Jimi Hendrix – Live at Berkeley the 2nd Show
Legacy Recordings
www.legacyrecordings.com
Rating: B
Released separately on DVD, Blu-ray and CD, all versions capture the magic that was Jimi Hendrix. The concert comes from a concert in Berkeley, California on May 30, 1970. By this time, Jimi was a star. He swaggers and postures for the crowd thorough out the show, and during “Johnny B. Goode,” Jimi plays the guitar with his teeth. Jimi shows off playing the guitar between his legs and dramatically drops to his knees several times throughout the performance, all the while talking to the crowd between songs and coming off like a regular guy, hippie style, that is.
The DVD and Blu-ray feature 5.1 mixes prepared by Eddie Kramer making the DVD more desirable than the CD. That said, the CD is also a great recording. Without the visual it is not quite as dynamic but, hell, this is Jimi Hendrix and the CD sounds great as Jimi rocks out “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” “Stone Free,” “Hey Joe,” “I Don’t Live Today,” “Machine Gun,” “Foxey Lady,” “Purple Haze,” “Star Spangled Banner” and others.
Legacy and Experience Hendrix continue their already stellar relationship and have, once again, released two great products, significant historically, but also a treat for the eyes and ears. Having the releases produced by Kramer and Janie Hendrix, Jimi’s sister, only ensures the already great quality of the concert.
By Jeb Wright
