Rating: Summary: A Defining Moment Review: I'm giving this 5 starts because its Hendrix.
I agree that the editing could be better. And it seemed like the first part of the concert Hendrix was struggling to get things going. But once he did, that was all she wrote!
I first saw a film of Hendrix when Woodstock was playing in the theaters. I was 12 years old at the time. I waited through the three hours for Hendrix (I truly liked the way the final segment of the concert was left intact. The earlier Woodstock cut was unforgivable).
And when my wish was granted, well, I still haven't recovered. I can't listen to his Star Spangled Banner without getting chills. In that moment, in that short piece of unexpected unrehersed music, Hendrix grabbed the whole of the USA by the neck, looked it in the eye and said "You broke your covenent with God!" Who else could have bore the weight of such a musical statement?
I am a musician, and the guitar was my first instrument. Some years back, after I'd returned to the Indian sitar after a 12 year hiatus, I was worried because I wasn't playing any guitar anymore! I watched Hendrix' performance on VHS one day, and I realized that pursuing my own unique musical direction was the only way for me to go.
That was one of the greatest lessons a musician could learn from Hendrix.
We should be grateful that we had him among us. When I speak to my young music students, I make sure they know that a Hendrix once walked the earth. With all due respect to Beck, Reid, Vai, and others; when we speak of the realm of heavily amplified electric guitar, in the end, there is only Hendrix.
There will never be another like him.
Rating: Summary: September 23, 2001 US FLAG AT FULL STAFF Review: I've had this DVD for months and enjoyed it immensely. This is Jimi's finest performance and a must own. The fact he earned "the honor of closing the greatest rock festival ever conceived" is enough reason to buy this.I listen to his amazing and unforgettable rendition of "Star Spangled Banner" with more pride and hope now than ever in my life. God bless America and Operation Infinite Justice!
Rating: Summary: We got the DVD to see the band! Review: If you like Jimi Hendrix, then I would say you'd like this DVD. However, there's a lot of focus on Jimi Hendrix's face, and one brief shot of an effects pedal. We also get brief close ups and lots of far away shots of Mitch Mitchell (Drums), fairly consist shots of Jerry Velez (Hand Percussion), and a far-away view of Billy Cox (Bass. Larry Lee (Guitar), and Juma Sultan (Hand percussion) are almost never seen. However, I did like the DVD. If you like Hendrix you'll probably like, and maybe even love it, or at least some parts of it.
Rating: Summary: This is it! Review: If you want the quintessential Woodstock performance, look no further than Jimi Hendrix, (who closed the show). The sound on this one is superb and without doubt heavily due to the expertise of Eddie Kramer, (the greatest). The family has my deepest, heartfelt joy that they are able to do the right things with the legacy. Keep it coming guys!
Rating: Summary: Ammendment to Previous Review Review: In my review, I mistakenly said that the video contained the entire performance of Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock. In reality, there is 57 minutes of his performance. The 57 minutes is extraordinary as I have said, but I believe that there is about one hour more of material that exists that is not presented. Perhaps it will be released at a future date, but what is on the tape is absolutely priceless, and of course I still recommend it for anyone who loves Hendrix, rock and roll, and incredible musical talent.
Rating: Summary: What happened to Jerry, Juma, and Larry.......... Review: in the mix?? Is this another basterdized production reminicent of Alan Douglas's "Crash Landing", and MCA's "Voodoo Soup"? We hear and see Mitch, Billy, and Jimi but nothing of the other three. I only heard Larry during "Beginnings" when Jimi is shown "comping", but otherwise nothing of the other two. This is disappointing because although the band may have been under rehearsed (so what!) it was Jimi's intention to create this sound...Why not just let it be? Five stars for the sound quality and footage. Still worth buying.
Rating: Summary: NOT his best performance, but take what you can get! Review: It's amazing how much hype has built around Woodstock over the years. Noastalgia softens memories I guess. I've read many accounts of bands (i.e. Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead) actually having prett bad/mediocre performances at Woodstock (Though, in Fairness, others, like The Who and Santana really did play fantastically). I'm a Hendrix fan/geek whose read and heard a lot. Unfortunately, he was very exhausted from lack of sleep and who knows what else by the time he hit the stage at Woodstock. He also suffered a lack of judgement and focus by trying to present an expanded line-up that wasn't entirely rehearsed or necessary. A percussionist is a nice touch, but a rhythm guitarist behind him? Many of the songs were played sloppily and without punch. However... Jimi was magic after all and there ARE definitely some great, inspired moments. I've heard him do Star Spangled Banner a few times and the one at Woodstock is hands down the best by far. It's frustrating and ironic but the few Hendrix shows that were well-filmed, such as Isle of Wight, were conversely some of his weaker... But weak for Jimi is strong for most other musicians and with so little Hendrix footage legally available you take what you can get, so yeah, but this. As for the songs being cut up, out of order, or missing altogether, welcome to the world of Jimi's legacy. Warner Bros, MCA, and whomever else tend to more often than not butcher their posthumous Hendrix releases one way or another and this is no exception!
Rating: Summary: Jimi Rocks! Review: It's great to see more of Jimi's performance at Woodstock. Unfortuately, you are unable to hear the rest of the Gypsies, Suns and Rainbows (2nd guitar and percussion but I think that's due to the bad mixing of the original soundtrack and lack of microphone placement on the congas. You also see Jimi's frustration on his face trying to make the band tighter. It's still one of his best guitar performances of all time.
Rating: Summary: Greatest performer at his greatest concert Review: Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock is disputabily the greatest concert ever given. I am an avid Hendrix fan and was elated to see this DVD. This is by far the best DVD I have and shows Hendrix at his greatest. Izabella is revolutionary, Fire is rock solid, Red House is great (Jimi broke his high E string), his Woodstock Improvisation is incredible and his Star Spangled Banner is priceless. That being considered, it deserves 5+ stars. Although Expericnce Hendrix has done a great job releasing material since they won Jimi's legacy a few years ago, this DVD, contrary to the CD version, was disappointing in its length. There are many songs missing. I owned the CDs first and will list my disappointments: (1) I desperately wanted to hear and see all of Message to Love and Hear my Train a Comin', two of Jimi's new songs as he broke away from the Experience. (2) I also wanted to see Spanish Castle Magic, Foxy Lady, Hey Joe and Lover Man, all not included on the DVD. (3) The order of the songs was jumbled on the DVD and I wanted to see the actual chronological order of the songs. (4) Many of Jimi's comments, some pretty interesting (a la those before Izabella for those who own the CDs), were totally cut out. (5) If it replaced another of the aformentioned left-out songs, I really did not need to hear Larry Lee being backed up be Jimi on Jam Back at the House. Considering they cut out Larry Lee's other songs from the CD I was amazed that this one even made it. I guess I wanted a DVD identical to the CDs, which is not what this is. However, this is a must for any fan of rock music in general, but I felt I had to voice my completist complaints. Without a doubt, a must have.
Rating: Summary: Jimi The God Review: Jimi is great, and this is the best performance I have ever seen. I was at woodstock, he was great, but the video captures him at his best. Any rock fan, young or old, will enjoy this video. Jimi shows in this video how his magic fingers do the walking. God of the guitar, this one is a must see.
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