I love this performance because the track is good [for a non-Motown, but trying-to-be-authentic version by the Shindig house band] and I think the girls sound good, too. Considering how the group eventually shifted into performing sped-up versions of most of their hits, this is pretty darn close to the original. I hear both Mary and Flo--at times one more than the other--and it seems to go back and forth. As a group, I think they sound good in this one.
As for the dresses... These shifts were bright, sunny yellow with white polka-dots [and they were absolutely called "The Sunshine Daisy Dollops"--just kidding. If you get the joke, hopefully you laughed!] and they were probably considered quite nice for a daytime, young adult look at the time. The problem for them in this appearance is that it was broadcast in black and white and so the tone of their skin against the golden yellow is entirely lost along with the white polka dots. It's a shame. That said, at this time in the first part of 1965, I don't think the girls hadn't entirely crossed over to performing in gowns and were still wearing daytime dresses during some TV appearances when it seemed to fit. Shindig! was geared towards pre-teens and teenagers and was supposed to be a little less formal--sort of like a party--so to me it made sense that the girls dressed to match the venue. I just can't imagine DMF wearing gowns while standing on those pedestals! Heck, as it was, one wrong move and there was a Supreme-ankle being sliced open on one of those faux-spikes! LOL
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