Johnny Cash, "The Best of the Johnny Cash TV Show"
John Carter Cash was a baby when he appeared on his dad's eponymous television variety show. But the only child of Johnny Cash and June Carter says after compiling the performances for this excellent new-two DVD set, he almost feels like he can remember his close-up: "I was 9-months-old, and they had me standing up," he says with a laugh.
Music fans will marvel at the diverse array of artists that Cash booked to appear in prime time in an era when the culture was shifting dramatically.
"It is a true picture of music at that time," says the younger Cash of guests that ranged from Waylon Jennings and Neil Young to Stevie Wonder and a young folkie named Bob Dylan. Many performed with Cash on the show, which ran 58 episodes on ABC from 1969-1971.
"He was always receptive of people that were enthusiastic about music, and he was dear friends with many of them," Cash says of his dad's eclectic tastes. Ray Charles and the Eric Clapton-led Derek and the Dominoes were among his favorites.
Work on the compilation, which is hosted by Cash's longtime confidante Kris Kristofferson and includes interviews with friends and band members, began prior to the Man in Black's death in 2003. His son is pleased that the DVD not only preserves great performances, but also sheds light on another side of a man who has been mythologized as a brooding figure.
"Some people may have that conception, that he invented wearing black because his soul was dark," Cash says. "These things aren't true. My dad was a laughing, fun-loving person."
Bob Dylan, "The Other Side of the Mirror: Live at Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965"
There's a boatload of previously unseen footage in filmmaker Murray Lerner's 80-minute chronicle of Dylan's Newport performances in the mid-'60s, featuring the musician's famous transition from acoustic folk singer to electric rocker.
Various, "Wild Style: 25th Anniversary Edition"
A splendid lo-fi look back at the nascent hip-hop scene and all the flavor of the classic rap, dance, and tagging crews that started a revolution. A perfect companion to the new book "Born in the Bronx."
Barry Manilow, "The First Television Specials"
From "Daybreak" to twilight on "Swing Street," these five television specials capture Manilow and friends - including Ray Charles and Dionne Warwick - in all their musical and sartorial splendor of the 1970s and '80s.
Amy Winehouse, "I Told You I Was Trouble: Live in London"
In addition to becoming an international hot mess, Winehouse also made sweet, melancholy soul music this year, as she did in this show from Shepherd's Bush.
Shakira, "Oral Fixation Tour"
Sure, you can always listen to Shakira sing songs from her two "Oral Fixation" albums, but don't you want to see her perform them? Of course you do. This new tour DVD captures the Colombian pop singer performing her biggest hits live (in English and Spanish), and it includes bonus videos and an extra CD. Her hips don't lie, and it's nice to see them in action.
Bon Jovi, "Lost Highway: The Concert"
Know someone who loves the Jersey rockers' recent countrified effort? Stuff his or her stocking with this show dedicated to it, plus a few hits and behind-the-scenes footage of Jon and the boys cutting up in rehearsal.
R.E.M., "Live"
The band's first-ever live project - a 22-song CD/DVD combo of vintage and newer material recorded at Dublin's Point Theatre on R.E.M.'s 2005 world tour - captures the band in fine, effusive form.
Various, "Stax/Volt Revue: Live in Norway 1967"
Performances by Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Eddie Floyd, Arthur Conley, the Mar-Keys, and Booker T. & the MGs are featured in this landmark soul music concert, which also features 20 minutes of footage that had been previously lost.
AC/DC, "Plug Me In"
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock 'n' roll, or get through this exhaustively entertaining five-hour, three-disc chronicle of Australia's hardest-rocking export. We salute them.
Nirvana, "MTV Unplugged"
The band's famous 1993 acoustic performance, released the following year on CD, is finally out on DVD; extras include four songs taped during Nirvana's sound check and previously unreleased behind-the-scenes footage from the television studio.
Various, "Concert for Diana"
Princes William and Harry marked the 10th anniversay of their mother's death with a concert this past July at London's Wembley Stadium featuring Diana fave Elton John, as well as Fergie, Kanye West, Nelly Furtado, Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli, and an array of others.
