Though I was born in 1983, I was given the advantage of an uncle who’d recorded hours of musical performances from the original “The Midnight Special” series, and kept them archived well. Through those recordings I was introduced to myriad of pop and rock acts from the 1970’s as well as the charismatic hosting and MCing from the one and only Wolfman Jack. “The Midnight Special” was very much like “American Bandstand” in that it celebrated music, and was more prone to offering harder edged musical acts and performances for a wider audience. It’s still a very valuable artifact of rock and pop, and thankfully has been given a new transfer for collectors.
Even if you weren’t born in the seventies, “The Midnight Special” DVD’s are worth a look for valuable music education and on how the 1970’s just approached pop and rock differently. At 505 Minutes long, and six discs, “The Midnight Special” is music education for the open minded crowds, and brilliant nostalgia for audiences that grew up during the seventies and watched every Friday night. Disc One features highlights from four episodes including the pilot of the series. Some of my favorites include the performance for Me and Mrs. Jones, and Argent singing Hold Your Head Up. I also love Jim Croce singing Taxi.
Disc One features a Bonus Song: A medley of She’s Gone, Sara Smile, and Rich Girl from Hall and Oates, there’s an interview with Peter Frampton, and a great featurette about the iconic Wolfman Jack. Disc Two also garners highlights from four episodes, with great performances from Alice Cooper who performs a medley, and America who performs “Sister Golden Hair.” There’s also an interview with Alice Cooper. Disc Three features great performances from LaBelle who performs “Lady Marmalade,” Redbone who does “Come And Get Your Love,” and features two bonus songs from Chic who does “Good Times,” and the Village People who perform “YMCA.” Disc Four garners performances from Blondie who performs “Heart of Glass,” and “One Way or Another,” the Edgar Winter Group who do an excellent live performance of “Frankenstein,” Gordon Lightfoot who does “Sundown.”
There’s a bonus interview with Loggins and Messina. Disc Five garners four more episodes and their highlights, with Captain and Tenille singing “Love Will Keep Us Together,” The Hollies singing “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress,” and KC and the Sunshine Band doing a great rendition of “That’s the Way (I Like It).” Among the Bonus songs, some of my favorites are Eddie Money singing “Baby Hold On,” and Gladys Knight and the Pips singing “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Finally Disc Six features two great performances by Marvin Gaye who sings “What’s Going On,” and “Let’s Get It On,” Bread singing “Make It With You,” and Ted Nugent singing “Cat Scratch Fever.”
This DVD Edition is for folks that can’t yet shell out money for the complete series, but this six disc edition really compiles some excellent performances, and classic Wolfman Jack showmanship.