This is the ultimate version of the Monterey Pop festival concert. All usable film footage and sound are here on three DVDs. It's a very well done DVD set and the accompanying book is a great addition to the set. It has tons of info. and trivia. The films look and sound as good as they're ever going to and they have several extra bonus features on the DVDs. My only complaint is that they didn't include any footage of the Grateful Dead except for a fleeting glance in a 'making of' documentary. The film maker, D.A. Pennebaker explains that 'the Dead' simply played too long for them to capture 1-2 songs. They are well known for playing 20-30+ minute tunes and the camera operators simply didn't have enough film in their cameras to capture a whole song, so they got left out. Each camera operator only had about 10 minutes of film per film cartridge to shoot with. The filmmaker had a limited budget for film anyway, and we are lucky to see 2-3 tunes by some of the performers. The original plan was to get 1-2 'good tunes' from each band and have a 'good representation' of each group on film. That all basically went out the window when Jimi Hendrix and Otis Redding played. The filmmaker and the festival producers had no idea that those 2 bands would be the highlight of the festival. Pennebaker and his crew 'blew their wad' film-wise on Hendrix and Otis Redding. That's why there is a bonus disc of the complete Hendrix and the Complete Otis Redding performances at Monterey Pop. Like I said, the filmed footage looks and sounds as good as it's ever going to because they used the original 1967 film and sound sources that are available. It's in Dolby stereo, but not 5.1 or anything. One goofy part of the DVD set is the inclusion of the footage of Tiny Tim performing at the back stage 'green room'. He is poorly lit, and the sound is sub-par. Pennebaker explains in the liner notes that Tiny Tim was in low light and they could only film him by the light of a Zippo lighter! Over all, this set is worth owning. I recommend it.Read full review
I love the whole movie. At first i saw "The Monterey Pop Festival" movie which was all that was out. Then more footage was found and I believe there was still more footage that wasn't used it turned into a GREAT 3 CD set. The first disc shows crowds of people walking around. And some of the bands play like Jefferson Airplane, Mamas and the Papas,Janis Joplin,The Who and Jimi Hendrix. Disc #2 features the entire Jimi Hendrix set. Which was excellent. Every song he performed at the festival. It was far out!!! I believe Otis Redding filled the other half of the CD with his performance. For those who never saw him. Watch out!!! He was a powerhouse. Most of the songs he was singing were not as mellow as "Sitting at the Dock of the Bay". Disc #3 features Simon and Garfunkel, The Association, Quicksilver Messenger Service and some Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper jams. Finished off with more Mamas and Papas. I bought it because i rented it from Netflix and had to have a copy of it. The usual place where i order my CD's online did not have that 3 CD Box Set anymore. So i found a used copy on www.half.com...At a decent price. Some people want hundreds for it. I got mine for $65Read full review
I saw Monterey Pop in the theatre when it was first released as a High School student (and Garage Band Member)... I bought this for my daughter (an Anthropology Major at Rutgers U. and a lover of 60s music), to let her see the array of different genres of music that were performed at the music festivals back then. I also never saw the performance outtakes from the festival and was amazed at the huge array of talent there. My daughter was also amazed when I told her that Nora Jones is a daughter of Ravi Shankar (good musical genes there!). An enormous anthology of musical styles and talent that played the festival.. the 3rd DVD spotlighting Jimi Hendrix and Otis Redding showing the best of 60s Psyedelic Blues and Fantastic R&B (kids that listen to r&b in this new millenium really don't know what r&b really is)! All in all, the Complete Monterey Pop Festival is THE best musical performance video I have seen!Read full review
When this festival took place I had just turned 16, but I only learnt about it a few years later when bootlegs started coming out of Hendrix's performance. Then came the movie, which I saw in a midnight session in an obscure cinema. Slowly more started leaking out (especially on vinyl) : Otis' performance, the Who's set, Janis, the Animals, etc. Now it is here.......... The original movie, digitally restored, the Hendrix and the Otis sets and some of the outtakes. Actually this was better than Woodstock as it was more REAL, less "directed by" the industry, the hype, the "squares". See the Mamas & Papas ruin their reputation (due to John & Michelle Philips being TOO involved), the Springfield without Neil (what a pity, but Crosby's there alongside Stills.............), The Byrds ruin their reputation as a live band (they were SO much better on record), Janis when she was still "kind of" clean with Big Brother, etc. etc. It's as if you're hearing the records for the first time when it was all so fresh, so new, not spoiled by indulgence and commercialism yet. It's the best link between the British Invasion and the "End of the 60's" (Gimme Shelter & Let it be). Flower Power didn't get any better than this. Apart from The Flower Pot Men, of course.......... :DRead full review
More than just concert footage, it's a glimpse back in time at the height of creativity in the 60s. The concert took place before the Tet Offensive heavily placed Vietnam in the consciousness of America. This is before RFK and MLK were assignated. Before the riots. Joyous entertainment not bogged down by the turmoil of the late 60s, the film cuts into the auidence and the rest of the scene. Music was awakening into its most vibrant period much like a renaissance. Rock and roll turned from black and white simple melodies into colorful arrangements and Monterey Pop captures lots of it. It's the older brother to Woodstock where our hair grew long and as a country we were weary. Monterey Pop is the last great festival on record before it all went to pot.
I was shocked by the high quality of the video & sound remastering on this collection. The booklet is a great bonus, with loads of great information regarding the musicians, technical aspects, the planning of this Historic Festival, etc. Im extremely happy with this purchade & highly recommend it to any music lover or Historian.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
It is on Great condition. We got it quickly for a Great Price. Fun to watch. The music is great. Seems like all this happened yesterday.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
excellent and entertaining concert. another historic moment in time!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
To have the complete concert now is awesome!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The picture and sound are outstanding. It puts Woodstock to shame all the way, Thanks so much!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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