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Jimi Hendrix micro-managed every facet of the production of the original 1970 Band Of _Gypsys_(!) album, and the results were reasonably tight and satisfying, with a view to challenging his existing fan base with new material while seeking to dispatch a nagging legal obligation.

Now, 30 years after the fact, Experience Hendrix seeks to cram as much (or as little, depending on your view) onto 2 discs without regard to flow, rhythm or metre. Tape recordings or "collector" discs of all 4 shows have been available for years. The _Live At The Fillmore East_ liner notes claim that vocals on "Who Knows" weren't captured because of a bad mike. That isn't true. The complete version is on a boot CD called _Happy New Year, Jimi_. The vocal exchange between Hendrix and Miles was admittedly tedious, but to say that they never were there is an untruth. And even if you haven't heard that, just listen to the disjointed solos. "We've Got To Live Together" is even worse. They touted a longer version of Miles' "We've Got To Live Together", but not only is it incomplete -- you can get whiplash trying to bob your head to it. I'm wearing a collar as I write this. And true, the sound quality isn't anywhere near the neighborhood of Jimi's very personal mix of the original Band Of Gypsys album. The truth is that Eddie Kramer required Hendrix' guidance on the soundboard in order for Jimi to achieve his vision, and it clearly lacked here.

But then again, where else are you gonna get _that_ version of "Stone Free" (the first original song ever written for the Experience), or that really nasty 2nd solo on "Power Of Soul", a live verion of "Stepping Stone" (in that form), or "Burning Desire"? And "Earth Blues" is rivalled only by "Manic Depression" in rareness of live performance. "Izabella" is kinda funky.

There's only one "Machine Gun". The alternate performances are interesting, but after I've heard the two versions here and the versions performed at the Isle Of Wight, Atlanta, LA Forum 70, and the adulterated studio version on the 1976 album _Midnight Lightning_, I always come back to the original _Band Of Gypsys_ version. That's a subjective thing. I always thought Buddy did a better job on "Machine Gun" than my beloved Mitch. Mitch played it like a funeral march; Buddy and Jimi loosely and credibly approximated the sound of automatic weapon fire.

Am I glad that more of the shows were officially released? Hell yeah! Is it good Hendrix? Absolutely, for the most part... Do I recommend it? If you're steeped in Hendrix as I am and want to hear more of what happened in New York on 12/31/69 - 1/1/70, you have no choice. If you're a Hendrix iconoclast, I'd recommend it as well. It's so raw (albeit incomplete), it will either convert you or fuel your argument that Hendrix was no Clapton. And once you're convinced of that, please present your evidence to Clapton and tell us how well you convinced _him_.

Flawed, but still great.

Jimi's edits on the original _Band Of Gypsys_ album were _judicious_ and appropriate. Kramer's edits seemed arbitrary and disassociated.


Poor sound quality   November 25, 1999
 19 out of 24 found this review helpful

Let me begin by stating that, in my opinion, "Band Of Gypsies" (BOG) was one of the greatest albums ever released. And, the recently re-engineered CD version of that album is awesome. So, after reading all the positive reviews concerning "Live at the Fillmore East", I couldn't wait to give it a listen.

Sad to say, I was disappointed. The sound quality of this double CD is so far below that of BOG, I am surprised that the producer of BOG, Eddie Kramer, who has an excellent reputation in the industry, allowed his name to be associated with it.

You would think that, at the very least, the well-mixed tunes from BOG would be copied intact. But, no, even those performances are remixed horribly on this CD. Shame on you Kramer. Even if Jimi's family needs the money, Jimi can't be happy about this one.

Still, dead-hard Hendrix fans will enjoy this one, if for no other reason than to hear the spooky way he plays "Taps" at the end of "Machine Gun", which wasn't captured on the BOG album. There are two versions of "Machine Gun" on this release, and isn't is amazing that Hendrix apparently never played the song the same way twice.


The Truth   April 11, 2002
 14 out of 15 found this review helpful

Ok, let me just say that to anyone who hasnt heard this, disregard EVERY review you see that says its uneven, or out of tune, or any other such pretensious notion.
This album along with the original Band Of Gyspies album, are some of the most amazing music you will ever hear. Jimi Hendrix with bandmates Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on Drums, take one of the greatest musical forms: Blues, and mix it with soul, funk, and even a touch of jazz (or jazz influence rather). The finished product is genious. i dont know any other way i can say it, jams on Stone Free, Machine Gun, Izabella, Voodoo Chile, and others just show a young brilliant Hendrix in good company playing the type of music you know he was feeling with all his soul.
This album is enough to make you cry, smile, laugh and drop your jaw. Pure soul, sure its a little uneven in the traditionalist sense, but the raw soul energy coming form this trio is well enough to make up for any minor, insignificant details.
Open your mind and let it in, youll hear it, i promise

-ian