Amazon.com It's the big names--like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Johnny Cash, and Peter, Paul & Mary--who command most of the attention, but they aren't what director-producer Murray Lerner's Festival!, a 97-minute, black & white chronicle of the Newport (Rhode Island) Folk Festival in 1963, '64, and '65, is really all about. In fact, while those artists were the face of that era's folk boom, their music hasn't aged especially well; with the exception of Dylan (who appears both solo and with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, who helped him break the sound barrier in '65) and Cash, their songs were so earnest, their delivery so pristine and humorless, that these days they evoke squirm-inducing parallels to Christopher Guest's folk satire A Mighty Wind. It's the clips of, say, the Blue Ridge Mountain Dancers, with their virtuoso square dance moves; the high, lonesome bluegrass of the Osborne Brothers; the deep gospel of the Georgia Sea Island Singers and the Staple Singers; the down home Delta blues (or, as he spells it, "b-l-u-s-e") of Son House, or even the astonishing Cousin Emmy, who plays "Turkey in the Straw" on her cheeks, that remind us that "folk" encompasses a great deal more than protest singers strumming acoustic guitars. As for Lerner's stated intention to "make a film about something bigger than music… a film that was an expression of this new culture," sure, whatever; there are plenty of interviews with artists and concert-goers alike to back that up. But Festival! revolves around the music, and therein lies its major flaw: namely, the lack of complete performances of any songs, which reduces the film's status from essential to merely interesting. --Sam Graham
Product Description A collection of performances by folk, rock, country and blues artists at the Newport Folk Festival.
Before Woodstock there was the 1963 Newport Folk Festival.July 3, 2009 Paul Tognetti(Cranston, RI USA) In 2009 The Newport Folk Festival celebrates its 50th Anniversary. What makes this year's show so special is that the two co-founders of the festival (producer George Wein and the legendary folk icon Pete Seeger, who just turned 90!) return to Newport with an impressive lineup of talent. I hope to be there! In 1963, The Newport Folk Festival presented what most folkies consider to be the most remarkable festival ever. Included on the bill that year were such groundbreaking performers as Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, The Staple Singers, Pete, Paul & Mary, Donovan and of course Pete Seeger who seems to pop up everywhere in this show. Thank goodness that someone way back then (Murray Lerner) had the great good sense to record the entire show for posterity. Unfortunately, nothing was done with this remarkable footage until 2005 when Eagle Vision Media finally released the 97 minute B & W documentary simply called "Festival!" This is as significant a piece of American musical history as you are going to find anywhere. To my way of thinking this one blows "Woodstock" away.
In "Festival!" not only you do get to see all of the aformentioned big names perform but you also get a rare opportunity to sample the handiwork of some incredible acts that you might not be familiar with such as the bluegrass legends The Osborne Brothers, veteran bluesmen Son House and Mississippi John Hurt and the incredible gospel offerings of the Georgia Sea Island Singers. Meanwhile, there are short interviews with some of the performers and with members of the audience as well. It is quite apparent that something revolutionary was bubbling beneath the surface and that very soon the times would be a-changing.
There are so many remarkable performances in this film that I really don't know where to begin. For me the best of the bunch is Dylan performing "Mr. Tambourine Man" and a very young Johnny Cash singing his first big hit "I Walk The Line". But for me the most poignant moment has to be Peter, Paul & Mary performing "Blowin" In The Wind". It is so apparent that these three people passionately believe in what they are singing about. More than four decades later Peter Paul & Mary are still "walkin' the walk" for the causes they believe in.
As I indicated earlier "Festival!" is one of the most remarkable concerts you will ever see. The musical and historical significance of this show cannot be underestimated. What Murray Lerner was able to accomplish by chronicling this event for us is priceless. I urge you to seek this disc out and give it a look. Very highly recommended!
A Classic Freedom Era DocumentaryOctober 11, 2008 David 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This a well produced documentary featuring many of the background and future famous emissaries of folk music. It was great to have so many performers on stage live in one DVD. I also enjoyed that it was in a black and white format. Seeing a young Joan Baez and Bob Dylan as well as those that inspired them was awesome. This is a great DVD for many of us denizens of the 60 and 70"s music and philosophic scene.
An era of care for the common man galvanized by folk singer activists.January 28, 2008 Jay S. Karant 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Prior to the assassinations of John, Robert, Martin and Malcolm, there was an optimistic generation that believed they could make a difference. These were the songs. This was the festival. I am grateful to have grown up through those times.
Festival by Murray LernerAugust 9, 2007 Mr. T. J. F. Bolland 1 out of 4 found this review helpful
I am sure product would be 5 star as it contains rare footage of the great Bob Dylan, however was unable to view on DVD player due to Region Code. (US CONFIGURATION)
Is this product available to be viewed on UK / European DVD players?
Many Thanks
Very good value don't expect complete songs thoughMay 31, 2007 D. Nattrass(Sydney, Australia) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am one who loves his concert Dvd's and usually I wouldn't buy a music Dvd which didn't include full length songs, however this is a documentary which runs for a very reasonable time at over one and a half hours, and it includes so much rare fottage of great old artists whom it is very hard to get live footage of. It does actually include quite a few full length songs from Peter, Paul and Mary, as well as Joan Baez and Bob Dylan.
The SOUND in this Dvd is fantastic considering how and when it was recorded, I was really happy with how clear and strong the audio was. Anyone who expects perect surround sound from a 60's festival is unrealistic. The sound has been done superbly.
The VIDEO is again above par considering the date of the event, there are multiple cameras which give some fantastic close ups of all the artists, black and white.
THe are really no EXTRAS which was a dissapointment.
To CONCLUDE for the price I would not hesitate in buying this dvd if you are a fan of the music and scene in question and want some great clips of dozens and dozens of great artists as well as full length from a few, notibly Peter, Paul and MAry and Bob Dylan. If the released a multi DVD set including every piece of video footage they had for 50 dollars I would buy it but that was not the purpose of this DVD. It is a great documentary showcasing all the talent really well in a limited time.
