THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST.
Added 8/31/2009
WATCHING THIS DVD BROUGHT BACK MANY MEMORIES OF THE SIXTIES. THE MUSIC, THE ATTITUDE, ALONG WITH A GLIMPSE OF A THE LIVES OUT MUSICAL HEROES WERE LIVING. THE MUSIC IS INCREDIBLE. THE SCENES WHERE THEY ARE INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER DURING THEIR TRAIN TRECK ACROSS CANADA IS A VIEW INTO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE TUNE IN, TURN ON GENERATION.
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A Chance For The Young!
Added 7/28/2009
I am a dinosaur. I have been a Deadhead since the year this movie was made, and seeing Jerry and the gang, especially Pigpen, so young again was a wonderful treat. Seeing Janice Joplin and the rest of the great artists in this film was also something very special. This is a wonderful chance for those who are too young to have seen these artists to experience them. I highly recommend this film!
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Expressive
Added 4/26/2009
I'd been looking forward to this for a long time, having savoured the films of Woodstock, Monterey and the Isle of Wight for their evocation of a time which could just conceivably turn out to represent the greatest degree of mass enlightenment ever achieved by the human race. Why do I say this about a bunch of stoned hippies listening to music? Well, mainly because of the music. The best of Hendrix, the Doors, Janis and many others is positively otherworldly, and if anyone's made music like that since about 1973, I for one haven't heard it yet. Anyway,this time it is Janis's turn, and while she's not quite at her very best, she's still a mile more intense, interesting and, for want of a better word, devoted, than any other female rock vocalist of the last 50 years. Even putting Janis aside, this is a fine and rare piece of music-history film, and as with the best of this type of thing (viz Rock'n'Roll Circus) to watch is to feel like you're entering something like Pharoah's tomb: a different, wonderful, weird world. And although it's only 40 years ago, it feels as far away as ancient Egypt in many ways. Another interesting act is Buddy Guy. Eric Clapton called him without a doubt, and by far, the best rock guitarist ever. You get a rare taste of him here, and for that alone it's a disc well worth buying.
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One of a kind Live footage!
Added 2/13/2009
Quite an amazing show, the quality of the video is great- it looks like it was shot last month. Live footage of Janis, Seatrain, The Band, Ian & Sylvia - Plus a band called "The Grateful Dead"! A real piece of history, and a lot of fun to watch.
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A must for Dead, Band, Janis freaks
Added 12/27/2008
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.
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