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In all fairness, the sound for the video has been substantially overhauled. But, the haphazard edits and shaky camera movements that plagued the original documentary (rockumentary?) still exist. One would have figured that today's technology could have at least fixed the 'shaky camera' problems, but I digress.
Pciture quality is clean - though one can clearly see the limitations of the original equipment used to record the show. Given that it's one of only a handful of live Hendrix videos available, one can't be too picky I suppose. Highlights include Jimi's screaming rendition of "Johnny B. Goode", "Star Spangled Banner/ Purple Haze", and "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", only because these songs are more or less complete. The other songs on the DVD are all significantly edited down from their original length.

One interesting tidbit gleaned from the accompanying booklet is that Experience Hendrix was not able to include any outtakes because they haven't been turned over 'by the previous administration' that controlled the guitarist's legacy. Which probably means that Alan Douglas or Michael Jeffery's estate is probably sitting on the rest of the film.

Jimi's performance itself warrants 5 stars, but given the sheer lack of extra material, my rating stays firm at 3 stars for this release. Mildly recommended.


It is what it is and you should consider yourself lucky we have this much   June 26, 2005
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

I agree that Jefferies is a total schmuck and this was basically an 'exploitation flick' at the time of its original release. But at this point, it is all we have of this performance and therefore it is a interesting historical document that has been *lovingly restored* by the Experience Hendrix project and should be treasured as such. To the reviews here at Amazon such as the one by C.METHOT I can only say this: READ THE DARN BOOKLET before you post your ill-begotten reviews. OF COURSE we would all rather be watching Hendrix play than watch a bunch of students boycott the release of the 'Woodstock' film; as the text in the booklet very plainly states, this stuff was largely inserted to cover for MISSING concert footage due to Jefferies' complete mishandling of the whole affair. You folks who are asking for the 'missing' footage to be 'inserted' in some kind of expanded release: THERE IS NONE. I'm sure if it existed, it would be here. That is probably a big reason why this is offered as a 'budget' release, cheaper than an audio CD.

People need to get a clue, realize how much work goes into audio and film production, let alone restoration, and that they get what they pay for. This is a fine addition to any Hendrix collection. Quit your whining. And I happen to think the scenes of the riots at Berkeley over the soundtrack of 'Machine Gun' actually works pretty well. So there!


I was there...   June 30, 2006
 9 out of 11 found this review helpful

I was at this show (second set)...a 14-year old Berkeley hippy 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.




Very Dissapointed   February 10, 2005
 8 out of 12 found this review helpful

I consider myself a pretty big Hendrix fan and can say this DVD was a huge let-down for me. I basically bought it just for the "Hear My Train A Comin'", this Berkeley performance is by far my favorite version of the song. I couldn't beleive they edited(very poorly I might add) this twelve minute blues masterpeice down to about two and a half minutes. Not to mention just about every other song is butcherd as well, "Lover Man" clocks in at around thirty seconds. I hope whoever edited this got fired. Im glad the Hendrix family is finding ways to rip us off and rake in the cash for themselves. Can you say ARE YOU EXPLOITED?


Jimi is great ....   October 21, 2003
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

....but whoever allowed this to be released in the butchered state that it's in should be shot!!!! I have waited for this complete show/movie to come out with good sound and uncut now for so many years, when I found out that they did this to it, my jaws just droped.... I will buy it but I am so angry that some of his best playing has actually been cut out.... Get your act together "the people who are in charge of Jimi's music" please, you are doing him a great diservice..... If Jimi was alive he would be doing the shooting himself....Enough said but the dvd is still worth it because of the 5.1 and stereo sound remastering.....(if it was not cut i would have given it a 5)...Buy it anyway it's still worth it..."Purple Haze" "Johnny B Goode" and what is left of "Hear my Train A Comin" alone are invaluable...ROCK ON JIMI (the undisputable master!!!!)