Customer Reviews

Straight From the Heart Live!, Vol. 1

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

 

 

This was 60 minutes of pure fun. It was great to see artists who have rarely been seen on DVD (or virtually anywhere since their heyday). This is a good mix of 70's/60's Pop, R&B, and Adult Contemporary. The pros far outweigh the cons of this production. Seeing an artist such as B.J.Thomas who had great success with multiple hits during that era sounded wonderful and is usually only seen on the small club circuit scene. Same could be said for Lou Rawls & Dionne Warwick (although they are on many other PBS/Concert reunion DVD's). The reunion of Tony Orlando & Dawn was a fun treat and Debbie Boone making an appearance to sing her huge 70's classic was a visual and listening pleasure.

Groups that only partially have original members such as The 5th Dimension, The Association and Peaches & Herb sound good with replacement singers.

I would rate this May 2003 recording the following way:

Audio quality: 4.5 Stars
Video quality: 5 Stars
Acts/Performances: 4 Stars

Has a strong line-up, some fun humor and good selection of material for each artist. Hope to see a Vol. 2.

I love reunions. If only Diana Ross and the *original* 60's Supremes could do this!

I am a HUGE Tony Orlando and Dawn Fan! I have been since a teenager. I love when the act reunites. It is great to see them performing. I hope they will consider doing another reunion tour! I also hope their TV series will become available on DVD soon!

Every song on this DVD belongs here. There are no duds. I especially like it because there is not another DVD or video that includes the songs listed here sung by The Fifth Dimension and Tony Orlando and Dawn. There is a separate DVD of The Fifth Dimension but it is not worth buying if you want the hit songs. I have purchased multiple copies of this DVD to use as prizes for my music students. You will not go wrong in purchasing this DVD. I have watched this DVD several times. It is worth twice the price.

This DVD is just great! The reunion of Tony Orlando and Dawn, for the first time in many years was heart-warming! The best performance was delivered by B. J. Thomas. He did three songs, and he sounds as good as he did 40 years ago! Absolutely wonderful! Also especially enjoyed Debby Boone doing "You Light up my Life". She sang it beautifully and looked fantastic! The 5th Dimension sang their two most popular songs, and although only two members were the original 5th Dimension, they did a terrific job, and it's the best 5th Dimension DVD on the market! The only selection that wasn't up to par was The Association. Their "Never My Love" was weak, and not the original performers, but it was still "watchable". Strongly recommend this DVD!!

AMAZING! Everystars still shining. Everystars has maden me happy again. My bitter and sweet memories in teenage were woke up by their nothing change performance without their bodyshapes.
But I am able to receptive to it all.
thanks and sorry for my broken English. gdaysunshine in Japan

It's a rare opportunity to watch Debby Boone perform "You Light Up My Life" in concert. She looks and sounds unchanged......what a miracle! I was quite shocked that Dionne had aged so much in this concert as she looks so much younger nowadays. Just bought a Tony Orlando & Dawn CD not long ago so I was shocked to see a much older & bloated Tony. B. J Thomas still looks good. This DVD is worth a buy to satisfy your curiosity.

Sound very good. 5.1 sound track didnt know til I got this Dvd because was not mentioned anywhere, it should be as I am infuenced by that, far better than flat stereo sound. Great video quality and great songs. Was leakage of bass sound when song introductions being made as if someone mucking about with mike but other than that good all round. Would have given it 5 stars if bass leakage wasnt present. Bit overly loud on the song introductions as well but worth the buy.

Oldie from down under (New Zealand)

This was a PBS concert special which aired during a pledge drive, and although the lineup is perhaps not as stellar as one could have hoped for, it is still a wonderful musical experience, especially for one of my generation. If you enjoy music primarily from the 70's, get this DVD.

MUY BUENO........CASI TODOS LAS CANCIONES LAS RECORDE CUANDO LAS VI..........ESTAS ERAN LAS FAVORITAS DE MI HERMANA MAYOR.........RECORDAS ES VOLVR A VIVIR..........ESO DICEN ALGUNOS SABIOS...........ESO FUE LO QUE ME SUCEDIO........QUE BELLEZA

I didn't look carefully enough before I bought this - it's my fault. But beware. These are not the original performers in many cases but tired versions of the groups. The Fifth Dimension, the band I wanted to see, has only two original members in this DVD. Even when it's the original members, they sound anemic and old. Do not buy this if you're looking for any sort of quality of performance - these wheezing memories of the original performers are not easy to look at or listen to.