Elly Roberts reviews
Jimi Hendrix: Live At Woodstock (The Deluxe Edition)
Distributed by
Experience Hendrix, L.L.C./Universal Music
- Cert:
- Cat.no: 9884320
- Running time: 219 minutes
- Year: 1969
- Pressing: 2005
- Region(s): 0, PAL
- Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1, Stereo
- Languages: English
- Subtitles: None
- Widescreen: 16:9
- Disc Format: 2*DVD 9
- Price: £15.99
- Rating: 10/10
- Extras:
The Road To Woodstock, Live At Woodstock: A Second Look, Jimi Hendrix
Press Conference, Nashville Roots, Recording Woodstock, Rare Artefacts &
Memorabilia; Booklet: Colour photographs, Hendrix handwritten set and essay
by John McDermott
Things didn’t exactly go according to plan at the Woodstock Music And Art Festival scheduled between Friday 16 and Sunday 18 August 1969.
Beset with problems from conception to conclusion and beyond, the intended
three-day event’s scheduling was thrown into chaos by the weather and
congestion.
Artist appearances weren’t running smoothly resulting in massive delays.
Many artists were helicoptered to the site from hotels and venues further
afield. Hendrix wasn’t initially planned as the final act - Roy Rogers was
first choice, with Hendrix to follow. A change of heart on the organisers’
behalf saw the great man himself draw a close to the proceedings.
He was due to appear at midnight on the Sunday, playing under the stars and
massive lighting rig. It was meant to be an impressive climax, but it was
put back to 9am on Monday, as other acts played through the night.
By this time, thousands had returned home or to their jobs, leaving Hendrix
to play to a much smaller crowd, which, according to Bethel historian
Bert Feldman reached 700,000 at its peak. Therefore, many missed out on
this legendary performance. Also, Hendrix performed with an expanded band
and not as MC Chip Monck introduced them as The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
For his set, this cost the organisers $32,000, twenty thousand more than
The Who and Jefferson Airplane. Hendrix rehearsed for ten days with his
‘new’ band called Gypsy Sun & Rainbows; also know as a “band of gypsies”.
It consisted of regular Mitch Miller, Billy Cox, Juma Sultan, Larry Lee and Jerry
Velez.
Coming on at a un-Rock’n’Roll time must have seemed a surreal experience
for the left - overs and Hendrix himself.
Even the crowd and entourage looked weary. Expecting a three piece
‘Experience’, the fans were thrown into confusion by his new invention, but
soon warmed up to his awesome performance. Hendrix was continually moving
on with his musical experimentation, a very brave move under the circumstances.
This uninterrupted colour footage captures every musical note that eventful
morning, with most chit-chat cut to save on film which was rapidly running
out, a decision made by film maker Wadleigh.
Until now we’ve only been given snippets of his performance via the
Woodstock DVD, which did no justice to the set. At long last we get a
chance to see what most didn’t. A mix of close-ups and angled shots follows
every movement of Hendrix and band, who eventually turn up the heat as
they blast they way through new songs and hits.
The stage was congested with crew and admirers, as situation that would
not happen now. Wadleigh and crew did a remarkable job under the circumstances,
compounded by cameras which were regularly malfunctioning.
You can only sit back and admire Hendrix’s technique at every level, from
blues sojourns to rock classics, as he regularly nods and points to band
members to keep it tight.
Along with concert footage, we get interviews with band members and organisers
as they re-live memories of ‘Three Days of Peace’ at Max Yasgur’s muddy
pasture near Bethel, New York State thirty six years ago.
Disc 2, A Second Look features black and white video footage, secretly filmed
by 22 year old Albert Goodman. Hendrix eventually saw the raw efforts, and was
suitably impressed. Until now it has remained unseen by the public. We get
another view of the entire set, with one additional song not covered by
Wadleigh – Hear My Train A Comin’.
An outstanding DVD in every way.
Live tracks include – Message To Love, Red House, Foxy Lady, Fire,
Voodoo Child, Purple Haze, Hey Joe.
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.