Customer Reviews

LIVE AT WOODSTOCK AUGUST 19,1969

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Even though I haven't ordered this CD, I do have a tape of this. But the songs are all mixed up and some are incomplete. I will be ordering this CD after this review sometime because even though critics and fans are likely to say her performance here was horrible, they obviously weren't there or haven't even heard it before. Sure "Raise Your Hand" and "As Good as You've Been to This World" aren't the best openers to a legendary concert (these versions aren't very good), but as soon as the drum opening of "To Love Somebody" starts, the concert gets into full gear and doesn't look back! Get it while you can (in-joke)!!!

For Joplin fans and collectors, this is a must. This performance was released on an import label with "muddy" sound and minus "Ball and Chain" a few years back. To my ears, this ia a much better recording and complete to boot. There is too little of Janis available and another complete show is a blessing. Janis will always live on through her music, so let's preserve as much of it as we can

This CD was originally released in Italy in 1993. It is in mono and is not officially recognised by the Joplin estate. The fidelity is low but the sound is clear enough. What really matters here is the music. Joplin's set at Woodstock was a breath of fresh air on the Saturday night. Only CCR's, Sly Stone's & The Who's matched it for vibrancy and excitement. This live performance isn't as good as others in the Joplin canon - found elsewhere - but it is definitely essential for fans of both the singer and the festival. [The back cover graphics are great too.]

Here is the track listing for the CD: [1] Raise Your Hand [prev. unreleased] [2] As Good As You've Been [prev. unr.] [3] To Love Somebody [prev. unr.] [4] Summertime [prev. unr.] [5] Try [6] Kosmic Blues [prev. unr.] [7] I Can't Turn You Loose [prev. unr.] [8] Work Me Lord [9] Piece of My Heart [prev. unr.] [10] Ball and Chain Note: This CD was originally released in Europe back in 1993. This is a reissue.

This isn't a slickly produced studio session. But, with all the hiss, pops and recording artifacts of a live performance in 1969, it brings you back to that shining weekend for generation in upstate New York. This is Janis in her most natural form, and her energy comes through. Listen to it LOUD, with the lights down low, on a hot, humid summer evening.

No matter where she was, or who was watching, Janis always sang from the heart and never held anything back. She bore her heart to all, and through her music she lets each and every one of us be a genuine part of her