T.A.M.I. Show/The Big T.N.T. Show

Bowing on Blu-ray, this compilation of two early classic rock 'n' roll concert films illustrates just how much America was starting to change between 1964 and 1965. Filmed before a live audience of teens in Los Angeles, 1964's The T.A.M.I. Show, hosted by surf music duo Jan and Dean, features a stellar lineup of rock, soul, and pop talent performing nearly 50 songs. Chuck Berry kicks off with one of the earliest rock ‘n' roll hits, “Johnny B. Goode,” while subsequent highlights include Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' “Mickey's Monkey,” Marvin Gaye's “Can I Get a Witness?,” Lesley Gore's “It's My Party” and “You Don't Own Me,” the Beach Boys' “Surfer Girl,” the Supremes' “Baby Love,” James Brown's “Please, Please, Please” (the hyper-physical Brown is a one-man Zumba class), and the Rolling Stones' “Time Is on My Side.” Backed by a house band and surrounded by male and female go-go dancers (remember the days of sweaters and bikini bottoms?), the only downside of this light and fluffy ball of musical fun is that the screaming teens often drown out the music early on. This landmark concert film was added to the Library of Congress's National Film Registry in 2006. The Big T.N.T. Show from 1965 displays a notable change in look and mood. Hosted by The Man from U.N.C.L.E.'s David McCallum and produced by “Wall of Sound” maestro Phil Spector, the show certainly boasts a number of effervescent numbers, including Petula Clark's “Downtown,” the Lovin' Spoonful's “Do You Believe in Magic?,” Ray Charles's “Let the Good Times Roll,” Roger Miller's “Dang Me,” and Ike & Tina Turner's “A Fool in Love,” but the dress is darker and more casual than beach-side, and some of the 30-plus tunes—Joan Baez's “500 Miles,” The Byrds' “Turn! Turn! Turn!,” and Donovan's “Universal Soldier”—reflect the societal winds of change as America's involvement in the Vietnam War began to escalate. Nicely remastered and presented with a DTS-HD 2.0 soundtrack, extras include audio commentary by director Steve Binder (for the T.A.M.I. Show), new interviews with Petula Clark and others, and a booklet. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)