LIVE AT BERKELEY

There was already a video available for these live sessions in Berkeley, but it was a kind of mixed bag from both representations with lots of non-concert footage. What is very interesting in this release is that the full concert (in the original sequence) from the second show is represented (the band was most of time playing two shows a night in those days).

The sound is excellent and the trio Jimi, Cox and Mitchell is my second fave band composition (my fave one being "The Experience"). Their manager, Mike Jeffery, was willing to recreate the original "Experience" trio but Noël Redding was too reluctant. As it is mentioned on the booklet: "he had elected to quit the group in June '69 and in the interim had enjoyed little contact with Hendrix". No Redding then?

It is always a pleasure to listen to the warm voice from the master during the introduction: he was so cool and friendly towards the audience.

The first great moment of music is by no doubt "Hey Babe". It starts with some sort of flamenco and develops in a warm and groovy slow rock (similar to what's available during "Hey Joe"). An excellent track indeed which will see the light on the very good posthumous "Rainbow Bridge" album.

As usual with Hendrix concerts, the second half will just be phenomenal. The explosive "Machine Gun" is one of the highlight of course, but I quite like the version available of "Star Spangled Banner". Jimi is asking the audience to stand up for the American anthem, and he plays it quite with inspiration.

This version is only second to the huge "Woodstock" one IMHHO. What a man!!! It is one of my two or three deepest regret in my musical life to have not seen him live (another one being Floyd). But I was too young (eleven) when he sadly died.

Jimi had concluded an arrangement with his manager to play live almost exclusively on weekends while recording sessions at his new Electric Ladyland studios were taken place during the week days. Mitchell describes: "This was such a change after all of those stupid years of two shows a night which were just ridiculous".

The version of "Foxey Lady" is one of the best and wildest available in all of Jimi's career. Another highlight from this very good set with no doubt. The last two legendary live tracks being such a great musical live moments (the hit "Purple Haze" and the HUGE "Voodoo Child").

In all, this is a very good performance from the band and I rate it with four stars. A wonderful testimony of rock live music.