Letter to Frank Kresen March/April 1970

(This is a portion of a letter I wrote to Frank Kresen about seeing the film Woodstock for the first time.)

I just saw Woodstock and I must leave you with my initial reactions. I don't know if you saw it or not, but I hope so.

Totally Unbelievable! From "Long Time Coming," which opened it, through "Woodstock," which ended it, it was three hours of total experience. Highlights? I couldn't even begin to tell you. Richie Havens began it with a piece called "Freedom," and it set the mood for the entire festival. Joe Cocker did "A Little Help From My Friends" in his inimitable style. A friend told me he idolizes Ray Charles, which explains his voice and spasmodic motions. Country Joe and the Fish got everyone to sing along with "The Fish Cheer Vietnam Rag."

CSN tore me totally apart with an acoustic version of "Suite Jude Blue Eyes." They fucked up the words, and began it really weird, but I was gassed by the time it ended. What more can I say abut them? Hendrix did the notorious "Star-Spangled Banner," Santana did "Soul Sacrifice," which showed their drummer, Mike Shrieve, as one of the best.

Sebastian was going strong to a song I've never heard before, but he forgot the words. Sha Na Na did the old Danny & the Juniors hit "At the Hop," complete with greasy duck-tailed haircuts and the Twist. Sly & the Family Stone was totally High with a sing-along "Want to Take You Higher" and a collage of color against a night background.

Ten Years After is great. I hadn't heard anything about them, but they did a piece that put "Blue Suede Shoes" and the blues together. Alvin Lee is total. The Who did a thing from Tommy and "Summertime Blues," the old Eddie Cochran thing that Blue Cheer made famous. They're supposed to be here (KC) this summer, and I want to see them.

All I could think of was that I sure as hell wish you were around to see them with me.