Time Life’s Latest ‘Hee Haw’ Collection Is Loads More “Kornpone Komedy”

Courtesy: Time Life Entertainment/StarVista

Time Life Entertainment is taking audiences on a trip back to Kornfield Kounty. That is thanks to is a new fourteen-disc collection of Hee Haw episodes titled Hee Haw: The Collector’s Edition.  This latest compilation is a welcome addition to any Hee Haw fan’s personal DVD library.  That is due in part to the episodes that have been culled for the collection.  That will be discussed shortly.  The production values presented within the episodes is another key element to note in examining the collection’s presentation.  They will be discussed later.  Last and hardly least of note in the set’s presentation is its packaging.  Each element plays its own important part in the set’s presentation.  Altogether they show completely why Hee Haw: The Collector’s Edition is such an enjoyable collection.

Time Life Entertainment’s recently released Hee Haw box set Hee Haw: The Collector’s Edition is hardly the first Hee Haw collection that the company has ever released.  That aside it is one of the most extensive of the show’s collections that Time Life has released in recent memory.  Keeping that in mind, the episodes that are presented in the collection make up the most important of the set’s elements.  All twenty-three episodes that are presented across the collection’s three box sets have already been released in their own respective box sets before.  That might not seem important on the surface.  But the fact of the matter is that even though they have been released, having at least these episodes in one place saves at least some space on fans’ DVD racks; especially fans who might not already own any of the show’s others collections, including the shows full series set.

On a related note, Amazon and Time Life are listing this collection’s pricing at an MSRP of $114.  That might seem rather expensive to some.  By comparison, the also recently released Hee Haw: Return To Kornfield Kounty boasts only nine episodes spread across sixteen discs and is being listed at $99.99.  So it boasts more discs, but far fewer episodes.  Hee Haw: The Collector’s Edition presents twenty-three episodes over fourteen discs.  And while the price might be higher than that of Hee Haw: Return to Kornfield Kounty, it is a price that is economical.  For more comparison, the six-disc Hee Haw Collection—which is part of the Hee Haw: The  Collector’s Edition—is retailing on Amazon and Time Life at MSRP of $119.  Again, keeping that in mind, it makes this fourteen-disc set’s pricing even more of a non-factor.  And the seven-disc collection that is another part of the collection is almost impossible to find by itself today.  All things considered, the collections that make up the body of Time Life’s new Hee Haw collection and its pricing work together to show in themselves a big reason that this collection is welcome in any Hee Haw fan’s home DVD library.  They are collectively just part of the reason that this latest set is so welcome is fan’s homes.  The production values presented in the collected episodes are just as important to note in the set’s presentation as the episodes themselves and the set’s related pricing.

The episodes that make up the body of Time Life’s new Hee Haw collection and its related pricing are key elements in their own right in examining the set’s presentation.  While the episodes presented here have each been previously released, having them in one collection, and at a price that is considerably economical compared to other recent Hee Haw collections, does plenty for the collection.  Of course they are only part of what makes Hee Haw: The Collector’s Edition stand out among Time Life’s many Hee Haw collections.  The production values presented in each episode are just as important to note here as the episodes and the set’s related pricing.  The episodes included in this collection boast the same grainy look that they boasted in their original broadcast so many years ago.  Some even have the static lines that were visible in the original VHS footage of the show.  The thing is that even with those imperfections being there, there is something about them that serves to make the episodes…well…perfect.  They serve the nostalgia of fans who remember watching the show all those years ago, regardless of how old they were when they originally saw said episodes.  In the same vein, the audio in each episode is just as impressive as the show’s video mix.  The cuts between segments are fast-paced, too, thus keeping audiences engaged and entertained throughout.  When that is taken into consideration with the episodes, it shows even more why this collection is so welcome in any Hee Haw fan’s home DVD library.  It is still not the last element to examine in the collection’s presentation.  The last element to examine in the collection’s presentation is the bonus material that is included in the set.

The episodes that were culled for Time Life’s recently released Hee Haw: The Collector’s Edition, the set’s pricing, and the production values presented throughout the set’s episodes are each important in their own right to the collection’s presentation.  While each element is undeniably important in its own right to the collection’s presentation, they are not its only important elements.  The set’s packaging is just as important to note in examining its presentation as the other noted elements.  All three of the previously released collections that make up the body of the collection are housed within one larger box that houses them.  The box is, in reality, not that big in itself.  It is just large enough to house each of the three boxes that make up the collection.  Considering this, one could easily argue that it saves at least some space on fans’ DVD racks.  Given, even if all three sets were placed next to each other without the containing box, it would take up the same amount of space as they would with the extra containing box.  But at least the sets that were chosen for the collection are not that big to begin with.  Keeping that in mind, it proves the overall packaging to still be its own positive to the set’s collection.  When it is set alongside the set’s featured episodes, the set’s pricing, and the episodes’ production values, the set’s presentation shows in whole to be one that any Hee Haw fan will appreciate.  In turn, this proves once again why Hee Haw: The Collector’s Edition is one more welcome addition to any Hee Haw fan’s home DVD library.

Hee Haw: The Collector’s Edition is yet another welcome addition to any Hee Haw fan’s home DVD library.  That is evident in the collection’s featured episodes, and by relation, its pricing.  The production values presented throughout each episode and the set’s packaging each play their own important part in the collection’s presentation, too.  All things considered, this recently released box set proves once more why it is another welcome addition to any Hee Haw fan’s home DVD library.  It is available now and can be ordered online direct via Amazon.  More information on this and other titles from Time Life Entertainment is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://timelife.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TimeLifeUS

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TimeLifeUS

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Time Life, StarVista Give Audiences The Time Of Their Lives Again In ‘The Wonder Years” Fifth Season

Courtesy: Time Life/ABC

Television has come a long way since its golden age.  That isn’t a good thing either.  During television’s infancy audiences were provided with so much variety in their programming options.  Now however, those options are far fewer.  Most of what audiences are being offered are either soulless “reality shows,” rebooted game shows, or any number of crime and medical procedurals, none of which even have any heart in themselves.  Thankfully, the variety once offered during television’s golden age have been resurrected by the increasing number of retro TV networks out there and home entertainment companies such as Shout! Factory, MPI Home Video, and the focus of today’s review, Time Life Entertainment.  Time Life and its subsidiary StarVista Entertainment have proven in recent years to be among the leading names in home entertainment thanks to the release of classics such as: Hee Haw, The Carol Burnett Show, and of course The Wonder Years just to name a few of those classic series.  Speaking of The Wonder Years, Time Life and StarVista released the fifth season of that series this past May.  The series’ penultimate season, it proves in its new home release why Time Life and StarVista are among the leading names in home entertainment beginning with the season’s writing; more specifically its stories.  The work of the series’ cast is just as important to note as the show’s writing.  The companion booklet that comes with the set is yet another important element to consider in the set’s presentation.  Each element plays its own part in Season Five’s overall presentation.  They are hardly the set’s only notable elements, too.  There is also the set’s collective bonus material and even the very listing of the episodes to consider in the set’s presentation.  All things considered Time Life and StarVista have once again proven with this release why they are among the leading names in the home entertainment arena.

Time Life and StarVista are among the very few leading names in the home entertainment arena today.  That has been proven time and again with every one of the companies’ previous home releases.  The recently released fifth season of ABC’s classic family drama The Wonder Years is just the latest title to prove that reputation.  The series is one of television’s best classic dramas.  That has already been proven over the course of the series’ first four seasons.  Now in its penultimate season it has proven this once again in large part through its writing.  More specifically that writing applies to the stories at the heart of each episode.  While this season’s stories take place in the 1970s their scenarios are just as relevant today as they were in their given age.  “Road Test” is just one key example of that continued relevance.  Kevin faces his driving test in this episode.  And it isn’t easy.  While everyone else is having an easy go of it, he can’t get over his issues with parallel parking.  That is until he finally faces his fears.  It also leads to a heartwarming father-son bonding moment between Kevin and Jack in the end.  This smaller element of the writing will be discussed later.  Of course driving tests have changed a lot since the days of Kevin’s test.  But that fear and uncertainty that new drivers feel is still very much the same, again proving its relevance to the world today.

The Story within “Day One” is another key example of The Wonder Years’ continued relevance to the world today.  This stories finds Kevin starting high school, which means a whole new environment including a new teacher who makes Kevin his personal target.  This comes about due to one joke that Kevin makes; a joke that Kevin finds harmless but the teacher in question doesn’t, thanks to his personal background.  In the process, Kevin learns a very important lesson not only about civics and government but about right and wrong.  It is an important story that progresses Kevin’s continuing coming-of-age that is just as relevant today as it was in its original broadcast.  Sure, there might not be protests along the line of what Kevin and his classmates did.  But it directly echoes that personal emotional growth that every teen goes through, even today.  So it proves, again, to be just as relevant to the world today as “Road Test.”

“Soccer” is one more example of what makes The Wonder Years so relevant to the world even today.  This time Kevin joins a band of misfit students to form his school’s new soccer team.  Of course the result is a classic underdog story that will put a smile on any viewer’s face.  Despite the differences exhibited by the team and its general lack of talent, it still comes together in the end to inspire both each other and its coach, a one-time soccer legend himself.  The coach had signed on very reluctantly and didn’t even show any real interest in the team throughout most of the story.  But the team’s determination inspired him even just a little bit.  So many stories along the lines on this one have been crafted by so many television and movie writers through the ages.  But they have all been so over the top that they are hardly believable.  This story is the polar opposite of those presentations.  It completely pulls in audiences and in turn makes itself entirely believable.  It is just one more way in which The Wonder Years maintains its relevance even today.  It is hardly the last story presented in this season that proves the series’ continued relevance.  “Private Butthead,” “The Lost Weekend,” and “Wedding” could just as easily be used to exhibit that continued relevance as could any of the season’s other episodes, too.  All things considered, the stories that are presented throughout The Wonder Years’ fifth season show from beginning to end the series’ continued relevance and the overall importance of the season’s writing.  The stories alone are just a portion of what makes the writing so important.  The life lessons that are presented within each episode are just as important to note as the stories themselves.

The stories at the center of The Wonder Years’ fifth season are in their own right hugely important to the writing within the season’s presentation.  They are just part of what makes the writing so important.  The life lessons that are presented within each episode are just as important to note as the stories themselves.  Case in point the lesson presented in “Day One.”  The lesson about standing up for one’s own beliefs is one that applies at any stage of life.  While the tyrant here might have been the teacher Kevin still realized that he had to stand up for himself just as people in general must stand up against tyranny, bullies, and the like.  It boasts a certain heart that few if any shows today can say they have.

“Grandpa’s Car” boasts just as much heart in its story and life lesson as that presented in “Day One.”  This story sees Arnold’s grandfather having to come to terms with his age and his waning abilities.  It presents yet another topic that is just as relevant today as it was in Kevin’s youth.  While the story is powerful in its own right, so is the lesson presented here.  The lesson centers on family.  It presents that important message about looking after one’s family even when family might not agree with certain decisions and actions.  It is one of those lessons (and stories) that will definitely touch audiences so deeply.  And it is hardly the last example of the importance of the lessons to the series’ writing in this season.  “The Wedding” provides one more example of the importance of the show’s lessons this season to its writing.

“Grandpa’s Car” and “Day One” both present lessons that are clearly important to the series’ writing.  They are lessons that ring just as true today as they did during Kevin’s youth.  They are not the only episodes to present such important lessons.  The lesson at the heart of “The Wedding” (no pun intended here) is yet another example of the importance of the show’s lessons to its writing.  It presents the message of social existence.  Just because Karen’s wedding isn’t the traditional wedding does not make it wrong.  It still allows her and her new husband to express their love to one another.  Sadly there are a lot of people who to this day still think that a wedding should be a certain way thanks to social norms and values.  Considering that, the lesson presented here is one from which so many audiences would benefit even today.  Keeping that in mind, the lesson presented here is yet one more example of the importance of the show’s lessons to its writing.  And as with the presented stories, it is hardly the last lesson that could be cited in exhibiting the importance of the show’s writing, too.  There are plenty of other lessons that could be cited here.  All in all they come together with the lessons noted here to show in full that the lessons presented within the episodes are just as important to the show’s writing as the presented episodes.  Now having considered all of this, the stories and lessons that are presented across The Wonder Years’ fifth season show unquestionably the importance of the season’s writing to its presentation.  As important as the writing proves to be to The Wonder Years’ fifth season it is not the only important part of its presentation.  The work of the show’s cast is just as important to note as that of the show’s writers.

The work of The Wonder Years’ writers proves to be unquestionably important to the series even in its fifth season.  That is because the writers have crafted stories that on one level are just as relevant today (yet again) as they were in their original broadcast.  On another level the lessons that are presented throughout give each episode (and the season in whole) just as much heart as the series’ previous four seasons.  While the writing proves to be so important to the series it is not the only important part of this season’s presentation.  The work of the series’ cast is just as important to note as the writing.  Their work shines through in every episode just as much as that of the writers.  One prime example of this comes midway into the season in “Private Butthead.”  When Wayne decides to join the Army, thinking he’s not smart enough to go to college, he and Jack butt heads over his decision.  What is evident on both parts is the love that Jack has for his son.  The emotion exhibited by Dan Lauria as he tries to persuade Wayne (Jason Hervey) to rethink his decision is so painful and heart-wrenching.  Lauria really makes audiences feel for him.  That is because he is not so much because Jack is mad at Wayne but rather because he is so scared for him and what might happen.  He explains to Wayne that it was different when he went to Korea.  He knows what happens in war.  He just doesn’t want that for his son.  It is a father’s love for his son.  And it shines here so brightly.  On the same note, Hervey is just as believable as Wayne butts  heads with Jack.  He makes audiences believe his performance just as much as Lauria does for Jack.  It would have been so easy for the pair to go over the top here.  But at no point does that happen.  It makes their performance one of the season’s best hands down.  It is just one example of how the cast’s work shines in this season.  Olivia d’Abo is just as impressive when she takes center stage in “The Wedding.”

Dan Lauria and Jason Hervey both exemplify the importance of the cast’s work when the pair take the lead in ‘Private Butthead.”  The duo expertly presents a situation that is just as prevalent today as it was so many decades ago.  The emotion exhibited by both men as they play their respective part in the story makes the story so emotionally gripping.  On another note, Kevin’s personal growth in “Day One” is another example of the importance of the cast’s work this season.  Audiences will find themselves completely enthralled in Fred Savage’s performance as Kevin goes from being a nervous high school “newbie” to being a proud, confident leader of sorts as he eventually leads his classmates in a protest against their tyrannical teacher.  It is so interesting to watch Kevin’s gradual personality change over the course of the episode.  That is thanks, again, to Savage’s attention to the story and control of Kevin’s growth.  It is yet another example of how the cast’s work shines here and most definitely not the last.  On another note, Olivia d’Abo is impressive in her own right during her time at the fore in “Stormy Weather.”

Dan Lauria, Jason Hervey, and Fred Savage all show in their own ways the importance of the cast’s work in this season of The Wonder Years.  Theirs isn’t the only notable work.  Olivia d’Abo deserves her own share of praise for her work as Kevin and Wayne’s sister Karen.  That is especially the case in ‘Stormy Weather.”  Here in this story is d’Abo portraying Karen as a grown woman yet someone who is still so vulnerable.  There is still that aspect of someone so young and inexperienced in life thanks to d’Abo’s performance.  D’Abo’s performance presents Karen as a young woman who is realizing that while she is an adult, she still obviously hasn’t completely found her way or herself.  And the moment at which she realizes this is one of the episode’s most powerful.  It is a subtle moment.  But those who pay close attention will catch it.  In doing so, those audiences will be so moved.  It is just one more way in which the cast’s work shines through in this season and shows its importance to the season’s presentation.  There are so many other moments that could be cited in exhibiting the importance of the cast’s work.  That would take far too much time, though.  Keeping that in mind, it would be safe to examine one more of the season’s important elements, its companion booklet.

Both the writing and acting behind the The Wonder Years in its fifth season do so much to make the show just as solid this time out as in its previous seasons.  They are not the season’s only important elements.  The companion booklet that comes with the set is just as important to note as the writing and acting.  Just as with the series’ previous seasons, this season’s companion booklet presents so much extra enjoyment for audiences.  It presents short but concise summaries for each of the season’s 24 episodes.  There are also some interesting tidbits included that range from behind-the-scenes information to some equally interesting history items.  For instance, in “Hero” it is noted that a then much younger James Caviezel actually had NBA aspirations in real life.  But an injury to Caviezel prevented those dreams from becoming reality, thus leading him to embark on an acting career.  It also presents a note about actor Paul Dooley, who played Kevin’s soccer coach, Pops in relation to the episode “Soccer.”  Audiences learn in watching this episode that Dooley was one of the creative forces behind PBS’ hit series The Electric Company.  There is even a note about author Jonathan Swift in relation to “Frank and Denise.”  It notes that Swift, who wrote Gulliver’s Travels, also wrote the 1,000 line poem “Cadenus and Vanessa,” that gets Denise so emotional in this episode.  The liner notes go on to state here that the poem in question was actually aobut his 17-year affair with Esther Vanhomrigh, whose parents were also friends of Swift.  It’s just one more interesting piece of information provided in the set’s companion booklet.  There is so much more that could be discussed including a little “pop quiz” related to Wayne’s SAT prep in “Private Butthead,” a brief history of the movie Carnal Knowledge and its impact upon its release, and even a little bit about actor Lyman Ward’s guest star appearance in “Of Mastodons and Men” among so much more.  Whether for these pieces of information, those more directly noted here or any of the others, it is clear that the companion booklet that comes with the fifth season of The Wonder Years is just as important to its presentation as the season’s writing and the work of the series’ cast.  Each element is important in its own right.  Heck, even the bonus material included on disc and the clear listing of episodes on the discs deserves being noted here, too.  All things considered, Time Life Entertainment and StarVista have proven once again with this collection why they are among the leading names in the home entertainment arena today.  It also shows why this recently released box set is one of the year’s top new box sets for grown ups.

The Wonder Years: Season 5 is yet another successful release from Time Life Entertainment and StarVista.  It shows once more why these two companies are, along with Shout! Factory and MPI Home Video, among the leading names in the home entertainment arena.  This is shown through the solid writing from the season premiere to the season finale.  This includes both the stories presented in each episode and the lessons (the heart) presented in each story.  The work of the series’ cast adds just as much enjoyment to each episode and the season in whole.  The companion booklet that is included in Season Five’s box adds just as much enjoyment to the set as its writing and acting.  The same can be said of the bonus material included on-disc and the clear listing of episodes on each disc.  Each element is equally deserving of being mentioned.  But there is just not enough time or space to do so.  All things considered Time Life Entertainment and StarVista have proven once again through all of these elements why they are among the home entertainment arena’s leading names.  Altogether they not only strengthen both companies’ reputations in the home entertainment arena but also show why this box set is one of the year’s top new box sets for grown ups.  It is available now in stores and online.  More information on this and other titles from Time Life Entertainment and StarVista is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://timelife.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TimeLifeUS

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TimeLifeUS

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

StarVista, Time Life Announce Release Date For Mama’s Family Sets

Courtesy: Joe Hamilton Productions/Lorimar-Telepictures/StarVista/TimeLife

Courtesy: Joe Hamilton Productions/Lorimar-Telepictures/StarVista/Time Life

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s been a long time coming.  But comedian Vicki Lawrence’s sitcom spawned from The Carol Burnett Show, Mama’s Family, will finally see the light of day once more.  Earlier this year, Time Life and StarVista released Mama’s Family: The Complete Series.  And now for those that might not have managed to get their hands on the complete set, the two companies have announced that they will release the first two seasons of the hit sitcom this Summer.

Mama’s Family Season One and Mama’s Family Season Two will be released together on Tuesday, September 10^th.  The first of the sets will be available for an MSRP of $22.95 and the second for $29.95.  The upcoming release of the show’s first two seasons marks the first time that they have ever been available to the public on DVD.  They feature the show exactly as it originally aired, as all material included in these sets was taken from the show’s original broadcast masters, otherwise known as the “Joe Hamilton” cuts.  Each episode is introduced by the late, great Harvey Korman as Alastair Quince (taking a playful stab at Alastair Cooke).  Audiences will be happy to see among the included bonus features, the DVD teleplay, “Eunice” and much more.

Courtesy: Joe Hamilton Productions/Lorimar-Telepictures/StarVista/Time life

The complete details of the sets’ bonus features is listed below.

BONUS FEATURES 

• THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON – Featurette: Mama’s Family Tree: The Branches (All About Eunice and Ellen); Family History: A Classic “Family” Sketch from ‘The Carol Burnett Show’, featuring Betty White (Show #1012, December 11, 1976)

• THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON – Movie: “Eunice” (Original Air Date: March 15, 1982); Featurette: Mama’s Family Tree: The Roots (All About Mama and Fran); Interviews: Vicki Lawrence interviews Mama, Vicki Lawrence interviews Carol Burnett, Betty White

Courtesy: Joe Hamilton Productions/Lorimar-Telepictures/StarVista/Time Life

Courtesy: Joe Hamilton Productions/Lorimar-Telepictures/StarVista/Time Life

Along with the first two full seasons, StarVista and Time Life will also release two “best of” compilations featuring some of the show’s best moments.  These compilations will also be available on September 10^th.  They can all be ordered online direct at http://www.mamasfamilydvds.com.  The complete series can be ordered for an MSRP of $199.95.  The “Best of” compilations will be available for $12.95 each.

Courtesy: Joe Hamilton Productions/Lorimar-Telepictures/StarVista/Time Life

Audiences can find out more about these releases and more from StarVista and Time Life online at http://wwwStarVista.TimeLife.com, http://www.facebook.com/TimeLifeUS, and http://twitter.com/TimeLifeUS.

Courtesy: Joe Hamilton Productions/Lorimar-Telepictures/StarVista/Time Life

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Love For Levon Could Be The Year’s Best Live Recording

Courtesy: Time Life Entertainment/StarVista

Drummer Levon Helm was no ordinary drummer.  He was a musician.  He was a musician among musicians and a musician of the people.  When he finally lost his battle with throat cancer in 2012, the world knew that it had lost not just a man but a legend.  It was Helm that made Midnight Rambles so famous.  And it was those concerts and Helms’ own music that made him the beloved figure that he is today even though he remains only in spirit.  Now thanks to Time Life and StarVista, fans of Helm and his music get to experience one of the greatest tributes to his legacy in the newly released concert, Love For Levon: A Benefit To Save The Barn.

Love For Levon: A Benefit To Save The Barn was released this past March.  It was released in five different formats: Double-Disc CD, Double-Disc CD/Double-Disc DVD, Double-Disc CD/Double-Disc Blu-ray, Double-Disc DVD, and Double Disc Blu-ray.  Regardless of whether audiences pick up the solo DVD or Blu-ray sets or the deluxe sets including both the CD and DVD or CD and Blu-ray, they will be getting in this concert what is among the year’s best live recordings.  It is more than deserving of that honor first and foremost because of the variety of options from which audiences can choose in experiencing this concert.  It is also more than deserving of the honor of being on the list of the year’s top live recordings thanks to its production values.  The all-star line-up and equally extensive set list adds even more reason to praise the performance.  The packaging for the deluxe sets is another interesting addition to the overall presentation that is worthy of note, too.  All assembled together, it makes this recording one that any fan of Americana and music lover in general will find entertaining each time they turn it on.

The very first thing to note about Love for Levon: A Benefit to Save The Barn is the variety of platforms on which it is available.  It is available in two deluxe packages that include both a double-disc CD portion and double-disc video portion.  Those that have HDTVs and Blu-ray players are offered the set with a double-Blu-ray video portion.  Those with DVD players are offered the deluxe package that includes the video recording on DVD along with the double-disc CD accompaniment.  There are also the stand alone DVD and Blu-ray sets as well as a stand-alone double-disc CD set from which audiences can choose.  This vast amount of options may not seem like much to some.  But the reality is that it plays a much bigger role in the overall presentation of this set than some might believe.  Depending on one’s budget or perhaps access to one format or another, Time Life Entertainment has given audiences as many possibilities as possible to be able to enjoy this performance.  Generally when it comes to live recordings, it seems the standard is to present the recording either on one format or another and leave it at that.  Time Life Entertainment has done the exact opposite.  It has offered this iconic performance in every format possible, save for digital.  Though, that will likely come.  For this alone, the people at Time Life Entertainment are to be highly commended.

The multi-format packaging for Love For Levon (as it will be simply known from here on out) is a major positive to the overall positive outlook on this concert.  Moving forward, one must also take into account its production values in determining its success or failure.  Obviously, the good people at Time Life Entertainment maintained the mantra that failure is not an option even with the recording’s production values.  The audio and video were expertly mixed.  Audiences will notice this both on the DVD and Blu-ray presentations as well as on the CD presentation.  This is a factor that is just as important as the number of formats from which audiences to have choose in experiencing the concert.  It is just as important because without proper mixing, there is no reason to buy the recording on any platform.  There are live recordings out there that leave audiences wondering what those behind the boards and cameras were thinking and were they awake at their posts.  Obviously, those behind the board s and cameras were well awake at this concert.  It looks and sounds excellent all the way around.  Even the lighting on stage itself was just right.  When blues great Mavis Staples takes the stage to sing ‘Move Along Train’ every note from Ms. Staples and the backing musicians is crystal clear. This expert mixing is handled throughout the near three-hour long concert.

Having taken into account the production values of Love for Levon, the next logical step is to take a slightly broader examination in looking at the show’s set list and its equally vast array of performers.  These too, are boons to this recording.  Mavis Staples is just one of the many superstars that made appearances for the benefit.  Also on hand were the likes of: Jakob Dylan, John Mayer, Roger Waters, Eric Church, My Morning Jacket, Dierks Bentley, Ray LaMontagne, and a whole who’s who of music past and present.  That so many artists from so many different corners of the music world came together for this performance shows the impact that Levon Helm had in his life and still has even though he remains only in spirit.  While the conglomeration of artists was in itself quite impressive, one must agree that the performance’s set list was just as incredible.  The bluesy feel of ‘Trouble in Mind’ and ‘Move Along Train’ is just a pair of the highlights from the performance.  ‘Little Birds’ and ‘Listening to Levon’ are just impressive in their more subdued, emotional tones.  These are just a handful of the songs that audiences will enjoy throughout the course of what is one of the year’s must have live recordings.  During the concert, the performers and their songs will send audiences on an emotional and musical journey that they will not forget.  It is a journey that after it’s over, audiences know they will want to take again.

So much work went into bringing Love for Levon to the masses.  The performances in this recording are outstanding, as are the performers and the songs.  The show’s production values are well above par.  And that Time Life Entertainment and StarVista have given audiences so many options from which to choose in deciding on how to best take in the concert sweetens the deal even more.  There is one final piece to the puzzle that makes this recording one of the year’s best live recordings, if not the best of the year.  That piece of the puzzle is the packaging.  This critic had the honor of receiving a screener of the deluxe double-disc CD/double-disc DVD set for review.  The packaging for this deluxe is impressive in its own right.  All four discs in the set are placed into their own mini-sleeve so to speak within the larger package that also includes a bonus booklet.  The bonus booklet includes very moving tributes written by Charles McCardell and Keith Wortman.  Wortman writes so eloquently of Helm in his addition to the included booklet, “In this age of artificially constructed music, Levon was the genuine article…in how he played, sang, and carried himself.”  He goes on to include a quote by Bruce Springsteen about Helm that is just as touching.  McCardell adds his own touch, expressing the joyous air that filled the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ, where the tribute concert was held.  His writing that, “From the energy generated in the building, it’s hard to tell who was more excited—the audience or the performers.”  Home audiences will see exactly what McCardell means when they watch this concert.  That single note echoes everything that has already been noted here.  And it can all be experienced now.  The concert is available now.  It can be ordered direct online via the Time Life Entertainment website at http://timelife.com/products/love-for-levon or via Amazon.

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