[Slowhand] "Festival Express" 1970 documentary

[John Walasko]

Hi Everybody,

A "new" music documentary, FESTIVAL EXPRESS, is currently playing in 
theatres in a handful of cities in Canada and the US. It details a 
series of shows in Canada in the summer of 1970 where the artists 
travelled between concerts by train. The film went through legal 
battles for decades and is only now being released officially.

Clapton does not make an appearance, but he will make song-writing 
royalties from a jam session version of "Sunshine Of Your Love" filmed 
on the train. But several EC-related artists were on the tour; The 
Band, Buddy Guy, and Delaney & Bonnie. Other acts include The Grateful 
Dead, Janis Joplin, and The Flying Burrito Brothers.

The concert performance scenes are all very good, although Delaney & 
Bonnie don't have a feature number. Dominos drummer Jim Gordon is 
listed in the credits as a performer (with D & B's band), but I 
couldn't see any sign of him in the film. Buddy Guy gets one concert 
number and he makes the most of it. The Band are in excellent form as 
well. The film will probably gain more media attention for the clips of 
drunken partying on the train. A poignant scene is a jam session 
version of the spiritual "Ain't No More Cane" with Rick Danko (The 
Band), Janis Joplin, and Jerry Garcia - all now passed away.

I think the film is very good, even worthy to be compared with 
"Monterey Pop". Watch out for it in the theatre or when it comes out on 
DVD later this year...

John
Vancouver BC