Last Man Standing
Starring: Jerry Lee LewisStudio: Artist First
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Running Time: 120 minutes
DVD Release: March 6th 2007
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DVD Review
It's called Last Man Standing, an apt-enough description when you consider that so many of his peers, like Sun Records mentor Sam Phillips and "Million Dollar Quartet" partners Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins, are six feet under. But Jerry Lee Lewis doesn't spend a lot of time on his feet during any portion of this two-hour show, the visual complement to his 2006 CD Last Man Standing: The Duets. Truth is, at 71, the Ferriday (Louisiana) Fireball is fairly rickety; sitting almost immobile at the keyboard, he's a far cry from the rock & roll firebrand who'd leap to his feet, kick away his piano stool, and wail, his golden locks flying. So this meeting between Lewis and about a dozen singing partners, ranging from fellow veterans (Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard) to relative youngsters (Chris Isaak, Norah Jones, Kid Rock), would have been more exciting had it happened, say, 10 years ago. It's still pretty cool. Lewis' piano chops are strong; his singing, while obviously weaker than in his heyday, ain't half bad either; he's got a great band, including guitarists Nils Lofgren and Rolling Stone Ron Wood and drummer Jim Keltner; and both he and his guests (not to mention the studio audience) are having a hellacious good time. Of course, he's still playing "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On," the two rock & roll classics that bookend this 28-song set. But most of the repertoire emphasizes Lewis' country roots: there are Hank Williams chestnuts ("Your Cheatin' Heart" with Jones, "Jambalaya" with Nelson, "You Win Again" with Don Henley), genre classics ("Will the Circle Be Unbroken," with Kristofferson and John Fogerty), country blues ("Hadacol Boogie," with Buddy Guy), country-flavored rock ("Little Queenie" and "Honky Tonk Women" with Rock)... even a country fried version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," with Isaak. It's all a bit tame, but Last Man Standing (which includes some vintage Lewis performance clips, interviews, and a few brief bonus features) is nonetheless a worthy celebration of a national treasure. --Sam Graham
User Reviews
All Killer - Rating: 4/5
I had the pleasure of seeing Jerry Lee Lewis live this year at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Looking aged and not moving too well he was escorted to his piano. Then something great happened: as soon as he started to play the years melted away and he was the famed Killer once again.
Last Man Standing tries to show this side of Jerry Lee through a sort of tribute concert/studio recording session for his most recent Duets album.
The concert portion filmed in LA on September 29, 2006 has Mr.Lewis rocking with a group of admirers who all seemed awed to be in his presence. There are legendary performances from Tom Jones, Soloman Burke, Norah Jones and others. The band cooks but is a little guitar heavy at times with Ronnie Wood taking his Stone on Loan persona on the road.
The studio portion of the disc features performances by John Fogerty, Kris Kristofferson, and Merle Haggard.
This is a disc to see if you are a fan of legendary rock and roll.
last man standing dvd - Rating: 5/5
i think this a great buy
i personally enjoyed the whole dvd the guest artists were great
and j.l.l. himself was brilliant( for a guy of his age)
reccommend this to all j.l.l. fans
Jerry Lee Doin' His Very Best - Rating: 5/5
This is a fantastic dvd. Jerry Lee is better than ever and he has brought along several friends. Tom Jones on End of the Road is quite a treat. Mr. Jones clearly has stock in whatever company markets Botox. Also, Kris Kristofferson is great on "Once More With Feeling". Doin' his very best.
Last Man Standing - Rating: 5/5
"The Killer" still can rock.... Great to see a living legend sing with the lokes of Tom Jones, Willie Nelson and Nora Jones. He still has the voice and the moves (a little slower).
A great talent, a great video!!
Supereb - Rating: 5/5
What's not to like? This was by far the best concert video I have ever purchased. Vintage Jerry Lee. He still has "it." Could have watched 90 minutes more. (Here's hoping for an encore performance!)Viewed this on an airplane, and it attracted considerable attention from people sitting nearby and even the flight attendants. Jerry's greatness and legacy is just as evident today as 40 years ago. A wonderful experience with a recommended "don't miss"!
