LIVE AT WINTERLAND

This live ''Experience'' was recorded just before the release of the last studio recording of the giant during his lifetime. No trace of this album in this live set. Even their prior (and average album) ''Axis.'' is only represented by one track (''Spanish Castle Magic'').

Almost half of covers and some songs from ''Are You Experienced'' are the core body of this live set.

Each line-up who has surrounded the big man (''Experience'', ''Band Of Gypsys'' and a combination of both) has released one major live album IMO. Being this one, the Fillmore East and of course the Woodstock gigantic concert.

This live set is damned good but it is lacking of some great numbers that will only see the light later on (''Voodoo Chile'', ''Izabella'', ''Hear My Train'' etc.). But there are hardly weak moments in here.

The ''Cream'' cover is one of the highlights (''Sunshine Of Your Love'') and my fave out of ''Axis'' is represented here as well in an excellent and cruelly wild rendition of ''Spanish Castle Magic''. An explosion of sounds (not only guitar): be assured that the rhythmic here is quite solid.

A blues classic in the live performances is the long ''Red House''. I have to admit that this slow and heavy track has never been one of my favourite performance of the man, but it belongs to his great heritage, so.

I far much prefer the giant cover ''Killing Floor''. This is a perfect example of how great the band was on stage. A complete cohesion, a wonderful musical experimentation, and such great skills combined. This is another magical moments out here. A highlight of course.

Even if the cover ''Tax Free'' holds some great guitar breaks, I can't consider this as one of the great tunes featured here. But this is no filler either.

But fillers don't belong here. The remaining pieces of music do belong to Hendrix fame: ''Foxy Lady'', ''Hey Joe'' (superb intro) and the great ''Purple Haze'' are of course huge tracks and so moving for a Jimi fan (whom I am if you had ever doubted).

As I have said in my Hendrix studio album reviews, the Hendrix adventure (whatever the composition) is best discovered while playing live. This is a very good example. Four stars, easily. But don't look for any prog in here.