One of my favourite feel-good songs is “Woodstock” by Joni Mitchell. It’s ironic that the writer of such a beautiful ode to a legendary 3-day music festival was not at the festival. All her other hippie musician friends were there at this mythical music phenomenon.
In particular, it’s ironic that her four music buddies, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young who performed at Woodstock, recorded Joni’s song in their Deja Vu album and enjoyed a monster hit with it.
Joni’s manager, at that time, David Geffen was worried she would miss her scheduled appearance on the Dick Cavett Show the following Monday. Joni instead watched the music festival on television in New York City.
Me at Joni Mitchell’s Laurel Canyon home (above image),
As a young lad, I always felt Biblical nuances in Joni’s “Woodstock” poetic lyrics. Back to the Garden, which one? Eden up there or Woodstock here on earth?
Hearing “Back to the garden” in the song always magically transports me to a serene “peace of mind” place.
“I came upon a child of God
He was walking along the road
And I asked him, Where are you going
And this he told me“
>>> The above reminds me of a certain man from Galilee. Joni continues below.
“I’m going on down to Yasgur’s farm
I’m going to join in a rock and roll band
I’m going to camp out on the land
I’m going to try and get my soul free“
>>> In the above passage, Joni depicts Woodstock as a Destiny (the Promised Land), not just a destination.
“We are stardust
We are golden
And we’ve got to get ourselves
Back To The Garden“
>>> Ah yes, the ultimate mission of all peace-loving hippies. Far out, man!
Around this time, the Beatles also urged “Get Back to where you belong”.
On a light-hearted note, I tell my fiends, if I somehow don’t end up in the Garden (Eden) up there, at least I’ve been (several times) to the Garden (Woodstock) down here.
And with each visit, I had the good fortune to stay at Chris Stein’s (Blondie) Woodstock home.
I was way-too-young for Woodstock but over the years, I had the honour and deep pleasure to hang out with legendary folks who performed at Woodstock including the organiser!
Back To The Garden (above image), I love this iconic shot of Woodstock festival stage by Jim Marshall with his ever-present Leica camera (above image). Jim was one of the official Woodstock photographers.
Jim Marshall, me and Jack Daniels (above image).
R.I.P. Mr. Marshall.
Baron Wolman was another official Woodstock photographer (above image).
Baron Wolman signed and sent his Woodstock photography books to my home (above image).
R.I.P. Mr. Wolman.
Michael Lange, the legendary organiser of the Woodstock festival (above image).
R.I.P. Mr. Lange.
John Sebastian of The Lovin’ Spoonful, calming the massive Woodstock estimated 500,000 crowd (above image),
Due to intense rain and the danger posed by it on the electric instruments belonging to Santana band who were scheduled to go next, the organisers urged a relaxing John Sebastian (by the side of the stage) to go buy some time in entertaining the crowd till the storm subsided, playing an acoustic set.
John’s performance ended up being the opening song on the massive triple Woodstock album. Kudos, Mr. Sebastian!
My Souvenir from my numerous visits to The Garden (above image), a made-in-Woodstock cap.
My certified made-in-Woodstock cap label. (above image),
My “Still No McDonald’s” Woodstock bumper sticker adorns my weathered “eight-miles-high” Airline Drinks Trolley (above image),
In 1982 and 1983, Steve Wozniak (co-founder of Apple Computers) single-handedly bankrolled and organised the legendary US Festivals, the Woodstock of the 80’s, in California (above image),
Backstage with Carlos Santana and Steve Wozniak (above image),
Carlos Santana, after playing at Woodstock, went from being an unknown musician to a rock superstar overnight.
Blondie in Woodstock (above image).
Dig if you will, the irony of this image – an iconic New York Punk Band in an idyllic, rustic hippie Woodstock wilderness.
This image is featured in the centre-spread of their “Panic Of Girls” album.
I draw your attention to the natural stage formed by the river.
Blondie, Back To The Garden (above image). Literally.
My rare limited edition Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab “Woodstock” Original Master Recording CD Boxset (above image).
Woodstock CD Boxset number #4372 (above image).
My Photography Woodstock, Canon’s annual Photo Marathon event in 2017 (above image).
On a more serious note: Gardens are special, peaceful, healing, blessed oases in this stressful world. At every chance we get, let’s walk in it.
“And we’ve got to get ourselves Back To The Garden” indeed.
LOVE & PEACE TO ALL!
