Customer Reviews

Monterey International Pop Festival

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First of all, if your interest in this June 1967 concert is only casual, or if you're on a budget, or if you're trying to conserve space in your home, then this 2-CD set will suffice. If so, then consider my rating 4-star. It contains some really great performances, has a total of 26 tracks and clocks in at around 95 minutes. It also boasts 3 previously unreleased on CD tracks (2 by Simon & Garfunkel, 1 by Buffalo Springfield). So, this is a fine compact collection For What It's Worth [sorry, I couldn't resist].

However, for those of you who really dig The Summer of Love sound, then I recommend getting the 3-DVD set The Complete Monterey Pop Festival - Criterion Collection which runs 238 minutes. This DVD set contains Pennebaker's original concert film, a second disk featuring the complete Hendrix and Otis Redding performances (possibly my 2 favorite sets), and the third disk has more than two hours of outtake footage including several major bands that never appeared in the Pennebaker film for various reasons. For details, search DVDJournal.com.

Or maybe if you're got money to burn and want a collectible, consider Amazon Used & New for 1997 4-CD set Monterey International Pop Festival [30th Anniversary Box Set] or the older 4-CD set from 1992: Monterey International Pop Festival. Both 4-CD sets have 70 tracks - close to 3 times what the new 2-CD set contains. Each CD is over 70 minutes with 5 cuts by Big Brother & Joplin, 7 by The Byrds, 5 by Jefferson Airplane, 5 by The Mamas & The Papas, 6 by The Who, 5 classic Otis Redding and 9 stellar Hendrix tracks (also available as Jimi Plays Monterey).

Like I said, the 2-CD set is a bargain for what it is. It's a real shame that Razor & Tie didn't produce two 70+ minute disks since there were so many other performances to include and over 45 minutes left to fill. But my money is on the other options. Still, I bought the 2-CD set anyway for the 3 unreleased cuts which augmented my 1992 set; those cuts are on the DVDs. I don't notice any difference in the sound quality between the new set and the 1992 version. As others who reviewed the original box sets noted, the sound quality isn't the best (generally not as good as Woodstock) and there are some performers who frankly aren't that interesting, even on the 2-CD version.

PS: The 40th anniversary is being celebrated the weekend of July 28th, 2007. Peace!

For those of us who remember the Summer of Love and still enjoy the music of that era, this is lots of fun.
You get to hear Eric Burdon sing about Monterey. You also hear a very polished set of Simon and Garfunkel. Simon and Garfunkel play their two best songs of the time, Homeward Bound and the classic Sounds of Silence.
Janis Joplin is also in top forn with Big Brother singing the blues.
The Byrds with David Crosby finish the first CD
On the second CD you hear Grace Slick and the Airplane do their two classic songs, Somebody to Love and White Rabbit.
You get to hear two songs of Otis Redding and his classic performance at Monterey. The real find to me is Buffalo Springfield with Stills and Young doing, For What its Worth. This is the only recording where you can actually hear them live. The one thing of note here is the absence of Neil Young as David Crosby (at the time with the Byrds) stands in. C,S&N was already in the making. CS&M would play just 2 years later at Woodstock.
The Who seem out of place but sing the Eddie Cochoran standard Summertime Blues and the Classic My Generation.
Jimi Hendrix does The Wind Cries Mary and Bob Dylans' Like a Rolling Stone. I would have liked to see at least one more song included.
I do however have his performance on DVD and hope to purchase the CD when its released once again on CD.
The Mamas and the Papas end the CD with Straight Shooter, which to me is very weak. They do recover with California Dreamin. Scot McKenzie sings If youre going to San Francisco (Be sure to wear flowers in your hair)
For those who remember and love this music I would recommend it.

CD from the famous music event of the 60's. WAY better than Woodstock. Music at it's peak, and the people/groups assembled is amazing. I only wish I could hear the entire contert(s)

Excellent line up and I really like the diversity of artists featured on these 2 CDs.

When I bought this CD I wasn't sure I would like it, well it turned out to be pretty good if you are into live music. Janis rocks, and so do most of the other bands. It I thought it was a good investment for the money. I would like to see a copy of the complete concert available on CD besides the DVD.

Wow! Great festival! This event marked a turning point in rock with many diverse groups. The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, and Otis Redding all left an overwhelming imprint on rock and soul music. It would have been nice to have the Beach Boys and Dionne Warwick there, but it is what it is. Shake! by Otis Redding and Peace Song by Hugh Masekela are the best examples of what came out of the eclectic mix of music on the weekend of Jun. 16, 17, 18, 1967. Groovy doesn't quite measure the meaning of Monterey; I think far-out would make a better definition of the festival. Great listen!

The Monterey International Pop Festival was held June 16-18, 1967. The event was put together to raise money for various charities and quite possible inspired Woodstock years later. It was the first rock festival of its kind. This two disc collection highlights the cream of the crop during the three day event. The live recording is exceptionally clear (which I would question), and showcases the marquee names at the time, as well as future marquee players. Monterey marks the American debut of Jimi Hendrix, who is featured with fiery performances of "The Wind Cries Mary" and "Like a Rolling Stone." Janis Joplin (with Big Brother & The Holding Company) makes her major performance debut with her contributions "Down on Me" and "Ball in Chain."

Other heavy hitters include Jefferson Airplane, Otis Redding, The Who, The Mama's and the Papas, The Byrds, and Simon & Garfunkle. The event attracted over 200,000 people & the admission was $1. What a difference from the corporate events of today, huh? The artists all worked for free, with the exception of sitar player Ravi Shankar. He walked away with $3000. This collection is truly a piece of musical history and compassion when it was all about the music and not the all mighty dollar.

I found this by just reading the newspaper here in Georgia. Surprised not to know this was before Woodstock! A very good collectors item. Sound is great and very much LIVE! Good quality and you just can't stop playing.

... A Truly Magical Moment ... Monterey Pop was a truly magical moment in the history of Rock and Roll. The summer of 1966 was one of the great peaks of "The SIXTIES," which from a musical perspective I believe really began in 1964 and ended in 1975, peaking in the summer of 1971. So much great music came out in this time, it is no wonder we still look back on it in total amazement.

... This double CD is a real gem of a recording, and a real boon and blessing to all of us who lived though those days, enjoying the music firsthand as it happened. This was before Woodstock, before The Concert for Bangla Desh, and before Watkins Glen. This was a rare moment in time before it all exploded like a super nova of sound out into the world; a special moment of graceful, electric, ecstatic excitement that was shared by musicians and fans alike. It was an intimate experience treasured by all who were there. This music is beaming with embryonic beauty and charm. A truly magical moment! ... YOWZA! - The Aeolian Kid

The DVD Disc case said 3 discs, was advertised as a 2 disc set. Disc # 1 had 7 good tunes, Disc # 2 had 4 good tunes, OK for the price if you like Simon & Garfunkel, the Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, The Mammas & The Papas.

Overall, OK