Music Scene was a short lived music-comedy show on ABC in the late 1969-1970. It was mixture of current acts of the day, featuring live performances by some of the biggest artists of the late 60's, and also some middle of the road performers, such as Eydie Gorme, Della Reese, and Bobby Sherman. But in between these performances, there are some real gems that a rare and will blow you away. The problem with Music Scene from the start was in finding the ratings, and we can see how the producers struggled with this in the four program anthology brought to us from MPI Home Video. It was too hip to last, much like the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and I am grateful that is has been resurrected on DVD.

The double sided disc comes packed with four complete shows that aired on ABC in the fall of 1969, complete with Richard Nixon jokes. The other side contains 21 bonus additional individual performances from other shows plus four Rolling Stones promotional videos. The shows performances include the following tremendous performances: Show One: James Brown-World Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young-Down By The River-This song, never making it to a CSNY record but a Neil Young standard, is a short live version with the group displaying its ability to jam and trade guitar licks while trying to fit into their time slot. Buck Owens-Tall Dark Stranger-Features a comedy intro. Oliver-Jean Three Dog Night-Easy To Be Hard-This number, a Three Dog hit, features live vocals from Chuck Negron in an elaborate set made up to look like a car junk yard. Why I don't know. The performance is good , although little room was left for any extension from the studio track. Tom Jones-I'll Never Fall In Love Again The Music Scene Singers-Sugar, Sugar-This is a comedy sketch which actually makes fun of the surprise hit by the nonexistent group, The Archies. One of things Music Scene was forced to feature was the number one song of the week, and they used this sketch to feature the song, make fun of it, and still fulfill their obligation. Show 2: The Rascals-People Got To Be Free-A live version of their 1968 hit highlights this show, which featured hits from the past. The Dells-Oh, What A night-This three some looks a bit awkward in bellbottoms which are a little too tight. Roger Miller-King Of The Road-Miller's monster hit about vagrancy is another highlight, complete with colorful backdrops. Miller's song of freedom without obligations is produced well. Smokey Robinson and The Miracles-Here I Go Again-Pedestals , one with Smokey, the other with the Miracles, feature a live performance of this often forgotten hit. The Rascals-Carry Me Back-A strange set on a southern plantation and multi-ethnic southern belles in the audience don't diminish a good live performance. Roger Miller-Where Have All The Average People Gone Bobby Sherman-Little Women The Music Scene Singers-Sugar, Sugar-This version is done with a gospel flavor by the talented studio singers used in the show. It is a soulful rendition of the pop song, which is actually very entertaining. It shows what a good arrangement can do for even a sappy song such as this. Once again, the shows producers fulfilled their obligation and turned it into a real highlight. Show 3: Sly and the Family Stone-Everyday People: Dance To The Music-This opening number is a highlight of the entire show-Just getting Sly to show up was a major accomplishment! Merle Haggard-Okie From Muskogee-Merle's redneck anthem is another highlight. Pat Williams-Music Scene Theme Bobby Sherman-Little Woman Steve Lawrence-The Drifter-Lounge singer trying to be hip-ugh! Tommy Smothers-The "guest host" for the show pushes the boundaries of comedy on network television with buddy David Steinberg. Sly and The Family Stone-Hot Fun In The Summertime; Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey-What other show would air a song with such a title. This one just about did them in but shows the producers willing to take risks. The Temptations-I Can't Get Next To You-Great to see this Motown supergroup live. Show 4: Jerry Lee Lewis-Great Balls Of Fire-Complete with kicking the piano bench off for the last verse. Ten Years After-Bad Scene-Great live performance by the blues rock group from England-Alvin Lee and company are in fantastic form and take their musical performance very seriously. Smith-Baby, Its You-This one hit group, with blonde bombshell lead singer performs live. The singer (sorry, don't know her name) wears a headband and bellbottoms. Did we really dress like that? Richie Havens-Rocky Racoon-Sounding a lot like "Freedom" from Woodstock, Havens cleverly took the Beatles song and rearranged it for the show. Rhythm guitar and tabla player from Woodstock are also present. Havens' energy is phenomenal. Jerry Lee Lewis-She Even Woke Me Up To Say Goodbye-Country flavored Lewis performance promoting his latest chart hit. Janis Joplin-Maybe-Although the printed inner sleeve says "Kosmic Blues", it is "Maybe" from the "Kosmic Blues album. The audience is in total awe of Janis and her performance, which is why she was one of the greats of all time. When you think of what she could be doing today, it is so tragic. Michael Cole reading Rod McKuen-Guest host from The Mod Squad television show puts Rod's poems to music during the reading. Only for the faint of heart. Isaac Hayes-Walk On By-yep, the same song that made Dionne Warwick a star but with an Isaac Hayes flavor. Unusual as we think of Hayes sitting behind the keyboard, he sings this one like a solo performer, with girl singer backup. The Archies-Sugar, Sugar-Trying to avoid the Sugar, Sugar phenomena, the show finally gave in and had a performance by the cartoon Archies doing the song. Side B highlights: Featuring 21 bonus tracks, they are the following: Mary Hopkin-In My Life-Beatles label Apple's blonde singer (Those Were The Days)singing John Lennon's song Lou Rawls-I Can't Make It Alone-Just Squeeze-Two songs from bluesy singer Rawls-One in a motel set, and the other a stand up performance. Marva Whitney-Things Got To Get Better-Soul singer with obvious white afro wig Joe Cocker-Delta Lady-With the original "Grease" band, Cocker belts out this hit from his first album, complete with finger gyrations while singing. Lily Tomlin-Rubber junkie-Tomlin, who was one of the six regular hosts of the show, is featured in a five minute monologue dealing with eating erasers and its consequences. Three Dog Night-Eli's Coming-Another hit for the group, they play this up in an elaborate set, during a seance also featuring Lily Tomlin. Tommy Roe-Dizzy-That's what it made me Spirit-1984-Featuring a bald drummer was this group's claim to fame and this song's lyrics was risky to air with its revolutionary flavor. Della Reese-Wedding Bell Blues-The Fifth Dimension's hit as sung by Della. While the arrangement is unique, I would have preferred to see the original group perform it. Lou Rawls-Your Good Thing Is About to End-Another bluesy rendition by the singer with a surprise ending Gary Puckett-It's amazing that this song didn't get Puckett lynched, considering the Woman's movement-The lyrics are so sexist. The Grass Roots-Heaven Knows-A decent live performance with taped horns by the group trying to duplicate their hit song "Midnight Confessions". Lulu-Oh Me Oh My (I'm A Fool For Yo Baby) The teenage singer from England belts out this sixties hit. Lulu had a gutsy voice contained in a small, petite package. Bobby Sherman-Sound Along The Way-La de da! Eydie Gorme-Tonight I'll Say A Prayer-Double La-di-da Little Richard-Lucille; Tutti Fruitti-Hot pink outfit and makeup-He even claims to be a Georgia Peach before the second number. LR's charm comes through as he gets the audience involved in the second number. BB King-Just A Little Love-Number one highlight of the bonus tracks-This blues number, with the Music Scene singers really cooks. Lucille never sounded so good. Paul Anka-My Way-Paul became famous for writing hit songs for others-This is a perfect example. Charley Pride-Louisiana Man-Pure country from the groundbreaking black performer. Buffy Saint Marie-He's A Keeper Of The Fire-Another rating risk taking number as St. Marie's music was anything but conventional. On this show, she was given free reign to perform. The Everly Brothers-Medley of others hits-Rock and Roll Music;The End; Aquarius; If I Were a Carpenter;The Price Of Love; Games People Play-an unusual performance. Still good to see the Brothers performing together.

Another great DVD for people like me who grew up in the 60's and crave for the performances that haven't been seen in forty years. It brings back fond memories and shows some of the hit groups of the day performing live! MPI Home Video provided track indexing so you can scan the disc easily to hit the highlights. A must for baby boomers it is filled with magical musical memories.