Product Details

• Actors: Four Tops
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: White Star
• DVD Release Date: March 30, 2004
• Run Time: 45 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00019G8EC
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #209,315 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

March 1970—We are in the Joinville studios near Paris, where the well-known Motown group, The Four Tops, have been joined by the best studio musicians in France as well as three American musicians who were brought to Europe by special invitation. The Four Tops have become an institution in Motown, as has the record label that originally recorded them. In that marvelous period between 1964 and 1970, these sons of Detroit’s tough North End—Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Lawrence Payton, and Levi Stubbs—lived at the north end of the pop charts. A dozen of their first 15 releases made the top 20, and five crashed the Top 10. Few of the millions who bought these "Rock n’ Soul" singles realized the quartet, which formed in 1954, had spent a decade as an accomplished live jazz act, applying complex vocal harmonies to sophisticated standards and show tunes. Program includes Sunny, Little Green Apples, I Will Turn to Stone, This Guy's in Love with You, Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me, Mack the Knife, Shake Me Wake Me (When It's Over), By the Time I Get to Phoenix, Baby I Need Your Loving, Reach Out (I'll Be There).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars an unexpected treasure, July 4, 2004

By 

"fernandoo" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Four Tops (DVD)

Another in Kultur's growing line of pop music documents. I popped this one in my player and sat down, thinking it was gonna be another of those 'greatest hits in concert' videos that are a dime a dozen for popular artists like the Four Tops, and, frankly, tend to be just processed tripe for the Philistine masses. This ain't that, so prepare to be disappointed if that's what you're looking for. As this one started playing, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's not just another slick production piece, but instead is a behind the scenes look at a vocal group at the top of their game. Filmed on a soundstage near Paris without an audience, we see here Levi Stubbs, Obie Benson, Duke Fakir, and Lawrence Payton rehearsing ten songs, along with a backing group of French session musicians and a handful of American players. The songs are some of the ones that made the Four Tops great, and a few more that you might not expect in a compilation like this. A brief introduction from the narrator as we see the artists filing into the studio and getting ready for the session. Then it's right into the songs, and fine ones they are. The production values of the video are good, and the dolby stereo sound is adequate. This was filmed in 1970, but it looks and sounds great more than three decades later, running about 45 minutes or so. If you're a fan of the Four Tops, you definitely need to see this. If you've got only a casual interest in pop music, this is not as essential, but definitely worth your time and attention. I recommend it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Behind the scenes rehearsal, April 10, 2004

By 

Marjorie L. Yamaoka (Torrance, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Four Tops (DVD)

OK - this is not a performance by The Four Tops, but it shows the viewer/concert goer all that is/was involved with touring. This was produced before The Pieces of the Puzzle were formed and who now accompany the Four Tops on tour. And while the camera work is not the greatest, it is good being that it is over 30 years old. The songs being performed include more than just the hits The Tops had up to that time. The person who attends a live concert probably does not even think about what is involved and the rehearsals the artists have to do before a performance when the musicians are local talent and do not travel with the artist(s). This is just a hint at that.

As a long time (39 years) Four Tops fan, I would recommend this video to anyone hungry for footage of The Four Tops, and it is sure to become a collector's item.

Can we get some more stuff like this as well as concert performances????

Margie

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Collectors DVD!, December 28, 2004

By 

Marketta Stanley "four tops fan" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Four Tops (DVD)

I love the Four Tops, so seeing this DVD for sale was a dream. It is the funniest behind the scenes look at a Motown group the public has been allowed to see. The Four Tops are the goofiest group of men I've seen and I loved watching them perform. They perform some of their hits like "Reach Out, I'll Be There" and "Shake Me, Wake Me." They also perform other songs like "Little Green Apples" and "Mack the Knife." I think they do this very very well. Overall, a very interesting look at a legendary group. No, this is not their greatest hits DVD compilation or a concert, but it's a good behind-the-scenes look at the group.