Doo Wop at 50, Volumes 1 & 2

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Taped during a 1999 tribute in Pittsburgh, this straightforward, live review honors rock 'n' roll's '50s and early '60s legacy of vocal groups. For oldies fans hoping to bask in nostalgia, the caliber of the hits and the inclusion of most of the groups originally associated with the recorded hits make Doo Wop at 50 a satisfying stroll down memory lane. In light of the focal importance of the songs, rather than the singers, for the majority of listeners the program's choice of material will be sufficient reason to watch, as underscored by the success of PBS's broadcast of the complete concert.

Veteran soul stylist Jerry Butler, who hosts the show, is himself a legitimate bridge between the street corner symphonies of the '50s and the more sophisticated urban pop and soul that succeeded them. Butler shepherds a lineup including current editions of the Platters, the Del-Vikings, Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners, the Penguins, the Cadillacs, the Moonglows, the Flamingos, and other fondly remembered groups. A competent if not exactly inspired revue band accompanies all the acts, taped performing on a set decorated with oversized portraits of '50s icons like James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, with a few vintage hot rods parked alongside to hammer home the nostalgic thrust of the night.

More impassioned doo-wop fans and rock historians, however, will be a tougher sell. If the groups indeed carry the names associated with the hits, many feature reconstituted lineups with few of the members actually heard on the original singles, a practice that can be traced back to the '60s (as with the Platters). Alternatively, more authentic lineups, like The Marcels (heard performing their galloping version of "Blue Moon" for the first time in decades), reflect their advancing years in rough vocal edges or arrangements transposed to lower keys. Given the show's inspiration (Rhino's exemplary Doo Wop Box anthologies, which unearthed both big hits and forgotten gems and placed the music and performers in a rich historical context), it would have been intriguing to provide some documentary context. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

We all make mistakes.......2005-08-16

We all make mistakes. When I first looked at this show I was bothered by too many things. The obvious age of the performers and it's affect on their voices, looks, and movements. But I recently went back to view it again and I must say.....instead of being totally put off I admit there were some bright moments that for whatever the reason I missed the first time. All I can say is that my moments may be different from your moments. That being the case no amount of pitch problems, slow dance movements, and aging can ever take away the innocense of youth. This program (depending on how forgiving your imagination is) will take you back to a simpler and more romantic time. The night I put this back on I must have skipped through over 100 stations just to finally settle on this. It was my best choice then and most likely I will find those times in the future that this show will again transport me back to my youth. For that alone it's worth it!

A must-have for music lovers.......2003-12-03

Watching Doo Wop 50 is like sitting down and eating an old fashioned banana split or hot fudge sundae... You remember what it was like, but you'd forgotten how good it really is!!

Not only is the music still pure and simple, but the class and sophistication used to tell the tales of love lost and found makes hearing it just that much better.

Many of the groups featured on this DVD actually sound more mature and better than when they originally recorded. On the other hand, it brings a tear to your heart to hear Jimmy Beaumont struggle to pour his soul into "Since I Don't Have You."

I'm not a DVD fanatic--far from it, but I bought this one simply to hear and see many of my favorite groups perform one last time. Many of these groups will never be seen again, and it's too bad that they weren't given the forum to perform extended sets. Still, where else will you see (and hear) the Spaniels sing "Stormy Weather", the Jive Five with Earl Pitts sing "What Time Is It?", or the Marcels sing "Blue Moon"?

You don't need the DVD to hear the music--God knows you can drop into any discount store and find a compliation of most of this music; but it's worth the few extra bucks to see the creased pants, the shining shoes, the hand gestures, and the appreciation these groups have for people that love their music.

It's not grunge---it's not hip hop or country rock. It was a period of time that many can only appreciate because they've been there. Sit back and take bite out of that sundae and savor how good it is...one more time.

DOO WOP RECORDED HISTORY- A MUST HAVE ITEM.......2003-03-19

Get it, also get Doo Wop 51 & Rock, rhythm & Doo Wop. These are a triology collection. Each performance is like the original 45's except with modern, nice and crisp sound of today's cds.

excellent performances........2002-08-08

I saw this vhs tape on television and I thought it was a very excellent performace by all the groups. they need to make more like these.

Get it!.......2002-06-29

A complete treasure. The Skyliners, Flamingos and Cadillacs are well worth the price of admission alone. A not to be missed once in a lifetime occassion.

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