Jimi Hendrix - Live At Woodstock (DVD)

Advantages: Good coverage of the set
Disadvantages: annoying 2 CD case that breaks easily!!

...Arguably the Finest Live performance of modern times and an insight into the famous 60's music scene. Hendrix' true genius is on display all the way through this recording, as well as the Debut of his new line up of musicians - The Band of Gypsies (though he actually announces them as having the uber-hippie name: 'Gypsy, sun and rainbows') The recordings aren?t the highest of quality, due to inadequate miking and set-up at the actual gig, however the sheer quality of jimi?s improvisation and musicianship definitely overshadows this. Notable performances would have to be Voodoo chile, which stretches for over thirteen minutes, the improvised ?Jam back at the house? and the instrumental ?villanova junction?. There is also of course Jimi?s explosive rendition of ?the star spangled banner?. The only tracks omitted from this version are... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Re-Recordings Of His Hits, Along With Unique Covers And Songs
Disadvantages: Sound Quality Occasionally Drops, Although Not To Any Great Extent

...The Beatles, Cream, The Who and of course the Jimi Hendrix Experience among them. And as such you will find many of these releases, with many of these sessions still continuing today, although to a mcuh lesser extent. The recording environment that was provided for the group, often small studios designed for orchestral use, meant that they needed to record the songs live in the studio, with only very basic overdubs possible. But from this you get some interesting takes on songs, where they fall halfway between live and studio versions, taking some of the more improvised exciting elements of the former, but with the tight arrangement of the latter. The sessions themselves were a chance for the group to rework their older material, preview new ones or simply provide their own takes on classic tracks by other artists. This mix of music provides this... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A compilation of great songs from a great musician
Disadvantages: Disadvantages?!

...'d have hoped he'd have done a few more, as this is a cracking little number. "Castles Made Of Sand" is a great example, that I felt I should include, of Hendrix's softer, calmer side. It's a great song just to sit back and relax to, as it never gets carried away, as some people will describe Hendrix's solos in amongst his songs. The fools!! "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" - it's that song, with that intro. 'Nuff said really!! Another song that was born from a simple jam session with Hendrix and Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding - the drummer and bassist for his 'band' - The Experience. Off it goes for five minutes of pure musically imagination. Nice. One song that's gotta be mentioned is the final track off the album; "Star-Spangled Banner". This is the infamous live performance of the American national anthem at Woodstock in 1969. It... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful