Customer Reviews

The Association - Greatest Hits Live

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have been an Association fan since the beginning. I've seen the original band and several of the "versions" over the years - even a slight change of the version here. First of all - for the most part, these are competent players, but instead of doing something artistic, they are making (at best) a rough approximation of someone else. There's only one original member here - Russ Giguere - who sounds pretty rough. The vocals are strained, unbalanced and at times a black mark on the band's name. The original Association were, after all, great singers. The music is played alright, but seems to lack passion and conviction and some lead singer choices on some songs are just wrong. (Maybe they couldn't hear the monitors - who knows?)Missed notes at high points add insult to injury. The final straw is that the music and the video are out of sync - enough to make it distracting. (I've noted this in other programs this company did for PBS.) If you loved the original Association, don't darken your memories with Larry Ramos' Sheraton band version. Get the original recordings and listen to Terry, Jules, Ted, Jim, Brian and Russ (Not to bash Larry overmuch, he was a replacement in 1968 for Jules while taking a hiatus and then kept on. Larry was actually the first in a l-o-n-g stream of replacements that included Richard Thompson (for Russ), David Vaught (for Brian), Rick Ulsky, Jerry Yester and others). Would you go hear The Who without Townsend & Daltrey? CSN without Crosby or Nash? In this case - imitation is no form of flattery.

I love the Association. They are a great GROUP!! I was waiting for this DVD. When I saw it, the sound and video very dissapointing. I am sure they are very good during this live concert but no one edited the actual audio for this DVD to make it presentable for sale. The video really does not show who is singing other parts. This DVD only focused on the two the main singers.

It's a group that purchased the name of the original band. It does include one original member, Russ Giguere, and one member from the "Windy" era, Larry Ramos. But the members of the band that actually had musical talent - Terry Kirkman, Jules Alexander, and Jim Yester - are not heard on this DVD. They should be embarrassed to represent themselves as the original band, and you should be embarrassed if you're taken in and are foolish enough to buy this.

I love The Association; however the sound quality on this DVD is simply awful!

I have been a big fan of The Association for a long time but have never had the chance to see them in concert. I was looking forward to this DVD for that reason. This was a poorly shot and recorded concert. For a group that has so much to offer especially with their unique vocals it looked and sounded as if it was recorded by my 13 year old son using an old camcorder. Hopefully they will release something in the future that has a greater production value as well as decent sound quality.

I don't understand the two negative reviews. My rating is based on the hit songs they performed. I bought the DVD to hear and see them perform Windy, Never My Love, Cherish, and Along Came Mary. I also enjoyed Walk Away Renee even though I don't associate the song with The Association. The remaining songs they sing I am not familiar with. However, the songs I bought the DVD for are performed flawlessly as far as I'm concerned, and I watched the hit songs again after it concluded. The picture and sound quality are fine in my opinion. Brief interviews are provided between songs. I got what I had hoped for and enjoyed it.

This is not the real band, but a sad imitation. Any version of this band that does not include Terry Kirkman, Jim Yester,Gary Jules Alexander, Ted Bluechel or Brian Cole is not the real thing. This is just a blatant attempt to rip stupid people off. It's just sad, but ignorance is bliss

Ok is my best at describing this DVD - they do look like a lounge band trying to be the Association or at least trying to play the songs. Since you will probably never get another chance to see these songs played by more original members then you might at least enjoy the songs here. The musicians are competent - the singing is at best Ok but is missing quite a bit of real Association harmony. The oufits are comical and someone should have told them something - the real Association would have never put that stuff on - the ties are a disgrace to the name. get it for cheap and you will probably at best find it ok.

One may argue of the legacy of a name: the original line up or the fidelity of his music
I read comments about this DVD upon Amazon.com making me hesitate, I made the choice and it was right, this DVD is good.
We don't only watch the two main singers, all of them sing, and we have different view angles.
Yes! Two significant historic members are missing here: Jim Yester and Terry Kirkman.
Through the decades, life makes always its work: Brian Cole bass player died dramatically in 1971 (his son John here on the keyboards) and well named Association had his share of leave and return and here new members.
And it works behind Russ Giguere and Larry Ramos (also his son Del on bass).
In fact the limit is elsewhere, some of the original members wrote songs, some hits brought by others but the repertoire was far above the likes: The Mama's and the Papa's (by the pen of John Phillips) and obviously The Beach Boys (by the genius of Brian Wilson and after the "Smile-Smiley brothers and friends), that's all the difference.
Even a good entertainment and to remember that "Insight out" was a strong record as a whole beyond the two hits.
P.S.: interesting interviews of Giguere and Ramos between the songs that is not too embarrassing

I don't get all the negative comments about 'not originals.' Okay...so you'll buy which OTHER Association DVD WITH all originals? These folks are pining for something that doesn't exist. Larry Ramos is as close to an original as you'll get, there aren't other DVDs to choose from, Russ Giguere IS an original (and his enthusiasm and showmanship are contagious!), the music is still beautiful, the interviews are illuminating & delightful, and, frankly, Brian Cole (original bassist) is dead, Jim Yester (responsible for many hits & the voice of 'Along Comes Mary) is really not an 'original' either for that matter, and Terry Kirkman, who I saw in a "60's Experience" DVD compilation, was morbidly obese and acted indifferent and put off--you want more of that?
That said, the most disgusting thing with the video is the out-of-synch sound--annoyingly so, to the point that I could only give it three stars--bad! Oh, yeah, some vocals are an approximation, but in several spots the old Association 'blend' that we loved just rings out. And you'll love hearing their hits!
Informal interviews with Larry Ramos or Russ Giguere are interspersed between songs, and clearly show the love they have for the group, music, and fans, and provide not only inside tidbits but reveal their own personalities. Priceless!And having Jordan Cole, the SON of their late original bassist, on keyboards is a nice touch--and he's SO into it!
Hey, if there's a better Association DVD, lemme know! This is certainly better than the assorted YouTube clips of varying sound quality. This may be as good as you'll get, with two of their long time voices who appreciate their fans.