Various Artists – The Dutch Woodstock 1970 (2013)

The Holland Pop Festival, also known as the Kralingen Music Festival, was a pop and rock music festival held in the Kralingse Bos, in the Kralingen neighbourhood of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, on 26–28 June 1970.

Performing bands included The Byrds, T. Rex, Santana, Jefferson Airplane, and the headlining Pink Floyd. Approximately 100,000 attended. Festival posters show that the festival was billed in Dutch as Pop Paradijs and ‘Holland Pop Festival 70’, and that the main investor was Coca-Cola. In both English and Dutch, the festival is also known by the English name Stamping Ground, and is often billed as the European answer to Woodstock. It took place approximately one year after Woodstock, and two months before the third 1970 Isle of Wight Festival (the first two being held in 1968 and 1969).

The Festival became an influential event, as it turned out to be the actual beginning of the Dutch tolerance policy towards marijuana.[citation needed] The many present undercover cops did not arrest any of the users or small traders: it became clear that there were just too many, and all of them peaceful.

In 1971, a documentary about the festival appeared, titled Stamping Ground, created by Hansjürgen Pohland aka Jason Pohland and George Sluizer. The film was made for an international audience and is also known under the titles Love and Music, and in Germany Rock Fieber. Also, several books and exhibitions have been dedicated to the event. A triple lp-boxset was released in 2010. The Dutch Festival 1970 (Kralingen) was organized by Foundation “Holland Pop Festival” (Piet van Daal, Georges Knap, Toos v.d.Sterre, Berry Visser)

On 21 September 2013, a memorial has been unveiled in the Kralingse Bos area, to commemorate the first multi-day open air popfestival on the European continent. (wikipedia)

Holland Pop was a 3 day musical festival held at the Kralingse Bos (Kralingse Forest) in Rotterdam on June 26, 27, and the 28th, 1970. The festival was supposedly The Netherland’s version of Woodstock. This new release includes 2 cd’s and a 97 minute dvd that captures the many highs of the 3 day festival. The 1st cd is over 53 minutes, while the 2nd cd is almost 58 minutes long. An older version of this festival goes by the name of “Stamping Ground”. Although there were many good groups who played at the festival, this release is hindered by poor sound as well as poor camera work. The saving grace of the whole festival was the excellent performances turned in by most of the groups. You have to really listen hard to hear the performances, but once you do so, you will be rewarded.

Despite the rain, an estimated 120,000 stoned festival goers showed up for the big party. And party they did, as witnessed by the camera work on the dvd, which focused as much on the nude bodies, dope-smoking, and love-making, as it did on the groups, themselves. The musical highlights included a blistering set by Santana, who played “Gumbo”/”Savor” & “Jingo”. All excellently performed but hard on the ears, even with digital noise reduction. Al Stewart turned in a fine performance of “Zero She Flies”, while the rarely recorded group Quintessence turn in a fine version of “Giants”. Canned Heat, which features a rare performance by Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson doing “Human Condition”, which is then followed by Bob Hite, joining the crowd to take a few “tokes”, while performing “The World’s In A Tango/So Sad”.

Marc Bolan, just about ending his days with T.Rex, does a very good version of “By The Light Of The Magical Moon”. It’s A Beautiful Day, who perform during a rainstorm, play an excellent set featuring “Wasted Union Blues” & “Bulgaria”. Great performance by David LaFlamme playing a very trippy violin. The Jefferson Airplane perform fine versions of “White Rabbit”, “The Ballad Of You And Me And Pooneil”, and “Won’t You Try Saturday Afternoon”. Another rare appearance is turned in by East Of Eden, who play an excellent version of “The Sun Of East/Irish Theme”. From Chicago, we get an excellent version of “Big Bird”, by The Flock, who are also very rare to find in concert.

And moving into a Jazz-Prog-Rock direction, we get Soft Machine, led by Robert Wyatt & Hugh Hopper, playing a fine version of “Esther’s Nose Job”. Other groups who participated are Pink Floyd, The Byrds, Country Joe, and Family, led by the strong vocals of Roger Chapman. All in all, the performances were very good to excellent. It’s indeed unfortunate that the cd sound and poor camera work, probably done by “stoned” photographers, only undermined the fine performances by the artists. Still, however, the set captures a very special moment in time. It could have been so much better, but the original masters were not in the best of condition to begin with. Highly recommended !

Historic live recordings from the Holland Pop Festival held in the Kralingen neighbourhood of Rotterdam, on 26-28 June 1970. The attendance was anywhere from 100,000 to 150,000.

Personnel:

Tracklist:
CD 1:
01. Cuby & The Blizzard: Dust My Blues (James) 4.46
02. Canned Heat: Human Condition (Hite/Wilson) 3.09
03. Canned Heat: So Sad (The World’s In A Tangle) (Domino/Bartholomew) 5.32
04. Livin’ Blues: Big Road Blues (Johnson) 2.41
05. Al Stewart: Zero She Flies (Stewart) 2.20
06. Quintessence: Giants (Raja Jam) 2.39
07. East Of Eden: The Sun Of East (unknown) 15.49
08. East Of Eden: Irish Theme (Jig-A-Jig) (Traditional) 3.20
09. Country Joe And The Fish: Oh Freedom (McDonald) 3.54
10. Dr. John: Mardi Gras Day (Rebenack) 4.31
11. Family: Drowned In Wine (Whitney/Chapman) 4.28

CD 2:
01. Santana: Gumbo (C.Santana/Rolie) 3.58
02. Santana: Savor (C.Santana/Rolie/Areas/Brown/Carabello/Shrieve) 4.29
03. Santana: Jingo (Olatunji) 4.26
04. Jefferson Airplane: White Rabbit (Slick) 2.19
05. Jefferson Airplane: The Ballad Of You And Me And Pooniel (Kantner) 3.03
06. It’s A Beautiful Day: Wasted Union Blues (Laflamme) 7.23
07. It’s A Beautiful Day: Bulgaria (Laflamme) 4.02
08. T. Rex: By The Light Of The Magical Moon (Bolan) 3.19
09. The Byrds: Old Blue (Traditional) 3.35
10. The Flock: Big Bird (Smith/Karpman/Glickstein/Canoff/Webb/Posa/Goodman) 4.50
11. Soft Machine: Esther’s Nose Job (Ratledge/Hopper/Wyatt) 6.03
12. Pink Floyd: Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun (Waters) 3.42
13. Pink Floyd: A Saucerful Of Secrets (Waters/Wright/Mason/Gilmour) 6.22

*
**

East Of Eden – It´s The Climate (1978)

East of Eden was a British progressive rock band, who had a Top 10 hit in the UK with the single, “Jig-a-Jig”, in 1971. The track was stylistically unlike any of their other work . Although some might consider this group as being a symphonic progressive band, others state that their style is mostly jazz oriented.

Their professional career began back in 1967 when they were formed in Bristol as Pictures of Dorian Gray, by Dave Arbus (born David Arbus, 8 October 1941, Leicester) (violin, flute, saxophone, trumpet), Ron Caines (born Ronald Arthur Caines, 13 December 1939, Bristol) (alto saxophone), Geoff Nicholson (born Geoffrey Nicholson, 27 June 1948, near Bristol, Somerset) (guitar, vocals), Mike Price bass, and Stuart Rossister drums. Price left in Spring 1968 and was replaced by Terry Brace (born Terrence Brace, 28 September 1943, in Bristol, Somerset). Vocalist Al Read (born Alan G Read, 26 March 1942, Chelsea, London) at the same time.

With this line-up the band released the now very rare King Of Siam single on 25 July 1968. They appeared in the film “Laughter in the Dark” directed by Tony Richardson.

In September 1968 Brace left and was replaced by Steve York (b. 24 April 1948, London) and Rossister also left and was replaced in September 1968 by Dave Dufort (born David Dufort, in 1947, in London). In 1968 they moved to London, and the group was signed to a recording contract with Deram Records. In February 1969 Dufort left and in came Bryan Appleyard, who was replaced in June 1969 by Geoff Britton (born Geoffrey Britton, 1 August 1943, Lewisham, South East London) (drums), who later joined Wings. York also left in June 1969 and in came bassist Andy Sneddon (born Andrew Sneddon, 8 May 1946, Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland).

In 1969 they released the Mercator Projected album, followed shortly after by Snafu (1970), and Jig-a-Jig, a European only compilation, released in 1971. Snafu reached the Top 30 in Britain of the UK Albums Chart, whilst a single, “Ramadhan,” reached number two in France. Caines and Nicholson left the band in the 1970s for an unsuccessful stint with Harvest Records. Arbus also left around this time, and was replaced by Joe O’Donnell. The band continued to record and tour in Europe.

In May 1970 original guitarist Nicholson left. The band broke up in 1978 having undergone various changes in membership. Important members in late line-ups included vocalist Al Read; bassist Terence ‘Terry’ Brace; bassist Andy Sneddon; bassist/vocalist David ‘Davy’ Jack (born 24 January 1940, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland), drummer Jeff Allen (born Jeffrey Allen, 23 April 1946, Matlock, Derbyshire) (from June 1970);Bassist/vocalist Martin Fisher (born in 1947, in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey); and violinist Joe O’Donnell (born Joseph O’Donnell, 26 December 1948, in Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland) (from March 1973); Alan ‘Al’ Perkes (born 26 May 1949, in Bow, East London); guitarist Garth Watt-Roy (born Garth Philip Watt-Roy, December 1947, in Bombay, India) (from February 1972).

The three core members (Arbus, Caines and Nicholson), reunited in 1996 and their album Kalipse was released the next year. Like most of their earlier work, it was a cult hit.

Arbus was a guest musician on The Who’s track “Baba O’Riley”, playing the violin solo. He was a friend of the band’s drummer Keith Moon, and was also later a member of Fiddler’s Dram. (by wikipedia)

And here´s an album at the end of their career in the Seventies.

It´s a good album, but to be honest, not their best album. They sound more then the Average White Band then the early East Of Eden ..

But … listen and make your own decision …

Personnel:
Jeff Allen (drums)
Les Davidson (guitar)
David Jack (vocals)
Dyl Katz (bass)
Ian Lynn (keyboards)
Don Weller (saxophone)
+
Bary st. John – Bimbo Acock – Theo Thunder – Dave Rose – George Howden – John McNicol – Brenda Lynn

Tracklist:
01. Rock’N’Roll King (Davidson/Allen) 3.04
02. It’s The Climate (Davidson) 5.18
03. This Time (Davidson/Allen) 4.35
04. Walnut (Weller) 3.42
05. Sensible Shoes (Davidson) 1.50
06. If You Go (Davidson/Allen) 3.05
07. Patterns (Davidson/Brown) 4.45
08. Down And Out (Acock) 4.28
09. You (Davidson/Allen) 4.25

*
**

The inlets from the German edition

 

East Of Eden – Same (1971)

Long ago and far away, there was a time when musicians ruled the pop world. Those strange beings gifted at playing musical instruments were allowed to make records and even stranger ~ their work was so popular It actually got into the charts! Although this now seems like a far fetched alien concept in an age ruled by computers and *boy bands’, there are wise men who can recall those ancient times and swear it is true.

Once such example was the UK musical ensemble known as East Of Eden whose experimental work resulted in them being hailed by critics as pioneers of progressive rock. Yet, such was the open minded and receptive attitude prevailing in the late Sixties, the band’s music was eagerly accepted by a wide audience. Teenage girls were seen entering record stores and asking ‘May I have the latest waxing by East Of Eden please? I hear they are really fab’. Pipe smoking intellectuals discussed their latest albums and offered profound insights into their lyrics.

Even housewives turned up their wireless sets a notch louder when the band’s hit record “Jig A Jag” came on the air. This lively instrumental number, featuring the violin playing of Dave Arbus, got to Number 7 in the UK charts in April 1971. Dave Arbus (violin, saxes, flute) was a founder member of the West Countrygroup, which got together in 1968. The first line up included Ron Gaines (alto sax), Geoff Nicholson (lead guitar), Andy Sneddon (bass) and London born drummer Geoff Britton. A one-off single called ‘King Of SianV appeared on the Atlantic label before they were signed to Deram in 1969.

Their first album ‘Mercator Projected’ was released in 1969 and showcased a mixture of styles, from rock to jazz and Eastern style music. Arbus also played trumpet and flute and was much inspired by the work of jazz composer and bassist Charles Mingus. Their next album ‘Snafu’ was released in 1970. It was a time when exciting new bands like ELP and Deep Purple were developing the progressive rock style and there were scores of clubs and venues where bands could work and earn a living. All this provided a healthy environment for a group that wasn’t afraid to blend raga, jazz and folk, all within the space of a few bars.

East Of Eden took a quantum leap forward in terms when “Jig A Jag” was a hit. It stayed on the charts for 12 ‘weeks and seemed destined to transform their financial fortunes. That same year the band switched from Decca’s Deram to EMI’s Harvest label and the ‘East Of Eden’ album featuring Dave Arbus with David Jack Cvocals, bass, acoustic guitar} Jim Roche (guitars) and Jeff Allen (drums & percussion) – was released in 1971, at the height of the band’s commercial popularity Progressive Rock fans suddenly found themselves supporting an act that was apperaring on TV alongside the likes of T.Rex and there was some confusion about the band’s identity and musical direction.(Chris Welch)

Listen to the exciting sounds of East Of Eden ! And it sounds so fucking good till today !

Cover art by hipgnosis

Personnel:
Jeff Allen (drums, percussion)
Dave Arbus (violin, saxophone, flute)
David Jack (vocals, bass, guitar)
Jim Roche (guitar)

Tracklist:
01. Wonderful Feeling 6.11
02. Goodbye 5.48
03. Crazy Daisy 6.54
04. Here Comes The Day 4.33
05. Take What You Need 5.03
06. No Time 6.03
07. To Mrs. V 5.18

All songs composed by David Jack

* (coming soon)
**

East Of Eden – Live At The BBC (1970)

When the great Big-O-Magazine offered East Of Eden live in Zurich 1970 as a download last year, it became one of the more popular shows among jazz fans. Perhaps the group’s reputation did preceed them. Also, there aren’t that many East Of Eden shows available, especially fine sounding ones.

Formed in Bristol in 1967, the group had released Mercator Projected in 1969, followed by Snafu in 1970. Knowing that the performances were to be broadcast, East Of Eden played what would have been a set of “greatest hits” – Waterways, In The Snow For A Blow, the oriental-sounding Xhorkham, In The Stable Of The Sphinx (with an energetic surf-punk feel), Nymphenburger and, what would be a regular curtain closer, Jig-A-Jig.

Weaving Middle-Eastern elements into their music, the group had a hit song called Ramadhan. But what made East Of Eden stand out was their use of the violin as a lead instrument and their willingness to play their own blend of rock-fusion jazz. As mentioned on their website: “Their utilisation of jazz in a much purer form than their contemporaries was the prime element which defined their music. Also use of eastern scales, reggae rhythms and influences of classical composers such as Bartok crossed musical boundaries years before the term ‘World Music’ was coined.”

Thanks then to reader John Faulkner who contributed this compilation. John notes: “Uncirculated as far as I know. Excellent for the time – mono; from reel to reel.”

Recorded live at
Radio One In Concert, 1970 (tracks 01. – 04.)
Top Gear, April 18, 1970 (05. – 07)

Personnel:
Jeff Allen (drums)
Dave Arbus (violin, flute, saxophone)
Ron Caines (saxophone)
Andy Sneddon (bass, vocals)
Jim Roche (guitar)

Alternate frontcover

Tracklist:
01. Waterways (Caines) 8.25
02. Moth (Caines) 4.22
03. In The Snow For A Blow (Sneddon/Britten/Nicholson/Caines/Arbus) 13.54
04. Xhorkham (Sneddon/Britten/Nicholson/Caines/Arbus) 15.56
05, In The Stable Of The Sphinx (Arbus/Nicholson/Caines/York) 12.50
06. Jig-A-Jig (Traditional) 7.73
07. Nymphenburger (Arbus/Nicholson/Caines/York) 8.02

East Of Eden, live in 1970

*
**