Tag Archives: Woodstock Music and Art Fair

Ten Years After Woodstock

Ten Years After Woodstock

Ten Years After Woodstock Ten Years After Woodstock Ten Years After Woodstock

Ten Years After started around 8.15 pm; played for a little over an hour. While the huge crowd had dwindled quite a bit, those who remained enthusiastically responded to the great performance.

Set list:

  • Spoonful
  • Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
  • Hobbit
  • I Can’t Keep from Crying Sometimes
  • Help Me
  • I’m Going Home
Ten Years After Woodstock

Spoonful

A little blues to warm us up” and the band begins their cover of Willie Dixon‘s Spoonful (made famous by Howlin’ Wolf), though many in the crowd would have been more familiar with Cream’s cover.

Ten Year After’s cover had appeared on the band’s first album, Ten Years After, that the Deram label had released in September 1967.

They’d also play the song at the Texas Pop Festival 2 weeks later.

Ten Years After Woodstock

Good Morning Little Schoolgirl

Lee explains, “This has been banned all over the country for one word–ball–it’s called Good Morning Little Schoolgirl.”  Sonny Boy Williamson wrote it in 1937.  The song was on the band’s Ssssh album, their third, that had just been released.

This video is from the Groupies 1969 film

Good morning little schoolgirl
Can I go home, home with you?
Good morning little schoolgirl
Can I go home, home with you?
Tell your mama and your papa
Big be schoolboy, too
I won’t bore you, yeah
Baby, I won’t bore you all night long
Yes, I do
Baby, I want to ball you
I want to ball you all night long
Tell your mama and your papa
Baby, baby, doing nothing wrong, child
I’m doing nothing wrong, yeah
I won’t bore you, yea, yea, huh
Baby, I want to ball you all night long
Yes, I do, child
I won’t bore you, darling, yea
I won’t bore you all night long
Tell your mama and your papa
Baby, baby, we’re gonna do nothing wrong
Wrong , wrong, wrong
Baby, I want to ball you every night
Oh, yeah, come on now
Ten Years After Woodstock

Hobbit

An instrumental written by drummer Ric Lee. Not surprisingly, it mainly features Lee. A live version of the song  recorded in January 1973 was included on the band’s third live album, Recorded Live.

This video is. from August 4, 1975 at Winterland:

Ten Years After Woodstock

I Can’t Keep from Crying Sometimes

Al Kooper‘s song that the band had also included on its debut album.  As with many songs, Lee doesn’t necessarily follow the “official” lyrics.

Also from Winterland (must have been a hell of a concert)…

I can’t keep from crying sometimes
I can’t keep from crying sometimes
Oh momma she’s dead and gone
And I know I’m all alone
I can’t keep from crying sometimes
Early in the morning
About the break of day
I fall down on my knees child
I fall down and I pray
I think about my woman
My woman who’s long gone
I can’t keep from crying sometimes
I can’t keep from crying sometimes
Oh momma she’s dead and gone
And I know I’m all alone
I can’t keep from crying sometimes
Later in the evening
I watch the sun go down
I think about my woman
But my woman Lord she ain’t around
My heart is filled with sadness
And my eyes are filled with tears
I can’t keep from crying sometimes
I can’t keep from crying sometimes
Oh momma she’s dead and gone
And I know I’m all alone
I can’t keep from crying sometimes
Ten Years After Woodstock

Help Me

The third song from their debut album and another blues cover. Ralph Bass, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson wrote the song.  In 1987, “Help Me” was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in the “Classic of Blues Recordings” category.

This video is from the Marquee in London, 1983…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A19OMJ1Q9iU

As deservedly well-known as “Goin’ Home” is, Lee’s performance on this song may outdo it.

You got to help me, now; I can’t do it all by myself
You got to help me, now; I can’t do it all by myself
You know if you don’t help me, darling, I’ll have to find myself somebody else
I my have to wash, I may have to sew, I may have to cook
I might mop the floor; but you help me baby
If you don’t help me, darling, I’ll have to find somebody else
When I walk, you walk with me; and when I talk, you talk with me
Oh, baby, I can’t do it all by myself
Bring my nightshirt; put your mornin’ gown
Bring my nightshirt; put your mornin’ gown
You know if you don’t help me, darling, I’ll have to find myself somebody else
You’re talking about your woman, I wish to God man that you could see mine
You’re talking about your woman, I wish to God man that you could see mine
Every time the little girl starts to loving she bring eyesight to the blind
Ten Years After Woodstock

I’m Going Home

At the end  of Help Me, MC Chip Monck asks the crowd to allow the show to continue given how late things are running. But the crowd is loud and insistent.

Albert “tunes the ol’ axe up…,”  thanks the crowd, and says that the song is “I’m Goin’ Home…by helicopter.” Lee wrote the song and it was on their second album, Undead,  which the Deram label had released just a year before. While Woodstock fans sometimes feel this is their song, it was a staple of Lee’s performances.

Goin’ home, my baby
Goin’ home, my baby
Goin’ home, to see my baby
Our baby, how good
My baby, be good
I’m goin’ home, my baby
Home to see my girl
Oh baby, baby, I’m coming home
Baby, baby I’m coming home
Tell me Mama, baby, I’m coming home
Gonna see my baby, see my baby fine
Gonna take my baby, want to take my baby mine
Gonna take my woman treats me real kind
I’m goin’ home, my baby
I’m goin’ home, to see my baby
Goin’ home, my baby
Gonna see my baby, see my baby fine
Take my baby, take my baby mine
Gonna tell your mama how good that love of ours
I’m goin’ home, to see my baby
I’m goin’ home, to see my baby
Oh, baby ooh
Want to take you back, take where love belong
Treat me baby, treat, don’t treat me wrong
Oh, baby, I’m rollin’
Baby, baby, I’m rollin’
Baby, baby, I’m rollin’
Won’t you shake me, baby, well get you rollin’ down
Won’t you shake me, baby, well get you rollin’ down
Oh, baby, we’re gonna have some fun
Baby, please don’t go, baby, please don’t go
Baby, please don’t go, baby, please don’t go
Please don’t go, she’s cold, I need you
Comin’ home, ooh, hey
Come on over baby, whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
I’m goin’ home, to see my baby
Home, to see my girl, ooh
I’m goin’ home, take my baby
I’m goin’ home, see my baby
Gonna take me back, I’ll take her where I belong
I’m goin’ home, to see my baby
I’m goin’ home, to see my baby
Come on, Take me, Yeah
I’m goin’ home, I’m goin’ home
I’m goin’ home, hey, hoo
Gonna take me back right where I belong
I’m goin’ home, I’m goin’ home
I’m goin’ home, I’m goin’ home
Hoo, hoo, right where I belong
And apparently, a watermelon was included in the band’s compensation.
Ten Years After Woodstock

The next act was The Band.

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

After the rain delay, Country Joe and the Fish started around 6.30 pm and  played a little over an hour. It was, of course, the second time that Joe McDonald had performed after his initially low key performance that finished with a rousing and historic “Fish” Cheer > I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag. The Fish will do the same, but with so many wet, tired, muddy, hungry attendees having to leave, the second time was less rousing than the first.

McDonald’s solo performance of Fixin’ will be included in and a highlight of the Woodstock movie released the following year.

Band personnel:

  • Country Joe McDonald: guitar, vocals

  • Barry “the Fish” Melton: guitar

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

  • Mark Kapner: keyboards

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

  • Doug Metzner: bass

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

  • Greg “Duke” Dewey: drums

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

Setlist:

  • Rock & Soul Music
  • (Thing Called) Love
  • Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine
  • Sing, Sing, Sing
  • Summer Dresses
  • Friend, Lover, Woman, Wife
  • Silver and Gold
  • Maria
  • The Love Machine
  • Ever Since You Told Me That You Love Me (I’m a Nut)
  • Crystal Blues
  • Rock & Soul Music (Reprise)
  • “Fish” Cheer > I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag

 

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

Rock & Soul Music

Together album cover. Album recorded in November 1967 and released on Vanguard Records in August 1968.

From the band’s “Together” album, the song was written by the band as it existed in 1967: Joe McDonald, Barry Melton, David Cohen, Bruce Barthol, and Gary Chicken Hersh.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. We’re certainly delighted to be here today.  Like to start off our portion of the show by giving you a taste of a little something we call rock and soul music.

Your love is like a rainbow
Your love is like a rainbow now 
Your love is like a rainbow, I said
Falling all around my shoulders…
Marijuana!

(Thing Called) Love

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

Written by Joe McDonald and recorded in 1966 for an EP.  In 1980 released on “The First Three EP’s.”

Well, now deep in my heart baby I know that you care,
Deep in my heart, babe, the feelin’ is there,
‘Cause I got somethin’ money can’t buy,
I got somethin’ that you oughta try,
I got love, love, I said love, love,
I got love, baby.
Well, I can tell by your smile what you wanna do,
I can see in your eyes you got the feeling, too.
So come on, baby, it’s time to move,
‘Cause I’ve got somethin’ that’s a stone groove,
I got love, love, oh love, sweet love,
I got love, baby.
Well, now deep in my heart baby I know that you care,
Deep in my heart, baby, the feelin’ is there,
‘Cause I got somethin’ money can’t buy,
I got somethin’ that you oughta try,
I got love, love, I said love,
Sweet love, love, yeah!

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine

From “Electric Music For The Mind And Body” written by Joe McDonald. it had been released as a single. It only made it to #98. According to the Vancouver Pop Music site, “ It was a psychedelic song about a reclusive, intense, esoteric woman who is unpredictable and obsessed with death. The song’s abstract lyrical content caught on in Vancouver and the song climbed to #5.”

She hides in an attic concealed on a shelf
Behind volumes of literature based on herself
And runs across the pages like some tiny elf
Knowing that it’s hard to find
Stuff way back in her mind
Winds up spending all of her time
Trying to memorize every line
Sweet Lorraine, ah sweet Lorraine

Sweet lady of death wants me to die
So she can come sit by my bedside and sigh
And wipe away the tears from all my friends eyes
Then softly she will explain
Just exactly who was to blame
For causing me to go insane
And finally blow out my brain
Sweet Lorraine, ah sweet Lorraine

Well you know that it’s a shame and a pity
You were raised up in the city
And you never learned nothing ’bout country ways
Ah ’bout country ways

The joy of life she dresses in black
With celestial secrets engraved in her back
And her face keeps flashing that she’s got the knack
But you know when you look into her eyes
All she’s learned she’s had to memorize
And the only way you’ll ever get her high
Is to let her do her thing and then watch you die
Sweet Lorraine, ah sweet Lorraine

Now she’s the one who gives us all those magical things
And reads us stories out of the I Ching
Then she passes out a whole new basket of rings
That when you put on your hand
Makes you one of the Angel Band
And gives you the power to be a man
But what it does for her you never quite understand
Sweet Lorraine, ah sweet Lorraine

Well you know that it’s a shame and a pity
You were raised up in the city
And you never learned nothing ’bout country ways
Oh ’bout country ways, oh ’bout country ways
Yeah about country ways, oh country ways …

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

Sing, Sing, Sing

The band recorded the album in January 1970. Vanguard released the album in May 1970.

Written by Barry Melton, the song appeared on their CJ Fish album.

Open my eyes i’ve been dreaming,
Open my eyes i’ve been dreaming,
After all this time it seems so strange;
I woke up today and changed my way of living.
Sing, sing, sing,
Sing, sing, sing,
Sing me a love song,
Sing me a love song.
Last night while lying in our bed
Was you who turned to me and said:
“Is it really me you love?
Tell me what you’re thinking of!
Are you thinking thoughts of loving me?”
My love for you is something warm,
Like silver drops of laughter
Giving life and taking form
Dreaming dreams of unborn
Children by our side.
Open my mind i’ve been sleeping
Open my mind i’ve been sleeping
After all this time it seems so strange;
I woke up today and changed my way of living.
Sing, sing, sing (sing, sing, sing)
Sing, sing, sing (sing me a love song)
Sing, sing, sing (sing me a love song)

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

Summer Dresses

Apparently this was the only time the band played this song and I cannot find who wrote it. One can guess it was McDonald, but…

Girls in their summer dresses you know they’re lookin’ fine

Couples walkin’ hand in hand havin’ a good time.

Everybody’s smilin’ it seems like a dream

Everybody’s groovin’ you know what I mean

Let’s get it together, come on and beat the heat

Summer is the time for dancin’ in the street.

Mama Papa told me sister brother, too

Everybody’s dancin’ they know what to do

Now’s the time for livin’ we won’t hesitate…

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

Friend, Lover, Woman, Wife

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

This song appeared on a McDonald 1970 solo album called Tonight I’m Singing Just For You.

The song is unusual in that no band member wrote this song.  Well-known singer songwriter Mac Davis did. Davis would later be a Songwriters Hall of Fame, a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, a Texas Country Music Hall of Fame,  and Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee as well as a recipient of the BMI Icon AwardMac Davis did.

Well, she’s a friend, she’s a lover,
She’s a woman, she’s a wife,
She’s the answer to the prayer that every lonely man dreams of.
She’s a temptress, she’s a lady,
She’s the mother of my baby
And I thank God that I’m the lucky man she loves.
Sometimes I lie awake and watch her sleeping
And I just want to bust and love drops fill my eyes
I wonder what she’d think if she woke up and caught me weeping,
‘Cause daddy’s heroes ain’t supposed to cry.
You know the morning always seems to catch us laughing,
We got the baby in the bed between us safe and warm.
And I thank the Lord above for all the good times I’m having
Wrapped up in my woman’s loving arms.
‘Cause she’s a friend, she’s a lover,
She’s a woman, she’s a wife,
She’s the answer to the prayer that every lonely man dreams of.
She’s a temptress, she’s a lady,
She’s the mother of my baby
And I thank God that I’m the lucky man she loves.
When the load gets heavy on my shoulders
I can’t keep the pace and I need a place to hide,
I run home to my own little world and take her in my arms and hold her
And I soon forget that there’s another world outside.
Well, she’s a friend, she’s a lover,
She’s a woman, she’s a wife,
She’s the answer to the prayer that every lonely man dreams of.
She’s a temptress, she’s a lady,
She’s the mother of my baby
And I thank God that I’m the lucky man she loves.
Country Joe Fish Woodstock

Silver and Gold

Also from “C. J. Fish” (1970) by Joe McDonald

Dress my baby in silver and
Dress my baby in silver and
Dress my baby in silver and gold
Now, now, now, now, now.
Rubies, sapphires and diamonds
Rubies, sapphires and diamonds
Rubies, sapphires and diamonds on her hands
Now, now, now, now, now.
She don’t never tell me lies
She don’t go with other guys
She just wants to keep me high
Oh my baby drives me crazy.
Oh my baby drives me crazy.
Country Joe Fish Woodstock

Maria

Country Joe Fish Woodstock
From their then most recent album. Here We Go Again had been recorded in from January to March 1969 and Vanguard released it in July

From “Here We Are Again” (1969) by Joe McDonald.

Maria, I’m growing so tired of fighting this war,
Maria, I feel like I just can’t go on anymore.
The sounds we make as they’re dying
Hearing their screams and their crying
The children, their eyes are weeping
We filled them with pain.
You know the reason I joined up to fight in this war.
You know the reason I refuse to fight anymore.
Maria, please help me, I feel like I’m going insane.
Maria, at night in my dreams I keep calling your name.
After the battle is over
And I am just another soldier
Maria, I’m longing to hold you again in my arms.
You know the reason I joined up to fight in this war.
You know the reason I refuse to fight anymore.
Country Joe Fish Woodstock

The Love Machine

From “C. J. Fish” (1970) by Barry Melton

In the middle of the daytime, in the middle of the night
Comes a new kind of engine from way out of sight.
She’s good looking, and her lines are mighty clean
The name of that engine is the Love Machine.
Put some fuel in her tender and turn up the steam,
You can hear, you can hear that whistle scream.
You can see her coming on down the track,
She’ll send little shivers up and down your back.
I know you’ve heard of old ninety-nine
Perhaps the red caboose
But they will all be left behind
When the Love Machine gets loose.
In the middle of the daytime, in the middle of the night
Comes a new kind of engine from way out of sight.
Now she’s good-looking and her lines are mighty clean,
And the name of that engine is the Love Machine
And the name of that engine is the Love Machine.
I know you’ve heard of old ninety-nine
Perhaps the red caboose
But they will all be left behind
When the Love Machine gets loose
When the Love Machine gets loose.
Now people I’m talking about love
And I’m talking about a machine yeah, huh!
It’s a clean machine and a fine machine
When that Love Machine gets loose
When that Love Machine gets loose
I’m gonna get loose too, yeah.
Country Joe Fish Woodstock
Ever Since You Told Me That You Love Me (I’m a Nut)

Sung a capella by Mr Memphis Mark Kapner, this was the B-side of Tiny Tim‘s wildly successful, Tip-Toe Thru’ the Tulips With me. Written by Jean SchwartzGrant Clarke & Edgar Leslie 

I’ve got to see a doctor
I’ve got to see a doctor
Cause there’s something wrong with me
What can it be?
What can it be?

I know it isn’t indigestion
It isn’t indigestion
It’s just my poor old brain
It feels so queer
Since you’ve been near, dear!

Ever since you told me that you loved me
I’m a nut, I’m a nut!
Ever since you said these words, sweetheart
I’m a bug, I’m a bug!

Can’t sleep nights, can’t even eat
Something’s wrong with both my feet
I bump into people on the street
Like a fool
Like a fool
Like an awful fool

Ever said you said you’d like to kiss me
I’m a bug, I’m a bug
Darling, I’m as happy as can be
Oh, can’t you see?

I lie awake all evening
’til the dawn begins to peep
The druggist gave me something
But I can’t begin to sleep
Ever since you told me that you loved me!

The song ends with the band briefly launching into an extremely loud and heavy rock riff.

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

Crystal Blues

From “Here We Are Again” (1969) by Joe McDonald. Continuing the loud guitar motiff…

She told me that she loved me,
She said she’d make my house a home.
She told me that she loved me,
Oh she said she’d make my house a happy home,
Ah, but living with that woman now
Yeah, it’s just like living all alone
Oh, living all alone,
Yeah, living all alone.
You know i love you baby,
Oh, you know that i tried to be your man oh,
Man yeah, i tried so hard to be your man.
You know i love you baby,
You know that i tried so hard to be your man,
But your heart has turned to stone, girl.
There’s nothing but the devil crawling through your veins.
Ah, play the blues, come on.
Ah, crystal’s got my woman,
Ah, dope is driving her insane, yeah
Dope is driving her insane, yeah
Dope is driving her insane.
Crystal’s got my woman,
Ah, dope is driving her insane, yeah.
She used to be so pretty,
Now she can’t remember her own name,
Now she can’t remember her own name

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

Rock & Soul Music (Reprise)

Bookending their opening song, this time the band jams for 13 plus minutes. Here are the approximate lyrics.

We’d like to take this opportunity now to play you a little thing that we learned from Mr. James Brown the King of soul music. Now this ain’t soul music, mind you, this is rock music. But it’s got soul to it, if you can dig that. And now the band would like to play a new riff they just learned, we call a sockin’-it-to-you riff. And it-uh goes something like this. Alright are you ready boys? Let me hear you do it one time just once c’mon
Huh! Ah that’s it, do it again! Huh! Oh come on! Oh it feels so good, do it again! Alright, come on! Huh! One more time, come on! Huh! Now let me hear you do it two times if you can. Huh huh! Alright, that’s good, do it again! Huh uh.
Hmm alright, come on. Huh.
Oh yeah, do it again now. Huh uh.
Feels so good, once more! Huh uh. Oh let me hear you do it three times now, huh! Ah yeah, come on! Alright! Four times now! Ahhhh! come on now. Oh, when you hold me, ah
Oh, when you kiss me
Oh, when you love me
It’s alright, outasite, Ahhh! you know that you’re just d-d-d-d-d-dynamite! Huh! I guess you’ve heard all about rock and roll, You’ve heard about the music that they call soul.
Well, I’m here to tell you what I’ve been told ’bout the brand new music called the rock

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

“Fish” Cheer > I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag

The third time the song was done that weekend. “I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die” (1967) written by Joe McDonald

Give me an F
Give me an U
Give me an C
Give me an K

What’s that spell?
Fish!
What’s that spell?
FUCK
What’s that spell?
FUCK

Yeah, come on all of you big strong men
Uncle Sam needs your help again
He’s got himself in a terrible jam

Way down yonder in Vietnam
So put down your books, pick up a gun
Gonna have a whole lot of fun

[Chorus]
And it’s 1, 2, 3
What are we fighting for?

Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn
Next stop is Vietnam
And it’s 5, 6, 7
Open up the pearly gates
Well, ain’t no time to wonder why
Whoopee!
We’re all going to die

Well come on generals let’s move fast
Your big chance has come at last
Gotta go out, get those reds
The only good commie is the one that’s dead

And you know that peace could only be won
When we’ve blown them all to kingdom come

[Chorus]

Well come on Wall Street don’t move slow
Why man, this is war-a-go-go
There’s plenty good money to be made
By supplying the Army with the tools of the trade

Just hope and pray that if they drop the bomb
They drop it on the Viet Cong

[Chorus]

Well come on mothers throughout the land
Pack your boys off to Vietnam

Come on fathers don’t hesitate
Send them off before it’s too late

Be the first one on your block
To have your boy come home in a box

[Chorus]

Country Joe Fish Woodstock

The next act was Ten Years After.

Joe Cocker Woodstock

Joe Cocker Woodstock

Photo by David Marks who worked on Bill Hanley’s sound crew at Woodstock and many other venues. His accompanying statement: “For Joe’s set I was way up ‘higher’ than anybody at Woodstock ’69… on the O/P speaker tower (I had to take up covers for the loudspeakers in case of rain)… I had my 35mm camera with me… I took a few shots… and just as The Grease Band hit the last chord of ‘With a Little Help…’ and somebody down below, shouted “… look behind you,… look behind you…” the heavens opened up… showering the Flower Children in the Garden down below. True tale. 🌹✌🏾🎶 3rd Ear Music.”

The Airplane had ended what was basically a 22-hour concert from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning.  Now people wandered, slept, sought food,  found relief, or tried to figure out what was next.

Joe Cocker Woodstock
A bubble floats over Sunday morning at Woodstock

Max Yasgur

On Friday, I wasn’t at  Woodstock to hear Sri Swami Satchidananda and on Sunday I didn’t know who Max Yasgur was. The Swami had spoke to and chanted with the crowd for about 17 minutes.

Max spoke for less than 2.

I’m a farmer…(interrupted by a cheer from the audience)… I don’t know how to speak to twenty people at one time, let alone a crowd like this. But I think you people have proven something to the world — not only to the Town of Bethel, or Sullivan County, or New York State; you’ve proven something to the world. This is the largest group of people ever assembled in one place. We have had no idea that there would be this size group, and because of that you’ve had quite a few inconveniences as far as water, food, and so forth. Your producers have done a mammoth job to see that you’re taken care of… they’d enjoy a vote of thanks. But above that, the important thing that you’ve proven to the world is that a half a million kids — and I call you kids because I have children that are older than you are — a half million young people can get together and have three days of fun and music and have nothing but fun and music, and I – God Bless You for it!”

Like Quill was and Sweetwater was supposed to be, Joe Cocker was the opening act and opening acts have that slot because they are typically less known. Such was the cast for Cocker, but he was a bit better known in the American east than Quill or Sweetwater had been.

Joe Cocker Woodstock

Joe Cocker and the Grease Band

How did Joe get an invite to begin with?

Joyce Mitchell was an assistant to Michael Lang. In a message exchange with her, she mentioned this story.

The only performer I brought to Michael’s attention was Joe Cocker and John signed him up. He was performing in a club on the upper west side and someone I had worked with at my previous job had brought my attention to his great blues performance. I went to the club hoping Michael would join me but he never showed. It was a club on Columbus or Amsterdam Ave. They did not serve liquor, but Joe shook the club up.  

It always amazes me how such a little thing can lead to such a huge difference in someone’s career path.

Sunday 17 August

Now it was about 2 PM on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  The band would play for nearly 90 minutes, quite a long time for an opening act, which turned out to be a good thing for the crowd who didn’t realize they were in for a soaking soon after the set finished.

Personnel:

Setlist (the first two songs were instrumentals that the Grease Band played before Joe Cocker joined them on stage)

  • Rockhouse
  • Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring 
  • Dear Landlord
  • Something’s Coming On
  • Do I Still Figure in Your Life
  • Feelin’ Alright
  • Just Like a Woman
  • Let’s Go Get Stoned
  • I Don’t Need No Doctor
  • I Shall Be Released
  • Hitchcock Railway
  • Something to Say
  • With a Little Help from My Friends
Joe Cocker Woodstock

Rockhouse/Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring 

Joe Cocker Woodstock

The Grease Band was a separate group formed just before Joe Cocker hired them (briefly) as his back up band. The band members each went on following Cocker’s departure to have long careers, sometime with Cocker again.

They would later release two of their own albums, The Grease Band in 1971 and Amazing Grease in 1975.

Joe Cocker Woodstock

Dear Landlord

Joe Cocker Woodstock

Joe Cocker was the only Woodstock performer to have a band open for him. Not sure why. In any case, Cocker is best known for songs he covered and covered in such a way that the songs became his. While Dear Landlord  may not be the best example of that, he certainly makes Bob Dylan’s song his own.

The song would appear on his second album, Joe Cocker, in November 1969. Unlike his first album, With A Little Help From My Friends,  which did not feature the Grease Band, the Joe Cocker album did.

The following lyrics are Dylan’s. Joe takes a bit of poetic license with his version.

Interestingly, he introduced the song by comparing the title to Max Yasgur: “That farming guy who came out. He seemed like a nice little bloke” 

Dear landlord
Please don’t put a price on my soul
My burden is heavy
My dreams are beyond control
When that steamboat whistle blows
I’m going to give you all I got to give
And I do hope you receive it well
Depending on the way you feel that you live
Dear landlord
Please heed these words that I speak
I know you’ve suffered much
But in this you are not so unique
All of us, at times we might work too hard
To have it too fast and too much
And anyone can fill his life up
With things he can see but he just cannot touch
Dear landlord
Please don’t dismiss my case
I’m not about to argue
I’m not about to move to no other place
Now, each of us has his own special gift
And you know this was meant to be true
And if you don’t underestimate me
I won’t underestimate you
Joe Cocker Woodstock

Something’s Coming On

Written by Joe Cocker and keyboardist Chris Stainton, the song. He says “This explains the whole situation.”

Something coming on, don’t know what it is but it’s getting stronger
Feeling in my bones, hope you let it last a little bit longer
Breaking out my head, doing things I never even dreamed of
Rolling down my spine, turning on the things that’d never been turned on
Suddenly she came in
Looked like she’d been gaming
Doing things with everybody else
When I yelled out loudly
She answered kind of proudly
That she spent her life upon the shelf
Something coming on, Now I understand Its getting better
I’ve got a feeling in my bones
what ever happens now it just don’t matter Breaking out my head
I’ve been doing things I never even dreamed of
rolling down my spine, turning on my things that’d never been turned on
Suddenly she came in
Looked like she’d been gaming
Doing things with everybody else
When I yelled out loudly
She answered kind of proudly
That she spent her life upon the shelf
Talk about the woman
Something coming on, don’t know what it is but it’s getting stronger
Feeling in my bones, hope you let it last a little bit longer
Breaking out my head, doing things I never even dreamed of
Rolling down my spine, turning on the things that’d never been turned on
Suddenly she came in
Looked like she’d been gaming
Doing things with everybody else
When I yelled out loudly
She answered kind of proudly
That she spent her life upon the shelf
Joe Cocker Woodstock

Do I Still Figure in Your Life

Joe Cocker Woodstock

A Sunday afternoon ballad.” written by Pete Dello  appeared on Cocker’s first album With A Little Help From My Friends released in May 1969.

Hey there, what’cha gonna do now
You made yourself some new friends, knocking around
But all those wild people,
you know they make me nervous
When the things you said cut me like a knife
Do I still figure in your life
Hey hey hey
Do I still figure in your life
Hey there, well I hardly even know your face
It’s got a brand new look about it
that’s hard to trace
The tender way you look
the way you’re smiling, yeah
To think I once took you for my wife
Do I still figure in your life
Hey hey hey
Do I still figure in your life
Hey there, well I hardly even know your face
It’s got a brand new look about it
that’s hard to trace
The tender way you look
the way you’re smiling
To think I once took you for my wife
Do I still figure in your life
Hey hey hey
Do I still figure in your life
Joe Cocker Woodstock

Feelin’ Alright

Dave Mason of Traffic wrote the song which also appeared on Joe’s first album.

Seems I got to have a change of scene
Every night I have the strangest dreams
Imprisoned by the way it could have been
Left here on my own or so it seems
I got to leave before I start to scream
‘Cause someone locked the door and took the key
You feelin’ alright?
I’m not feelin’ too good myself
Yes, you feelin’ alright?
I’m not feelin’ that good myself
Boy you sure took me for one big ride
And even now I sit and I wonder why
That when I think of you I start myself to cry out
I just can’t waste my time, I must keep dry
Gotta stop believin’ in all your lies
‘Cause there’s too much to do before I die, hey
You feelin’ alright?
I’m not feelin’ too good myself
You feelin’ alright?
I’m not feelin’ too good, little girl
Don’t get too lost in all I say
Yeah by the time I really felt that way
But that was then, and now you know it’s today
I can’t get off, I guess I’m here to stay
‘Til someone comes along and takes my place, yeah
With a different name, oh, and a different face
You feelin’ alright?
I’m not feelin’ that good myself
You feelin’ alright?
Hey, not feeling that good myself
Woah, not feelin’ alright
Yeah, not feelin’ that good myself
Oh, woah, I’m not, well I’m not feelin’ good myself
You can turn away, feelin’ alright I’m not feeling too good myself
Joe Cocker Woodstock

Just Like a Woman

Another Dylan tune (of course) that also appeared on his first album. Joe refers to the fact that Dylan is on his way to the Isle of Wright Festival in England which was part of the reason he didn’t appear at Woodstock. That and the fact that Dylan wasn’t doing shows to begin with.

The song also appeared on his first album.

Nobody feels any pain
Tonight as I stand here in the rain
Everybody knows that baby’s got new clothes
But lately I see her ribbons and her bows
And the problems from her curls
She takes just like a woman
She makes love just like a woman
And then she aches just like a woman
But she breaks just like a little girl
Queen Mary, she’s my friend
Yes I believe I’ll go and see her again
Ain’t no one has to guess that baby can’t be blessed
‘Til she finds out, she’s like all the rest
With her fog, her amphetamines, and her pearls
Well she takes just like a woman
And she makes love just like a woman
And then she aches just like a woman
But she breaks just like a little girl
It was raining down at first, but I was dying there of thirst
So I came in here
And your long-time curse, it hurts, oh and what’s worse
Is the pain in here
Oh, I can’t stay in here
Ain’t it clear
Oh I must admit
I believe it’s time for us to quit
And when we met again and are introduced as friends
Please don’t let on that you knew me when
I was hungry, and it was your world
Well you take just like a woman
And you make love to me just like a woman
Say that you’re fair just like a woman
Well but you break up like a little girl
Breaking like a girl
I don’t know what I’m gon’ do
‘Cause it’s just like a little girl
Seems like I don’t know what I’m gon’ do with you
Hey, my little girl
Joe Cocker Woodstock

Let’s Go Get Stoned

First made famous by Ray Charles and written by Valerie Simpson, Jo Armstead, and Nick Ashford, Let’s Go Get Stone would be included on his 1970 live album, Joe Cocker, Mad Dogs & Englishmen.

Let’s go get stoned
Let’s go get stoned
When your baby won’t let you in
Got a few pennies, a bottle of gin
Just call your buddy on the telephone
Let’s go get stoned
Let’s go get stoned
Let’s go get stoned
When you work so hard all the day long
And everything you do seems to go wrong
Just drop by my place on your way home
Let’s go get stoned
It ain’t no harm
You’re taking just a taste
But don’t blow your cool
And start messing up the place
It ain’t no harm you’re faking just a nip
But make sure you don’t fall down bust your lip
Let’s go get stoned
Let’s go get stoned
Joe Cocker Woodstock

I Don’t Need No Doctor

Also written by written by Valerie Simpson, Jo Armstead, and Nick Ashford and also made famous by Ray Charles.

I don’t need no doctor
‘Cause I know what’s ailing me
I don’t need no doctor
‘Cause I know what’s ailing me

I’ve been too long away from my baby, yeah
I’m coming down with a misery
I don’t need no doctor
For my prescription to be filled
(I don’t need no doctor)
(I don’t need no doctor)

No, no, no, I don’t need no doctor
For my prescription to be filled, yeah
Only my baby’s arms could ever
Could ever take away this chill

Now the doctor say I need rest
For I need is her tenderness
He put me on the critical list
When all I need is her sweet kiss

He gave me a medicated lotion
But it didn’t soothe my emotion, yeah
I don’t need no doctor
For my hope to live is gone
(I don’t need no doctor)
(I don’t need no doctor)

No, no, I don’t need no doctor
For my hope to live is gone
All I need is my baby, please!
Won’t you please just come on home?
Come on home

Joe Cocker Woodstock

I Shall Be Released

In for a penny, in for a pound. Another Dylan tune and also on Cocker’s first album. The Band will include the song in their set later.

They say everything can be replaced
They say every distance is not near
So I remember every face
Of every man who put me here
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
They say every man needs protection
They say that every man must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Somewhere so high above this wall
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Now, yonder stands a man in this lonely crowd
A man who swears he’s not to blame
All day long I hear him shouting so loud
Just crying out that he was framed
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Joe Cocker Woodstock

Hitchcock Railway

Written by Don Dunn and Tony McCashen, Hitchcock Railway was on the Joe Cocker! album.

Two train tickets into L.A.
One round trip the other way
Oh, I get the feelin’ when forever calls
I get the feelin’ when forever calls
Home trip, ticket to sail away
Hand grip, Hitchcock railway
Soft ride, made for comfort
Been tried, guaranteed passport
Hitchcock railway, please don’t fail to pay
Hey, I’m gonna ride, I’m gonna testify
Get my soul, lift my mind
Good stop, good day
Hitchcock railway
Free fare, conductor’s comin’
Prepare, better start runnin’
On time, hold you through now
State line, I’ve been convicted
Quick stop, good day
Hitchcock railway
Please hold on
Ooh, somebody take a train ride
Ooh, leap on
Two train tickets into L.A.
One round trip the other way
Oh, I get the feelin’ where the river falls
I get the feelin’ where the river falls
Home trip, ticket to sail away
Hand grip, Hitchcock railway
Soft ride, made for comfort
Been tried, guaranteed passport
Hitchcock railway, please don’t fail to pay
Hey, I’m gonna ride, I’m gonna testify
Get my soul, lift my mind
Quick stop, good day
Hitchcock railway
I’m gonna take the safe way home, oh, alright
I’m gonna ride a train back home
I’m gonna buy me a ticket at a station
Don’t want to go on a train tonight
On a train tonight
On a train tonight
On a train tonight
Joe Cocker Woodstock

Something to Say

Written by Cocker and Peter Nicholls, (the band’s road manager) Something to Say appeared on Cocker’s third studio album, Joe Cocker. A & M released it in November 1972.

And so, what can I say, I thank you, dear
To share the few things you have
And oh, I’d like to say, I’m glad you’re here
And hope your leaving is not sad
Soon I’ll have to go an’ get back on the road
Then I’ll have no reason left at all

In times it’s hard to say the things I feel
To wonder while I’ve known so long
Oh, you still remain so sure and real
But ev’rything is going wrong
But soon I’ll have to go an’ get back on the road
Then I’ll have no reason left at all

Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it for me, please
Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it before I leave
Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it from your heart
Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it before I part

And so, what can I say, I thank you, dear
For sharing what few things you have
And oh, I’d like to say, I’m glad you’re here
And hope your leaving is not sad
Soon I’ll have to go an’ get back on the road
Then I’ll have no reason left at all

Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it for me, please
Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it before I leave
Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it from your heart
Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it before I part ….
Oh let it roll, right from your heart now
Oh let it roll, right from your heart now
Have you got somethin’ to say
Have you got somethin’ to say
Have you got somethin’ to say
Let it roll, yeah ….

Joe Cocker Woodstock

With a Little Help from My Friends

And the closing is THE closing. While the Woodstock album could have included other songs from this great set, this is the one and it became the one.

And while none of the Beatles were at the festival, their spirit and many of their songs were.

What would you do if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song
I will try not to sing out of key
Oh, baby I get by (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
All I need is my buddies (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I say I’m gonna get high (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Oh yeah (Ooh)
What do I do when my love is away?
(Does it worry you to be alone?)
No no
How do I feel at the end of the day?
(Are you sad because you’re on your own?)
I tell ya I don’t get sad no more
Gonna get by with my friends (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Yeah yeah, I’m gonna try (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Keep on getting high, oh Lord (Ooh)
I need somebody to love
(Could it be anybody?)
All I need is someone
That’s just where I’m going, yeah
Somebody knows that’s where I’m showing
Baby
Said I’m gonna make it with my friends (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Oh, I’m gonna keep on trying (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I’m gonna keep on trying (Ooh)
I’m certain it happens all the time, yeah
(What do you see when you turn out the light?)
I can’t tell you but it sure feels like mine
Don’t you know I’m gonna make it with my friends? (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I promised myself I’d get by (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Said I’m gonna try and not work too hard (Ooh)
Well I, yeah yeah yeah
(Could it be anybody?)
Oh there’s gotta be somebody
Don’t treat me wrong Lord
Oh yeah yeah
Said I’m gonna get by with my friends, yeah (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Oh, yes I’m gonna keep trying, now (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Keep on trying with my friends (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Oh, I’m never gonna stop there, oh (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I’m gonna keep on trying, yeah yeah (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I’m getting high, I’m gonna make time, oh Lord (Ooh)
Gonna get by with my friends
Oh, I’m gonna get on by, yes I’m gonna get on by, my Lord
I’m gonna tell them all about it, I’m gonna tell them all, yeah yeah
Joe Cocker Woodstock

And then the rains came…

A couple of hours later with everything soaked, Country Joe and the Fish  continued day 3 as thousands had to head home.

Joe Cocker Woodstock