NONFICTION

50 Years: The Story of Woodstock Live

by Julien Bitoun
Cassell: Octopus. Jun. 2019. 240p. discog. photos. index. ISBN 9781788400749. $39.99. MUSIC
COPY ISBN
Bitoun (Guitars and Heroes) chronicles the three days of the Woodstock musical festival in this richly illustrated volume, published on the 50th anniversary of this cultural milestone. The book follows the artists in order of their appearance, with set lists, run times, and band members, and contemporaneous discography noted, along with photos from Woodstock, studio shots, and album cover art. Bitoun offers background information on the artists, descriptions of the performances, and, sometimes, reflections by musicians on the festival. A prolog briefly discusses social context, earlier festivals of the Sixties, and preparations for Woodstock, while the epilog explores artists who did not appear, the guitars of Woodstock, the subsequent film and live recording releases, and Woodstock's legacy.
VERDICT Bitoun presents a visually engaging look at one of the most significant events of rock and roll and the 1960s. Those seeking more in-depth studies may want to try Pete Fornatale's Back to the Garden or Bob Spitz's Barefoot in Babylon.
Reviewed by James Collins, Morristown-Morris Twp. P.L., NJ , May 01, 2019
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