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Many collectors have questioned why Experience Hendrix has chosen to only release the second show, but I'll just express my gratitude that the second show has finally seen the light of day as a commercial release. We can for now only sit back and hope for the first show and maybe the soundcheck to be released as soon as possible. But for now, let's consider what we have here in this release of the second show...

Altogether, this disc clocks in at 67 minutes and change, with eleven tunes, all of them well known to Hendrix afecianados. They are presented here in the best sound yet - a significant step up from the best boots. To clarify further, the sound is actually very good given its era, with decent stereo separation, dynamics and clarity, and very good dynamic contrasts. Jimi's guitar is placed in the center, and if there is any gripe about the sound it might be that Billy's bass is down in the mix too far.

Sandwiched around the tune up, Jimi gives the little bit of intro that speaks volumes to me. '70 was not just a dark year in America's history due to unrest over Viet Nam and civil rights, but also a difficult year for Jimi. This was due to legal issues and conflicts with his management, all multiplied by his need to do new things and move on against the resistance that tried to keep him churning out the acid rock hits. But Jimi had moved beyond those days as is shown in the song selections and delivery at the Berkeley shows.

After the intro, a slightly rough around the edges Pass It On (Straight ahead), is followed by Hey Baby, a true sleeper of a tune that is given an excellent run-through here. It's such a gem, and it shows where a part of Jimi's musical future might have gone had he lived. In my opinion, this is one of the very best live recordings of this essential tune. Other highlights include Stone Free, I Don't Live Today and Machine Gun.

Of these, I Don't Live Today is very illuminating of where Jimi was at emotionally at the time. Interviews given around the time of the performance revealed Jimi to be eagerly anticipating his future, with many exciting plans, such as the possibility of playing with Miles Davis. But his forward look was tempered by the mood of the times and one can sense this by his introductory remarks to this classic acid-infected blues, when he says: "We'd like to do a thing that's what's happening today with a lot of people. And I'd like to dedicate it to all... all the cats that are trying to struggle that are gonna make it anyway." The word "anyway" has an emphasis that shows resolve in the face of adversity and in that way, this song encapsulates much of Jimi's last year. This is one of the better live versions of this tune, although I could have done without the profanity because it seems to dilute the song's impact. Jimi had often dedicated this tune to the American Indian, so the Berkeley dedication was surely a sign of the times.

The set is closed out with a fairly fast Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) again delivered with a classic intro, where Jimi says: "We hope you all got some kind of a feeling about this thing - the next thing we're gonna play and the last thing. It goes like this - playing to keep us alive. This is nothing but determination and so forth and so on, you know. Knowing that you're gonna get it together. Thank you, good night." The song is then delivered with more drive than any of the many versions I've ever heard. The themes throughout were consistent with how the music was delivered - with a purpose - that being to support each other during hard times and to not give up in the face of adversity. It's all just another example of how Jimi had become a crystal clear spokesperson for the people, a leader with a vision.


Jimi remains the top live guitar player   December 9, 2004
 17 out of 18 found this review helpful

AS you can see in the video, Jimi was on fire at Berkeley, he certainly was not burnt out by touring. If he was, it doesnt show. I was never fond of the song 'Straigh Ahead' until I listened to this version, totally smokes. This was a show with a nice balance between old songs and new songs, and you can tell that Jimi is even enjoying playing some of his old hits. The best way to enjoy these shows is to go back in time and remember how a live concert was staged back then. Just a guitar, some pedals and the amps. Nothing like all the technial gizmos available today for guitar players. So you hear Hendrix tuning, getting out of tune, tunning again, having guitar problems, amps problems... It was all part of the gig back then. Do people sit around and complain how much better the Mona Lisa would be if Leonardo would have used photoshop? People taking out stars of this stellar release because of 'amp problems' and such just makes me mad. Now, why complaining about releasing only the second show? There is nothing wrong with that! This is a complete, unedited, never before released Hendrix show people! Stop complaining. Five stars.


Remastered Berkeley show sparkles 33 years later!   September 16, 2003
 15 out of 17 found this review helpful

Widely regarded as a masterful Hendrix concert, "Jimi Hendrix: Live at Berkeley" represents the first official release of Jimi's second (and superior) set on May 30, 1970. Having been a long time Hendrix collector, I've heard this concert on bootleg CD numerous times. Why it's taken so long to release is beyond me, but nonetheless, it's nice to have the concert with incredible sound. It's definitely a significant improvement over the existing bootlegs of the show (which are hard to come by these days).

Given that a companion DVD was released, I'm somewhat puzzled why Experience Hendrix did not include the 1st Berkeley performance as well. The completist in me would have liked to see the official release of the sound-checks recorded at the show as well. But, I am a rather picky collector -- for the normal Hendrix fan searching for the ultimate 'live' Hendrix, this show is the one to purchase.

Standout tracks for me include "Machine Gun", "Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)", "Foxey Lady", and "Star Spangled Banner / Purple Haze".

Highly recommended for newbies getting into Hendrix as well as hard-core Jimiholics out there.


It Dosen't Get Any Better Than This!!   September 18, 2003
 15 out of 15 found this review helpful

A portion of the Berkeley Community Theatre performance has finally been released after languishing in the vaults the last 30-odd years. Despite the fact that I've had an underground recording of this show for years, I've looked forward to the official release of this show.

And I wasn't disappointed. Eddie Kramer's remastering of the soundboard recording is superlative. Not to mention that this recording is one of the few professionally recorded concerts where Jimi and the band were firing on all cylinders. Jimi's guitar sound is bell clear and superb, aptly propelled by the rock-solid and organic bass playing of Billy Cox and Mitchell Mitchell's Elvin Jones-inspired percussion.

The highlights: the opening jam on "Pass It On" (aka "Straight Ahead", "Hey Baby" (New Rising Sun), "Machine Gun", and "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)".

It's puzzling why Experience Hendrix didn't release the complete concert including the first set. I'd rate this as one of the best of the professionally recorded performances by Jimi Hendrix. Experience Hendrix made the right decision in releasing a "warts and all" DVD and CD set of the Isle of Wight Festival, why take a big step backwards and release only 1/2 of the Berkeley concert??

Nonetheless, this recording is essential. Further aural proof of the viruosity of Jimi Hendrix. Highly-recommended.


This is the BEST live Hendrix available   August 2, 2006
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I have all of the live Hendrix CDs and this is by far the best, both in having the best sound quality and the best performance by Hendrix.

Unlike the other CDs, Hendrix isn't audibly worn out, or bored with his material; he isn't tentative like in some recordings earlier in his career; and he isn't playing with an untried band.

While some of the other live CDs are better than others (Isle of Wight is probably the next best), none of them really comes close to this one.