Festival Express (concert portal)

Festival Express featuring: Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin & the Full Tilt Boogie Band, The Band, Buddy Guy Blues Band, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, Ian & Sylvia & the Great Speckled Bird, Mashmakhan & Sha Na Na
June 27 - July 5, 1970
Exhibition Stadium, Winnipeg Stadium, McMahon Stadium
Toronto ON, Winnipeg MB, Calgary AB
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"All Aboard the Festival Express"
by R. Dale Roth 2024-04-02

In the hazy, sun-kissed summer of 1970, a trio of extremely brave, & brazen young music entrepreneurs: Ken Walker, Thor & George Eaton loaded up a train with some of the greatest musical talents of the time & barreled across Canada, igniting a firestorm of sound and spirit that reverberated through the counterculture landscape.

"Festival Express," the documentary capturing this epochal journey, serves as a time capsule of a moment when music was more than mere entertainment—it was a cultural movement, a revolution in harmony and dissent.

At the heart of this cinematic odyssey lie the performances of legends like the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, Buddy Guy, Flying Burrito Bros, Ian & Sylvia's Great Speckled Bird, Mountain, and Delaney & Bonnie & Friends.

Each act a beacon of creativity, passion, and rebellion, they wove together a tapestry of sonic brilliance that continues to resonate with audiences half a century later.

Janis Joplin, with her raspy voice and untamed spirit, took the stage like a force of nature, channeling raw emotion into every note of "Cry Baby." Her performance was a primal scream against conformity, a rallying cry for those who dared to embrace their individuality in a world of conformity.

Meanwhile, The Band's rendition of "The Weight" transported listeners to a realm where folk, rock, and soul intersected, weaving a spellbinding narrative of Americana that felt both timeless and immediate. Their harmonies, rich with longing and nostalgia, spoke to a generation grappling with its own identity amidst the turmoil of the times.

But it wasn't just the headliners who left an indelible mark on the festival. Buddy Guy's blistering blues guitar solos set the stage ablaze, while the Flying Burrito Bros brought a touch of cosmic country to the proceedings, their harmonies echoing across the Canadian wilderness like a lonesome train whistle in the night.

Ian & Sylvia's Great Speckled Bird offered a glimpse into the burgeoning roots music scene, their songs steeped in tradition yet imbued with a restless spirit of experimentation. Mountain, with their thunderous riffs and psychedelic flourishes, pushed the boundaries of rock music to new heights, while Delaney & Bonnie & Friends infused the air with a soulful groove that had audiences dancing in the aisles.

As the train rumbled on, the camaraderie between performers and audience alike became palpable, a shared sense of defiance and camaraderie uniting them in a common cause. In these fleeting moments of communal bliss, music transcended its role as mere entertainment, becoming a catalyst for social change and personal transformation.

Today, as we look back on the legacy of "Festival Express," we are reminded of the power of music to transcend boundaries, to unite disparate voices in a chorus of hope and defiance. In an era plagued by division and discord, the spirit of '70s counterculture serves as a beacon of light, a reminder that, no matter how dark the night may seem, the music will always guide us home.
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Song by Song:

1. Kicking off the journey with a jaunty stride, the Grateful Dead's "Don't Ease Me In" sets a lively pace, inviting listeners to join the caravan of musical exploration. Jerry Garcia's twangy guitar licks intertwine with Phil Lesh's thumping basslines, creating a buoyant atmosphere that's impossible to resist.

2. The Band grabs the conductor's controls with "Slippin' & Slidin'," a soulful journey through the backroads of Americana. Levon Helm's gritty vocals and Garth Hudson's wailing organ solos evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia, painting a vivid portrait of life's twists and turns.

3. Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia tucked away in a train car with "Better Take Jesus' Hand," a soul-stirring gospel-infused ballad that's equal parts redemption and reflection. Garcia's plaintive vocals and heartfelt lyrics shine bright against a backdrop of heavenly harmonies and soaring instrumentation.

4. Mashmakhan delivers a dose of groovy jazz-inflected rock with "Comin' Home Baby," setting the stage for a funky interlude of infectious rhythms and sizzling brass. The band's tight-knit instrumentation and charismatic stage presence transport listeners to a smoky nightclub on the edge of town.

5. Buddy Guy unleashes a torrent of blistering blues with "Money," his searing guitar solos and gravelly vocals cutting through the air like a bolt of lightning. With each impassioned riff and wailing note, Guy lays bare the raw emotion and unbridled passion at the heart of the blues tradition.

6. The Flying Burrito Brothers provide a laid-back respite with "Lazy Day," a sun-drenched ode to leisure and liberation. Gram Parsons' mournful vocals and Chris Hillman's lilting harmonies drift lazily over a sea of twangy guitars and sighing pedal steel, inviting listeners to kick back and unwind.

7. Returning to center stage, The Band delivers a soul-stirring rendition of "The Weight," a timeless anthem of community and redemption. Levon Helm's earthy vocals and Robbie Robertson's evocative storytelling weave a tapestry of Americana that's both haunting and hopeful.

8. Janis Joplin commands the spotlight with "Cry Baby," her impassioned vocals and raw emotion igniting a firestorm of soulful intensity. Backed by a thunderous wall of sound, Joplin channels heartache and defiance in equal measure, leaving audiences spellbound in her wake.

9. Bob Weir, Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia, John Dawson, and Rick Danko join forces for a rollicking rendition of "Ain't No More Cane," their voices intertwining in a jubilant celebration of freedom and solidarity. With each spirited verse and infectious chorus, the ensemble captures the spirit of camaraderie and defiance that defined the era.

10. Sha Na Na: Sha Na Na keeps the party going with "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay," a raucous tribute to the enduring power of rock 'n' roll. With their infectious energy and retro charm, the band transports listeners back to the golden age of doo-wop and sock hops, proving that the spirit of rock 'n' roll will never fade away.

11. "New Speedway Boogie" - Grateful Dead: a sprawling epic that's equal parts psychedelic journey and social commentary. Jerry Garcia's meandering guitar solos and Bob Weir's evocative lyrics paint a vivid portrait of a nation in flux, capturing the restless spirit of the times with uncanny precision.

12. Delaney Bramlett, Great Speckled Bird, Ian & Sylvia, and Jerry Garcia unite for a rollicking rendition of "C.C. Rider," their voices blending seamlessly in a jubilant celebration of roots music and rhythm 'n' blues. With each spirited verse and infectious refrain, the ensemble pays homage to the timeless tradition of American music.

13. The Band delivers a poignant farewell with "I Shall Be Released," their voices rising in solemn harmony as they bid farewell to the crowd. Levon Helm's plaintive vocals and Rick Danko's mournful bassline capture the bittersweet essence of departure, leaving listeners with a sense of longing and hope.

14. Janis Joplin brings the evening to a triumphant close with "Tell Mama," her powerhouse vocals and electrifying stage presence lighting up the night sky. Backed by a thunderous roar of applause, Joplin delivers a soul-stirring performance that leaves audiences breathless and begging for more.
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Grateful Dead:
Jerry Garcia - vocals, lead guitar
Bob Weir - vocals, rhythm guitar
Phil Lesh - bass, vocals
Mickey Hart - drums, percussion
Bill Kreutzmann - drums, percussion
Ron McKeman - vocals, keyboards

Janis Joplin & the Full Tilt Boogie Band:
Janis Joplin - lead vocals
John Till - guitar
Brad Campbell - bass
Ken Pearson - organ
Richard bell - piano
Clark Pierson - drums

The Band:
Rick Danko - bass, guitar, vocals, fiddle
Levon Helm - drums, vocals, mandolin, guitar, bass
Garth Hudson - organ, keyboards, accordion, saxophone
Richard Manuel - piano, drums, vocals
Robbie Robertson - guitar, songwriting, vocals, piano, percussion

Buddy Guy Blues Band:
Buddy Guy - vocals, guitar
Phil Guy - guitar, vocals
Leroy "Slam" Stewart - bass
A.C. Reed - saxophone
Roosevelt "Snake" Shaw - drums

Delaney & Bonnie & Friends:
Delaney Bramlett - vocals, guitar
Bonnie Bramlett - vocals
Ben Benay - guitar, vocals
Sam Clayton - percussion, vocals
Jim Gordon - drums
Kenny Gradney - bass, vocals
Jerry Jumonville - saxophone
Darrell Leonard - trumpet, trombone
Frank Mayes - saxophone, clarinet
Chuck Morgan - drums

The Flying Burrito Brothers:
Chris Hillman - vocals, guitar, bass, mandolin
"Sneaky" Pete Kleinow – pedal steel guitar
Bernie Leadon – guitar, banjo, vocals
Mike Clarke - drums

Ian & Sylvia & The Great Speckled Bird
Ian Tyson - lead vocals, guitar
Sylvia Tyson - lead vocals
Buddy Cage - pedal steel guitar
Jim Colegrove - bass
Amos Garrett - guitar, backing vocals
N.D. Smart - drums

Mashmakhan:
Brian Edwards – lead vocals, bass
Rayburn Blake – guitars, backing vocals
Pierre Senecal – organ, backing vocals, piano, flute, soprano saxophone
Jerry Mercer – drums, backing vocals

Sha Na Na:
Donny Yorke - lead vocals
John "Jocko" Marcellino - drums, vocals
Screamin' Scott Simon - piano, vocals
Lennie Baker - saxophone, vocals
Jon "Bowser" Bauman - vocals
Elliot "Gino" Cahn - guitar
Bruce "Bruno" Clarke - bass
Frederick "Dennis" Greene - vocals
Larry Isreal Packer - lead guitar
Richard "Joff" Joffe - vocals
Scott Powell - vocals
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