Search - Stylistics Featuring Freda Payne on DVD

BEWARE

Lester L. Carter | PHILA , PA | 02/14/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This concert was done in 1975. It's about 20 minutes of Freda Payne and 20 minutes of the Stylistics. But, it was taken from a vhs tape and in some places the tracking is off and it's garbled. If you want it just for that sense of history - OK. But be forewarned."

A goofy charm...

Jerome R. Dodson | Melbourne, FL | 02/11/2010

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Have you ever seen a show where the opening act blew the headliners off the stage? After you view this tape, you can say you have. Although I enjoy Freda Payne's music, I bought the DVD primarily for the Stylistics. The first time I watched it, I jumped through Freda's set. Bad idea.

What was wrong with the Stylistics' performance? Pitch problems. Choreography that was bizarre and clunky. Racing through most of the set like the band was double-parked. Russell Thompkins Jr.'s goofy vocal improvs. Some inept camera work and editing. Still, because I became a Stylistics fan long after the original group had gone their separate ways, I wanted to see what they were like live. And I must say, this show has a certain goofy charm. For what I paid for it (9 bucks), it was worth it.

On the other hand, I was blown away by Freda Payne. Like most, I knew her only from her monster hit "Band of Gold." Her brief set on this tape was a real eye-opener. The woman is a firecracker, just as good live as she is in the studio. Her numbers sparkle. The band is tight.

So, all in all, a decent DVD if you can get it at a reasonable price. Just don't expect very much and you won't be disappointed."