Sound off: SC Reviews

The Woodstock Experience

(Columbia/RCA/Epic/Legacy)

With the 40th anniversary of the original Woodstock festival right around the corner, it seems that everyone and his mother is releasing merchandise to try to cash in on the nostalgia. One of the better sets of items I have run across is "The Woodstock Experience" CDs.

Sold separately or as a boxed set, the CDs feature the live Woodstock set by artists that include Jefferson Airplane, Sly and the Family Stone, Johnny Winter, Janis Joplin and Santana.

In addition to the live sets from that historic music festival, the sets also include the studio album that was in release by each band at that time. There is "Stand" by Sly Stone; "Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!" by Janis Joplin; Johnny Winter's and Santana's respective eponymous releases; and Jefferson Airplane's "Volunteers."

Each CD comes in its own cardboard slipcover, and a poster of each band is packaged with its respective album. Highlights of the live material includes Joplin's "Summertime," Santana's previously unreleased Woodstock version of "Evil Ways," and Sly Stone's amazing "I Want To Take You Higher."

Download These: "Summertime," "Evil Ways," "I Want To Take You Higher."

Something To Be Tour: Live at Red Rocks

(E1)

I have never been a huge fan of the band Matchbox Twenty. Sure, that Orlando, Fla., band has sold millions of albums and played before millions of fans, but there was always something about the band's music that just annoyed me.

Even with my obvious disdain for that band, even I can't deny the fact that its lead singer, Rob Thomas, is one talented songwriter. Sure, I got burned out on "Smooth," the song Thomas wrote for Carlos Santana on that rock icon's album "Supernatural," but it was still a catchy tune.

Not only is Thomas a great songwriter, but as the footage shows on Thomas's new live DVD, "Something To Be Tour: Live at Red Rocks," he's a pretty dynamic performer as well. Recorded at the famous Colorado outdoor venue, the live DVD showcases a combination of Thomas's solo work, as well as a healthy selection of Matchbox Twenty tunes.

Armed with an impressive band, Thomas rips through songs such as "Something To Be," "Fallin' To Pieces," "3 a.m.," "Bent," "Smooth," "This Is How A Heart Breaks" and even a credible cover of David Bowie's "Let's Dance."

Did the concert make me a Matchbox Twenty fan? No, but even an avowed M20 hater such as myself has to admit that Thomas can bring it in a live setting.

Live In Toronto '69

(Shout!Factory)

So picture this; it's 1969 and you have been enjoying a day of music at the Toronto Rock 'N Roll Revival festival, where classic rock acts such as Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis have been hammering out the hits of the '50s.

At this point, the Beatles are still together, although rumors abound as to the band's status. Then, to cap off a great day of music, you get to witness the live debut of the Plastic Ono Band, fronted by none other than John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Backing the couple on stage are drummer Alan White, bassist Klaus Voormann, and Eric Clapton on guitar. I don't know about you, but my head would be exploding at the mere introduction of that lineup.

One song each by Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard are included before a bearded, white-suited Lennon takes to the stage with his band for six songs, including "Blue Suede Shoes," "Money," "Cold Turkey" and "Give Peace A Chance."

Ono also contributes a couple of her own compositions, and is heard shrieking like a bottle-nosed dolphin during several of John's performances.

Man, John must have really loved that woman.