A top ten list of my personal favourite Woodstock moments.
In the spirit of Woodstock, I have redecorated my website (neotomicaliviac.com) with the flavor, and music of the festival. To take it even further in the next couple days I will be posting a couple Woodstock entries, with the first being this, The Top Ten Woodstock Performances. Enjoy!
10. Johnny Winter - Mean Town Blues
An amazing performance but unfortunately not featured in the film, and not on Youtube. There's video of it, but it was taken off of Youtube. So here's a different video of the song from 1970.
9. Canned Heat - A Change is Gonna Come
People say head-banging was invented in the 80s, I dare say not. A song not featured until the director's cut, this is worthy of any Woodstock discussion, whether it be the Bear jumping around the stage, or an attendee jumping up to dance with them, this is a perfect performance.
8. Sly and the Family Stone - I Want to Take You Higher
One of the most, if not the most energy filled performance, and you might find your self having trouble sitting, and not dancing.
7. Ten Years After - I'm Going Home
Another blues song, and the only of theirs to have been recorded. As much as I love Canned Heat and Johnny Winter, this just blows the rest out of the park. If the rest of the songs were as good as this, it is a sin to have messed up the recording for them.
6. Crosby Stills and Nash - Suite Judy Blue Eyes
Only their second gig, but by no way amateurs, CSN's performance is nothing short then perfection. Unfortunately, at least half of their whole show isn't recorded, which is quite a shame based on what remains.
5. Richie Havens - Freedom
A man so cool, he walks off the stage playing, no need for a goodbye. This song completely exemplifies the feel and mood of Woodstock.
4. Joe Cocker - A Little Help From My Friends
Blows all other Beatles cover out of the park. When it's over you find yourself gasping for air, so you don't pass out from the wave of emotions that just hit you.
3. The Who - See Me Feel Me
Already a powerhouse before this show, and riding on the tails of rock opera Tommy, The Who were arguably at the peak of the career during this moment.
2. Jimi Hendrix - Foxy Lady
Didn't you see this coming? His performances at festivals are known more then anyone else, from the burning of his guitar at Monterey Pop, to playing the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock, to Isle of Wight.
1. Santana - Soul Sacrifice
Number one was hard to pick, but in the end, this just blows away everything else. A complete unknown before this, Santana was anything but by the end of Soul Sacrifice. Everything is amazing on this performance from Santana's solos to 19 year old Michael Shrieve's drum solo.
Honorable Mention: Max Yasgur
While not a music performance, Max Yasgur's speech has to be one of the greatest ever.
10. Johnny Winter - Mean Town Blues
An amazing performance but unfortunately not featured in the film, and not on Youtube. There's video of it, but it was taken off of Youtube. So here's a different video of the song from 1970.
9. Canned Heat - A Change is Gonna Come
People say head-banging was invented in the 80s, I dare say not. A song not featured until the director's cut, this is worthy of any Woodstock discussion, whether it be the Bear jumping around the stage, or an attendee jumping up to dance with them, this is a perfect performance.
8. Sly and the Family Stone - I Want to Take You Higher
One of the most, if not the most energy filled performance, and you might find your self having trouble sitting, and not dancing.
7. Ten Years After - I'm Going Home
Another blues song, and the only of theirs to have been recorded. As much as I love Canned Heat and Johnny Winter, this just blows the rest out of the park. If the rest of the songs were as good as this, it is a sin to have messed up the recording for them.
6. Crosby Stills and Nash - Suite Judy Blue Eyes
Only their second gig, but by no way amateurs, CSN's performance is nothing short then perfection. Unfortunately, at least half of their whole show isn't recorded, which is quite a shame based on what remains.
5. Richie Havens - Freedom
A man so cool, he walks off the stage playing, no need for a goodbye. This song completely exemplifies the feel and mood of Woodstock.
4. Joe Cocker - A Little Help From My Friends
Blows all other Beatles cover out of the park. When it's over you find yourself gasping for air, so you don't pass out from the wave of emotions that just hit you.
3. The Who - See Me Feel Me
Already a powerhouse before this show, and riding on the tails of rock opera Tommy, The Who were arguably at the peak of the career during this moment.
2. Jimi Hendrix - Foxy Lady
Didn't you see this coming? His performances at festivals are known more then anyone else, from the burning of his guitar at Monterey Pop, to playing the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock, to Isle of Wight.
1. Santana - Soul Sacrifice
Number one was hard to pick, but in the end, this just blows away everything else. A complete unknown before this, Santana was anything but by the end of Soul Sacrifice. Everything is amazing on this performance from Santana's solos to 19 year old Michael Shrieve's drum solo.
Honorable Mention: Max Yasgur
While not a music performance, Max Yasgur's speech has to be one of the greatest ever.
