Customer Reviews

Good Rockin' Tonight - The Legacy of Sun Records [VHS]

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm not big on writing negative reviews on things, but I am gonna rain on the parade here a bit.

I was excited about seeing this documentary, quite excited actually. I'm a big fan of the music that came out of Sun Records, but oddly enough I really never read or watched much about the history of the legendary studio. I knew the basic story, but was eager to learn a bit more. Books have been written-which I will get to eventually-but a documentary was too good to pass up.

Well, I learned basically doodly-squat from this 2 hour documentary. The famous Sun artists are briefly introduced and talked about, but are whisked out of the film almost as quickly as they arrive. I know most of these artists can(and do)have their own documentaries, but I would have expected a little more to be said about these people. These people made Sun! Aside from a brief photograph, Roy Orbison isn't even mentioned!

On the good side, the film does devote a lot of time to Billy Lee Riley(RIP) and Sonny Burgess, two excellent artists who's promising careers got shafted. It's nice to see them, listen to their stories, and even see them perform.

Now for the down side. At the time this film was being made, a Sun Records tribute album was being recorded, and it features more contemporary artists covering Sun songs. A big chunk of this documentary comes across as a commercial for this album as it shows numerous musical numbers being done by modern bands(okay, Paul McCartney, Mark Knopfler, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page aren't exactly "contemporary", but many of the bands are). This irritated the hell out of me. Seeing the balls removed from raw, rockin' songs and(some of them)turned into whiny emo crap is frustrating and sad. I had to have the FF button handy at all times, especially when Kid Rock came out rapping. Kid Rock isn't qualified to be a custodian at Sun Records, let alone cover any of their songs. It makes me wonder if half of these bands are truly Sun Records fans or just along for the ride coz they happen to like one or two Johnny Cash songs.

Sorry if I sound bitter, but I am bitter. If you happen to like these reworkings, that's all fine and dandy as they are obviously intended, not only as tributes, but to appeal to a younger generation as well. But I don't see why your age should require a filter to process older music. But I can't say that ALL of the performances were bad, coz they weren't. In all fairness, there were some decent covers. I would have much rather have seen classic performances by the original Sun artists is all.

And of course the main player in this film is Sun founder Sam Phillips, and he's not at a loss for words. He's portrayed as a pioneer but certainly not a saint as he screwed a few of his artists over. He seems to think he's hot poop, but considering the legacy of Sun, it's easy to see why.

I honestly can't recommend this if you're looking for a good documentary on the Sun story, as this is a very abridged version. I don't claim to be an expert on Sun, but I'd hoped the film would have at least put me on the path. Looks like I'll be searching out those books now.

For a documentary this one's pretty long. But I never looked at my watch. I'd lean forward to hear better. I loved 'Good Rockin' Tonight'! In addition to the priceless conversations between Rufus Thomas, Sam Phillips, Scotty Moore, Sonny Burgess, Billy Lee Riley, etc., the old songs covered by current artists is great. Among others, Paul McCartney sings 'That's All Right, Mama" with Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana playing behind him, for cryin' out loud!

Kudos.

I saw this last year on American Masters and I loved it. I just ordered it. Just to see Billy Lee Riley and Sonny Burgess perform was enough to add this to my collection. Paul McCartney playing with Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana was as close as we will ever get to the Beatles jamming with Elvis. This was fun and informative.... kudos to the filmakers.

THIS IS A GREAT DVD OVERALL. THE INTERVIEWS AND
CONVERSATIONS OF PAST "SUN RECORDS" STARS AND SAM PHILLIPS ARE VERY INTERESTING BUT WHERE WAS JERRY LEE LEWIS FOR THESE
SESSIONS? I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITH "REVIEWER" BILL TAYLOR THAT "MATCHBOX TWENTY'S" TREATMENT OF CHARLIE RICH'S "LONELY WEEKENDS" WAS EMBARRASSING TO SAY THE LEAST - SHOULD HAVE JUST
LET JERRY LEE LEWIS DO IT! HOWEVER, ZUCCHERO DID DO A PRETTY
GOOD VERSION OF RICH'S "WHO WILL THE NEXT FOOL BE?" AND THEN THEY LEFT IT OFF THE "CD" EDITION OF THE MUSIC AND USED ANOTHER
SINGER! I WOULD RECOMMEND THE "A & E" BIOGRAPHY OF SAM PHILLIPS FOR THOSE WHO LIKED THIS - AN EXCELLENT PRESENTATION WRITTEN BY
PREMIER ROCK CRITIC "PETER GURALNICK."

Good Rockin' Tonight is an American Masters series of award-winning primetime specials that examines our cultural artists. It is recognized as the best biographic programs to appear on television. This 2001 over 90 minutes is the legacy of Sun Records, the most recognizable record label in the world, the yellow sun. Sam Phillips, founder, attracted newcomers with that special Sun Sound. The sound was unique, but the record company lasted 10 years struggling to compete with other regional music and big companies.

The focus of the show is to listen to the chat and to hear perform, the old-timers from Sun Records, Sonny Burgess, Billy Lee Riley, J.D. Fontanta, Scotty Moore, etc. In those early days, these entertainers were not part of the name and face recognition given to Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

So what you have here is newer entertainers who were influenced by the Sun Records sound and performing:

Ben Folds Five - "Honey Don't" / Paul McCartney - "That's All Right" / Live - I Walk The Line"; Mark Knopfler - "Rock and Roll Ruby"; Robert Plant & Jimmy Page - "My Bucket's Got a Hole in It" / Zacherro (Ital. Singer) - "Who Will the Next Fool Be / Third Eye Blind - "Cry Cry Cry" - Matchbox Twenty - "Lonely Weekend" / Kid Rock & Howlin' Diablos / "Drinkin' Wine Spo-dee-o-dee"

You cannot screw with "I Walk the Line", and this group Live? did not do the song justice. And Matchbox Twenty "Lonely Weekend" was so so.

You will see some very short clips of the Sun's early recording artists, however, you will NOT see enough. These are the people who were there at the beginning, and many still alive at the time of production and we it would have been wonderful to hear more, either in old clips or performing for the production. You will see a tiny picture of Roy Orbison?? What was that about. These oldies but goodies have gathered with Sam Phillips to share memories, the early days, the hits and misses. Their music still sounds great!

Get the companion CD Good Rockin' Tonight - The Legacy of Sun Records, for performances that were NOT aired in this special. Why not? What is seriously missing from the CD is the Charlie Rich cover by Zacherro "Who Will The Next Fool Be" That is a version to hear! It was subbed by Sheryl Crow??? ... Rizzo

Through my mailbox today arrived this wonderful DVD. I have seen it this evening and felt i had to write this review. Being a rock n roller now myself for just over 40 years it was wonderful to see my old heroes from the 50`s. Malcolm Yelvington was there, Carl Mann, Narvel Felts,Sonny Burgess, Scotty Moore, Rufus Thomas,D.J.Fontana to name just a few. A big feature on Billy Lee Riley who correctly pointed out Sam Phillips dropped in favour of Jerry Lee. Billy Lee to me recorded some of the best tracks for Sun. My Gal is Red Hot & Flying Saucer Rock n Roll. If anyone out there has his e mail i would love to tell him so. Going back to Jerry Lee i felt more time could have been spent on him considering as the documentary pointed out his influence towards piano players. W. S Holland who i will regret the rest of my life i never spoke to. In the 80`s my wife and i attended a Johnny Cash concert in Doncaster.U.K. Johnny was late and W.S was pacing the floor worried where he was. He walked past me on several occasions and i regret i never spoke to him. Elvis was the one who opened the door and Carl , Johnny Cash and company passed through..Its wrong to believe rock n roll started their but it sure as hell was a big influence. The Sun never set over Memphis it just faded into history and what a history as this DVD proves..

this is a good movie. it was interesting and i learned some stuff that i didn't know before like how sam phillips descovered some of our most iconic singers like, elvis presley, johnny cash, jerry lee lewis etc. if you have not seen this movie then i recommend that you do

This is one great music DVD. Don't think it isn't good because of all the old performers/songs from the past. Groups like, Live, Matchbox Twenty, Ben Folds Five, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Third Eye Blind.....the list goes on and on. They perform some unique interpretations of the songs. I remember hearing either Daughtry or Cook performing on American Idol singing a version from this DVD and the judges were like, "I love your interpretation of that song". It wasn't his!!! This is a fantastic music DVD plus you get a good history. Jerry Lee Lewis even sings with Rob Thomas. Very current musicians.

Anyone who knows what the label and the words written on it, mean, certainly doesn't need me to tell them to get this, if they haven't already...and anyone who doesn't have it? ~Get it!

After reading other reviews, of this nearly 2 hr episode of the PBS series AMERICAN MASTERS, I was hesitant to buy it, but I ended up ordering an inexpensive VHS copy. The documentary has way too much talk and discussion among the artists who appear, such as Rufus Thomas, Sam Phillips, Scotty Moore, Sonny Burgess and Billy Lee Riley, and not enough music. The songs are few and far between. Someone interrupts every one of the short clips of classic blues and rock and roll recordings, and most of the new performances are not very good. Some, such as Third Eye Blind, performing "Cry, Cry,Cry" and Live doing "I Walk The Line", are not bad in themselves, but the arrangements are so different from the originals, they are inappropriate for a tribute to Sun Records. There are a few performances I enjoyed, such as, McCartney doing "That's Alright Mama", Mark Knophler performing "Rock and Roll Ruby" and Zucchero with "Who Will the Next Fool Be". Jimmy Page and Robert Plant did a pretty good version of "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It". Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana perform with some of the artists. Perhaps the worst performance was Ben Folds Five with a version of "Honey Don't" which had a total lack of any emotion or soul.

If you're looking to see lots of music, I think you'll be disappointed. If you're interested in hearing a lot of discussion and stories about Sun Records, from Sam Philips, and some of the original artists, this may be enjoyable for you. Too bad, there was no input from Cash, Perkins or any of the other most well known artists of Sun records.