The T.A.M.I. Show

I'm one of the few who (mercifully) did not see the mutilated PBS version earlier this (2010) year. Finally, SHOUT was able to release (and, yes - WITH the Beach Boys performances restored) this totem of a time of amazing music and performances.

I saw this WHOLE film in the early 80's, here in NYC, at the (original) Irving Plaza. It was a 16mm print, and the place was PACKED (for those who don't know - Irving Plaza was THE place to go to for REAL punk music and alternative music concerts back then. It's still around, but - as far as I'm concerned, in name only).

The pandemonium on the screen was emphasised by the crowd attending this showing (if you don't know, The TAMI Show - and The Big TNT show were held in legal limbo for many years, so to see it - in any format was a treat). Watching it in this setting, one almost felt as if we were there. It was a very special night.

I'll agree with the consensus - James Brown's performance - RIVETING! REAL showmanship! One of my favourite performances (saying one was better than another in this film is impossible)was Marvin Gaye's. I don't want to just throw out superlatives, but - this movie is a must see for anyone interested in seeing a landmark bit of rock & roll. See this, and you'll get sick, thinking about the (very sad) state of music today. There was NO: auto-tuning, misogynistic, violence-riddled garbage. This was the whole SPECTRUM of rock music - with EVERY style represented.

For many years after, I pondered the thought; to try and do a TAMI show today would be impossible. The egos. The costs being demanded. Sure - everyone performing got paid, but, it was more than for the money they did this show.

I'm a huge Teri Garr fan, and seeing her (and Toni Basil!) doing the pony, , the jerk, the frug, the swim.... and so much more is just wild. Add to this, the incomparable Blossoms (and Ms. Darlene Love!).... there are no words to describe the talent encapsulated in this film.

If you're a parent, or just curious to see what rock music was REALLY like, then I highly recommend you purchase this landmark film.

I saw this show on video for the first time in 1983. I was in a 50's/60's band at the time so we considered it as "homework" and were looking for material. What we found was amazing! Everyone mentions James Brown (great performances here) and some mention the Rolling Stones (with Brian Jones, no less - now we know what started the phenomenon), but only 1 person mentioned Leslie Gore (if "You Don't Own Me" doesn't give you goose bumps, check your pulse) and what about Ike and Tina Turner. She has that audience spellbound. They had no clue what they were gonna get when they bought those tickets! She shakes, gyrates and shimmies with more energy than any performer I have ever seen! To be honest,I wasn't a fan of the 50's/60's music (especially on records) until I began to catch films like this that captured the true live feel of the performances. There was an edge to the music that the records didn't capture. Even Sting makes reference to it in a Police song (Turn on my VCR. Same one I've had for years. James Brown The TAMI show. Ain't heard that style in years). There are no lame performances and this should be a staple of any musicologists library.

You can't get any better than this, for both concert films and for content. If you weren't around then the film will let you in on why so many think the period was so great. If you were then it'll reinforce you memories. Steve Binder, who did the Elvis Comeback Special (1968), produces. There are so many technical devices used in making TAMI that I'll leave it to others to explain, but they do come out in how the concert feels, the experience and the sound. Binder does a great job. You notice no detail missed as the house band is tops, another Binder trademark. Listen to them in Lesley Gore's set, especially in 'You Don't Own Me', an overlooked classic on its own, and you can see what I mean. Gore's performance anchors the wide ranging acts and gives TAMI a lot of its era feel. If you don't buy the DVD (came out in 2011) your just plain nuts. A solid classic, a must have. For all music fans.

I saw this film in La Crosse, Wisconsin with my twin sister and best friend when we were 13/14 years old. We wore our Beatle hats and matching coats and screamed all the way through the movie which was filmed in black and white. For years I searched for the music for this show - found the theme for the show done on a CD by Jan and Dean called "Command Performance". One great memory but why isn't this available for purchase?

Thanks for the great background information on the TAMI show, Wiluxe2.

It was certainly a defining moment in my musical life.

I saw it as a teenager when it first came out and will confirm that the segment by James Brown was the mother of all show-stoppers. I went to the movie to see the Rolling Stones segment, but left remembering James Brown signing Please, Please, Please. He was the real deal. I've seen some versions listed on e-bay with Ike and Tina doing Please Please Please, and other ones where it's JB. Perhaps over the years the movie segments have been cut and spliced so that the original show would be hard to recognize.

By the way, Leslie Gore's 'You Don't Own Me' was also great. She really has a wonderful melodic voice.

I'd be interested in the full length version in Video or DVD if it's available. JTL