Product Details

• Actors: Daryl Dragon, Toni Tennille, Glen Campbell, Ella Fitzgerald, B.B. King
• Directors: Jeff Margolis
• Writers: Ernest Chambers, Allyn Warner
• Producers: Daryl Dragon, Bruno Cicotti, Ernest Chambers
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 1.0), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English (Dolby Digital 5.0)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Retroactive Ent
• DVD Release Date: October 9, 2007
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000V8ZN3A
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #103,655 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Television > TV Series By Letter > C > The Captain & Tennille

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
1979 marked the last Captain and Tennille television special and this final show is all about music. Lacking the customary comic sketches between musical numbers, this episode is simply packed with excellent music from Daryl Dragon and Toni Tennille as well as iconic guest stars Ella Fitzgerald, B.B. King, and Glen Campbell. The staging and photography are hi-tech for the time and the mood far more sultry and sexy than ever before. Ella Fitzgerald's performance of "Mr. Paganini" is worth the entire price of the DVD all by itself and her collaboration with Toni on the "Torch Song Medley" is well worth repeated viewings. Daryl and Toni show their classical roots with a four-hand piano version of Clementi's "Sonatina Opus 36, No. 4 and their combined versatility as performers, composers, and arrangers with a variety of pieces like the country "Love Me Like a Baby," emotion-filled "The Good Songs," and the beautiful Johnny Mercer ballad "Dream." B.B. King and Daryl join forces in a nightclub scene that has both men collaborating instrumentally and vocally for a smooth and bluesy "I've Got Some Help I Don't Need". Glen Campbell performs his then-new hit "I'm Gonna Love You" and he and Toni collaborate on Toni's original "Feel like a Man." Sound options include stereo, the original mono, digital 5.0 surround, and optional 2007 commentary by Toni Tennille and Daryl Dragon. The Songbook is 50-minutes of stellar performances by an amazing group of musical artists that's just as powerful today as it was in 1979. --Tami Horiuchi

Product Description
It’s hats-off to Captain & Tennille for this classy, sophisticated, slick and sexy musical, Songbook.

The duo broke their variety show precedent on this, their last TV special from 1979. In fact, there are no comedy sketches—it’s all about the music. Special guests include Ella Fitzgerald, B.B. King and Glen Campbell featured in major segments, paying homage to pop, jazz, blues and country music. The torch-song medley featuring Toni and Ella and the blues jam with The Captain and B.B. are popular music moments not to be missed!

Songs include Love Me Like a Baby, Good Enough, The Good Songs, Never Make Your Move Too Soon, Dream and more!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-paced, entertaining flashback to Music on TV - 1979, October 20, 2007

By	D. Wingate "TV Music Nut" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although most of the C&T variety hours on ABC suffered from the constraints of network TV's concept at the time (monologue, song, comic skit, "...and now my guest star", etc.), this special does not follow these rules - and as a result is an above-average music special from the end of the variety era.

The show starts off with their big hit at the time "You Never Done It Like That" - which is a textbook example of the way they shot a musical number at the time. Then after the titles you have these two performers playing a classical piece at facing pianos, telling us about their musical families. This sets the tone and is immediately followed by Ella Fitzgerald, singin' and swingin' as only she can. Toni then joins her for a great medley of torch songs. Later C&T talk to Glen Campbell about their connection to The Beach Boys, then they all perform together.

Only a couple years later, MTV would change the way music was promoted on TV - and unfortunately usher back out the practice of live performance, as most music videos were lip-synched and choreographed mini-musicals.

These shows have the energy of live performing (except for one concept number Toni lip-syncs toward the end.) Thankfully live performing is starting to come back with shows like American Idol. Now if we can just get them to keep the camera on the performer...

Video transfer is very good - on par with 2" master material of that era.
With all this music and these great performers, it's amazing this special is even available in its original broadcast length. At this price, my little retro trip back to 1979 was a bargain.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captain and Tennille Shine!, November 7, 2007

By	Michael L. Holden "mausholder" (LA Ca) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wow!
This is the Captain and Tennille at their best!
They simply shine in this slick and sexy special.
Toni dosen't seem to like to talk about it, but she actually was extremely sexy during this period of time. Outfitted in beautiful gowns designed by Bob Mackie and sporting a new haircut and slimmer figure than in earlier shows, she sizzles with sensuality. Losing his hat and demonstrating his love for music also allowed Daryl to be seen for what he truly was, an amazing musician.

The image change was of course only the wrapping for what is truly great about this show, the immense and very versatile talent of Toni and Daryl.
Very few singers today woud be able to sing torch songs with confidence right next to Ella and quickly switch to soulful country with the great Glen Cambell. The classical piano duet is amazing, and shows that true musical talent cannot be faked (as is so often attempted today).

While the Captain and Tennille were unfortunately limited by the image they helped create, this special shows the pure musical authenticity that enabled them to achieve such great success. The closing song, "Dream" ends with a simple and romantic dance. It is the perfect ending. Respect for the music and each other that remains to this day.

Bravo Toni and Daryl!

Mike Holden

4.0 out of 5 stars What are they doing now?, December 14, 2008

By	Roberta Hotard "Mrs. H" (Somewhere here, Florida) - See all my reviews

I am interested in taking in a concert of the Captain and Tennille wherever it may be. If you have their website or info please contact me? I have been waiting and hoping that a television special would come on also. Thank you