and New Year gatherings may have stimulated a buying spree among the many other people who were captivated, as I was, by the whole sound and feel of this delectable DVD.

I don't avidly collect music videos, yet I've seen many from all of the 'greats'. However, I've never seen a better concert on video. I don't think anyone who really loved music could watch this and be unaffected. I've read all of the reviews, so far, and I agree with almost every single one...I have one or two very minor gripes, but it's probably not worth your time to read those. If you love great music, just shell out the money and buy it. You will not be disappointed. ... Read more

Book Description

Road Tested is the matching P/V/G folio to Bonnie Raitts 1st live album!With 25 years of club and concert dates under her belt, eight- time Grammy-winner Bonnie Raitt has crafted Road Tested from a winning combination of tried and true material plus several exciting new songs. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Bonnie Raitt /GLORIOUS in best audio/video technology!
I already have the VHS and CD versions of ROAD TESTED. Still, I have waited with great anticipation for the re-release of the DVD version. If you don't have a DVD player right now then this is a great reason to go out and embrace the relatively new technology. ROAD TESTED is somewhat of a career retrospective...and not just the hits. For me it is worth the minimal DVD price just for the medley of "Love Me Like A Man" (on classic acoustic guitar) and Kokomo Blues" (acoustic slide guitar)and the ballad "Dimming of the Day". This DVD captures Bonnie at the height of her tremendous vocal powers and displays her renowned virtuosity on both acoutic and slide guitar as well as keyboards. I have all of her LP's, CD, VHS, and DVD recordings. This is my "desert island" one release of her's that I would choose over all of the others. As usual, she has put together a great band with guests like Bruce Hornsby on the opening "The Thing Called Love" (accordian and vocals), Jackson Browne (guitar and vocals), Brian Adams (on "Rock Steady" duet with guitar and vocals....this cookin' song should have been a huge hit!) Classic rockers Ruth Brown and Charles Brown on a Ry Cooder style "Never Make Your Move Too Soon" and Kim Wilson (from the Fabulous Thunderbirds on harmonica and vocals on the foot stompin' "I Believe I Am In Love". I am listening/watching the DVD right now and still find "I Can't Make You Love Me" deeply moving. Luckily, I have seen most of the greats and Bonnie Raitt is the rare great live performer and song-writer who gets better with time. Brava!!!

A MUST-own in-home concert DVD.
Admittedly, I'm a big fan of Bonnie, and if I had any complaints about this live concert, it would be that there's not enough footage of her playing, BUT...
There is a GREAT selection of tunes (I bought the CD when it was first released), and throughout the entire concert, no matter how bluesy and heart-wrenching, Bonnie's face literally lights up at the audience reaction after each song. She truly feeds on it! Also watching the band - especially the percussionist - is a lot of fun while you're tapping your feet. A don't-miss is the beautiful fretless bass guitar that shows up a little more than half way through the concert.

Great!
First of all, I'm not really what you'd call a Bonnie Raitt fan.
I didn't even know who she was when (some years ago now) I was dragged by a friend to a show at the State Theatre, & I remain truly grateful to that friend for introducing me to an incredible live performer!
Bonnie & her band do a first rate job! They're out here again in February, & that friend & I have front row tickets!!

She's Great! But what about the video!
Let me start with a few words about Bonnie Raitt. I first saw her at the Lenox Arts Center in MA in the early '70s, and it is one of those performances that sticks with you. What a musical performance! And this woman who commented on the bare-chested guys in the audience (what audacity!). I have to be honest--haven't followed every recording of her career. But everytime I hear her I'm floored. Here's a woman who can belt out a ballad, play the blues, and put the most loving touch on a folk song, to bring you to tears. Versatility is Raitt. You want proof!? Just see her on the Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute belting out "Pride and Joy." She takes a guy song and makes it into the quintessential girl's torch song! All I can say is she made a lot of guys lonely (including me!) when she mentions a husband in the concert. But hey, we are happy for you Bonnie.
But what a minute! The production on this video just doesn't do Bonnie justice. I've heard much about the audio problems, and I agree. But the video doesn't give us fans a chance! I want something more than 5 seconds of a sustained shot on Bonnie and her guitar. The music is there, but a bit more of Bonnie, without endless cuts to her band, would be desirable. (A great band mind you, but nonetheless it couldn't hurt to let us see her a bit more!)
I would love to see Bonnie in a proper DVD. How about it Bonnie! There're plenty of us out here that would love to hear from you. You are a legend now, like BB and Buddy. Put your music on record (in resplendent DVD)! I'll be waiting.

Bonnie at Her Best
I just read the reviews of those of you who bought the audio-impaired DVD version of this spectacular concert. I saw it on VHS and there were no glitches of any kind. Can't remember a more exciting concert, live or recorded. This is Bonnie at her gorgeous, versatile, innovative best, performing all of her finest music live. An interesting twist--a la Carlos Santana, she shares her stage for some individual songs with numerous other artists, some famous (Don Henley, Jackson Browne) and some talented oldsters she just graciously wanted to honor who did very creditable jobs. The amazing thing was that none of these high powered talents overshadowed Raitt or diluted or morphed the music. And it remained unmistakably Bonnie Raitt music without her formidable talents burying her guests. Some of these artists she has performed with for years, and the mutual respect and affection between them will multiply your enjoyment of an already jaw-dropping concert. (The personal and musical chemistry between Jackson Browne and Bonnie is something you'll have to see to believe.) That DVD might make a great gasket for the oil pan of your Volkswagen, but get rid of it and get the VHS version. If you are a true Bonnie Raitt fan (or even if you just love red hair and sliding steel guitars!), you are going to be surprised at how quickly one vivacious superstar and a tight, explosively talented band can ignite an audience and even jack up your own mood six or eight notches. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

John Travolta traded in disco duds for a cowboy hat in this corny love story about a working man who breaks up with his girlfriend (Debra Winger), then plays out their relationship's turmoil inside a huge honky-tonk called Gilley's. The story essentially parallels Travolta's prior hit film,Saturday Night Fever, in its blend of ordinary life, incomplete relationships, and personal pride channeled into niche stardom at a neighborhood club. But for all its regional flavor, Urban Cowboy never enjoys the immediacy and urgency of Fever, and after awhile you can't help but feel bemused by the macho silliness of ongoing "mechanical bull" competitions (basically a faux rodeo device only brave men can master at great chiropractic risk). The Travolta-Winger relationship is pure soap, as well. But this film really is a kind of time-capsule piece on a lot of levels--notably Travolta's career and late '70s Western kitsch--and while it's silly, it's certainly not disagreeable.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (52)

remember drive-ins
Watching this movie at the drive in Pasadena the age of five or six and actually remembering it means somethings. That it was great movie. Now some...I hate to say it, twenty years later. I still think it great. Growing up in Pasadena, and Houston. I can relate to this move. I ain't being biased, I'm just being honest. This movie actually tells the truth about relationships instead of sugar coating it like all the rest the Hollywood chick-flicks try to do. Instead of all the teen love storis and the rich kid and and poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks dying to be with the rich kid. Nope, this movie is as realistic as Hollywood can manage. Sissy and Bud(that is his name...right?) I mean Travolta's character was a spoiled, wanna-be macho redneck but at the end he forgets all that and finds himself still in love Sissy. And yes there are fights in honky-tonks. Aren't there also fights in any other bar. Then again aren't all girls not just country girls trying to get there guy jealous by dancing with other guys at bars also. I hate it when anyone who is not from the south or southeast making fun of people from here. WE are not all stupid inbreeders with a an IQ and education of fifth grader. I am going to end this with saying that this was and still is a great film.

John Travolta is not a country boy!
Urban Cowboy is a tale of idiot hollywood actors trying to be cowboys and cowgirls. This movie reveals I think country people in a bad way. I am a cowboy and I don't even do half the things that these people do in this movie. The writers have revealed country people as real hard dirty sleezy rednecks who go to places like gilleys everynight get into drunk fights have no respect for women and go around having sex with every cowgirl in the place. Then you have John Travolta who ought to be arrested for even putting on a cowboy hat and wearing cowboy boots and wrangler jeans we are talking about the same idiot who played New Yorker in shows like Welcome Back Kotter and lived in Brooklyn and danced in discos in Saturday Night Fever. I don't why anyone casted that guy for the role. Then Debra Winger is not to bad for the role but her character is dismissed in the story as some dumb southern cowgirl who goes around doing it with any cowboy she can find. Then last but not least you have the trashy other friends and actors who all posess Rotten teeth, smoke considerable amounts of cigarettes, and are playing and immatating country cowboys as people with rotten teeth with a third grade intelligence. These actors no nothing about honky tonks and how they are and these actors all come from cities they don't even live in the country so why do they continually act like real morons throughout the movie. The music is another bad ticket in this flop some moron who knows nothing about country music picked the sorriest collection I have ever heard like someone else pointed out in there review its hollywood country music. The only good song they actually picked was Lookin for love by Johnny Lee and to top it off you only hear half of it. Well anyway it gets two stars because it does follow some sort of story line but man is this pathetic.

Poor social message, but still irrestible!
I read some of the other reviews, and it's interesting the reasons that this movie was praised. Basically this movie presents very poor social messages. I mean, it implies that domestic violence, physical fighting with peers, drinking lots, and having sex with people you don't even know just because your mad, is the cool thing to do. So again, I don't approve of the social messages.
On the other hand, if you are between 25-37 years old, you may have a fond place in your heart for this movie, as I do! The characters are attractive, and in the end, love wins out! You see, I love this movie, only because when I first saw it, I was at the age of wanting to find out who I was. And it did seem cool to be around family and friends, dancing, pushing life a little too far, etc. I also think it's one of John Travolta's best movies. He's handsome, strong, and likeable!

A cowboy's must
John Travolta,who became famous for his role of Vinnie Barbarino on the ABC sitcom "Welcome Back Kotter",had two prior megahit starring films,"Saturday Night Fever" and "Grease". In his third megahit,this film,he is Beauford Uan "Bud" Davis,an URBAN COWBOY who moves to Houston from Spur,a small Houston suburb. He lands a job at an oil refinery where his uncle Bob works. Debra Winger is Sissy,who Bud met at Gilley's,the real-life Pasadena,TX honky tonk. Bud and Sissy fall in love and get married at the hot nightspot. Scott Glenn is Wes Hightower,a paroled convict who steals Sissy's heart and keeps it while she and Bud are separated and nearly divorce. Madolyn Smith in her debut,at least on the big screen,is Pam who is Bud's girlfriend during the separation. Country singer Mickey Gilley owns the nightspot with Sherwood Cryer(both appear as themselves in the film). In addition to Gilley,country artists appearing in the film are Bonnie Raitt,Johnny Lee and The Charlie Daniels Band. All four artists have contributed to the soundtrack album. This film was directed by the late James Bridges,whose prior films include SEPTEMBER 30,1955 and THE CHINA SYNDROME. Bridges subsequently directed MIKE'S MURDER also starring Winger,PERFECT,also starring Travolta,and BRIGHT LIGHTS,BIG CITY starring Michael J. Fox. Sadly,Gilley's was burned down in 1989 by a kitchen fire and was later re-christened as Gilley's Mechanical Bull & Nightclub. Travolta would have no megahit films following this one until 1989's LOOK WHO'S TALKING. He won an Oscar for his role in 1994's PULP FICTION and is still going strong in Hollywood today.

DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
THIS IS A GOOD MOVIE I LOVE IT I ENJOY IT. IT WAS MADE HERE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. THE BAR WAS IN PASADENA@ THE FAMOUS MICKEY GILLEY'S BAR. I LIKE THIS MOVIE IT REPRESENTS TEXAS AND ALSO IT IS A GREAT LOVE STORY YOU CAN'T BUT FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS MOVIE. DEBRA WINGER AND JOHN TRAVOLTA REALLY DO SOME GREAT ACTING IN THIS MOVIE AND I LOVE IT. I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU TO BUY THIS MOVIE IF YOU ARE A FAN OF JOHN TRAVOLTA OR IF YOU LIKE LOVE STORIES YOU CANNOT GO WRONG BUYING THIS VIDEO. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Story!! Well done and not a concert DVD!
Great content, very interesting. This is for the serious blues lover, curious about the late, great Muddy's life. It is not a concert footage DVD, although there are a few clips.
It's a fabulous tribute, told in a biographical manner- truly enjoyable!! If you are a big fan of McKenzie "Muddy", you will *LOVE* this!

another great documentary
i just purchaset this & the howlin wolf story & john lee hooker thats my story. it's about time the industry started putting this great stuff out.i give them all five stars i just wish they were longer (less than an hour)except the john lee hooker 90min.the muddy gives us a great deal of information on the kind of man he was and his style if you like muddy this is worth having.

Great Companion for the Book
This DVD was the perfect compliment to the book of the same name. While more live footage would have been nice, there is plenty out there to be had. Great historical info as well as interviews with the ones who knew him. Must have for Blues fans of all stripes.

Should have been better...
I love Muddy Waters and was stoked about this DVD. Unfortunately it couldn't keep me awake. I was expecting much more in the way of concert footage. What was there was usually chopped up with random interviews. The smokin' version of "Got my Mojo..." only teased. Very few actual interviews of Muddy. I'm not sure it was even a good general documentary on the blues. The best parts were listening to Keith Richards mumble incoherently...this at least provided some comic relief. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Few early rockers were more gifted or less honored in their prime thanthe late Roy Orbison, whose vaulting tenor and vulnerable love songs conjured heartbreak and desire with operatic intensity. This 1987 concert special, originally broadcast on Showtime, came two decades after Orbison had retreated from pop's front lines, yet neither Orbison nor his music coasts on mere nostalgia: in every respect, A Black and White Night survives as a triumphant performance and a superb video production, as well as a first-rate retrospective of Orbison's hits.

Filmed in black and white against the streamlined art deco stage of the since-demolished Coconut Grove in downtown Los Angeles, the concert is buoyed by a remarkable cast of A-list Orbison fans who signed on as his accompanists.Under the direction of producer T-Bone Burnett, the stage band thus includes Jackson Browne, Burnett, Elvis Costello, k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt, J.D. Souther, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, and Jennifer Warnes, along with the rhythm section from Elvis Presley's fabled late '60s and early '70s touring band.That astonishing lineup is all the more noteworthy for the restraint with which they collaborate--it's evident that those superstars came to honor Orbison, not upstage him, resulting in a gratifying cohesion to the performances.

Orbison himself sounds as powerful as ever, his soaring falsetto cresting as dramatically as it did on the studio versions of the hits that inevitably dominate.Those songs meanwhile confirm that his blue chip admiration society came as much for the caliber of his writing as for his ravishing voice: if he remains best known for the jaunty come-on of "Pretty Woman," Orbison was first and foremost a rock balladeer, capable of bringing lumps to our throats with such classics as "Crying" and "Only the Lonely," or conjuring romantic trances through such gentle charmers as "Dream Baby." On this night, he handled all of them with fervor and finesse. --Sam Sutherland ... Read more

Reviews (118)

An Amazing DVD!
We saw part of this dvd at a party at friends house last week and bought it from Amazon. We just watched it all at home tonight. Fantastic! I was never 'into' Orbison in my youth when he was first popular, but after watching this cd I have to recognize him as one of the greatest. What an amazing, unusual, voice. You feel as if it is going to 'crack' at any moment from those long, high notes, but never does--it's always perfectly controlled. As if Orbison doing Orbison's great repertoire wasn't enough, the "Friends" doing backup for Orbison doing all his great songs are, among others: a young Bruce Springsteen [looking star struck the whole night b/c he was playing with Orbison], Jackson Brown, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, with Bonnie Raitt, k.d. Laing, and Jennifer Warnes doing the female backup vocals. The Orbison/Springseen duo on "Sweet Dreams" alone would be worth the price of the album but all the songs are great. Play it in SurroundSound if you have it--can't beat it.

I didn't realize how great Roy was...
I didn't realize exactly how great Roy Orbison was until I saw his "Black & White Night" on PBS several months ago. That session brought all of my memories together into one massive event. I contributed to the PBS station just to get the VHS and CD versions of that concert, recognizing just how special it was. I just now spent nearly five hours listening to that CD while I read most of the 115 reviews on Amazon (avg = 5 stars out of 5) of the DVD, and the advantages (editing, video enhancements, extra tracts) of the DVD over the VHS and CD version I have. I just ordered two copies of the DVD (one to watch/listen to, and one for backup).

If you have read this far, you realize the contribution of Roy, his talent, and the incredible array of stars that attended him at the "Black & White Night" event. For no other reason than your personal satisfaction, buy this DVD!

simply stupendous
I first saw this DVD on public TV as an enticement to donate. What a great investment. Roy's voice and songs are unique and hopefully will live on indefinitely through this CD and DVD. When I'm home alone and can crank up the sound on the DVD and watch and listen to Roy and friends it is almost spellbinding. I can't get enough of the "girls" as backup. Bruce is great (he seems like a baby almost)....totally in awe of Roy and James Burton...who seems to be the White of "Black and White"...what a plucker he is. When in the car, the CD carries me through until I can watch the DVD again.I own many CDs and DVDs but watch/listen to these two the most...over and over!!!

Five stars NOT ENOUGH
I have been to hundreds of concerts, from Jazz, Pop, Big Band, Country, Classic and whatever I've left out. I wasn't aware of this one until I saw it on PBS. With the Boss, k.d.lang, and a group of the best musicians all playing free and singing along with Orbison's unique and beautiful range, this wasn't a concert, it was a celebration. It was in the top 5 I've seen in a lifetime (with my range of interests there have been others, such as a Mahlar's Symphony of a Thousand, The Highwaymen, Jazz at the Philharmonic, etc. that reached a peak of their own form). But the excitement and pure enjoyment of the performers and listeners made it an emotional experience. Like a great Willie Nelson or Louis Armstrong performance it can be seen over and over.

Stunning! Not just for "fans"...
Last year, an electronics store here in Tokyo wisely chose this DVD to try to sell more 'home theater' systems. I was in a huge rush, but was instantly captivated by the phenomenal guitar sounds I was hearing. Milliseconds later, I recognized the song, the major artist and the fact that there was probably a whole, live concert of Roy Orbison being played. I stopped my mad rush to an appointment to listen to "Pretty Woman" in its entirety. [This is the finale...] Then, as the crowd in front of me dissipated, I caught sight of some of the performers on a gigantic, but low, plasma display and was a little surprised to see that the whole concert had obviously been recorded in monochrome.

I have to admit that I've never been a huge Roy Orbison fan--I didn't buy his albums when I was young, but no-one could really DISlike his voice or his compositions. I probably knew every one of his numbers that was regularly played on the radio and I consider myself to have "grown up" singing along to Roy Orbison's mellow sounds. So, although my tastes run the gamut from world and ethnic music, thru blues, jazz and 'fusion' all the way to classics and a (very) little opera, I don't classify myself as a great 'rock-a-billy' fan, or even as an expert on music. That day, however, I became obsessed with getting hold of this particular concert for enjoyment at home.

I got hold of it easily enough from Amazon and have to say that it knocked my socks off. For me, the real highlights are the guitarwork of James Burton and Bruce Springsteen, but the whole 'feel' of this concert is one of a tribute to that inimitable, great voice. Many of the supporting artists are legends in their own neck of the woods, but there are no 'show-ponies' here--it's all just a well-rehearsed, supportive, even modest performance--yet there are many moments when one gets a feeling of watching and hearing musical genius in action.

Younger friends and relatives who had only a passing knowledge of Roy Orbison were stunned by the brilliance of the performances on this DVD. I've bought several copies as gifts, which were very highly appreciated. I think the playing of those at Christmas and New Year gatherings may have stimulated a buying spree among the many other people who were captivated, as I was, by the whole sound and feel of this delectable DVD.

I don't avidly collect music videos, yet I've seen many from all of the 'greats'. However, I've never seen a better concert on video. I don't think anyone who really loved music could watch this and be unaffected. I've read all of the reviews, so far, and I agree with almost every single one...I have one or two very minor gripes, but it's probably not worth your time to read those. If you love great music, just shell out the money and buy it. You will not be disappointed. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

One of all time greatest
Please notice that I'm from Denmark and that my english probably ain't perfect, sorry !-But I would like to say that a Tribute to SRV. are one of all time greatest tribute concerts - to a man who really deserves it ! SRV is and will always be the king of blues. And the musicians who honours him on this concert are delivering some of their greatest perfomances ! Of course it's bound to be so , with all that great material Stevie left them ! Despite what many people might mean , the clips between the songs are lovely !The short ( all to short )concert moments with Stevie himself is a gift to all SRV. Lovers - they really shows what a great player and performer he was ! And it makes it easy to everyone to see and feel his greatness ! He was really one of a kind ! This video which also is available on CD is a must to all SRV. Fans / lovers - Buy it now ! You won't regret it ! The video is also filled with comments from the artists who plays on it !Those are very lovefull moments and a joy to hear and watch ! - And to Stevie - while you're probably sitting on a cloud playing the Blues with a big smile on your face : You and your music will live forever - Thanks for all what you gave us ! Keep playing - PEACE BROTHER - from a dedicated fan .

Electrifying!!
This film, shot in Texas in June of 1995, features a whole host of talented musicians. The littany of names is enthralling. Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Vaughan, Robert Cray and Eric Clapton, who was nominated for best male rock performance in 1997 at the Grammys for his performance. Each musician performs his own incredible piece and the film also includes each performer's reflections on Stevie and all culminating to an incredible blues guitar jam with each musician having a solo. Filled with beautiful slides, riffs and solos and heartfelt thoughts each artist pays tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan in his own way. A befitting tribute to a once in a life time bluesman.

Almost great
Well the list of guitarists is something to be expected considering they are paying homage to one of the greatest guitar players of all time. However it seems that his brother Jimmie in this DVD uses this as an opportunity to play with the greats. Instead of allowing the great guitarists play their hearts out they seem to be in the background of a sub par guitarist. The first thing I thought when I saw this was Stevie would have been furious seeing these great guitarists playing behind his brother. These people needed to be showcased instead of dropped in the background. Once you get used to this the interviews are really nice hearing these great blues players talk about Stevie. There playing was really cool, it is definitely something to watch and enjoy, and the last song SRV Shuffle on the DVD is really fun to watch. It would have been better if Jimmie had got out of the way though. Would have been a five star if he would have just let the better musicians play in the spotlight instead of trying to steal the spotlight.

Stevie Played Stevie Better
"A Tribute To Stevie Ray Vaughan" shows some marvelous performances of Vaughan's work by some of the great bluesman and guitarists. Clapton, Cray, Guy, Raitt, King and even Vaughan's very talented brother crank through the better known Stevie Ray tunes with incredible musical mastery.

Interupting some great jams, unfortunately, is a bunch of interviews. They are interesting, but kill the flow of the concert. It seems like a PBS special.

I recommend "A Tribute To Stevie Ray Vaughan," but get one of Stevie Ray's concert CDs or DVDs instead if you are looking to hear top Vaughan blues.

Or, get a BB King or Buddy Guy CD. If you buy this one, fast forward through the interviews.

Anthony Trendl

JIMMI HENDRICKS PLAYED ROCK BUT STEVIE PLAYS THE BLUES
Both guitarists were on an equal plane. Stevie learned from jimmi and countless other blues players few know about. He did things with a guitar few could follow. You can't judge him on this one dvd. You have to collect all his CDs and see him "Austin City Limits" to really appreciate his gifted talents. People outside the US and in the US were not exposed to him as much. He was an unknown. He did some guitar work for David Bowie"Lets Dance"album. David took most of the credit for that record that peaked his career.Few knew stevie then. He was just getting exposure in the US when he died even though he had been around a long time. A rising star not forgotten!!! pick up a guitar and try to play like him if you can. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"The world's greatest blues singer"? That's arguable, but there's no doubt that the late John Lee Hooker (1917-2001) was in a class by himself, a genuine original whose music--raw, primitively simple, scary even, powered by his deep moan of a voice--was the very embodiment of the Delta blues style. Big names like Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, and many more line up to pay tribute to the man in this absorbing 90-minute documentary; there are also plenty of interviews with family, friends, business associates, and the grizzled, laconic bluesman himself, along with some decent performance footage (as is usual in such projects, we get no complete songs). But this 2000 film's best moments come courtesy of writer-director Joerg Bundschuh's beautifully photographed contemporary footage, with no accompaniment except the hypnotic groove and profound soul of John Lee Hooker's music. --Sam Graham ... Read more

Reviews (2)

well worth buying
this is one of the best documentarys i have seen of a top blues artists. there are interviews with about anyone who's anybody in blues, it shows the compassion and love of the music of the man plus great interviews with john, you can really see what his music is all about and his style a must have.

A Unique Look At A Unique Man
I had the pleasure of meeting John Lee Hooker in the early 1980s. He was checking into a hotel and I heard the man next to me say, "I give you this (a GOLD American Express card, rare at the time) and you give me a room." Without looking, I said "That must be John Lee Hooker." and turned to him and said "You have no idea of how much pleasure your music has given me." We had a moment. A few months later I saw him perform solo with his pignose amp in the statuary garden at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. This video captures the John Lee Hooker I knew, still a mystery, still a voice that symbolizes the blues, and still a poet among men. Most of the footage is from the years before his recent death and there is precious little to explain how this solo artist came to be able to put together a band that could fill stadiums and satisfy the crowd every time. He was magic, mysterious and the essence of soul and yet a very sexy and friendly man who must have suffered for his art. He was a survivor among many who died along the road and a man among men. I can only hope to be remembered as warmly as he will be. He knew who he was and what he was and he thrived on it.
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