Jimi Plays Berkeley
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Movie Reviews of Jimi Plays Berkeley
Movie Review: 5 stars but only because of the Berkeley second set as audio bonus
Summary: 5 Stars
Together with the bonus live concert the price isn't bad then, although I'd hesitate paying full-price for this disc. That's because like others have mentioned the songs are really chopped up, so if you know these songs it can be a frustrating experience. Some great moments are here, like the complete 'Johnny B. Goode', most of a brilliant 'Voodoo Child', possibly the best song here, and some brilliant moments from a heavily abbreviated 'Machine Gun'. Possibly what disappoints most people is to hear and watch one of Hendrix's all-time brilliant performances, the great version of 'Hear My Train A Comin', jerking clumsily in a few minutes of horrible editing through it's complete 12 minutes or so. 'Lover Man' goes directly from intro to outro, possibly to include a short, blistering guitar solo at the end, and the editing of other songs is also quite shocking, enough that one could be forgiven for thinking one was viewing one of the failed entries in a student film competition where each entrant was given footage of two Hendrix concerts and asked to produce a 49 min film. However, I vote this 5 stars on the basis of it being one of Hendrix's best concerts with many great moments, as well as it being an interesting historical document nonetheless. Note that you need a DVD player for the audio, it won't play on a CD player. I tried to rip the audio to get it on a CD for more convenient listening and to convert it to MP3 but failed. Any ideas on how this can be done can be entered as a comment to me in the box below and will be greatly appreciated.Movie Review: I was there...
Summary: 5 Stars
I was at this show (second set)...a 14-year old Berkeley hippie kid...and it was awesome!
This was one of the first rock concerts at the Berkeley Community Theater (which was also the auditorium for Berkeley High School), and security was minimal at best, which accounts for the scenes of people breaking windows to sneak into the sold out concert.
I remember arriving and waiting outside...when the first set let out, the audience was clearly blown away. The only thing I remember anyone saying is "wow..." And when the second set was over, our reaction was exactly the same.
So the movie doesn't show the whole concert, many songs are cut up, the camera work is jerky, etc. So what? This is a documentary of one of Hendrix's finest live performances. And the inclusion of the audio tracks from the second set is well worth it...you really get a chance to hear what an incredible blues guitarist Hendrix was.
About the Berkeley riot footage...the concert took place almost exactly one year after the battle over People's Park, when the cops fired buckshot at protestors in the street, killing one person, blinding another, and sending scores to the hospital. So there's something fitting about contrasting the riots with the bliss of the Hendrix concert.
As for the protestors outside the theater showing Woodstock...it never really stopped people from seeing the movie. The theater was right next to a little redneck bar, which explains the heated arguments outside the theater.
Movie Review: Great for deep and casual fans
Summary: 5 Stars
Yeah, I wish there were more songs and the camera was more stationary. But let's remember that is exactly what we get today - though alot smoother and from more varied angles.
JH delivers the best "Johnny B. Goode" next to CB's original single. That's saying something. His intensity and technique is so amazing he could sway a Doo-Wop lover. Small problem (throughout) is that his voice sounds a little worn, as he struggles to stay on top on most of the songs.
"Voodoo Child", in my book, is semsational, and a clip absolutely destined for that imagined R & R time-capsule. His genius is obvious - a great composition, perfectly executed. Here he is the Rock equivalent to Miles Davis, but on this track showing more virtuosity.
Can't agree about the closeups - maybe there's an overuse of them, but I come back to....intensity....written all over him.
Another point missed by the very well-educated reviewers above is that the slightly erratic camera does manage to capture the ecstatic visages of the girls in the front row. Sexist? Probably. But, baby that is rock and roll.
[Footage of "demonstrations" captures that time and reminds us who followed current events at the time that a concert had many layers of meaning. The out of control aspect of the counter-culture is brought home by clips of hippies protesting the admission fee for the movie "Woodstock" - they say they were also stars, so why should they pay? Didn't see any ticket stubs, Review: another slice of the electric pie...
Summary: 5 Stars Okay, so this is Jimi Hendrix at the Berkeley Community Theatre. Now we all know that the man can really tear it up on the "public Saxophone/guitar" -- it's just a given.
But whether you enjoy Jimi's music or not, there is no denying the fact that he has mastered his instrument. And though the tracklists are nothing new, they are delivered in a different fashion every time, and that makes all of his DVD's and albums unique. This one included.
So reviewing something like this is not a difficult task when it comes to rating the performance. Any person alive that plays the guitar or not can say that the performances are all amazing to witness because his skills are so complex and difficult. Okay.
Now - the DVD itself apart from the music. The sound is great, the picture could definitely use some work. There is a lot of shaky camerawork. Very home video, student filmy.
Overall, the music is top notch and so is the DVD. In the quest for more Jimi, here it is. And I'm sure, judging from the past 5 years, there will be more on the way from Ladyland. Thank God too, we gotta wake-up all those sleeping people out there.
Movie Review: FANTASTIC !
Summary: 5 Stars
This DVD really shows Jimi as a player & showman ! He pulls out all the stops - playing behind his back, with his teeth, on the floor, etc. The mix is great & Billy Cox really holds down the bottom & Mitch Mitchell shows what a great drummer he is ! Jams on tunes that later showed up on other discs as finished works (Hey, Baby, Freedom, etc.) Camera spends most of the time focused on Jimi.
Great concert ! I was lucky enough to see Jimi in concert 6 times & I wish I could have seen this show in its small venue. Lucky enough to hear this version of the band in Honolulu a few months later.
Having the tunes on the DVD without the movie is great too.
I still would suggest buying the separate CD - demonstrates the continuity of the show without the visuals.
Buy this DVD !