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Woodstock Diary 1969 (DVD)
2009 is the 40th anniversary of Three Days of Peace and Love at
Yasgur's farm in upstate New York. the film of the event has been
around for many years and has been available in different formats.
Woodstock Diary has slightly more of
a documentary feel than the original Woodstock film including many
interviews with those who were there and organised the event. Some
of the music included was in the original film, Ritchie Havens'
Freedom for example, others such as The Incredible String Band
briefly performing When You Find
Out Who You Are had not been included. Havens explains that
Freedom one of the iconic songs of the festival was made-up on
the spot. It does capture the atmosphere so well.
The DVD is divided into the three
days of the Festival. Following Havens is Country Joe & the Fish
with the favourite Fish cheer and Fixin' to Die. The sun is
still shining at this point! John Sebastian brings the Californian
attitude and appeals to the campers in the crowd before his solo
performance. The aforementioned Incredible String Band arrive by
helicopter. Unfortunately, judgement of their performance quality is
not possible because of the all too short clip. Bet Sommer's
Jennifer keeps to a gentle vibe before Tim Hardin's If I Were
a Carpenter. The latter is just vocals and guitar and sounds
incredibly powerful. Ravi Shanker arrives as it turns dark. The
Indian sitar music fits perfectly alongside the more laid back
acoustic music of earlier in the day. Arlo Guthrie provides his
interpretation of Walkin' Down the Line as the crowd is
informed that New York State Freeway is closed. Joan Baez finishes
the Friday evening section of the Diary with Drug Store Trick
Drivin' Man and Sir Galahad.
The stage footage is interspersed
with plenty of crowd shots to other music from the festival such as
Joe Cocker's superb rendition of Bob Dyan's I Shall be Released.
To be completed.
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