The Blues in moving images in this world of modern technology, how did I personally cope with this scenario? Sometimes I do have a hard time, which I'll explain later. I really do like the historical footage on this DVD. How can anyone complain about such great early film that includes unforgettable Blues artists and their timeless songs shot during the mid 50's and early 60's.

The material on this DVD can be divided in two time frames even though there is no information that came with this release. The earliest footage is by R&B/Blues pianist Amos Milburn who puts on a spectacular show singing his way through four of his hit tunes, "Down the Road Apiece", "Rocky Mountain", "Bewildered" and "Bad Bad Whiskey". These songs were originally released on both Beta and VHS in 1980 as part of a video series of called "Showtime At The Apollo (Harlem Variety Review)" and were shot in 1954. I can only guess the producers of this DVD used these tapes for Amos' inclusion on this disc because the quality of the visuals doesn't even come close to the original tape release which I found very disappointing.

The later footage was taken during the tour of Blues artists that went to Europe in the early 60's known as "The American Folk Blues Festival". From the lineup of the artists presented I would have to say this was shot during the 1963 tour. Filmed at one venue, and even though some of track titles are the same as on the two volume set "The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966", these are different performances. Once again it's great to see legendary Blues artists doin' their thing at the prime time of their musical careers. Memphis Slim playin' his piano and singin' "Listen to the Blues" and "All By Myself", Willie Dixon - vocal and standup bass with "I'm Nervous", Sonny Boy Williamson blown his harmonica on "Keep It to Yourself", Victoria Spivey on piano singin' those "TB Blues" and Muddy Waters belting out "Got My Mojo Working". I really enjoyed the solo spots by guitarists Lonnie Johnson, "Too Late To Cry", and Big Joe Williams, "Please Don't Go". Ya gotta love this stuff!

Having said the above I really do have a major problem with this release and it is the countless and meaningless 'pop-ups' of the song title, name of the artist, DVD title and a reminder that this is a Passport International Production. And then if this wasn't bad enough, to add after this message disappeared from the screen, I was constantly reminded with fade in & outs all over the screen that the title of this DVD was "The Blues Greats". Geez, they couldn't even get Big Bill Broonzy's name spelled right in one of title credits. Leave this information off the screen and keep it for the disc cover and liner notes. All of this totally took away my enjoyment of watching these spectacular live performances on this otherwise incredible documentary of the Blues.

Whoever out there in this DVD world who decides to include such an intrusion on the history of the Blues, that I as viewer just really want to feel, hear and see, get outta here!

The performances rate an A+ from me, but the production of this DVD can only be rated with a big fat F.  Eddy B