Author Topic: Festival Express (Read 206 times)

dela217 · « **on:** November 07, 2004, 05:11:35 PM »

Anyone see this movie yet? I just noticed it tonight for rent at Blockbuster. I think it is a recent release. It is supposed to be a bunch of bands from 1970. The Greatful Dead, Janice Joplin and others. It documents their travels through Canada. What got me curious is that on the cover it looks like old what's his name from the Grateful Dead (I am not into the Dead so I don't know his name) is playing an acoustic guitar with an Alembic headstock. I am going to rent it some night when I have time and just check out the gear.

lbpesq · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2004, 06:59:47 PM »

My copy is on the way from my DVD online source. A friend saw the film in the theater and I have read a bit about it. The reviews are EXCELLENT! I have heard that even if you don't like Joplin (are there such people?) her performance will give you goose bumps.

As background, some Canadian promoters got the idea, following Woodstock, to do a series of little Woodstocks across Canada. They got all the bands together and chartered a train to take them around. Financially it was a failure - several concerts were cancelled by local authorities at the last minute, others didn't sell, etc. A guy went along and shot it on film. Not too long ago the guy's son found the film in a box in the garage gathering dust. He then found the soundtrack in the Canadain national archives, or something like that. They put the two together, waved the magic modern remastering wand over the whole thing, and the result is Festival Express. There are great scenes of the different musicians jamming on the train, as well as the concert footage. Includes the Dead, the Band, Buddy Guy (who some claim steals the film), Janice, NRPS, I think Canned Heat, a couple of others and

get ready,

hold your hats,

are you sitting down?

SHA NA NA!!!!!

I very much looking forward to receiving my copy.

Bill, tgo

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2004, 05:06:55 AM »

Jerry, Bob and Phil are all playing Gibsons during the onstage segemnts. The Dead material is primarily from The Workingman's Dead and Pigpen plays harp and sings. The sound is excellent.
There's no sign of Canned Heat, but Seatrain are among the extra song selections not included in the movie. A band called Mashmakahn does a couple of tracks. Also check out the extra interviews on the second disc.
Mike

(Message edited by dadabass2001 on November 08, 2004)

jacko · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2004, 05:21:11 AM »

this was out on release in september in the uk but never made it to scotland ;-( I'm looking forward to it coming out on region 2 (or region free). Trying to track down the grateful dead movie on r2 aswell if anyone knows a source?

geddy · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2004, 01:33:34 PM »

You had to go and mention buddy guy is in it, now I must buy, aargh!

lbpesq · « **Reply #5 on:** November 09, 2004, 11:55:59 PM »

I just finished watching Festival Express.

There's still a bunch of extras I haven't checked out yet - 50 minutes of music and a whole second disk. This film is GREAT! Everyone is so young and having an incredible time on this party train moving west through Canada. The performances are wonderful. The Dead playing acoustic with Pigpen on harp doing Workingman's Dead era material.

The Band is incredible. Great The Weight. Hard to believe so many are now gone: Garth, Richard, Rick...

There's a scene on the train where everyone is drunk and Danko and Janice are singing Ain't No More Cain, accompanied by Jerry on a Strat, Bobby on an acoustic. In one shot Jerry is onstage playing a Tele!

Janice's performances bring goosebumps. Buddy Guy is amazing. I can't wait to watch the rest, but I have to get up early.

Two BIG Thumbs Up!!!!

Bill, tgo

jacko · « **Reply #6 on:** November 10, 2004, 12:44:09 AM »

Play.com says the region 2 version isn't out until 28th february next year ;-( Think it's time I got a region free dvd player.