Festival! (DVD, 2005)

This dvd would be worth purchasing even if you only get to see and hear just one of the many excellent songs and singers we are so lucky were preserved on film back then. Some of my faves include Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary, Johnny Cash, Odetta, Howlin' Wolf, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Paul Butterfield, Donovan, The Staple Singers and Pete Seeger. Thank you Newport Folk Festival!

Not to say that audience and performer interviews and background footage between sets don't add to the presentation, but I found some (just some) of it a bit repetitive. And I find myself fast forwarding through some of the chatter I'd rather not listen to again as I watch the show again and again. Somewhat annoying, but in the end the music and spirit of Newport carry the day.

Heads up about another one like this one: the Stax/Volt Revue which features a top notch group of R&B artists in a live concert that was given in Europe in 1967. One tune after another, one act after another with who is arguably the greatest closer of all time--Otis Redding--closing the show. Here in the "Extras" section we can choose to watch the whole concert again but this time with added insider-type commentary over the music which plays quietly in the background and that's quite interesting and enlightening. Thank you Stax/Volt and Reelin' In The Years Productions!

The cover art is what first caught my attention. It was Mary Travers! I recognized the "photo" from previous video clips. The names at the top of the cover were: Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, and Peter, Paul And Mary. It had to be from "Newport"! And I had to have it!

This DVD is truly a gem. It's like a loosely documentary format but filled with fantastic clips of many artists from many genres. The audience scenes and their dialog take you straight back to the 60's with "warp speed". The variety of the featured performers is awesome!

My only complaint is that many of the songs that were becoming or were about to become so popular, so important, and so much a part of the 60's culture were not shown in their entirety. I suppose I am more sensitive to that with the loss of Mary Travers last year. It makes every moment captured something to be saved and cherished.

I would highly recommend this DVD to music lovers of all kinds, whether it's folk, blues, country, gospel, or pop. You're going to find something for everybody here!

Howlin' Wolf steals this show. And it's a mighty program of more different styles of honest music than one can easily find in one place. Terrific interview footage with Son House, Mel Lyman, Joan Baez and a very young Mike Bloomfield. Essential stuff you won't find elsewhere.

Im a music addict.Esp. historical docs. This movie is mostly black an white but it is full of historical performances by some of the best ever in their respective genre. I recommend it to anyone who loves music an historical performances of legendary players at the beginning or apex of the careers. I had not been aware of this film until I seen it for auction on ebay, an was surprised I won at the price I did..I would have payed double after viewing!!

This is a great find. Lots of wonderful performances by Dylan, Donovan, Pete Seeger and many others.