Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35018 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-01-29
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD, Live, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 56 minutes

From the Back Cover
John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band played their first and last performance at the Sweet Toronto Peace Festival in 1969 that featured Yoko Ono, famed guitarist Eric Clapton, and renowned musicians Klaus Voorman (bass) and Alan White (drums). This classic film captures John Lennon in the only performance with the Plastic Ono Band. The Plastic Ono Band is introduced by footage of individual performances including Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Little Richard. Songs: Bo Diddley (Bo Diddley), Hound Dog (Jerry Lee Lewis), Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry), Lucille (Little Richard), Blue Suede Shoes (John Lennon), Money (John Lennon), You Make Me Dizzy Miss Lizzy (John Lennon), Yer Blues (John Lennon), Cold Turkey (John Lennon), Give Peace a Chance (John Lennon), Don't Worry Kyoto (Mummy's Only Looking for Her Hand in the Snow) (Yoko Ono), John John (Let's Hope for Peace) (Yoko Ono).

Customer Reviews

The Real Sweet Toronto
I guess I am lucky. Those of you who want to see Sweet Toronto are at a great disadvantage, because you are only seeing a part of this wonderful film. I reviewed this film as part of my cinema class in college in 1970. Sweet Toronto was more than a venue for John Lennon it was intended to be a loving tribute to Rock pioneers and two pioneer rebels of the generation who had just died namely Janis Joplin and . It was a great film, using the cinematic techniques set forth in Woodstock. As I researched further to find a complete copy, I realized that the producers of the DVD took it, No! tore it apart. Putting Chuck Berry's whole performance on one DVD and Jerry Lee's on another and Little Richard on still another. So seeing Lennon's performance was just a tiny segment of the entire show. Bo Diddley alone went on for 15 minutes of hard driving blues with his daughter singing backup. The two hour movie has now been cut up leaving you with only a glimpse of the beautiful event that D.A. Pennybaker set down on film. Yes,the end of the film was ruined by Yoko Ono's non performance where she screamed wailed and moaned, to the absolute horror of everyone who was at the world Premier of Sweet Toronto at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Sweet Toronto was a wonderful film and I urge everyone to demand that the film be produced on DVD intact and uncut. That my friends will be a great treat for music fans.

Could Be Sweeter
Picture: Not bad at all considering.
Audio: That's another story. The first thing I noticed was the back of the box, where it says that the 5.1 surround mix was created from the original 2 track mix. Now, how do you make 5 tracks from 2? The stereo mix, through my trusty EV speakers wasn't very good. Hardly any bass. Clapton's guitar was almost inaudible on some songs, and cutting in and out on others. If you listen to the remastered CD of this show, "Live Peace In Toronto", it sounds incredible. Another reason it sounds better is that they had the good sense to turn off Yoko's wailing vocal track on the Lennon songs. Her 20 some minute solo routine is one thing, it may be your cup of tea or not (although at one point, I swear, John grabs her from behind near the end of her performance and says 'stop'-you can hear it!) but she shouldn't be tunelessly screeching during the rock and roll numbers. Anyway, what they should have done here is to go back to the original multitrack tapes and sync them to the film and do a proper surround sound mix. The only extra here is a short bit at the 1988 London gallery opening of John's artwork, where Yoko tells the by-now-familiar story of how the Plastic Ono Band got it's name.
This is history, and still worth a look, but I'm tired of these lazy DVD releases that don't live up to the potential of modern video technology.

Essential Lennon
This DVD is essential for any serious Lennon fan. Too many reviewers worry about the avant-garde nature of the Yoko Ono performance. The film documents one of the best and most feral rock concerts ever given. Lennon's performance is raw and exciting. And, if you've ever doubted Lennon's estimation of "Don't Worry Kyoko..." as one of the best rock songs ever, you must see him and Clapton getting into a fine guitar groove that works like a mantra. And the live version of "Yer Blues" is as exciting as the performance in the Stones' "Rock and Roll Circus" (not to mention "Cold Turkey"! This is a classic moment in rock history that testifies to the power of Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band. Don't miss it! I waited years to get this DVD. It rocks.