The Festival Express 1970

What a ride!  Really and truly, last night was a time-travel ride. The Train trip/concerts in 3 Canadian cities was recorded over 40 years ago and the film languished in basements or garages until discovered in the late 90s. The finished film was released in 2003 and is considered one of the best performance films of the decade. Billed as the "longest party in rock-n-roll history" it is all that, and more.

The documentary itself is painful to watch at times, but worth it in the end. The all but forgotten 'festival tour' lost money in the end, but the film offers up some incredible performances on stage and a backstage glimpse of the many artists on the train ride itself. Jamming, boozing, and just hanging out together.

The Band, Grateful Dead, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Buddy Guy Blues Band, Mashmakan, Ian & Sylvia, and of course, Janis Joplin, are all here doing what they did best back in the day.  You may not know some of the performers anymore, but they were top-billed in the late 60s, early 70s.  I saw many of the acts at Fillmore East in NYC with friends no longer around for one reason or another.

A great trip back in time, the film reminded me of the good (and bad) experiences of the period.  Nice to see all those happy young faces at the height of their talent and the beginning of their careers. A few would go on, while others managed to screw up their lives or ruin their gifts by any means possible.  Still, they are here for all to see.

Watching Janis I couldn't help but wonder 'what if' she had fewer demons and nurtured her talent; imagine where she would be today. Like a modern-day Ethel Waters or Bessie Smith, perhaps?  The highest paid female in the business at the time Janis always gave a knockout performance, especially with her own band.

Near the end of the film there is a complete performance by Janis doing "Tell Mama" where she soothes, pounds, interacts with the audience, and tears the song (and our hearts) apart as only she could.  I had to stop the film for a few minutes to catch my breath.

I must admit there were times during the viewing that I felt the need to open windows to rid the room of the smell of pot and booze, but neither was present.  Was it "smell-o-vision" or just my senses being flung against a wall of the past?  Dunno, but it was a damn good ride.

These artists did it all without the need for electronic sampling, digital manipulation, vocal enhancement, background tracks, or lip-sync'ing.  They were out there - naked - and gave everything for their audience.  And we knew it, took it for granted, and appreciated it without question.

Don't tell anyone, but I found this 2 - DVD set in a $5.00 bin at Wal*Mart (of all places) and snatched it up quickly.  No deep thinking required on this one. I will treasure it and watch it from time to time when I feel nostalgic or in need of some real 'feel good' rock-n-roll.

Here's more.

And so it goes.  Again.
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