1 |
Freedom
(2009) - Richie Havens |
2 |
Taking
Woodstock Titles |
3 |
Wooden
Ships - Crosby, Stills & Nash |
4 |
China
Cat Sunflower (Live) - Grateful Dead |
5 |
Maggie
M'Gill - The Doors |
6 |
Elliot's
Place |
7 |
Coming
Into Los Angeles (Live) - Arlo Guthrie |
8 |
I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag (Live)- Country Joe
McDonald |
9 |
Going Up The Country (Live) - Canned Heat |
10 |
Try (Just A Little Bit Harder) (Live) - Janis Joplin |
11 |
A
Happening (Office #2) |
12 |
The Red Telephone - Love |
13 |
Beautiful People (Live) - Melanie |
14 |
I Shall Be Released (Live) - The Band |
15 |
Perspective Extended |
16 |
One More Mile - The Paul Butterfield Blues Band |
17 |
Volunteers - Jefferson Airplane |
SOUNDTRACK REVIEW:
Because our sunny island has never experienced a music festival like Woodstock, we shall begin this review with a short introduction of what this renowned event is all about. The Woodstock Music & Arts Fair was a music festival which took place from 15 to 18 August 1969, and has ever since been regarded as one of the greatest and most pivotal moments in popular music history, changing the face of rock and roll. With that context in mind, it would be easier to appreciate the music on this soundtrack.
The album kicks off with American folk singer Richie Haven’s “Freedom”, which opened the festival 40 years ago. 40 years later, the musician has recorded a 2009 version to commemerate the song which was known as an anthem of that generation. Those who are familiar with artistes from the 1960s would love the other hippie songs on this disc: Folk rock supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash’s swiggy “Wooden Ships”, American rock band Grateful Dead’s hypnotic “China Cat Sunflower (Live)”, Los Angeles based rock band The Doors’ swaggering “Maggie M’Gill” and folk singer Arlo Guthrie’s rhythmic “Coming into Los Angelse (Live)” are just some of the samples of what was defined as music during that iconic era.
To get a sense of what it was like at the festival, turn up the volume for Country Joe McDonald’s psychedelic “I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag (Live)”. You’d want to sing along and get your mates to join in the hand swaying. The snazzy “Try” by American singer Janis Joplin, the soothing “The Red Telephone” by American rock group Love and the stress relieving “One More Mile” by American blues vocalist and harmonica player The Paul Butterfield Blues Band are some of the other representatives on this varied collection of music.
The ever so versatile Danny Elfman composed the score for this Ang Lee directed film, and some selected tracks are contained in this soundtrack. The apt style of subdued and gentle scoring is evident in “Taking Woodstock Titles”, “Elliot’s Place” and “Perspective Extended”. If you have no idea what America music from the 1960s sounded like, this album will give you an idea of how things were simpler back then.
ALBUM RATING:
 
Recommended Track: : (8) I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag (Live) - Joe McDonald
Review
by John Li
To
find out more about Warner Music Singapore and its exciting
upcoming releases and promotions, check out the Facebook page
here >
|
