The T.A.M.I. Show, Collector’s Edition DVD

By Noreen Sobczyk

Perhaps you’ve seen some incarnation of this historic program via bootlegs, but this is the first time The T.A.M.I. Show (Teenage Awards Music International) has seen an official release. Little Steven has been quoted as saying “It’s the greatest rock movie you’ve never seen.” That may be debatable, but The T.A.M.I. Show sure is a treasure.

Filmed in black and white “Electronovision,” which is only detrimental to fashion aficionados, this DVD shows every act that performed and everything that happened as it happened with mixing done live. The line-up of performances is impressive, with seven of the dozen acts having been honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Featured performers on the DVD include Jan and Dean, Chuck Berry, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Lesley Gore, The Beach Boys, Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas, The Supremes, The Barbarians, James Brown and The Flames, and The Rolling Stones.

Oh, and who can forget those background go-go dancers performing the wonderful choreography of Anita Mann, who also worked on Solid Gold (and whose name is perfect for a drag queen). Also directing the fancy footwork was Carlton Johnson, the choreographer for The Blues Brothers. It’s a blast watching guys and girls do The Monkey and other ’60s steps in their fab gear or skimpy bikinis. What’s not to love about that?

Overall the performances are solid, but Smokey Robinson was in dire need of a lozenge and his performance is the weakest of the bunch. To use American Idol slang, he’s a bit “pitchy.” Marvin Gaye, however, sounds and looks like the personification of smooth. He even does the hitchhike along with the dancers.

The Beach Boys are dressed like they didn’t have time to change after their shifts at the “old tyme” ice cream parlor with their matching striped shirts, but the harmonies are right on. Diana Ross’s hair is bigger than her head, but not bigger than her voice as she leads The Supremes in a couple of lesser known songs, plus “Baby Love” and “Where Did Our Love Go.” (Can you believe she allowed a backup dancer to get in front of her camera shot?) Leslie Gore commands the stage and conveys teenage angst as well as joy. And The Rolling Stones are so young! They perform a great set of early British Invasion tunes, including the classic “Time Is On My Side.”

For my money the brightest star on the show is James Brown. His dance moves are insane, and the whole down to his knees “bring me my cape” thing puts Morris Day’s antics to shame. It’s an absolute treat to see this man performing in his prime. In fact, his performance alone is worth the price of the DVD.

The T.A.M.I. Show DVD hit shelves on March 23 via Shout! Factory.