Bobby Darin: The Darin Invasion

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DVD Reviews of Bobby Darin: The Darin Invasion

DVD Review: Good Slice of Darin in a deceptive package
Summary: 3 Stars

Despite the fact that the box states that this is Darin in his "prime" and the photo on the box is of Darin circa 1960, this is Darin near the end of his criminally short-life. This show was filmed in 1970 when Darin had only three years left to live. He was only 34 but looked much older and is not the Darin most folks remember. That Darin sings only one of his biggest hits- "If I Were a Carpenter"- further takes this stuff away from vintage Darin. This all does not mean that the singer doesn't perfom well- his voice is in perfect shape- but he's just not the Darin you remember.

The show was basically a music variety job, very common in the '70s. The emphasis here is on music and the better for it.

Darin explodes out of the box with a jubilant "(You're Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" the Jackie Wilson hit. Darin's rendition is more Vegasy backed with a gospel choir and he doesn't surpass Wilson but, his joy in performing is evident in every second he extends the great song.

The show then awkwardly slips gears to a softshoe/comedy bit with George Burns. One of the show's great flaws is awkward transition, a process filled by commercials in the original broadcast. The Burns/Darin bit still works well enough because of the obvious affection between the two men.

Things take a downward turn with an appearance by the Poppy Family singing their truly awful hit "Which Way You Going Billy". This is followed by an interesting bit where Darin dresses, without toupee, as Fagin and sings a number from "Oliver". Darin completely loses himself in the part and it makes you mourn that he never seriously explored stage work. That said, it fits in awkwardly with the straightforward musical presentation of the rest of the show.

The show's schizophrenic character surfaces again with Darin singing the blues "Hi De Ho". He does some surprisingly good harp playing and his phrasing conveys a complete understanding of the form although, his arrangement is way too gaudy.

Linda Ronstadt is next up with one of her early hits "Long Long Time". It's nice and Darin accompanies her on acoustic guitar.

Darin closes with some stories and versions of "If I Had a Carpenter" and "Simple Song of Freedom". The ending to the latter is way overdone. Darin compensates with a beautifully modulated "Carpenter".

Darin's introductions filled with mugging, double takes and impressions show why he was never a hip taste. His embrace of showbiz traditions and cliches was far too sincere for hipsters. However, as we have seen, his talent was also too great to ignore, a truth evident even in this imperfect 48 minute vehicle.

The presentation of this vehicle is not all it could have been. The picture is watchable but a little blurry. The show was filmed on videotape and it shows. These are not the sharp images we associate with the DVD format. The sound is fine but the extras are near useless. There's an incomplete Darin discography. There are brief and inaccurate text bios of Darin, Ronstadt and Burns.

Perhaps the biggest extra is the trivia track that you can turn on to appear at the bottom of the screen during the show. The trivia consists of only the most general and boring information with no insight on the music.

If you're looking for a definitive Darin DVD package or Darin at his peak, this is not for you. If you want a hint of why Darin was a special talent even without his hits then check this out.

Description of Bobby Darin: The Darin Invasion

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