Together on stage for the first time since 1961, the original members of the Kingston Trio (Nick Reynolds, Bob Shane, and Dave Guard) perform a thrilling concert of their greatest hits. Joining the renowned folk group are Tommy Smothers, Mary Travers of Peter Paul and Mary, Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac, John Stewart, and recent Trio members George Grove and Roger Gambill. Since their debut in 1958 with the gold record song Tom Dooley, the Kingston Trio has had a powerful musical influence on such artists as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and dozens of folk groups of the late 1950’s and 1960’s. This historic reunion concert, filled with the unique and vibrant sound that millions of Kingston Trio fans have loved for over a generation, preserves the tremendous legacy of this group that has become an American musical legend. Program: Three Jolly Coachmen, Early Morning Rain, Medley – Blowin’ in the Wind/Lonesome Traveler/Hangman, Leavin’ on a Jet Plane, Reuben James, Where Have All the Flowers Gone, Scotch and Soda, Down Among the Sheltering Palms, Greenback Dollar, Chilly Winds, and more.

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For those not familiar with the background, this concert was recorded in 1981 at an outdoor theater in California. Present were the then-current Kingston Trio lineup of Bob Shane, Roger Gambill and George Grove, as well as former Trio members Dave Guard, Nick Reynolds and John Stewart.

Each lineup of the Trio performs several numbers. We get to here several of their signature tunes--"Tom Dooley," "Scotch and Soda," "Greenback Dollar," and "MTA" among them.

Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary makes a special appearance and joins the trio for two numbers. Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac, who had just produced Stewart's hit album "Bombs Away Dream Babies," plays bass on several numbers and joins Stewart for a duet of "Spinning of the World." Stewart also does a solo performance of one of his best songs, "You Can't Go Back to Kansas."

Tommy Smothers acts as MC, quite humorously, attempts to join the Trio on "Chilly Winds,"also quite humoursly, and does a short solo turn, less humourously.

At the end, all six Trio members team up for several numbers, and the entire cast joins in on the big finale of "MTA."

While the entire performance is enjoyable, the segments with the current Trio are perhaps the most important reason to have this recording. Since the Shane/Gambill/Grove Trio did virtually no recording, this is perhaps the only document we have of the contributions of Roger Gambill, who died only a few years after this concert. It is also nice to have a momento of the late Dave Guard.

Any Trio fan will want this concert, and the more complete DVD version is the one to own.

28 of 29 found the following review helpful:

I was surprised to see what had been left out!Mar 25, 1999
By sswinney@worldnet.att.net
I first saw this concert on television in the early eighties. I taped it at that time on an old antique VCR and was really looking forward to a clean copy minus the pledge drive. The picture and sound quality is much improved, but I was surprised to see that a lot of the talk between songs had been cut, leaving very little of the chemistry the various members of the three Kingston Trio generations had shown that night. Also missing was "Chilly Winds", a great song made hilarious by the intrusion of Tom Smothers as "the sound of the chilly wind", but alas, it is not on the tape. If you're a Kinston Trio fan you'll still enjoy seeing everyone from the various groups. It's a treat to see Dave Guard again and I always enjoyed the energy that John Stewart brought to the group. In fact, John Stewart made a comment that night, something to the effect that "it's Adrenalin City up here", but that was cut. And when he commented after one song that "I flubbed the banjo solo" Nick Renolds shot back "Well, you always did!" All this fun stuff was cut. I guess this bothers me so much because there was no need...it's only a 50 minute tape. In conclusion : If you're a Kingston Trio fan, you'll enjoy this tape, but if you've seen it before, you'll be disappointed with how much they left out.

25 of 26 found the following review helpful:

The 25th Anniversary Concert w/all the Players now on DVD!Feb 08, 2004
By forrie
This was 1981 the 25th Anniversary of the Legacy of "The Kingston Trio" now on DVD for the first time.

"The Kingston Trio" personified folk music in the 1950's & 60's. Paving the way for many singers (Bob Dylan, Joan Baez & Peter, Paul & Mary to name a few) and the Folk Music Revolution!! Their niche was the folk ballad and thus they were "The Balladeers" recording folk songs from all countries around the world.

The Original Trio, Nick Reynolds, Bob Shane & Dave Guard began the groups long and successful carrer in San Francisco at the "Hungry I" night/folk club. With hits "Tom Dooley" - Grammy Winner - Scotch & Soda, M.T.A., Greenback Dollar and Zombie Jamoree to name a few. In 1961 Dave Guard left the group and was replaced by John Stewart and had hits like - Chilly Winds and many many more. In 1967 after ten years Nick Reynolds left and so did John Stewart. Bob Shane has carried the group on for over 40 years with various other singers & musicians filling the void left by the original players.

Well this 90 minute Standard Format DVD (really 74 without commercials) is a fantastic but brief flashback into the golden years of folk music with this 1981 "The Kingston Trio and Friends Reunion" show now on a Collector's DVD.

Special Guests/Friends include; Host Tommy Smothers, Mary Travers (from Peter, Paul & Mary), Lindsey Buckingham of "Fleetwood Mac" playing bass and trio members, Dave Guard (first time with group in 20 years), John Stewart, George Grove and Roger Gambill.

20 of the Trios Greatest Hits are included. A brief musical experience from their hundreds of great songs they recorded.

This is a keeper and a must for your musical DVD library. Enjoy!

16 of 16 found the following review helpful:

For Those Who Missed Them in PersonMar 30, 2004
By Raymond G. Crow "Music-in-the-Mist"
I saw the KT in Arlington Heights IL in the early 70's when the only original member left was Bob Shane - they were very good - but I missed my favorite lineup of the Guard Trio - now I get to see them and Stewart as well ---- On the DVD the quips about Stewart blowing the banjo part was in there as well as the line about Adrenaline city and the CHILLY WINDS with Tommy Smothers - its all there --- and I have finally come to the realization of what a great banjo player George Grove was --- it was and is a treat ...

13 of 13 found the following review helpful:

Great DVD has FULL concertJun 12, 2003

After reading the other reviews of the TAPE of this program, it is great to report that all the things that they complained about being left out are on the DVD - "Chilly Winds" and the comments between songs. My only complaint is that the time on the package is listed as 90 minutes and it actually runs about one hour and 14 min.

I have been a true Kingston Trio fan from their first album and it is wonderful to see and hear all the people who have been members of the Trio. Bob Shane is the glue of the Trio and what has kept it going through the years and he is GREAT on the DVD. No one can do "Scotch and Soda" as he does.

Of course it would have been wonderful to hear all of the favorites such as "Merry Minuet" but to have this concert on DVD is a terrific treat.

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