Search - Ed Sullivan's Rock 'n' Roll Classics Boxed Set on DVD

Buy at your own risk

10/30/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Let me start by saying this could have been one of the great DVD sets ever released but Rhino really dropped the ball.Some reviewers seem to think they are viewing the complete performances or the performances as "originally aired". Lets clear that up right now. These are the edited performances that aired on VH1 and in no way are they as originally performed on the Ed Sullivan Show in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Anyone who believes they are viewing the original performance need only compare the Beatles Ed Sullivan appearances from "Beatles Anthology" or "Beatles First US Visit" to the same performances contained in this DVD set. You will then see and hear exactly what you are missing. All songs suffer a similar editing done so skillfully that anyone unfamiliar with the songs or original broadcasts might be fooled. Don't think for a second that a group fortunate enough to appear on Ed Sullivan's show would have chosen to perform a "shortened" version of their songs. It just didn't happen. Sorry folks, but if you think you are viewing the original performance as aired you are just plain wrong.Because of the price I was convinced that we would now see the full versions of these songs and not the hatchet job we saw on VH1. But Rhino really fooled us. One reviewer felt that the high price may be due to royalty payments to so many artists. Maybe, but I doubt it. The Hullabaloo DVD series has many artists but the set is very affordable and you get the complete performances as aired. As for groups like the Dave Clark Five being absent (they made 18 appearances on the Ed Sullivan show) it's possible that Dave Clark was able to avoid being part of this project. He was and is very protective of the usage of the DC5 material. But if he could avoid it then surely Apple (the Beatles management) would have disassociated themselves from this set as well. They are highly protective of the Beatles and would have opted out if possible. But that's another debate. Sound quality is as good as you can expect from mono sources so long ago. Remember, Ed didn't broadcast in stereo. The so called 5.1 mix is just processed mono but does give the sound more depth than the plain mono track. Overall this set is just a huge disappointment for the serious collector but may satisfy the casual fan although at quite a price. I would return mine for a refund if I could. I would really like to see Rhino post a response on this site and explain their decisions."

Very Disappointing set!!!!

Marc | Michigan United States | 10/06/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Buyers beware! Most of the performances on this Ed Sullivan DVD box set have been cut. How in the world can you take a 2 minute song and cut it? Well, Rhino found a way. This would have been a great set if all 144 songs were complete. Surely they had enough space on each DVD (60 minutes per disc? Come on). I'm sending my set back for a refund."

Totally unacceptable. This is a HUGE disappointment

worstfilms | Los Angeles, California | 10/22/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this coming a mile away ... I've seen those network "Ed Sullivan" retrospectives and have cringed all the way through as songs were cut in half (or worse). They are so carved up and edited down, it's really a shame. When I saw this set advertised, I was hoping that MAYBE, just maybe, the folks who run the Ed Sullivan estate and the company which puts his footage out had finally "got it." Oh, how wrong I was.Oh, yeah, there are about 144 performances, but not one song is complete. Adding insult to injury, each DVD runs a scant 60 mins. Meaning this 9 DVD set could easily have fit on 4 disks - and cost the consumer a lot less money.One day - hopefully in my lifetime - the powers that be will come to their senses and release "Ed Sullivan: The COMPLETE Beatles Performances" and a similar volume contining FULL LENGTH versions of the Doors, Rolling Stones, and other essential groups of the 60s. Until then, we will continue to get very little value for our money. This box set is a perfect example of consumers being taken.Don't you find it strange that the edited songs or 60 minute running time per disk are nowhere to be found in the official description of this item? I'd think that would be rather pertinent information.This is a set for casual TV viewers only. There are some historic moments... but for the price being charged, one would expect to see/hear the songs in their entirety. That's not too much to ask for, and once the word gets out about this set, should prove to be the "deal breaker.""

I'm glad I bought it...here's why

NativeDave | Jacksonville, FL | 12/31/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I first saw the DVD set in the stores, I thought this was a no brainer to buy. Like many of you, I often look up the Amazon.com reviews first. I was really taken aback buy the poor ratings which made me think twice. Anyway, I had a chance to buy the set new for [a good price] this past week. I've watched 5 of the first 9 DVDs so far. Yes, some of the performances are cut short (not all verses sung). First of all, who cares if Sonny and Cher don't drag out I Got You Babe. I was more saddened at the short versions of Sly's Dance to the Music. Most of those abridged versions were due to programming at the time. Overall I was quite pleased. I thought the sound and pictures were pretty well mastered. Yes, there is some song duplication, but it didn't kill me. No, I wouldn't pay full price, but I'm really quite pleased. Actually , the most annoying thing is getting the DVDs out of the package. They are in there tight and you have to be careful pushing the middle ring to get the discs out. I can live with this compilation. At least it's not put together by some self indulgent producer who has to put interview footage in the middle of live performances like many do...that's the worst sin of all. Bottom line is this was a rush to watch. Really enjoyed the young Tom Jones and the Association. FYI, one of the Association's hidden harmonies was the Hawaiian singer's brother, who was always off stage with a microphone. Buy it, but get it on sale."