In times like today when "tastes" are formed like looking down a straw, it must be difficult for anyone coming to this film (or the music) to understand just how profound the T.A.M.I. show really was or is. Just take one little detail as an example: there are a couple of times when a black man dances with a white woman. To unfledged young people today, no big deal. In 1964 it was a reason why this movie didn't get shown in a lot of southern cities. Got that?
Even counting Woodstock and the Atlantic City Pop Festival there never was again as eclectic a group of performers in the same show. Want East Coast garage? Barbarians. Motown? Miracles, Supremes, Marvin Gaye. Mersey sound? The originals, Gerry and the Pacemakers. Hardcore R&B? James Brown with the original Famous Flames. Brill Building pop? Lesley Gore. Surf pop? Beach Boys.British Invasion 101? The Rolling Stones. I mean, really...and on top of it all, Chuck Berry giving one of his finest recorded performances. Top if off with the core of the Gold Star Studios house band, a/k/a The Wrecking Crew.
So whoever gave this less than ten stars didn't/doesn't understand the context here at all, and I pity them that. But I saw this at the State Theater in Harrisburg PA on the day it was shown and it was killer then and now.
Even counting Woodstock and the Atlantic City Pop Festival there never was again as eclectic a group of performers in the same show. Want East Coast garage? Barbarians. Motown? Miracles, Supremes, Marvin Gaye. Mersey sound? The originals, Gerry and the Pacemakers. Hardcore R&B? James Brown with the original Famous Flames. Brill Building pop? Lesley Gore. Surf pop? Beach Boys.British Invasion 101? The Rolling Stones. I mean, really...and on top of it all, Chuck Berry giving one of his finest recorded performances. Top if off with the core of the Gold Star Studios house band, a/k/a The Wrecking Crew.
So whoever gave this less than ten stars didn't/doesn't understand the context here at all, and I pity them that. But I saw this at the State Theater in Harrisburg PA on the day it was shown and it was killer then and now.