[.ca] Jimi Hendrix - Jimi Plays Berkeley 1970

From Amazon.com:
There is no denying it: Jimi Plays Berkeley ain't The Last Waltz. Visually, Peter Pilafian's direction and camerawork look like a student film compared to Scorsese's rock masterpiece. Instead of thanking fans and formally saying farewell to the road, Hendrix's manager Michael Jeffery created an exploitation film to simply squeeze as much cash he could out of the overworked guitarist. Despite the cheesy documentary footage, clips of silly protesters, butchered songs ("Hear My Train A Comin'" is literally chopped in half!), and the continuously shaky head shots, Jimi Plays Berkeley is great. Why? Because of Hendrix's flawless performance with Mitch Mitchell on drums and Billy Cox on bass. The band never sounded better live, and Eddie Kramer's 5.1 surround remix on the DVD really lifts the sound to a new level. In addition, the DVD includes the entire audio recording of Jimi Plays Berkeley: 2nd Set, arguably Hendrix's best live performance ever recorded. It's just perfect. --Rob Bracco

Mesmerizingly Brilliant:
OK, I'm a die hard Hendrix fan. I got and watched the DVD version of Berkeley (I've been watching the VHS version since 82') and wow - BOOM!. The sound quality is much improved. Great job Eddie. Hendrix and his strat shine through brilliantly and as one. Jimi is very relaxed. If only the cameras were rolling through the entire performance. Hear My Train A Coming, and particularly Voodoo Child (Slight Return), are themselves alone worth the price of this DVD. If you want to see where music starts and ends, sit down, dim the lights, get this DVD and listen carefully.

Jimi Plays Berkeley DVD:
Always great to watch Jimi play. DVD says it contains the complete second set which may only be partially true. Noticed a lot of chopped up parts, including some killer solos that are completely cut out. Not the best camera angles used. I've seen other versions of this video that contain more footage. Feels like this video is to short or incomplete.

FINALLY JIMI PLAYS BERKLEY ON DVD:
This DVD is a favorite not just to me but alot of people out there Hendrix fans mostly. I ordered this DVD from amazon and recieved it a few days latter. I loved the DVD I mean of course it was just like the orginal JIMI PLAYS BERKLEY but the sound quality was unbelieveable. JIMI PLAYS BERKLEY was never released on DVD until now the music is so vibrant this is a must have for you Hendrix fans (including me). The bonus features are all audio but the thing that brings this DVD to 5 stars is not just the music but The booklet which gives you an inside on the filmmakers and the story behind JIMI PLAYS BERKLEY +plus very rare photos in the booklet hope you enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cool DVD:
Wow, Hendrix was grumpy on this one. He looks irritated quite a bit in this documentary. There's a lot of riot footage, and also some things that forced me to remind myself that these are kids talking, so don't expect the wisdom of the saints. There are some really weird shots, like the one towards the beginning of the film that focuses on Jimi's left foot for about 40 seconds or so. I guess the camera guy wanted to show us the wah manipulation, which is cool in it's way - sort of like showing just the tip of the bow moving for a violin player. A girl gets hit in the head with a large rock or brick, and is subsequently knocked unconscious during one scene. That was sad. I've seen a lot of similar casualties at rock concerts. This is an artistic film that I'd recommend for anyone who likes Jimi Hendrix or wants to get a better look at the college rioting and protests that occurred in the 60's.

Best moments make this worth the price of admission:
Although the sound and video quality do leave a bit to be desired, this DVD is a good value, and if you enjoy watching Jimi display his musical and sexual powers in subtle ways, there are moments on this video which are priceless. For instance, about 44:45 in, watch Jimi drop to his knees to tease two 14 year or so old girls in the front row. Jimi has been wailing on an improvisational take of Voodoo Chile, and the girls are in ecstacy. On his knees directly in front of the two, one girl gestures with regard to the size of Jimi's anatomy, while the other nods in agreement. The fact that Jimi is directly in front of them, not 3 feet away, is simply coincindental. That's what is so great about the moment! Jimi is writhing, sexual innuendo emanating from his handling of the neck and body of the strat. He's probably secretly enjoying the moment as much as the girls. He caps it off with an oral display directly in front of the two, playing with his teeth/tongue with the body of the guitar in a horizontal position so they can see it all and can't possibly misconstrue the implications. To me its totally captivating and Jimi pulls it all off with absolute subtlety. Ah, to possess such power! And its all in E minor pentatonic. All you need is the musical and improvisational genius to go with it. Anyone know those two girls? They must be in their mid-late 40's now!