There is a current popular saying, to the effect "I may be old, but at least I got to see all the good bands"; a sentiment with which I could not agree more. As a matter of fact, this aging baby boomer would even be more than willing to be a good two or three years older now, if only I could have seen more shows at Bill Graham's Fillmore East here in NYC. My tender years seemed to make it impossible for me to take in more than a single show at the beloved theater, but at least it was a memorable triple doozy--Johnny Winter, Chicago and Blodwyn Pig--on 11/15/69. But for all the hundreds of incredible bills at that theater and at the older Fillmore West that I missed, at least there is a consolation prize: the documentary "Fillmore," which was released in 1972, and which gives us a glimpse of some of the acts that performed at the famed San Francisco institution during its closing week in the summer of '71, after an almost six-year run. Besides showcasing some tremendous music, the film gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the charismatic Graham himself, arguably the most popular and influential concert promoter in rock history. Thus, interpolated among the musical acts, we get to see Bill playing basketball, hanging out at the park with his young son, threatening to beat up a musician who has just cursed at him, and generally cajoling, charming, arguing and dealing with managers and other music biz people on the phone. (Surprisingly, the group Santana, which one might have thought the most right-on of entities, comes off as a bunch of genuine prima donnas here, judging by Bill's comments!) He also gives us a capsule biography of himself at one point, and reveals that at first he wanted to be a character actor, and indeed, the mercurial, Berlin-born, Bronx-raised Graham might have made a good one. He is a foul-mouthed charmer, giving the film both humanity and soul. Still, it is the music that is the main drawing card of "Fillmore," and rightfully so.
Many folks have already complained about how the current Rhino DVD excises over 20 minutes of footage from the original film, including a wonderful performance by Boz Scaggs, and yes, I would agree that this is to be lamented. Others have complained about the number of performers who appear on the "Fillmore" double CD but not in the film, and while it is true that bands such as Malo, Sons of Champlin, Tower of Power, Stoneground, NRPS and yes, Scaggs all do appear on the CDs but not the DVD, still, much wonderful music remains. I consider the CD and DVD to be complementary items, as even many of the bands appearing on both are represented by different songs. And as to the incredible music on the DVD itself: The unjustly forgotten band Lamb kicks things off, featuring some dynamite singing from Barbara Mauritz on the tunes "Hello Friends" and "Isn't It Just a Beautiful Day" (the latter tune does not appear on the CD). Following this set we have a band with still another awesome female lead singer, Lydia Pense and Cold Blood, performing "You Got Me Hummin'" and "Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free," with Lydia giving Janis and Grace some serious competition as the best distaff belter in the Bay Area. (On the album, the band is only represented by one song, "I Just Want to Make Love to You.") Next up, the awesome and mighty Hot Tuna, a band that I have seen around 150 times now over the past 40 years. Here, we are given a snippet of "Candy Man," followed by a most impressive rendition of "Uncle Sam Blues." (On the album, the only Tuna song provided is the Rev. Gary Davis burner "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning.") Following a rehearsal segment by the Rowan Brothers, Quicksilver Messenger Service (sadly, not featuring John Cipollina in this incarnation) gives us their hit song "Fresh Air," followed by "Mojo," highlighted by some impressive singing from Gary Duncan and awesome picking by the Cipollina fill-in (Dino Valenti?). After some footage of the San Fran scene to the strains of J.A.'s "We Can Be Together," and some backstage views of Jerry Garcia rehearsing on pedal steel with NRPS, the good ol' Grateful Dead takes the stage to perform "Casey Jones" and "Johnny B. Goode," the latter song inducing the audience to go understandably bonkers. The wonderful band It's a Beautiful Day next performs the one-time FM staple "White Bird," and then we are privy to the Elvin Bishop Group tearing it up on a segment of "The Sky Is Crying." (On the album, the band gives us "So Fine" and "Party Till the Cows Come Home.") Finally, recorded on the Fillmore's last night, Sunday, July 4th, Santana blows the roof off the dump with staggering versions of "Incident at Neshabur" and Miles Davis' "In a Silent Way." In all, a highly satisfying document of a legendary theater and its manager. On a side note, I might add that one item the CD offers that the DVD does not is a list of every single show that the Fillmore hosted from 11/6/65 to 7/4/71. For a baby-boomer music lover, some of these shows--such as Arthur Lee and Love, the James Gang and Black Sabbath (11/19-22/70), and Ten Years After, Canned Heat, and Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks (6/28-30/68)--would almost seem too good to be true. And yet, thanks to the hard work of Bill Graham and his staff, they all happened, and the "Fillmore" DVD is a nice visual and aural proof. And now, if you'll excuse me, I will go back to work on my time machine. The Delaney and Bonnie with Eric Clapton, New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, and Golden Earring show on 2/19/70 is one that I've just GOT to see!
Many folks have already complained about how the current Rhino DVD excises over 20 minutes of footage from the original film, including a wonderful performance by Boz Scaggs, and yes, I would agree that this is to be lamented. Others have complained about the number of performers who appear on the "Fillmore" double CD but not in the film, and while it is true that bands such as Malo, Sons of Champlin, Tower of Power, Stoneground, NRPS and yes, Scaggs all do appear on the CDs but not the DVD, still, much wonderful music remains. I consider the CD and DVD to be complementary items, as even many of the bands appearing on both are represented by different songs. And as to the incredible music on the DVD itself: The unjustly forgotten band Lamb kicks things off, featuring some dynamite singing from Barbara Mauritz on the tunes "Hello Friends" and "Isn't It Just a Beautiful Day" (the latter tune does not appear on the CD). Following this set we have a band with still another awesome female lead singer, Lydia Pense and Cold Blood, performing "You Got Me Hummin'" and "Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free," with Lydia giving Janis and Grace some serious competition as the best distaff belter in the Bay Area. (On the album, the band is only represented by one song, "I Just Want to Make Love to You.") Next up, the awesome and mighty Hot Tuna, a band that I have seen around 150 times now over the past 40 years. Here, we are given a snippet of "Candy Man," followed by a most impressive rendition of "Uncle Sam Blues." (On the album, the only Tuna song provided is the Rev. Gary Davis burner "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning.") Following a rehearsal segment by the Rowan Brothers, Quicksilver Messenger Service (sadly, not featuring John Cipollina in this incarnation) gives us their hit song "Fresh Air," followed by "Mojo," highlighted by some impressive singing from Gary Duncan and awesome picking by the Cipollina fill-in (Dino Valenti?). After some footage of the San Fran scene to the strains of J.A.'s "We Can Be Together," and some backstage views of Jerry Garcia rehearsing on pedal steel with NRPS, the good ol' Grateful Dead takes the stage to perform "Casey Jones" and "Johnny B. Goode," the latter song inducing the audience to go understandably bonkers. The wonderful band It's a Beautiful Day next performs the one-time FM staple "White Bird," and then we are privy to the Elvin Bishop Group tearing it up on a segment of "The Sky Is Crying." (On the album, the band gives us "So Fine" and "Party Till the Cows Come Home.") Finally, recorded on the Fillmore's last night, Sunday, July 4th, Santana blows the roof off the dump with staggering versions of "Incident at Neshabur" and Miles Davis' "In a Silent Way." In all, a highly satisfying document of a legendary theater and its manager. On a side note, I might add that one item the CD offers that the DVD does not is a list of every single show that the Fillmore hosted from 11/6/65 to 7/4/71. For a baby-boomer music lover, some of these shows--such as Arthur Lee and Love, the James Gang and Black Sabbath (11/19-22/70), and Ten Years After, Canned Heat, and Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks (6/28-30/68)--would almost seem too good to be true. And yet, thanks to the hard work of Bill Graham and his staff, they all happened, and the "Fillmore" DVD is a nice visual and aural proof. And now, if you'll excuse me, I will go back to work on my time machine. The Delaney and Bonnie with Eric Clapton, New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, and Golden Earring show on 2/19/70 is one that I've just GOT to see!