ThinkFilm latest FESTIVAL EXPRESS Directed by Bob Smeaton
By Robin Steeley
“It was a train full of insane people, careening across the Canadian country side, making music night and day, and occasionally we’d get off the train and go play a concert”…..Phil Lesh
In the summer of 1970 there were a series of music festivals across Canada where musicians, promoters, and crew traveled by train, creating history. A meandering tale of music, camaraderie, and mischief it’s about everything the 70’s were famous for; music, revolution, and the burgeoning of Rock and Roll. A traveling party rich in history, a different scene in every car and not a moment of rest, It was a menagerie of legendary players and those lucky enough to be a part of it.
The movie has a vintage feel, a surreal, almost dreamlike quality to it. The use of split screens gave them the opportunity to show as much original footage as possible and allowed it to keep with filmmaking standards of the time. It features never before seen footage of performers such as The Band, The Grateful Dead, Buddy Guy, Janis Joplin, and many other top performers of the day. It was a remarkable opportunity to see legends making music together. The movie also features personal commentary by many of the musicians involved, such as Mickey Hart, Buddy Guy, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir.
Although the tour was not without controversy, promoters had their share of problems, losing money because the crowds in Canada decided that the music should be free and balked at the $14 ticket price. In a time of protest and revolution, the shows were just one more excuse for people to revolt for a cause. Unlike many of today’s industry professionals, promoter Ken Walker took excellent care of the musicians, it became a musical orient express.
Highlights include outstanding live performances by the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin. The most amazing part of the entire film is the achingly poignant performance of the late great Janis Joplin singing “Cry Baby”, only months before her death, a reminder of what an incredible artist the world lost.
As the tour wound to a close, everyone expressed sadness to see it end, having formed solid friendships and collectively felt the feeling of suspended reality that comes with being on tour, small crystal moments in time.
"They were partying all night long. I was afraid to go to sleep because I knew I would miss something!"….. Buddy Guy
An endless summer party, even though it was four years before I was born, if I could I would go back in time and be on the Festival Express, just to sit between Janis and Jerry on that rambling train and watch them create together would have been a lifetime of incredible moments. At one point in time, Jerry leans over to Janis and says, "I have loved you since the first moment I saw you".
Overall, its one of the most outstanding music documentaries I have ever seen and would be necessary for any collection. ThinkF!ilm did an incredible job of bringing the Festival Express back to life.
“The next time you throw a train, invite me man!”….Janis Joplin
