Festival Express is a documentary chronicling a week long rock festival going on in Canada with some of the biggest stars at the time, which was in 1970. Instead of taking them across Canada on planes, the musicians and their crew went on the VIA Rail (a.k.a. Canadian National Railway), which was a unique idea at the time. The tour visits three cities (Toronto, Winnipeg, and Calgary).
We learn about what went on in between travels and about the difficulty that this tour went through from those who experienced it. Whether it was the protests from fans who felt they should get to see these concerts for free as paying for them would be hypocritical, the stop over in Saskatoon to fill up on booze, or the party jamming that was done all day and night between stops the film discusses it at length.
Of course, the musical numbers are the big reason to check this out as we see some legendary talent perform. Bluesman Buddy Guy, a favorite of mine, delivers a blistering performance of "Money (That's What I Want)". The Grateful Dead, The Band, and The Flying Burrito Brothers deliver the popular country-rock that was big at the time, with The Band's "The Weight" being the showstopper here for me. Ian and Sylvia Tyson's Great Speckled Bird join up with The Dead for a superb cover of "See See Rider" as well as a few other fine performances.
Of course, the final paragraph must be about Janis Joplin. Even 35 years after her death, no woman has come close to matching her stage presence. Janis didn't need to spend millions like Madonna or Britney Spears on slam dancers or extra entertainment to mask their weaknesses. Janis would get on that stage alone and her singing and sharp wit would be all that was needed. Despite being near the end, she was performing at her peak as we hear her belt out "Cry Baby" and "Tell Mama".
All in all, a fine documentary; if you are a fan of the music of this era you should get this DVD.
We learn about what went on in between travels and about the difficulty that this tour went through from those who experienced it. Whether it was the protests from fans who felt they should get to see these concerts for free as paying for them would be hypocritical, the stop over in Saskatoon to fill up on booze, or the party jamming that was done all day and night between stops the film discusses it at length.
Of course, the musical numbers are the big reason to check this out as we see some legendary talent perform. Bluesman Buddy Guy, a favorite of mine, delivers a blistering performance of "Money (That's What I Want)". The Grateful Dead, The Band, and The Flying Burrito Brothers deliver the popular country-rock that was big at the time, with The Band's "The Weight" being the showstopper here for me. Ian and Sylvia Tyson's Great Speckled Bird join up with The Dead for a superb cover of "See See Rider" as well as a few other fine performances.
Of course, the final paragraph must be about Janis Joplin. Even 35 years after her death, no woman has come close to matching her stage presence. Janis didn't need to spend millions like Madonna or Britney Spears on slam dancers or extra entertainment to mask their weaknesses. Janis would get on that stage alone and her singing and sharp wit would be all that was needed. Despite being near the end, she was performing at her peak as we hear her belt out "Cry Baby" and "Tell Mama".
All in all, a fine documentary; if you are a fan of the music of this era you should get this DVD.