What's new on DVD
"Celtic Thunder: Take Me Home"
Many people discovered this terrific group on their first special on PBS in March of 2008. The five members of the group, Ryan Kelly, Keith Harkin, George Donaldson, Damien McGinty and Paul Byrom performed before sold-out concerts throughout the country, and their album spent 55 weeks at the top of the Billboard World Music Charts. Besides their individual vocals, it's fun to watch them interact with each other.
This program is the group's second concert special, and was filmed live from the Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada. The songs in this exciting program include "Danny Boy," "Desperado," "Take Me Home," "Castles in the Air," "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen," "Steal Away," "Every Breath You Take," "Breaking Up is Hard to Do," "You Raise Me Up" and more.
"Rock Around The Hits"
Fans of the music of the 1950s and '60s will love this DVD, which features 48 classic rock and ballad performances. Most of the songs were hits by the original artists, and the DVD features rare performances, not seen in years. It's an encyclopedia of music, while captions on the DVD introduce each of the 48 songs. Some of the artists who are featured include Bill Haley and the Comets, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jackie Wilson, The Diamonds, Connie Francis, The Everly Brothers, Carl Perkins, Paul Anka, Frankie Avalon, Fats Domino, The Platters, Bobby Darin, Johnny Cash and more.
"Swingtime Collection: Half-Past Jump Time"
Before rock 'n' roll, the music was referred to as The Swing Era. Many places around the country were carrying the brand-new video jukebox, and the Soundie film company put together promotional music featurettes to be used in the machine. Not only do we get the short films from Soundies covering the 1940s, but Snader Telescriptions from the early '50s. Some of the artists featured from the jump and jive classics include Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Jordan, Cab Calloway, Lionel Hampton, Dorothy Dandridge, Vanita Smythe and many more.
"1,001 Classic Commercials"
Everyone who can remember a commercial from the time they were young should find one that will bring back many memories in this three-disc 16-hour collection. It's a lot of fun to go back in time and relive the commercials created for Ovaltine, Noxema, Timex. Alka-Seltzer, Coca-Cola, Folgers, Silly Putty, Charmin and a host of other products.
Available next week
"Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer"
"Coraline"
"For All Mankind, Criterion Collection"
"Great Buck Howard"
"Hotel: Season One"
"Michael Jackson: Number Ones"
"Michael Jackson: Live in Bucharest"
"Quincy Jones: 75th Birthday Celebration"
"The Lucy Show: Season One"