Message to Love: The Isle of Wight Festival 1970 [Sony]

RELEASE
October 29, 1996
LABEL
Sanctuary
GENRES
Pop/Rock, Prog-Rock, Psychedelic, Blues-Rock, British Invasion, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Rock & Roll, Hard Rock, Folk-Rock, Album Rock, British Psychedelia

Album Review

The soundtrack to the documentary film about the 1970 rock festival, which was Woodstock-like in size, if not cultural impact. The musical lineup didn't quite match Woodstock, either, but was damn impressive, including Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, the Who, Joni Mitchell, ELP, the Moody Blues, Donovan, Miles Davis, Free, Leonard Cohen, Jethro Tull, and others (how did Kris Kristofferson sneak in?). This double CD has good sound and good (though not landmark) performances. The Who, Hendrix, and Joni Mitchell come off best; odder highlights include Leonard Cohen's ghostly version of "Suzanne," a "Nights in White Satin" from the Moodies that is quite impassioned, and Tiny Tim's "There'll Always Be an England." Cinéma vérité snippets of dialog add to the authenticity but occasionally detract from the flow. Be aware that Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row" is the 1965 studio recording, not a live performance. [This review refers to both the Castle and Sony releases of Message to Love: The Isle of Wight Festival 1970, as they are identical releases.]
Richie Unterberger, Rovi

Track Listing

  1. All Right Now
  2. My Sunday Feeling
  3. Suzanne
  4. Foxey Lady
  5. Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
  6. Can't Keep from Cryin'
  7. Me and Bobby McGee
  8. Big Yellow Taxi
  9. Woodstock
  10. Blue Rondo a la Turk/Pictures at an Exhibition/Drum Solo
  11. When the Music's Over
  12. Young Man Blues
  13. Naked Eye
  14. There'll Always Be an England
  15. Sinner Boy
  16. Let It Be
  17. Nights in White Satin
  18. Catch the Wind
  19. Weaver's Answer
  20. Red-Eye Express
  21. Call It Anything
  22. Amazing Grace
  23. Desolation Row