The Ladies Sing The Blues; Nancy Wilson At Carnegie Hall

Both of these programs represent a classier form of music video than most of what is presently on the market. The Ladies Sing the Blues is a compilation of rare clips of legendary female blues singers from the 20s through the 50s. Each clip is introduced with a short narrative bio which tells viewers a little about the singer, her specialty, and her impact on music, in general. Opening with Bessie Smith's "St. Louis Blues," the program also includes filmed performances by Billie Holliday, Ethel Waters, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan, and Peggy Lee, among others. The second title, Nancy Wilson at Carnegie Hall is a vibrant concert video recorded in Hi-Fi Stereo (the other tape is also crisp and clean, presented in Hi-Fi monaural) that booms out of the speakers and fills the living room with such favorites as "Dearly Beloved," "I Was Telling Him About You," "You Know," and in a duet with Carl Anderson, "First Time on a Ferris Wheel," and "Forbidden Lover." Both titles are recommended, the first title especially so. (See SPORTS COLOSSUS for availability.)