Review of Little Richard: Keep On Rockin`

Introduction

Performing some of his greatest hits at the Sweet Toronto Peace Festival way back 1969
this docu. Style film was captured and brought to DVD by legendary music director D.A. Pennebaker who also gave us the superb Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars.
Tracks include...Blueberry Hill, Lucille, Good Golly Miss Molly, Rip It Up, Tutti Frutti, Keep A Knocking, Hound Dog, Jenny Jenny, Long Tall Sally.

Now I`ve never been a big fan of Little Richard but I can see his appeal. His all-out wild man
attitude and the fact that he puts in 150% (is that possible) into his music and musical showmanship can`t be knocked. I see him as a poor man`s James Brown with musical numbers that are instantly recognisable but don`t have the edge or grittiness of Brown`s soul classics. Richard is more of a throw away pop of the 50`s and 60`s

Video

A respectable 4:3 transfer for the age of the film. Very washed out colours and a high amount of grain don`t distract, but this DVD is not up to modern day standards.

Audio

The 5.1 Dolby Digital remix is terrible. The sound is a remix re-matrixed affair, it envelops you in a surround mix that is harsh and lacking in any true bass extension. When will music DVD producers realize that .1 bass extension is the godsend of the DVD industry and not the enemy.
Even artificially cranking up the bass on my amp failed to produce anything near listenable audio.

Features

Good Golly...not a lolly...Miss Mollly!!!

Conclusion

A top performer gets an under performing silver platter that fails to rock me or my house.
I`ve said it before and I`ll say it again. The Eagles Hell Freezes Over is the benchmark for all audio DVDs. I know this was recorded in 1969 but it could still be much, much, much better!