Johnny Mercer: The Dream's On Me - DVD Review
By Cyril Pearl -- Video Business, 11/20/2009
WARNER
Street: Dec. 8
Prebook: now
> Chronicle of the life and work of Johnny Mercer will be sweet music for fans.
The latest jazzy collaboration between producer Clint Eastwood and director Bruce Ricker (Eastwood After Hours: Live at Carnegie Hall, Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends) explores the life and music of renowned lyricist (and composer) Johnny Mercer, whose catalog includes such standards as “Moon River,” “That Old Black Magic,” “Jeepers Creepers,” “Satin Doll” and hundreds of other American classics. Over-flowing with vintage interviews, testimonials and movie and TV clips (including a bunch that showcase Mercer the singer), the well-researched doc also offers a bunch of recently shot sequences showing its legendary jazz-loving producer sitting at the piano with such notables as composer John Williams, musician Jamie Cullum and lyricist Alan Bergman and pondering the obvious musical question: What makes Johnny Mercer one of the leading contributors to the Great American Songbook?
Shelf Talk: Though it premiered on TCM last month and has subsequently been broadcast a bunch of times, Johnny Mercer should make some pleasant noise in its two-disc special edition, particularly with older audiences who grew up with his music. A nice selection of bonus features makes the program even more attractive, particularly a handful of studio performances by such talents as Michael Feinstein, Dr. John and Cleo Laine.Documentary, color and B&W, NR (nothing offensive), 90 min., DVD $29.98, UPC: 883929100682
Extras: “At the Piano” with Clint Eastwood and others, additional song performances
Director: Bruce Ricker
First Run: TCM, Nov. 2009
