In some ways this is a coda to "Girl Groups: The Story Of A Sound" and to Ellie Greenwich's side of the story as told in "Leader Of The Pack", but this live set is depending on one's viewpoint, either unfortunate or merely sad. This DVD features Greenwich's ex-husband and songwriting partner, Brill Building legend Jeff Barry hosting performances of his classic songs by artists running the gamut from old cohorts (Ronnie Spector, The Crystals, The Dixie Cups) to besotted worshippers (Brian Wilson) to somewhat more contemporary interpreters (Deniece Williams, Jeffrey Osborne). Alas, this DVD merely presents ossified oldies performances for the most part which fail to capture the power of the Brill Building pop factory.

The producers of "Girl Groups" chose the wrong clip of the Ronettes doing "Be My Baby" (a clip from Shindig instead of the incindiary perfomance from "The Big TNT Show"), and in some ways that's a foretaste of what we see here on "Chapel Of Love". As much as Brian Wilson is besotted with "Be My Baby", his haunted soul just doesn't have the power to do justice to this legendary track. I don't particularly understand why "Be My Baby" has become a song to turn into mush. The performance here is reminiscent almost of Andy Kim or even John Lennon's misfired cover of "Be My Baby", unlike the original record, which simply demands to be played loud, with all of its boom and bombast (Hal Blaine deserves sainthood for this one 7" sliver of vinyl). Brian's heartfelt in his love of the song, but it's a misfire - Brian himself did it much better on "Live At The Roxy".

Oddly enough, Ronnie herself is trotted out for the next song, "I Can Hear Music". The Ronettes' original version never got its due, more likely due to unfortunate release timing than any Spectorian machinations, but the Beach Boys' version was a respectful take on the song which brought its own vision. It was a great favorite of mine on 20/20 (and in certain ways I think it was a better recording than the single "Do It Again", which really only showed its potential on "Live In London"). Unfortunately, Ronnie's voice is a shadow of what it once was, and the "duet" with Brian just seems more suited to a tour of Florida condos than a rock and roll celebration.