Customer Reviews

The Mamas & The Papas - California Dreamin'

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This DVD rates a strong five stars with me. The hit songs are all here, the voices are superb, and comments throughout the one hour program about each individual are provided between songs. Although I remember when these songs first became popular I realize there are other reviewers who may be more knowledgable about The Mamas & The Papas in analyzing this program than I am. However, at least for me, the songs that we all remember and enjoy are here with comments regarding the songs and each of the singers. This was a one hour program that I sat through with my eyes riveted to the screen thoroughly enjoying every minute. I'm thankful for this DVD and so should anyone else who remembers this wonderful singing group.

First, let me make it clear that this DVD is mandatory for any fan of The Mamas and The Papas for the musical footage it contains. As a documentary, though, it is disappointing. It tells the group's story rather superficially and looks more like a tribute to Mama Cass. It is only one hour long and ends after Cass's death. The previously released "Straight Shooter" faced some criticism for including too much interview footage and not enough music, but at least it was thorough, in-depth look at the roller coaster ride that was John Phillips' life and career. This new documentary focuses on the music, but still features voiceovers and edited clips, so why didn't they release a collection of videos, instead? "Straight Shooter" seems to be out of print, so maybe they should reissue the unedited version of it and update it in the extras, including a tribute to John Phillips. That would do the group's legacy justice. But don't get me wrong, this new DVD is highly enjoyable, a fitting celebration to the bright side of The Mamas and The Papas and a touching homage to Cass Elliot. And it does feature some footage that is not on "Straight Shooter", including some comments by Cass's daughter Owen.

This is a very good DVD, although it varies a bit from the PBS program. No, unfortunately it does not have their performance of "Nowhere Man" from Hullabaloo. I also noticed that in a few performances like "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday" the sound is out of sync with their facial expressions and movements. There also is a part of "California Dreamin" where the Papas' vocals are missing and all you hear are the Mamas. On "Monday, Monday", the vocals are extremely upfront and the musical or instrumental track seems to be drowned out or missing, although part of the song there is an emphasis on strings. There are also vocal parts that appear to be different from the studio versions and from the PBS program. I have to watch my videotape of the PBS show to be sure, but it seems the vocal "I used to live in New York City" from "Twelve-Thirty" is different, and there are slight changes in "I Saw Her Again" and "My Heart Stood Still." However, this DVD truly has a wealth of classic and rare performances that makes it worthwhile. I really enjoyed the early black and white performances, especially "Somebody Groovy" and "Do You Believe In Magic," where the group outshone Barry McGuire's lead vocal. The bonus material of "Sing For Your Supper," "Here in My Arms" and "Make Your Own Kind of Music" features complete performances and brief interviews from Michelle, Denny and Owen Elliot (Cass's daughter). The only other criticism I would make is that not all of the performances are complete - some are edited like "Words of Love" or have band members or other interviewees talking over parts. Most are full-length performances though. This is a must for Mamas and Papas fans - now, if they would only release a live concert DVD from one of their Hollywood Bowl performances! P.S. When you first put the DVD in and you get the main menu, you hear part of "California Dreamin'." If you listen very carefully, you can hear Barry McGuire, who originally recorded the song for his second album. The Mamas & Papas provided backing vocals for Barry and later, when it was decided they were going to record it and release it as a single, Barry's vocal track was erased and Denny's lead vocal inserted.

The Mamas & The Papas - California Dreamin' is a very good retrospective of the life and times of one of the most successful groups in all history. The Mamas & The Papas evolved slowly over time, with Cass Elliott being last to join the group; and once they started performing and recording the sky was already too low for their limit.

The documentary shows us the group recording in the studio, playing on the beach in the Caribbean, performing live on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Hollywood Palace, The Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and more. The archival footage is not bad at all; you'll enjoy it. It's especially wonderful to see The Mamas & The Papas performing "Straight Shooter" at The Monterey Pop Festival during the summer of 1967.

Of course, we also see a more personal side to the group. We find out how Cass had to control herself from belting out because Michelle's voice was, by her own admission, a bit "thin." John Phillips wrote an awful lot for the group and his interview from 1986 is very revealing. The history behind "Creeque Alley" fascinated me as well; I knew it was about the band but I didn't have a complete understanding of the lyrics until I watched this program.

Some say the retrospective shouldn't end with Cass Elliott dying; but actually the group did break up a few years before she died in 1974; therefore I don't understand this complaint. The group wanted to go out on top; and they cleverly chose to do just that. The Mamas & The Papas remain a fixture in American musical history.

Finally, the retrospective has a lot of their songs as background music in addition to the clips and archival footage. I found that to be very useful and entertaining both at once. This film was very thoughtfully produced.

In short, fans of The Mamas & The Papas should consider this a must-have for their collections. This retrospective may also appeal to people who liked their kind of rock and roll. This is an excellent retrospective of this awesome group; and I recommend it highly. If you like this, try looking for other retrospectives like "Straight Shooter" and the VH1 "Behind The Music" show that featured The Mamas & The Papas.

The Mamas and the Papas were one of the greatest pop groups of the 1960's and this collection does justice to them. What a lot of people don't realize is that they were together for less than three years and yet they achieved more in that small time frame than groups that were around for a lot longer. They had at least a dozen hit singles, 4 gold albums, won a Grammy award, appeared on almost every television variety show of the day and toured the country in memorable appearances from the Hollywood Bowl to Carnegie Hall. Most importantly they earned their well-deserved place for posterity in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

With the recent passing of singer Denny Doherty this collection becomes even more poignant. He was one of the greatest and yet most under-rated singers of all time. His smooth tenor is what carries their greatest hits like "California Dreamin" and their number 1 hit "Monday, Monday". The late Mama Cass Elliot, the vocal powerhouse of the group provides amazing lead vocals on songs like "Words of Love", "Dancing in the Streets" and the campy "Sing For Your Supper". The late John Phillips who was the leader and wrote many of the groups hits along with his beautiful then wife Michelle Phillips round out this award-winning quartet.

I think the best part of this documentary is the fun and sheer joy these four people display when they are onstage singing their hearts out. No other pop group has ever captured the amazing harmony that the Mamas and Papas had during their brief reign. If you are a fan this DVD is an absolute MUST for your collection!

I've seen many a music DVD in my time but this one stands out as one of the best. Most people are aware of the affair between Michelle and Denny but I sure as heck didn't know until now that Papa John & Denny wrote "I Saw Her Again Last Night" about that affair! This was right from John Philips own lips on this disc. The whole DVD is filled with inside info, home movies and beautiful, quality filmed color performances from different TV shows. I was channel surfing and just happened upon this DVD being shown on a PBS station. It isn't sheduled for release for another couple weeks but I'm ready to pounce on it when it does.

this dvd is the most amazing dvd i have ever seen ! it is full of performances, interviews w/ group members,and home videos!
BUY THIS DVD IF YOU LOVE THIS GROUP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's the only M & P's DVD that captures all the brillance of their television performances.It's simply the best to enjoy.The interesting PBS documentary,"Straight Shooter",was hastily done and unjustly portrays the band,by leaving out many supporting songs and skipping some events they had weathered through .It gives the media image and not the real story of what happened to the group.This DVD focuses mostly on the music and not much about their lives either.The last bit of Lou Adler is bitter-sweet to watch.Lou gambled on them,after John and the crew were rebuffed by other recording labels.John Phillips the Meliorist did his best to better the world through his natural gift of musical genius.Yet,he slowly drifted into the role of a tragic modern Don Quixote.He battled a decade long struggle against personal drug dependency.The 70s was a sporadic recording time for the pallid Phillips,still medicating and mourning over the loss of Mama Cass.The 80s was a regeneration of John's body,mind and musical spirit.John relumed his musical success,after some years of dark reclusion. -I was surprised Denny's favorite tune was 'Dancing Bear',a mellifluent ode of one man's quest to follow a different drum. The band surfed the crest-wave of the California 60s musical flow.This DVD is a charming montage of the several seperate TV spots, not to be missed by all fans of the band.

I too just watched this program on PBS and it is fantastic. It is chock full of live performances, photos and interviews that make it well worth owning. A recommended supplement to the DVD is Michelle's book California Dreamin'. It has much of the info that is on the DVD program and many more stories as well.

I have seen the old "Straight Shooter" documentary, and yes, that was more of a documentary than this DVD is. However, if you're like me and love this group, you need to see this DVD. There are interviews from '86 (mostly John & Michelle) that I've never seen before. However, most importantly, there are the performances! For years and years I have been seeing the same 4 or 5 (Ed Sullivan) performances that EVERY documentary and EVERY PBS special seems to use over and over again. Although I do like them, the group DID perform on at least 5 or 6 different televison shows. This DVD showcases some old black and white kinescope "Shindig" performences (w/ Barry McGuire) and many early video tape (dig that technicolor effect!) "Hollywood Palace" performances. I have NEVER seen ANY of these perfomances before! The history of the group is summarized, lacking a lot if relevant detail, but hey, its not bad. You actually get some of Lou Adler's perspective here. If you want more history and detail, try to procure a copy of "Straight Shooter" it was produced in '87 or '88 but its quite detailed (they even interview John's 1st wife, Susie). However, the best documentary that I have ever seen was VH1's installemnt of "Behind The Music" about the band. It was done in 2000 I believe, at which point John & Dennie were still with us. In my opinion, that has been the most detailed documentary about the group. Sadly, it will be the last with current interviews with 3/4 of the band. Want more performances? Several years ago, someone found a whole bunch of old kinescope copies of a limited amount of "Hullaballoo" shows. They were released on a series of 3 DVD's. One of the discs includes perfomances by The Mamas and The Papas. Most worthy is their LIVE accapella rendition of the Beatles "Nowhere Man." But yet again, this DVD's "bonus tracks" are AWESOME!!! They are 3 songs that the band performed (live over backing track) on a 1967 television special called "Rogers and Hart Today." It would be cool if someone actually put that out on DVD! Most remarkable of these is the bands perfomance of a song that they never even recorded for record release. The song is called "Here In My Arms" and Dennie's lead vocal is nothing short of amazing! Do note that John later "borrowed" the (exact same) backing track of this song, wrote new lyrics, retitled, recorded, and released the song as "No Salt On Her Tail" on their 2nd LP. Buy this DVD, you won't regret it!