Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

For those who remember the original 1983 TV broadcast of this 25th anniversary special celebrating Motown's founding, this six-disc, extras-packed boxed set will come as a treat, featuring the fully-restored original two-hour show with an additional 30 minutes. Not everything here feels essential; indeed, certain dance pieces and humor bits look pretty dated now, and host Richard Pryor clearly felt the restraints of Teleprompter-fed jokes. But it's the artists who matter here, as well as the presence of Motown founder Berry Gordy in the audience, and in that context, Motown 25 is essential, spotlighting the music of Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder, while the late Marvin Gaye seems positively ethereal in a white suit, waxing philosophical at a piano before delivering a heartfelt “What's Going On?” Cameo appearances by Mary Wells, Junior Walker, and Martha Reeves are far too short (especially given the time wasted on a song by ‘80s pseudo-star Adam Ant and other peripheral nonsense). But there is compensation in a stage act involving the Temptations (with a revised lineup, unfortunately) and the Four Tops, as they compete over whose trademark choreography style works best. Still, the show's real claim to fame was the extraordinary performance by Michael Jackson, burning down the house with “Billie Jean” from his mega-platinum album Thriller. Jackson first appears with his brothers for a medley of old Jackson 5 hits, but after the siblings scooted away, most Americans got their first view of Jackson's new choreography (including his signature moonwalk). Presented in 5.1 surround sound, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, roundtable discussions between some of the record label's (and media company's) biggest stars and songwriters, interviews, and rehearsal footage. Highly recommended. (T. Keogh)