Doo Wop Gold: Doo Wop 50, Vol. 2

Though I'm too young to have gone to school and dated during the doo-wop period, these songs were still definitely on the radio when I grew up in the sixties. The vocal harmonies and musical 'innocence' appealed to me then, as now.I first saw some excerpts of this concert on PBS during a fund drive, and was delighted to find it available on DVD now. I was unprepared for the fantastic sound and visual quality of the DVD compared to what I'd seen on PBS. It truly leaps out of your stereo speakers! Whatever these well-seasoned performers may have lost in vocal youth over the years is well-compensated by the improved sound quality over those old scratchy 45's!Unlike your typical rock concerts of today, this is a concert where the performers are accessible and immediate. And, of course, most of the audience was around for these songs when they were issued, so they are well-mannered and allow us to hear the performers.There is an overwhelming feeling of love and good vibrations coming from the audience and performers alike. This is not the wild orgasmic devotion of kids at a modern rock concert, but a mellow and enthusiastic appreciation. The audience often joins the performers when prompted in clapping, singing, etc.Jerry Butler is an excellent MC for the performers, all of who gave their best for these performances. Naturally, with the passage of so many years, some of the original singers aren't here. I found it most noticeable with the Platters, where Herb Reed did an excellent job, but he ain't Tony Williams. Gene Chandler's 'Duke of Earl' performance is awesome. So many moments were touching here, but my favorite Harvey Fuqua's performance with the Moonglows of the 'Ten Commandments of Love'. Mr. Fuqua's voice belies the fact that he's in his seventies, and his weather-worn face and strong voice combined with the beautiful backup of the Moonglows takes this performance into the sublime. It was obvious the audience felt the same.So many young people have no idea of this fairly brief period in the fifties and early sixties. I showed this DVD to my thirteen year old niece and she was wiped out by the music. It's good-time music in a way that doesn't exist any more, maybe never will again.So, ignore the expanded waistlines and gray hair, and be transported back to a time that seems so recent, yet so far, far away from today's music. This DVD is a keeper, and a great demo for the medium.

Takes you all the way back to the era when quality music was music.

Brings back loved tunes. The video is grainy, the staging is not up to today's standards, but this is how it was done back then, seems like you are back in the era. Other reviewers picked this apart, belching about poor musical and vocal backup, aging groups, vacant stares. What do they expect? Yeah, it was low budget, but this added to the experience. And the performers, Criminy, they are in the 70 to 80 year old range, and still performing!!! I loved this set. Loved it when it was on VHS and originally on PBS. Loved the performers and the slice of history.

There is nothing like settling in front of your TV and being brought back to a simpler more honest time of American music history. The show itself was an early production but a great one because of the passion and intensity of the artists and live audience. Pittsburgh has always been an exceptional place for music and here we see why. Both audience and artists came alive in this unique performance.

PRESERVED FOREVER AND THE NEW GIRL STILL HITS THE HIGH C

If you like 50s music you will like this

Everyone I have showed this DVD to loves, regardless if they are into the doowhop genre. It is filmed with excellent audio and video quality, and the bands certainly do deliver great performances. I recommend this DVD to anyone with an appreciation for music.

Great

brilliant but not easy to get and had to alter format but well worth it.

very good

Für Doo-Wop Fans ein absolutes "must have". Hervorragende Audio- und Video-Qualitäi!!! Was diese Künstler (teilweisenoch mit den original Gruppenmitgliedern aus den 1950's- bzw. frühen 1960's Jahren) Live auf der Bühne zeigen ist schonsehr bemerkenswert. Highlights: "Harvey & the Moonglows" (TEN COMMANDMENTS OF LOVE), "Jerry Butler & Pure Gold" (FOR YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE), "Jimmy Beaumont & the Skyliners" (SINCE I DON'T HAVE YOU), "The Chantels mitArlene Smith!" (LOOK IN MY EYES und MAYBE) oder auch "The Harptones" (LIVE IS BUT A DREAM)!

excellent

Great Music