Remember the '70s: Greatest Hits Live--a 14-clip compilation circa 1971-1973 taken from the TV series Rollin' on the River, and hosted by Mickey Jones (from Kenny Rogers & the First Edition)--admittedly stretches the meaning of the words "greatest" and "live" in the title. I like Malo's "Suavecito," the Grass Roots "Two Divided By Love," and can even get relatively jiggy with Billy Preston's "Outa-Space," but would be hard-pressed to call any of these "great" let alone "greatest." And, watching The Raiders' drummer operating two full beats behind the rest of the band in places on "Indian Reservation" is an obvious reminder that the only thing "live" on some of these songs is the band members themselves (not their mikes or instruments). Still, let's give credit where credit is due: Kenny Rogers and company performing "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" (a song many people think is about Vietnam, but was actually written by Mel Tillis after the Korean War) and "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" are still great tunes; Jim Croce's "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" and "Operator" are superb; Al Green is silky smooth on "Let's Stay Together" and "You Ought to Be With Me"; Bill Withers' "Lean on Me" remains one of the most beautiful songs ever (regardless of decade); and B.B. King weighs in nicely with the blues anthem "The Thrill Is Gone." Ike and Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" and "Get Back" should have been highlights but the former song is truncated to under three minutes and the stage is too small (the energetic Ike-ettes are all dressed up--in their microskirts--with no place to go). Presented in excellent-sounding Dolby Digital stereo, the DVD also includes 17 minutes worth of additional interview reminiscences with Jones. Recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)
Remember the '70s: Greatest Hits Live
(1997) 51 min. DVD: $14.98. Shout! Factory (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 20, Issue 1
Remember the '70s: Greatest Hits Live
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