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25 of 25 found the following review helpful:
 One of the Best Tap Videos Available!!! Nov 17, 2003
By Peter Flahiff
I'm a dance teacher at the University of Southern California (USC) specializing in American Vernacular Dances and a tap dancer as well. Having taught at dance festivals and tap seminars all over the world, I know the difference between good and bad teaching. This video is absolutely one of the best- produced and entertaining instructional videos I have ever seen. The fact that the video includes commentary from Leonard Reed himself is worth the price of the tape -- this man is a true living legend. But the instruction is top-notch, too. Rusty Frank is an acclaimed tap instructor and producer who really knows how to break steps down. I was very grateful to see her explaining and demonstrating the steps in such a personable fashion, and so clearly! She then repeats the steps from the reverse so the student can join in, and she does so (thank HEAVENS!) without calling out the steps over the taps. I have seen other videos where the teacher calls out the steps the whole time, making it difficult to hear the taps clearly, and Ms. Frank obviously knows how trying this can be. The music, which was apparently composed specifically for this video, is perfect too...just the right feel for this classic dance. Overall, I believe this to be one of the perfect beginners tap tapes. I have seen students who have never tapped before, master the Shim Sham with just this tape. Well done, Rusty Frank!
15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
Easily to follow even if you're not a tap dancer! Nov 18, 2002
By Ana J. Mínguez
When I bought this tape I was not a tap dancer and yet I made it through quite easily. Afterwards, when I started attending tap dance classes, I decided to show my teacher what I had learned with the tape, in order to check and see if I had learned it well and if it looked "real" or not. She was awestruck at how I had managed to do it with just a videotape and without knowing how to tap dance. The secret is a good teacher using a good method. I highly recommend it. You're gonna have a great time, for sure!
13 of 13 found the following review helpful:
Great for all level tappers! Jan 04, 2002
I'm an advanced tapper, and tap instructor - years ago I was in a tap troupe in San Francisco, and was in a performance or two with Rusty Franks, the producer of, and instructor in this video. I found this tape to be a solid, yet enjoyable documentation of Leonard Reed's shim sham shimmy. There are many forms of it in this video, and all are presented in such a way that, for the beginning tapper it might require a bit of rewinding at first, but because she gives two slower first run-throughs that are shot from behind her feet, the viewer gets a good look at what her feet are doing, and shouldn't be difficult to learn the steps. Everything takes a little bit of work, and diligence, after all. For the intermediate to advanced tapper it's terrific! I found myself fast-forwarding through the slower repetitions of the combinations, to what she so nicely refers to as "The Brighter" version, meaning faster. It's eventually done to music, so there is a good progression from basics to performance level. She's a wonderful tapper, and this video is a lovely homage to one of the greats. I'm glad to see she's still tapping!
16 of 17 found the following review helpful:
All tap dancers need this video! Jan 11, 2000
By Elle
"Elle"
For quite a while, I have been looking for a Shim Sham Shimmy video or clear written instructions on the dance. I am more than pleased with this video. It is wonderfully organized in an up-beat, easy-to-learn fashion. I have loaned this video to a 7 year old student and she had no problem following it. (But it's just as much fun for a 50+ student as well!) A great buy!
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Wonderful Instructional Video May 17, 2002
For anyone interested in learning this historic tap dance -- this is the tape for you! First of all, you get to hear THE man himself introduce the dance. How exciting to see and hear Leonard Reed tell the story of his 1927 Shim Sham. He looks great! Secondly, Rusty Frank's teaching of the dance is clear, accessible, and proceeds at a do-able speed. She teaches the dance just as though you were in a tap class: She explains the material, demonstrates it towards you, then breaks it down with her back to the camera, so you can learn everything step-by-step without have to contort yourself to see what's going on. She's personable, without being over-the-top. She shows you the dance cleanly, so you can see each step distinctly. (It's also clear that she is capable of much more -- so thanks from this tapper for keeping it simple!). If you've ever wanted to learn this historic dance, GET this tape!
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