Customer Reviews

Carl Perkins & Friends: Blue Suede Shoes - A Rockabilly Session

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've had the original VHS version of this classic rockabilly special for years, and it still remains my favorite concert video ever. It's great to finally have this available on DVD after all these years for today's music fans to discover. Roy Orbison's "Black and White Night" and Chuck Berry's "Hail Hail Rock n' roll" are the only two concert videos that capture the true spirit of early rock n' roll the way this show does.

The legendary Carl Perkins is one of the often overlooked singer-songwriter-guitar players of early rock n' roll who had one big hit in the 1950's before a car crash stopped the momentum of his career right as it was taking off. He never achieved the popularity or recognition that his peers Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, and Elvis achieved. Recorded in London in October 1985, this priceless performance clearly shows he was in the same talent league as his better-known contemporaries. Perkins' country-rock vocal delivery and trademark rockabilly guitar licks are more potent here at age 54 than they were in his younger days.

Few concert videos capture the sheer joy of playing music on stage like this show does. When I saw this for the first time over ten years ago, I was blown away by the joy and spirit of the music that literally jumps off the screen until you find yourself watching it over and over. The music here, wonderfully directed by Dave Edmunds, is quite simply some of the greatest real deal rock n' roll ever performed on one stage. The musicians did a great job of recreating Perkins' classic songs in their original arrangements while making them rock like never before.

When all is said and done, this masterpiece should be hailed as one of the greatest rock n' roll shows ever captured on film! You can't help but like Carl Perkins after watching this show. The real beauty of this concert is the almost magical effect that Carl's presence had on all his famous guests. George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Dave Edmunds, and Roseanne Cash deliver some of the best performances of their careers as Perkins' music and enthusiasm brings out the best in everybody on the stage! George and Ringo have never sounded better, and seem more inspired here than they were with the Beatles. Ringo's drumming is rock steady, and Harrison shines like never before as he shows just how well he could play rockabilly guitar.

Eric Clapton's segment is dynamite as we watch him unleash some of the hottest guitar solos he has played since his glory years in the late 60's. Clapton TEARS IT UP with a scorching, jaw-dropping solo during "Mean Woman Blues" that is worth the price of the DVD alone, and Carl's amazed reaction to Eric is priceless! Watch closely for a great moment during "Matchbox" when Carl suddenly jumps back in disbelief while watching Eric rip into his first solo. I love it!

This show is pure joy from start to finish, but the best is saved for last with a truly FANTASTIC performance of "Blue Suede Shoes" that is nothing more than rock n' roll at its joyful best! Anybody who still associates this song with Elvis needs to hear Perkins tear into it with his heart and soul in this performance. Watching Carl and his friends rock their hearts out with the audience dancing all over the place is probably the highlight of the entire show. George Harrison is so caught up in the music that he suddenly leads the band into a rousing encore of the song. Dave Edmunds sums up the electricity of the moment as he turns to Carl and shouts "ROCK IT MAN!"

The most touching moment comes after the show has ended when Carl, unaware that the cameras are still taping, is moved to tears of joy while giving a heartfelt thank you to everyone there. The warmth and sincerity of the man is truly admirable as he showers every guest with kind words of praise throughout the show.

The music world lost a fine musician and human being when Carl Perkins passed away in 1998. This unforgettable show will stand as a great tribute to his spirit, music, influence, and talent. If pure three-chord rock n' roll is your thing, this DVD is your ticket to paradise!

This is one of the best music specials ever made. I remember watching on TV when it was first shown and recorded and watched it over and over and over. Below are the tracks and featured artists:

Boppin' the Blues (Carl Perkins)
Put Your Cat Clothes On (Perkins)
Honey Don't (Ringo Starr)
Matchbox (Eric Clapton)
Mean Woman Blues (Eric Clapton)
Turn Around (Carl Perkins)
Going to Jackson (Rosanne Cash)
What Kind of Girl (Cash)
Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby (George Harrison)
Your True Love (Perkins/Harrison/Edmunds)
The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise (Perkins)
Medley: (All)
Thats Alright Mama
Blue Moon of Kentucky
Night Train to Memphis
Glad all Over (All)
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (All)
Gone All Down The Line (All)
Blue Suede Shoes (All) & Encore

To pick highlights is very difficult because its all great. But for me the rare appearance of George Harrison is an absolute treat. Eric Clapton plays some truly blistering guitar solos, that put all the other guitar players into the shade, and Carl Perkins admits as much himself.

However it is Carl Perkins who is the star of the show and its great to see him in prime form. My only reservation is the picture quality which is OK but could be a lot better.

If you like 50's Rock 'n' Roll and a hint of country than this is an absolutely essential purchase.

As an inveterate, avid, intense Beatle fan, I was thoroughly delighted with this dvd! Hats off to Carl Perkins not only for being a driving force during the inception of Rock & Roll, but for influencing George Harrison! George Harrison ROCKED! He tore the place up with his guitar playing! If you think he sounded phenomenal on this dvd, be sure to listen to "Beatles Live at the BBC" and George's guitar playing sets the place on fire! Check him out on "Youngblood!"

Although the transfer ain't great, the music and the artists are. Ringo keeps a steady beat and his former bandmate, the nonpareil George Harrison will have you rockin' your blue suede shoes or your Beatle boots off! His revival of his 1965 cover of "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby" brought many smiles to many faces. Gear up that 1963 Ford Falcon and take a trip to 1965 with George!

If you love Rock & Roll, the Blues and some EXCEPTIONAL guitar playing, this is the dvd for you. It is just plain fun and you will find yourself singing along with it and don't be surprised if you find you've started dancing!

Very nice look back to the 80's with some of the best English artists of the 60's and 70's playing along with one of the seminal American rock icons, Carl Perkins. Loads of fun to watch, well executed and produced with nice sound. It's a recording of a TV special, better than most I've seen. Don't want to miss this if you're a fan of early rock, rockabilly, Eric Clapton(man,can he make his guitar sing!) or George Harrison. Ringo has a minor role, as well.

I love this concert, Carl Perkins really brings down the house with some really good rock songs. Of course it doesn't hurt to have some really great rockin friends. Ringo, George, Eric, Dave Edmunds, & company are really havin a good time here. This kinda reminds me of the rockin of Status Quo.

This musical tribute to the music of Carl Perkins is a delight. The people performing look as though they are having the times of their lives, and it's infectious with joy and purely happy music.
I initially bought it because it showcased George Harrison, but everyone on stage brings a performance that stands on it's own as worth viewing. Needless to say, Carl Perkins shines, and this is a fitting tribute to one of the true musical pioneers of the 20th century.
I had a smile on my face throughout the entire show, and I would bet most people react the same way.
If you love music, buy this DVD.

The music performances here are first-rate, as is the cool factor of having all these incredible artists paying tribute to one of the greats who helped form their musical identities. The sound is mostly first-rate as well, marred only by some muddy-sounding drums and some vocals that could be louder.

But what caused me to give this two stars is the video quality, which was obviously copied from somebody's VHS tape. And not even a first generation copy. Simply put, the video quality is awful. This artist (Carl Perkins) and his guests deserve a whole lot more respect than they were given here by the greedy bastard who couldn't or wouldn't secure the rights to the original tapes. I can't believe no one commented on this in their reviews. Had I known, I wouldn't have spent my money on this travesty.

Great DVD. Love seeing George, Eric and Ringo,etc. with Carl Perkins. Revieved DVD very quickly. I have purchased from company before with the same results and I've always been leary of ordering online from places like Amazon but not anymore. I'll do it again.

I've had a VHS copy of this show, for quite a few years. Recorded in 1985, to celebrate Carl Perkins' 65th birthday; he has a whole slew of very talented artists & musicians - mostly English, playing on the gig. George Harrison, Dave Edmonds, Roseanne Cash, Ringo Starr, etc. And Eric Clapton. It's very nice, considering it's 25+ years old.

I bought it for one reason. Carl & Eric perform (duel) two songs: Carl's "Match Box", & Roy Orbison's "Mean Woman Blues". If you are any kind Eric Clapton fan; you absolutely do not want to miss this. I have been waiting a long time for them to release this on DVD. Eric's guitar solos (especially Mean Woman Blues) are astounding. He's only 40 years old at the time -and on top of his game - and his playing is phenomenal ! If you have any kind of muscle sound system - you should find it very difficult, NOT to "blow the roof off".

Plenty of other great performances, but I haven't watched the entire show in years. Eric & Carl's performance are that good.

Don't miss it.

This DVD features a performance that was brilliant from start to finish. It's rare enough to see such a gathering of talented stars but more impressive was the way every one of them played their hearts out in tribute to Carl Perkins. Plus, they all seemed to be having such a great time doing it. It's no wonder Carl was fighting back tears, and losing the battle, by the time it was over.

Dave Edmunds, who produced the program and supplied his band to back up the headliners, later said that he thought George Harrison stole the show with his "rockabilly" guitar riffs and solos. Indeed, with Carl repeatedly calling him out, George shined all night for his boyhood idol. I particularly enjoyed the mean way George bent the strings on "Your True Love" which was my favorite number of the night. What a song!

But the great guitar bits didn't stop there, not by a longshot. Some other standouts come to mind. They include Dave himself playing a fine piece on "Boppin' The Blues" as well as Eric Clapton showing off with his "bluesy" style in a wild solo on "Mean Woman Blues." Not to be outdone, Carl, at George's request, plays a beautiful Les Paul number all by himself while making the guitar sound like it was attached to an echo box, even though it wasn't! I found this fascinating.

Of course, I also enjoyed the singing as much as the guitar music. Carl Perkins sounded as good as I've ever heard him. I could say the same for Rosanne Cash, Ringo Starr, and everybody else mentioned above.

The 50s medley, with all the performers participating, was worth the price of the video all by itself in my opinion. My favorite part was their covering "Glad All Over" which was the last song Carl recorded at Sun Records and one that George sang for the Beatles on BBC radio years later. It seemed as though George surprised Carl with it during this performance as Carl blurted out that he wasn't sure if he remembered the words, but George sure did. One they got it going, a nice job by all ensued.

I'll close by saying that the enthusiasm displayed by the rhythm section of the Stray Cats, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom, pretty much summed things up. These guys were bouncing off the walls even more than I remember them doing in their own videos. Like I said before, everybody was there having a fun time and playing with everything they had for Mr. Blue Suede Shoes.

In short, you can't go wrong with this one.