Customer Reviews

Jerry Lee Lewis- Killer Piano

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

 

 

I'm fifty-four and I've been a Jerry Lee fan ever since I can remember. I've seen him in person no less than five times and he always blew my mind--good on tv but unbelievable in person.

This is Jerry reminiscing but also playing some of his great songs unaccompanied--just him and that old piano--with the camera up above him where musicians can see his hands. I loved it. None of us are getting any younger and I'm glad we have this document so that we can all actually see how the magic was made--and make no mistake about it, when he gets both hands going the magic is definitely still there. Fantastic.

I can't think of any performer who has given me more pure joy over the whole course of my life than Jerry Lee Lewis, the Killer, and this is a very welcome addition to my collection.

Believe it or not I have a little boy who has recently asked (on his own!) for piano lessons (!) and I can't wait to turn him onto this. Jerry Lee Lewis is actually a very nice person (I met him once) and he's someone whose music always makes me happy, no matter how down I might be.

Thanks, Killer, and many happy returns.

Hitting radio and TV (Steve Allen Show) in 1957 with "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "Great Balls of Fire," Lewis's maniacal energy shocked a nation. Jerry Lee was insanely off the scale when it came to physical movement, a feat difficult to achieve when your instrument is an immovable piano!

This hormone-exuding, piano-pounding wild man would later release an album called "The Greatest Live Show on Earth"--a title that indeed had some justification. Few artists lived with more abandon and fewer were as talented as Jerry Lee. Lewis has lived a life of excess, and we're fortunate to still have him (2008).

The DVD opens with background on Jerry's start with Sun Records (at the same time as Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash). At the 6 minute mark, the DVD peaks in energy with archival footage of his first television appearance. Unfortunately, the footage is abruptly cut just when Lewis, with arms flailing and hair flopping, begins his piano solo--a disappointment to his piano fans.

Jerry Lee is interviewed primarily by his adoring sister, Linda Gail Lewis--12 years his junior. Jerry discusses his life and music for a few minutes before he performs each of 10 songs, solo. A camera from above shows the full keyboard (thank you!), and his fingering is well presented. Then, Jerry performs the same song with a backup group at a Las Vegas concert.

This DVD has to be accepted for what it is--a relaxed interview with a rock pioneer, and a unique opportunity to watch his keyboard work. This DVD is not likely to win new fans and has less than 60 seconds of archival footage from his more-energetic past. But, it has its rewards for Lewis fans like myself.

I hugely appreciate getting to see Lewis chatting and playing nearly 50 years after his first TV appearance. He is hunched over. He shuffles slowly to or from the stage. His face is pudgy. He has a slowness of movement and the rigidity in the upper body that one associates with a stroke victim. But, he is still Jerry Lee!

What about Lewis's voice and keyboard work? Well, there is no going back. His piano fingering is hesitant and sometimes inaccurate. His vocal power and pitch control are diminished, but certainly not destroyed, by time.

Among the extras are a few enjoyable minutes of Linda Gail Lewis playing piano. She explains some of Jerry's technique, and her playing is strong. There is also a PDF file with printable music examples.

Bottom Line: If you are a devoted fan like me, you should buy this DVD to add depth to your appreciation of his music. Others should not expect much from the recent concert footage.

My recommendations to other JLL fans: If you want to SEE Lewis at his peak, buy the DVD "I Am What I Am." If you want to HEAR his strongest music, consider "The Definitive Collection" supplemented by an anthology of his original Sun hits.

This is going to be very biased because Jerry Lee Lewis and his sister, who interviews him in this DVD, are friends of mine for many years. This is an excellent interview and very intimate discussion in which Jerry opens up and tells about his start and shows how he plays. The camera angles give keyboard enthusiasts a view of his hands never seen before. The DVD extras include print-outs of music sheets. Well worth any piano player's while to own this and definitely belongs in the collection of EVERY Jerry Lee Lewis fan, and rock and roll lover.
Kay Martin, Brooklyn, NY

If you are a true Jerry Lee Lewis fan you will love this. It is an interview format with performances included. If you're not a real fan you might find this boring.

For music, Jerry Lee can't be beat and his piano touch is excellent and no one can take care of a amelody like him. He is Beethoven in the type of music he does. If you like music he can't be beat. If to you music is noise, look for a guitar player.
Carl

finaly the killer teaches you how to play like him!
great interviews great concert GREAT DVD
extra printable piano sheet music

Good personalized story of The Killer told by himself. I would have liked to see some other songs performed like Crazy Arms, but it was still entertaining and educational.

Well recorded, It's a great video to learn the music end tecnics directly from The Killer himself.
Also works as a entertaiment.
Shake It Baby!

Very interesting for all JLL fans; shows some live footage, but also demonstrates JLL's style of piano playing and gives some insight into his career/family stories, told by JLL/his sister/daughter/and buddies. Recorded approx. 2006/2007

I was extremely disappointed in this DVD. It's 99% Jerry Lee talking to his sister and maybe 1% Jerry Lee playing piano. I only gave it one star because I wasn't allowed to give it zero. Pass on this one folks!

Jim B