Motown The DVD
Historic Music / Universal Music Enterprises
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Born in the heart of working class America, in the mid-western city of Detroit, Michigan, aptly known locally as “Motor Town” or “Motor City”. Music history was to be made on a small piece of land at 2648 West Grand Blvd, where the offices of the newly designated Hitsville, USA now stood. Founded in September of 1959, songwriter and producer Barry Gordy’s new company, Motown Records, would become the mecca of popular music. Motown Records triumphant run from 1959 – 1988 would set the blueprint for today’s performances and artist development, and it would influence the music business, and the face of popular culture forever.
Historic Music’s brand new Motown The DVD is a pure treat, as it transports you on a nostalgic journey back into the time of Motown’s glory days. This special DVD collection features 18 televised performances by some of Motown’s biggest artists from 1965-1972.
Read The Full Review After The Jump,
Some of my earliest memories of music are of being awoken by the sounds of Motown’s biggest hits being played through the speakers of my home stereo, while my mother would exercise in the morning. Growing up on Motown’s past it is awesome to finally witness the amazing performances our elder generations were able to see live and grow up on. From the glitz and glamour of the The Marvelettes and Kim Weston, to the soulful voice of Brenda Holloway, to getting down with The Contours “Do You Love Me” and Steve Wonder’s “Uptight”. From now being able to see firsthand how Motown as a company dedicated to artist development, transformed their artist’s performances from things like the funny “basketball dribble” dance The Marvelettes did on “Please Mr. Postman” to the seemingly perfectly executed and joyous performance of “Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Gladys Knight & The Pips at the Save The Children Concert.
Some of the other magical performances include Marvin Gayes “Hitch Hike” at Hollywood A-Go-Go, which when seen now, seems like featured the first “video girls”. To the Four Tops tearing down a show in Belgium with their performance of “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)”, where the audio is straight from the show, and you can hear the audience just screaming for them from their seats. To Martha & The Vandellas, still to this day, amazing performance of “Nowhere To Run”. In the assembly line at a Ford manufacturing plant in Detroit, while a 1965 Mustang is literally built around them, for the CBS TV Special, It’s What’s Happening Baby. This alone was worth the price of the DVD.
As if these historic performances weren’t enough of a treat. For the audio enthusiasts, while playing each feature you can experience several different audio options for an even more unique viewing and listening experience. Including remastered streams with surround sound, original single mono mixes, A Cappella streams, and original broadcast audio.
After you experience these wonderful moments in pop culture history. There is some extremely rare, special bonus footage of the “Motown Picnic”. Which is straight, unedited footage from a private company gathering and softball game. With hilarious narration, you get a rare chance to see a young Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and many other stars and staff just having fun and being normal. For true fans this is priceless footage.
Motown The DVD is a must-have collection of rare and unique performances from yesterday’s legends and trendsetters. If you’re a music lover, or just someone who loves history and fashion, that is the DVD for you.
