It's been twenty years since film director David Leivick started the cameras rolling on an evening of Gospel at California's famed Paramount Theatre. It's still a riveting as ever, and with DVD technology now enhancing the experience, this is a must-have from Monterey Media.

Billed simply as Gospel and in the form of a 'movie' experience, the cameras get on stage with film directing and angles that truly give the impression of being there. Concert promoter Reginald Stephens brought together luminaries that included The Clark Sisters, Rev. James Cleveland, Shirley Caesar, Edwin and Walter Hawkins and family and The Mighty Clouds of Joy.

When it was released in 1982, noted movie reviewers Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert and Leonard Maltin were all in agreement as to its unsurpassed quality, freely tossing around rare superlatives. No wonder, for the footage is excellent and along with plenty of audience participation shots, makes for a front-seat experience.

Where else can you revel in 'days-gone-by' captures of The Clark Sisters —all five of them, freely singing, ad libbing and creating congregational enthusiasm by way of "Is My Living In Vain", the infectious "Hallelujah" and "Name It and Claim It"? (See more features on the Clark Family)

Where else can you check out classic Edwin Hawkins Singers, with solos from Tramaine, Walter, Edwin and Lynette? "Goin' To A Place" and "Right On" are still worthy after all these years, and Walter Hawkins' encore appearance where he gets the entire crowd to worship along with him on "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" is simply wonderful.

Where else can you check out legends such as Rev. James Cleveland with his Southern California Community Choir, singing classics such as "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired" and "Waiting On You"? Or The Mighty Clouds of Joy with "Might High", or even Shirley Caesar on "No Charge" and "He's Got It All Under Control"?

The added DVD options on this release are rather meagre (brief artist bios, venue highlights and a quick scrapbook of the concert). No problem, it is surely the concert proceedings that are a magnet, and make this project a keepsake anyhow.