Festival Express
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Movie Reviews of Festival Express
Movie Review: A must for Dead, Band, Janis freaks
Summary: 5 Stars
I watch the extra footage sometimes just for Hard to Handle and Easy Wind, both excellent performances featuring Pigpen. Deadheads, think of those as a "dicks picks" with video. In the movie portion, Janis has a couple of fine performances and The Band more than holds its own in the regular part of the movie.
I bought this the day the "extended two disc set" came out and should have written a review long ago. If you ever traveled long miles to see The Band, or The Grateful Dead then buy this dvd. Festival Express brings these bands right to you, young and vital and having fun.
It's funny, or fun to watch some of the other bands, and to see a glimpse of ourselves "as others see us" as concert goers.
This is a lot more natural and less showbiz than "The Last Waltz", more homey but not as epic as "Woodstock". It belongs in that tier of rock movies, though because how well it captures and presents performances of these bands, and because of the "backstage pass" onto the train.
The young and drunk Janis, Jerry and Rick on the train singing "No More Cane" is as bittersweet as several reviewers have mentioned. Jerry Garcia stepping forward to face the rioting freeloaders shows the real and wry and confident Jerry Garcia.
If you've got a spouse or friend who still buys "Dicks Picks" or "Road Trips" of the Dead or who still talks about how perfect "The Band" concerts were, they will love this. If you're the one who fits that description, either you have Festival Express, or you need it now.
Movie Review: Powerful, heartfelt rock documentary.
Summary: 5 Stars
This rock documentary chronicles the journey via train, of several famous rock bands performing throughout Canada, in the summer of 1970. Most of the acts aboard the Festival Express train, were legendary; The Grateful Dead, The Band, Janis Joplin, Buddy Guy, etc.
The film emphasized the genuine camaraderie, between the bands as they travel on the train between performances. They were more like drinking buddies having the time of their lives together, than egocentric rock stars. Much jovial fun was had by them all, throughout their train trip together through Canada.
The performances by the musicians, were exciting and energetic. Janis Joplin's performance, was especially powerful and electrifying. The Grateful Dead, led by a young Jerry Garcia, gave a sensational performance as well. The viewer can see why the Dead, were the reigning kings of psychedelic rock. Buddy Guy and his blues band, played with an absolute, ecstatic joyfulness.
The overall tone of this film was uplifting, despite the troubles of the overextended promoters, and the scuffles between the Canadian police and the audiences, that took place at the concerts. There is a palpable sense of hippie idealism left over from the 60s, throughout this film. It was as if The Festival Express concerts, were truly the swan song of the 60s counterculture utopia, rather than Woodstock.
This film is a must-see, for those who want to see some trailblazing rock musicians in action, and how they helped influence the 60s counterculture.
Movie Review: Best Concert film
Summary: 5 Stars
Festival Express is a documentary film about three concerts that took place in 1970 during a one week period. The concerts were linked together because all the musicians travelled and lived together on a private Canadian Railroad train which was open only to the perfomers, roadies and a few groupies. No one left the train during that week except to perform in the concerts. The movie was not realeased until recently due to legal issues; but if it had been released when it was shot, it would have attracted more attention and would be more well known as well as easily rank as one of the greatest concert movies of all times. The movie shows "behind the scenes" as well as "on stage" for some of the most iconic bands and performers who ever lived; Janis Joplin, the Greatful Dead, The Band and more. The week long train trip is shown in context and the movie audience gets a unique look into the life style behind the concerts as well as the three incredible concerts. By the time the train arrived for the final show in Calgary, the personalities on the train had fused into a rock and roll family; and that is what makes these filmed concerts different than all other films. I was on that train and that trip was the greatest rock and roll experience I ever had but more importantly; the movie captures all the thrills, chills, and excitement of being on the train. If you were not on the train, you can still get on board.Movie Review: Those who refused to go in must be feeling pretty silly
Summary: 5 Stars
My only complaint with this DVD is that it is not long enough.
This film captured so much of the catalytic days of the late 60s and early 70s, including a youth movement that imploded on its own sense of unrealistic idealism.
The promoter seems a little embittered, rightly so, that these shows were protested and boycotted because they were not free like Woodstock. Despite losing his shirt on this event, he pulled out all of the stops for the acts that had signed on and as the result, his concert promotion has taken its place in history as a moment that transformed most of those on board the train.
The music of the 60s in its purest form was an experiment in free living, free thinking, and improvisation. These elements are present abundantly on this video. Heck, the footage of Janis alone is worth the price, but there are many more jewels in this disc, too many to mention. Suffice it to say that by the end of the train ride many of the traditional barriers had broken away, including who belonged to what band. The resulting free form explorations are an absolute joy to behold.
This may be one of the last vestiges of the "utopian experiement" that was the 60s. For what it is worth, it lives on in the hearts and minds of many of us who were involved.
This is a must have in any collection of music from this era.
Movie Review: Time capsule
Summary: 5 Stars
The DVD packaging is confusing, the second disk is just more interviews and a "making of" feature. The additional 50 minutes are on the main DVD, took me a while to figure that out.
The concert performances are hit and miss. Sha Na Na is just awful, looking back I guess they were the William Hung of the 70s, very campy. Janis sings two songs, on "Cry Baby" she's a little off (I think she strains her voice on the first scream), but "Tell Mama" is perfect, vintage Janis. The Dead is dead-on, and The Band turns in a respectable performance. For me, a young skinny Buddy Guy steals the show with some smoking guitar solos.
The best part of the movie is the on-the-train jamming between concerts. "Better Take Jesus' Hand" with Garcia singing is just wonderful. The most unforgettable line is when Garcia says to Janis "I've loved you ever since the day I saw you" and she just cackles.
The touted "never before seen footage" is okay, mainly second tier acts. The Dead do a couple of blues songs and Buddy Guy plays a scorching version of "Hootchie Cootchie Man". But the real treat here is Janis singing "Move over" and "Kozmic Blues", one of her best performances, easily the highlight of the DVD package.
I give this DVD 6 stars for historical value, 4 stars for musical quality, and -5 stars for the DVD packaging.