Billie Morin
This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows
Aneesa Wardle
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
Kirandeep Yoder
The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.
sme_no_densetsu
I first became aware of this gem of a concert film thanks to PBS. Not only is the music excellent but the visual presentation is also first class.Captured about a year before Orbison's untimely death, this concert showcases one of the truly distinctive voices in rock 'n' roll. Even better, here he's surrounded by several talented friends including Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello & k.d. lang. The backup band is stellar as well, particularly lead guitarist James Burton. Among the songs performed are trademark classics like "Only the Lonely", "Crying" & "Oh, Pretty Woman", all of which are sung with power and precision.Regarding the visual style, the black and white photography is perfectly suited to Orbison's music. There's a certain aura of 'cool' about the whole visual presentation.Catch it on TV if you must but for the full effect I recommend tracking down the DVD, which makes good use of surround sound.
bama1111
Back in the early 60s, being attractive was almost a requirement for success in the R&R recording field. People like Fabian became big stars regardless of the fact that he couldn't sing. But Roy Orbison, thick horned rimmed glasses, double chin and all, was a great example that if you could make good music you could be successful. After his early success, in the 60's, he disappeared from the music charts although he continued to tour. In the 80s he returned to the forefront of the musical scene and this concert is a perfect example that he had not lost a step nor had he lost that magical voice. His accompanying players are all fans of his music as well as outstanding musicians in their own right. And, how bad can it be having Bonnie Raitt, k.d. Lang & Jennifer Warnes as your backup singers.If you liked this you should check out his "In Dreams" video which is more biographical. It talks about his early days at Sun Records with Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis, his success in the 60s, his great receptions by his British fans and his resurgence in the 80s and his induction into the R&R Hall Of Fame by Bruce Springsteen.
Daniella
This is a concert I think everyone should see! Young, old and in between. Roy Orbison is always close to my heart as one of the most prolific, sensitive and talented vocalists that graced us with his presence in the music business and was taken from us far too soon. BLACK AND WHITE NIGHT has been shown multiple times on PBS and I never get tired of it. Every time I hear Roy, it's like hearing him for the first time. He has a wonderful tone and totally breaks your heart. Of course, the world knows him most famously for "Pretty Woman," but he is so much more than that song! How wonderful it was that musicians like Bruce Springstein, Tom Waits, Jennifer Warren, KD Lang and Bonnie Raitt joined him in this, his final televised concert before he died of a heart condition in 1988. Watch this, everyone!!!!
Claudio Carvalho
On October 23rd, 1999, I bought an imported VHS of this concert and I was astounded with such a wonder. Later, I replaced my VHS by the DVD, and I have watched this show at least ten times on these medias. The icon Roy Orbison, who had a personal life filled with many tragedies, playing and singing with names like Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, J.D. Souther, Jackson Browne, Jennifer Warner, K.D. Lang, T. Bone Burnett and Tom Waits, is spectacular. The concert was shot with black and white 35mm film, basic condition imposed by Roy Orbison to participate of this party, and the result is amazingly wonderful. This DVD is to be part of any collection of music lovers. Roy Orbison and his friends sing and play the following classic songs:1) Only the Lonely; 2) Dream Baby; 3) Blue Bayou; 4) The Comedians; 5) Ooby Dooby; 6) Leah; 7) Running Scared; 8) Uptown; 9) In Dreams; 10) Crying; 11) Candyman; 12) Go, Go, Go; 13) Mean Woman Blues; 14) Dream You; 15) Claudette; 16) It's Over; 17) Oh, Pretty Woman. It is hard to select, but "In Dreams", "Crying" and "Dream You" are my favorite songs. My vote is ten.Title (Brazil): "Roy Orbison: Black & White Night"Note: On 21 August 2011, I saw this wonderful concert again.
