And hell's bells, who can think of mourning anyhow, when the music is this fuckin intoxicating, tell me that, when the motion film is this evocative, when the whole affair is so damn celebratory an invigorating?
And a lass stood by the coke-machine in Great Victoria Street station, what she's sayin is "What's with the awe in the eyes an the grin?" and what can The Duke say except "Because holy shit, Festival's finally been issued on DVD, I'm out my mind wi' the wonder of it all", and she nods, she knows, who couldn't know, is the question to be posed, really, at the end of the day, any damn time a day, morning or night, who could fail to be buggered ruthlessly about the brains with the news.
Because it's a stunning film, fit for no-end a re-watching an rewinding and pausing and then look, look here, you see it there, right in the corner of her eyes you see it, right, Little Baby Punk Rock, look at it there, what a beautiful sight to behold.
Thanks folks.
Festival is available on NTSC Region 1 & 4 DVD from Eagle Rock Entertainment. Sadly, barring Jeff Rosen's excellent liner-notes, there are no extras to speak of.
The Duke resides at Mondo Irlando
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Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
folks over at amazon have been bitching & moaning about the lack of full-length tunes (not that i'm gonna listen to 'em)...but the fact that there's not a lot of gushing commentary really makes me wanta check this out.
nice work man....little baby punk rock indeed.
2 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Mark, I see no reason why you wouldn't dig the hell outta this, although i was kinda miffed also by the absence of not just the full performances, but of ANY extras whatsoever. but still, what a damn film, regardless.
3 - Mark Saleski
i like watching Son House...tho he scares the crap outa me with his intensity.
4 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
i second that, for sure. him and Odetta, two of the most intense performers i ever did see.
5 - Mark Saleski
yes, those two...and John Mayer.
;-)
6 - DJRadiohead
Son House, the man who inspired both Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. "Hellhound on my Trail" is a walk in the park compared to Son.
And Saleski... stop the Mayer references! :)
7 - DJRadiohead
Fucking review you have here, Duke. My favorite live album of all times is of a Newport variety. Muddy Waters at the Newport Jazz Festival 1960. The Chess remaster is brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.
8 - Mark Saleski
i'll stop with the Mayer references soon. i'll have to pick somebody else next week. maybe Hansen or somethin'
Muddy Waters: favorite record -> Muddy Waters, Folk Singer. killer.
9 - DJRadiohead
Amen to that, Mark- the Muddy Waters bit. That is absolutely my favorite Muddy Waters album.
I have always enjoyed Muddy more as a blues singer than guitarist (although he knew what to do with a slide and guitar). "Folk Singer" gives such room for Muddy's big, beautiful voice. Buddy Guy is great on 2nd guitar and Willie Dixon keeping it together on bass. One of my favorite albums ever.
10 - Mark Saleski
me & a buddy spent nearly a year attempting to get that album on 180gram vinyl.
it was a beautiful evening when that record finally arrived in the mail.
11 - DJRadiohead
I want to buy the SACD version of it. I have the regular remastered CD.
12 - Mark Saleski
elusive disc claims to have one sacd copy left (it's apparently out of print).
don't know if i believe 'em or not.
13 - DJRadiohead
Thanks, Mark. I have a bead on it elsewhere. This conversation has made me think I should jump on it tomorrow when we get paid.
I had to queue up "Folk Singer" on my iPod. Just finished listening to the album proper (now listening to the 4 bonus cuts on the Chess remaster).
14 - Joanie
I've been looking forward to this one! Dick Waterman, legendary blues promoter and photographer, has written about it many times. As well, some of my favorite images were taken there.
15 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
DJ and Joanie, sorry i missed you, thanks for chippin in!
Looks like i'm gonna have to hunt me down that Muddy Waters record, then...
16 - DJRadiohead
Duke, you definitely want to do that. It's acoustic blues and it is brilliant!
17 - DJRadiohead
Actually, you want to hunt down "Folk Singer" and the "Newport Jazz" disc as well. Both are well worth your time.
18 - Mark Saleski
a duke review of Muddy Waters - Folk Singer would be freakin' sublime.
19 - Bennett
Frankly, when Dylan decides to power up for Maggie's Farm, the bun went into the oven.
Wha? Just now there's a story on Public Radio about Bonnie Rait, briefly starting out with Sun House... What do you folks know about that?
Great review Duke, I enjoyed it all the way through. Fantastic scrawlings indeed.
20 - DJRadiohead
Finally, something for me and Saleski to agree upon. Duke... bring us the goods, sir.
21 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
well hells bells, i doth smell a quest! and thanks for the tip on the other CD, DJ, i'll look into that!
Bennett, thanks for the kind words, man. i dunno about that Bonnie Rait business... maybe Sir Saleski could reveal something about it all?