Woodyanders Review of Monterey Pop

Monterey Pop (1968)

A wonderful time capsule of both the music and hippie scene of the 1960's

[9/10 · 8 August 2018]

This terrific rock concert documentary radiates a delightful sense of joy, optimism, and totally infectious positive energy. Many of the top musical acts of the period are present and accounted for and for the most part are in peak form: Janis Joplin does a blistering performance of "Ball & Chain," Jimi Hendrix likewise kills it with his ferocious cover of "Wild Thing," Canned Heat seriously smoke, Otis Redding puts on a hell of an exciting show (Redding really knew how to work over a crowd), the Who do a raucous version of "My Generation," Simon & Garfunkel offer a peppy and pleasant "Feelin' Groovy," and Ravi Shankar tears it up on his sitar. Moreover, it's a treat to see the happy and attractive hippies in attendance having what appears to be a grand merry time. Done in a rough'n'ready style by D.A. Pennebaker, this baby overall hits the rousing rock'n'roll spot something sweet.