13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Billy Vaughn Orchestra in Japan, November 20, 2000
This review is from: Billy Vaughn and His Orchestra (DVD)
I was suprised to learn that the Billy Vaughn orchestra lives on after the bandleader's death in 1991. This DVD is a high quality DVD 5.1 Dolby AC3 recording of a performance by the Billy Vaughn orchestra apparently in 1989 at Nakano Sun Plaza Hall. This is a live performance hall concert of the big band, now conducted by Dick Shanahan, who with Morris Repass does an audio commentary talk show on the alternate audio track. Mr. Vaughn, conducting on this DVD, was quite bald during most of his later decades, and is sporting a full white "wig", bigger than the toupes he wore in his earlier stages of baldness. Billy Vaughn has hero status in his hometown of Glasgow, Kentucky, not unlike the Clooneys in Lexington, Rosemary and her nephew George. This is mentioned on the commentary soundtrack. In this Japan concert, the BV orchestra tries to encapusulate the big band sound of the '40s and '50s, as well as the trademark twin alto sax sound that is unique to the Billy Vaughn Orchestra. Billy Vaughn founded DOT records in Hollywood in the mid 1950s recording over 25 albums, many selling platinum.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
good but lacks excitement of a live performance, February 22, 2003
This review is from: Billy Vaughn and His Orchestra (DVD)
Billy Vaughn orchestra plays 17 songs such as Sail Along Silvery Moon(a short version, only slightly over 1 min.), Wheels, Tiny Bubbles, Pearly Shells and Blue Hawaii. Although filmed live in Tokyo, this DVD somehow lacks excitement and intimacy of a live performance. It did not appeal strongly to me when I first viewed it but grew gradually on me upon repeated viewing.
It is good to see the aged band members, white-haired or bald, giving their best. I am somewhat disappinted to see Mr. Vaughn mostly sit through the performance except at the beginning and ending seconds of each song and except when he played the xylophone once in a while. He looked like a spectator rather than a conductor. Is this his style or was he having a health problem?
My personal favorite is Pearly Shells with Mr. Vaughn in spotlight playing the xylophone. For this alone it is worth buying this DVD. Mr. Vaughn plays the xylophone also in his beautiful rendition of Tiny Bubbles. I also like Blue Hawaii with a trio of ladies singing.
The sound quality of this DVD is good, although it does not give stectacular 3D sound to transmit the atmosphere of a live performance. The DVD I bought has an audio problem with the special commentary feature. The performance is only 53 minutes long. I wish I see them playing my favorites such as Silver Threads Among the Gold, La Paloma, Chapel By the Sea, and Come September. They are all missing. I would recommend this DVD only to diehard fans of Billy Vaughn.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bringing back memories of the 40's, July 10, 2002
This review is from: Billy Vaughn and His Orchestra (DVD)
Just watched the DVD of Billy Vaughn, and just loved it as it brought back so many memories of my young age in the 40's. We probably danced to him at Peoney Park under the stars in Omaha Nebraska. Have such good memories of that time when music was GOOD MUSIC . Just wish more bands could come back like it was then.
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