Woodstock - Back To The Garden: The Definitive 50th Anniversary Archive
- Thread starter Ojai Sam
- Start date
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
You got that! So jealous, Sam!
Just found out about that yesterday when I read about the CCR release. Checked Rhino website and saw 38 limited edition disc was sold out - I probably wouldn't have bought it anyway. Rhino also released a more truncated (but apparently still cool) 10 disc set - checked if it was streaming but not available except through PURCHASE on Apple Music - probably about $100 (oddly you can buy each day separately), but my wife would probably roll her eyes at me getting it (I still could though...). She would probably be right given how often I break out my Monterey Pop 4 disc set and the 2-disc Woodstock original album.
Just found out about that yesterday when I read about the CCR release. Checked Rhino website and saw 38 limited edition disc was sold out - I probably wouldn't have bought it anyway. Rhino also released a more truncated (but apparently still cool) 10 disc set - checked if it was streaming but not available except through PURCHASE on Apple Music - probably about $100 (oddly you can buy each day separately), but my wife would probably roll her eyes at me getting it (I still could though...). She would probably be right given how often I break out my Monterey Pop 4 disc set and the 2-disc Woodstock original album.
Ojai Sam
Staff member
The long-suffering Mrs. Ojai happened to drop by my office yesterday when the huge box emblazoned "Back To The Garden" was sitting unopened on my desk. She didn't say a word.
axolotl
Nunquam non paratus
Let us know how that works out for you, Sam.The long-suffering Mrs. Ojai happened to drop by my office yesterday when the huge box emblazoned "Back To The Garden" was sitting unopened on my desk. She didn't say a word.
Hopefully, you didn't have words last evening...
...and the key worked in the lock.
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Well, I did splurge on the 10-CD Woodstock Set. But the urge to be as complete as possible kicked in, so just constructed my Woodstock Playlist for the next 3 days. Although the 10-CD set doesn’t offer complete sets like Sam’s mega set, happily complete sets for Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Janis, Sly, and Johnny Winter have been released a few years ago as individual Woodstock Experience albums. Hendrix, Mountain, and BS&T also have prior Woodstock releases as does Joe Cocker who released his for the 40th Anniversary. And Joan Baez and CCR released their complete sets this year. As most of these are streaming, I was able to construct a nice 21 Hour playlist - oh...yeah! 
Ojai Sam
Staff member
There is a wealth of information available online about the festival itself, some of it even accurate. 
Time and brown acid have made recollections much like Wiki describes Rashomon: "various characters providing subjective, alternative, self-serving, and contradictory versions of the same incident."
Here are the best I've found so far:
www.liveabout.com
woodstock.fandom.com
www.woodstock.com
And for an account of the amazing recording science behind the project, check out this article:
blog.discogs.com
Let's listen to some music!
DAY ONE - Friday, August 15 to Saturday, August 16
First Set - Richie Havens (5:07 pm to 6:00 pm)
"From the Prison"
"Get Together"
"From the Prison" (reprise)
"I'm a Stranger Here"
"High Flying Bird"
"I Can't Make It Anymore"
"With a Little Help from My Friends"
"Handsome Johnny"
"Strawberry Fields Forever / Hey Jude"
"Freedom (Motherless Child)"
For his Rolling Stone interview about Woodstock, Havens recalled thinking "Oh, God, they’re going to kill me. I’m not going out there first. What, are you crazy?” He was supposed to be the fifth act but the massive traffic jam prevented the others from arriving. His bass player didn't even show up until after the set was over.
Despite the adverse circumstances, Richie turned in a propulsive solo acoustic performance that jump-started his career. The keynote encore song, "Freedom", was supposedly an on the spot improvisation. The between-songs patter heard here for the first time ("You're all groovy, you know?") shows the hitherto obscure Brooklyn folkie to be fully in tune with the hippie ethos.
Here's a performance from Paris in the same year that's pretty close to the one at Woodstock:
Time and brown acid have made recollections much like Wiki describes Rashomon: "various characters providing subjective, alternative, self-serving, and contradictory versions of the same incident."Here are the best I've found so far:
Daily Journal of 1969 Woodstock Festival
If there had been a chronicle of the Woodstock festival weekend's events it might have looked something like this.
Woodstock Wiki
Woodstock
www.woodstock.com
The Real Woodstock Story |
Woodstock stories, news and updates. Performers, Bands and everything there is to know about the original woodstock festival
www.woodstockstory.com
And for an account of the amazing recording science behind the project, check out this article:
Discogs Digs | Discogs
Discogs Digs is the place to start your journey of music discovery. Explore recommendations, unique stories, guides, and more.
blog.discogs.com
Let's listen to some music!
DAY ONE - Friday, August 15 to Saturday, August 16
First Set - Richie Havens (5:07 pm to 6:00 pm)
"From the Prison"
"Get Together"
"From the Prison" (reprise)
"I'm a Stranger Here"
"High Flying Bird"
"I Can't Make It Anymore"
"With a Little Help from My Friends"
"Handsome Johnny"
"Strawberry Fields Forever / Hey Jude"
"Freedom (Motherless Child)"
For his Rolling Stone interview about Woodstock, Havens recalled thinking "Oh, God, they’re going to kill me. I’m not going out there first. What, are you crazy?” He was supposed to be the fifth act but the massive traffic jam prevented the others from arriving. His bass player didn't even show up until after the set was over.
Despite the adverse circumstances, Richie turned in a propulsive solo acoustic performance that jump-started his career. The keynote encore song, "Freedom", was supposedly an on the spot improvisation. The between-songs patter heard here for the first time ("You're all groovy, you know?") shows the hitherto obscure Brooklyn folkie to be fully in tune with the hippie ethos.
Here's a performance from Paris in the same year that's pretty close to the one at Woodstock:
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
^
Loving this, Sam. Indeed, Sweetwater was supposed to be first but, as you pointed out, couldn't get there due to traffic.
I just finished Arlo Guthrie and moving into Joan Baez set
Sat through Tim Hardin's long set - reaaaaalllly low key and mellow. I would've though the attendees would have been bored stiff, but a ton of pot may have made the set seem cool and mellow. Also listened to Ravi Shankhar's 17 min raga which was skillful but far from my wheelhouse (he kicks George Harrison's ass on sitar though
)
Loving this, Sam. Indeed, Sweetwater was supposed to be first but, as you pointed out, couldn't get there due to traffic.
I just finished Arlo Guthrie and moving into Joan Baez set
Sat through Tim Hardin's long set - reaaaaalllly low key and mellow. I would've though the attendees would have been bored stiff, but a ton of pot may have made the set seem cool and mellow. Also listened to Ravi Shankhar's 17 min raga which was skillful but far from my wheelhouse (he kicks George Harrison's ass on sitar though
)
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Woodstock & McIntosh An Iconic Duo
A look at the use of McIntosh Labs amplifiers at Woodstock in 1969 and my own journey to Woodstock 94.
audiophilestyle.com
I tag @Zeeba Neighba for the Woodstock info.
Ojai Sam
Staff member
DAY ONE - Friday, August 15 to Saturday, August 16
Invocation - Sri Swami Satchidananda (7:10 pm to 7:30 pm)
The first big surprise of this collection is the complete invocation delivered by Sri Swami Satchidananda. His life story is a marvel of spiritual regeneration. The Woodstock Whisperer sez:
C. K. Ramaswamy Gounder was born on December 22, 1914. From the time he was a little boy, Gounder was deeply spiritual. Yet his adult life did not begin along the path of a Swami, but as a businessman and a husband. After his wife’s death, he decided to follow a spiritual path.
He traveled throughout India, meditating at holy shrines and studying with spiritual teachers. Years of study, sacrifice, and good deeds followed. In 1949, guru, Sivananda Saraswati, ordained him and gave him the name Satchidananda Saraswati.
He visited New York City in 1966 and soon after moved to the US permanently and became a US citizen. He continued to teach service, ecumenism, and enlightenment. His motto was: “Truth is One, Paths are Many.” He believed that we are all one in Spirit and that throughout history great spiritual masters, such as Buddha, Moses, and Jesus, have come forward to teach the people of the world how to experience this spiritual oneness.
The fascinating backstory of how he got to Woodstock told through rare home movies is here, along with a portion of his remarks:
"I am overwhelmed with joy to see the entire youth of America gathered here in the name of the fine art of music. In fact, through the music, we can work wonders. Music is a celestial sound and it is the sound that controls the whole universe, not atomic vibrations. Sound energy, sound power, is much, much greater than any other power in this world. And, one thing I would very much wish you all to remember is that with sound, we can make—and at the same time, break. Even in the war-field, to make the tender heart an animal, sound is used. Without that war band, that terrific sound, man will not become animal to kill his own brethren. So, that proves that you can break with sound, and if we care, we can make also."
He went on to engage the restless audience in a sing along chant. Without a doubt, Swami Satchidananda is one of the hidden keys to understanding the crowd dynamic of Woodstock, which in turn affected the days of music to come.
Invocation - Sri Swami Satchidananda (7:10 pm to 7:30 pm)
The first big surprise of this collection is the complete invocation delivered by Sri Swami Satchidananda. His life story is a marvel of spiritual regeneration. The Woodstock Whisperer sez:
C. K. Ramaswamy Gounder was born on December 22, 1914. From the time he was a little boy, Gounder was deeply spiritual. Yet his adult life did not begin along the path of a Swami, but as a businessman and a husband. After his wife’s death, he decided to follow a spiritual path.
He traveled throughout India, meditating at holy shrines and studying with spiritual teachers. Years of study, sacrifice, and good deeds followed. In 1949, guru, Sivananda Saraswati, ordained him and gave him the name Satchidananda Saraswati.
He visited New York City in 1966 and soon after moved to the US permanently and became a US citizen. He continued to teach service, ecumenism, and enlightenment. His motto was: “Truth is One, Paths are Many.” He believed that we are all one in Spirit and that throughout history great spiritual masters, such as Buddha, Moses, and Jesus, have come forward to teach the people of the world how to experience this spiritual oneness.
The fascinating backstory of how he got to Woodstock told through rare home movies is here, along with a portion of his remarks:
"I am overwhelmed with joy to see the entire youth of America gathered here in the name of the fine art of music. In fact, through the music, we can work wonders. Music is a celestial sound and it is the sound that controls the whole universe, not atomic vibrations. Sound energy, sound power, is much, much greater than any other power in this world. And, one thing I would very much wish you all to remember is that with sound, we can make—and at the same time, break. Even in the war-field, to make the tender heart an animal, sound is used. Without that war band, that terrific sound, man will not become animal to kill his own brethren. So, that proves that you can break with sound, and if we care, we can make also."
He went on to engage the restless audience in a sing along chant. Without a doubt, Swami Satchidananda is one of the hidden keys to understanding the crowd dynamic of Woodstock, which in turn affected the days of music to come.
Ojai Sam
Staff member
DAY ONE - Friday, August 15 to Saturday, August 16
Second Set - Sweetwater
7:30pm – 8:35pm
"Motherless Child"
"Look Out"
"For Pete's Sake"
"Day Song"
"What's Wrong"
"My Crystal Spider"
"Two Worlds"
"Why Oh Why"
"Let the Sunshine In"
"Oh Happy Day"
Unfortunately, the star-crossed appearance of Sweetwater at Woodstock was a harbinger of their later career woes. The group had been tapped to open the festival on the basis of their growing reputation as Reprise Records' answer to Jefferson Airplane: bluesy instrumental virtuosity led by a powerful female vocalist. But the traffic tangle forced them to go on after the Swami Satchidananda had already mellowed the crowd out.
Wiki tells the tale of the further series of disasters that kept Sweetwater from ever fulfilling their great potential:
The original members of the band were Nancy "Nansi" Nevins (lead vocals/guitar), August Burns (cello), Albert Moore (flute/backing vocals), Alan Malarowitz (drums), Elpidio Cobian (conga drums), Alex Del Zoppo (keyboards) and Fred Herrera (bass).
On December 8, 1969, three days after Sweetwater performed on The Red Skelton Show, singer Nansi Nevins was severely injured in a car accident, which stopped the progress of the band. Nansi experienced brain damage for some years following the collision, and one of her vocal cords was permanently damaged. Nansi would never again complete a full album with the band, although she still had some recordings prepared for the next two albums.
The group reunited for Woodstock '94 in 1994 with three original members - Nevins, Herrera and Del Zoppo. August Burns died after contracting pneumonia while being treated in a German hospital for injuries he suffered after falling out of a construction elevator in 1979, Alan Malarowitz was killed in a car crash in 1981, Albert Moore died of lung cancer in 1994. Elpidio Cobian works as a film statist.
Albert Moore's flute gives their sound more of a proggy, even classical feel: the Airplane meets Jethro Tull. One song from their set was released on a costly Rhino Handmade limited, numbered edition comp several years ago that you can now easily download on the cheap
:
Second Set - Sweetwater
7:30pm – 8:35pm
"Motherless Child"
"Look Out"
"For Pete's Sake"
"Day Song"
"What's Wrong"
"My Crystal Spider"
"Two Worlds"
"Why Oh Why"
"Let the Sunshine In"
"Oh Happy Day"
Unfortunately, the star-crossed appearance of Sweetwater at Woodstock was a harbinger of their later career woes. The group had been tapped to open the festival on the basis of their growing reputation as Reprise Records' answer to Jefferson Airplane: bluesy instrumental virtuosity led by a powerful female vocalist. But the traffic tangle forced them to go on after the Swami Satchidananda had already mellowed the crowd out.
Wiki tells the tale of the further series of disasters that kept Sweetwater from ever fulfilling their great potential:
The original members of the band were Nancy "Nansi" Nevins (lead vocals/guitar), August Burns (cello), Albert Moore (flute/backing vocals), Alan Malarowitz (drums), Elpidio Cobian (conga drums), Alex Del Zoppo (keyboards) and Fred Herrera (bass).
On December 8, 1969, three days after Sweetwater performed on The Red Skelton Show, singer Nansi Nevins was severely injured in a car accident, which stopped the progress of the band. Nansi experienced brain damage for some years following the collision, and one of her vocal cords was permanently damaged. Nansi would never again complete a full album with the band, although she still had some recordings prepared for the next two albums.
The group reunited for Woodstock '94 in 1994 with three original members - Nevins, Herrera and Del Zoppo. August Burns died after contracting pneumonia while being treated in a German hospital for injuries he suffered after falling out of a construction elevator in 1979, Alan Malarowitz was killed in a car crash in 1981, Albert Moore died of lung cancer in 1994. Elpidio Cobian works as a film statist.
Albert Moore's flute gives their sound more of a proggy, even classical feel: the Airplane meets Jethro Tull. One song from their set was released on a costly Rhino Handmade limited, numbered edition comp several years ago that you can now easily download on the cheap
:
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
I'd never heard of the band. When I read "Sweetwater," I think of the musical instrument and audio equipment seller.
Ojai Sam
Staff member
DAY ONE - Friday, August 15 to Saturday, August 16
Third Set - Bert Sommer
8:40pm – 9:15pm
"Jennifer"
"The Road to Travel"
"I Wondered Where You'd Be"
"She's Gone"
"Things Are Goin' My Way"
"And When It's Over"
"Jeanette"
"America"
"A Note That Read"
"Smile"
Talent will always guide you to success, in this case all the way from the stage at Woodstock to a regular spot on The Match Game.
Hey wait, that's the talented Brett Somers. We're talkin' Bert Sommer here, poster child for "Hair":
This sometime folk singer-model-actor turned in a brief set of tepid folk music. The highlight was actually John Morris' stage announcement warning some guys to get down from the towers.
Third Set - Bert Sommer
8:40pm – 9:15pm
"Jennifer"
"The Road to Travel"
"I Wondered Where You'd Be"
"She's Gone"
"Things Are Goin' My Way"
"And When It's Over"
"Jeanette"
"America"
"A Note That Read"
"Smile"
Talent will always guide you to success, in this case all the way from the stage at Woodstock to a regular spot on The Match Game.
Hey wait, that's the talented Brett Somers. We're talkin' Bert Sommer here, poster child for "Hair":
This sometime folk singer-model-actor turned in a brief set of tepid folk music. The highlight was actually John Morris' stage announcement warning some guys to get down from the towers.
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
^
Over the course of my Woodstock listening, I first discovered that Bert, who was in the original cast of Hair was the template for the poster design. Great bit o' trivia, right there
Over the course of my Woodstock listening, I first discovered that Bert, who was in the original cast of Hair was the template for the poster design. Great bit o' trivia, right there
Ojai Sam
Staff member
DAY ONE - Friday, August 15 to Saturday, August 16
Fourth Set - Tim Hardin
9:20 pm – 9:45 pm
"How Can We Hang On to a Dream?"
"Once-Touched by Flame"
"If I Were a Carpenter"
"Reason to Believe"
"You Upset the Grace of Living When You Lie"
"Speak Like a Child"
"Snow White Lady"
"Blues on My Ceiling"
"Simple Song of Freedom"
"Misty Roses"
Zeeb is absolutely right as usual - this performance is pretty soporific. According to the Woodstock Wiki:
It was already dark. Originally Tim was scheduled earlier but the effects of drugs kept him down till sundown. Right after his gig it started to rain. Since his early days of his career Tim Hardin was addicted to heroin. The fact that he was stoned made it hard for the other musicians to follow, reported by his drummer Steve Booker. However, Gilles Malkine states that Tim Hardin only acted stoned because he did not want to perform first, as he was overwhelmed by the immensity of the event.
I'd say he wasn't acting stoned.
Fourth Set - Tim Hardin
9:20 pm – 9:45 pm
"How Can We Hang On to a Dream?"
"Once-Touched by Flame"
"If I Were a Carpenter"
"Reason to Believe"
"You Upset the Grace of Living When You Lie"
"Speak Like a Child"
"Snow White Lady"
"Blues on My Ceiling"
"Simple Song of Freedom"
"Misty Roses"
Zeeb is absolutely right as usual - this performance is pretty soporific. According to the Woodstock Wiki:
It was already dark. Originally Tim was scheduled earlier but the effects of drugs kept him down till sundown. Right after his gig it started to rain. Since his early days of his career Tim Hardin was addicted to heroin. The fact that he was stoned made it hard for the other musicians to follow, reported by his drummer Steve Booker. However, Gilles Malkine states that Tim Hardin only acted stoned because he did not want to perform first, as he was overwhelmed by the immensity of the event.
I'd say he wasn't acting stoned.
Ojai Sam
Staff member
For some reason replacing my monitor knocked out my speakers so today instead of Ravi Shankar I'll share the back story of how this collection almost didn't arrive.
The internet is full of horror stories about folks not receiving their Woodstock box.
As it happened, I was out and my secretary was ill the day UPS was scheduled to deliver mine to the office. "No problem" says I because the tracking info showed that a signature was required. So I was pretty shocked to find that my absent secretary had "signed" for the box. 
When I called building security, they cheerfully told me that the box was sitting outside my door but they couldn't touch it for liability reasons. 
As you can see, the packaging is not inconspicuous.Happily, my neighbors with the furniture company in the next door suite saved the day for me. When I called in a bit of a panic they were glad to take it in. I suspect none of them were even born when Woodstock took place but they are pretty groovy folks anyway.
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Almost all the time when I get a delivery via UPS that says signature required, the driver never asks for a signature. They just knock on my door and leave the box. I am always home for deliveries, so when I open the door the driver is already sprinting on to the next delivery.
