This book dedicated to Woodstock was born by chance, without planning, the usual spark that suddenly ignites and fuels the passions of the MAT2020 project, an online magazine that in fact no longer exists, but whose spirit and much substance remains, that of the various contributors who have never stopped following their musical passions and making them available to the community when requested.
What has come out of it is unexpected, and it has gone beyond all expectations, especially since it leads one to say that such a container, yet another one dedicated to the subject, probably did not exist.
Celebrating Woodstock, for all those who contributed, is not “one of many possible topics,” but a due act, because an event that deeply affected their lives; but this is not the place dedicated to letting go through personal feelings.
Many joined this initiative, even those who were not among the traditional contributors.
In the end, the slant “Woodstock e Dintorni” was chosen, meaning that the year 1969 was recounted beyond the three days of the festival, and listed, for example, the events of that year, significant albums, 45s, films, fashion, perfumes…
Lots of pictures, many of them “vignetted” for obvious copyright issues, and the “transformation” makes the book even more exclusive and enjoyable, although some paintings and shots of the actual Woodstock (museum and surroundings) remain usable in their original form and allow us a comparison between the Bethel–place of the event–of yesterday and the present one.
What more can I say… a book to enjoy, one that does not age because it is already history, dedicated to a subject treated with objectivity in mind – necessary especially in these cases -, yet inserting personal heart and feelings, those moods that bring one back to an age long gone and, at the same time, allow one to comment with the proper detachment.
“If you had something you shared it with someone else, if someone needed help you lent a hand. There were no policemen. There was wonderful music. There were a great number of beautiful things and people you could meet. What could have been better than that?” – Michel Lang
With contributions from: Luciano Boero, Gianni De Berardinis, Oliviero Lacagnina, Bernardo, Lanzetti, Gianni Leone, Andrea Mingardi, Gianni Nocenzi, Tony Pagliuca, Paolo Siani, Lino Vairetti, Augusto Andreoli, Anna Biscari, Carlo Bisio, Valerio Gabrielli, Giorgio Mora, Luca Nappo, Gianni Novelli, Antonio Pellegrini, Gianni Sapia, Mauro Selis, Claudio Sottocornola and Riccardo Storti.
