Jimi Hendrix - Live At Woodstock (The Deluxe Edition) - Jimi Hendrix DVD Review
DVD Review
Things didn't exactly go according to plan at the Woodstock Music And Art Festival scheduled between Friday 16 and Sunday 18 August 1969. Beset with problems from conception to conclusion and beyond, the intended three-day event's scheduling was thrown into chaos by the weather and congestion.
Artist appearances weren't running smoothly resulting in massive delays.
Many artists were helicoptered to the site from hotels and venues further afield. Hendrix wasn't initially planned as the final act - Roy Rogers was first choice, with Hendrix to follow. A change of heart on the organisers' behalf saw the great man himself draw a close to the proceedings. He was due to appear at midnight on the Sunday, playing under the stars and massive lighting rig. It was meant to be an impressive climax, but it was put back to nine a.m. on Monday, as other acts played through the night. By this time, thousands had returned home or to their jobs, leaving Hendrix to play to a much smaller crowd, which, according to Bethel historian Bert Feldman reached 700,000 at its peak. Therefore, many missed out on this legendary performance. Also, Hendrix performed with an expanded band and not as MC Chip Monck introduced them as The Jimi Hendrix Experience. For his set, this cost the organisers $32,000, twenty thousand more than The Who and Jefferson Airplane. Hendrix rehearsed for ten days with his 'new' band called Gypsy Sun & Rainbows; also know as a "band of gypsies" . It consisted of regular Mitch Miller, Billy Cox, Juma Sultan, Larry Lee and Jerry Velez. Coming on at a un-Rock'n'Roll time must have seemed a surreal experience for the left - overs and Hendrix himself.
Even the crowd and entourage looked weary. Expecting a three piece 'Experience', the fans were thrown into confusion by his new invention, but soon warmed up to his awesome performance. Hendrix was continually moving on with his musical experimentation, a very brave move under the circumstances. This uninterrupted colour footage captures every musical note that eventful morning, with most chit-chat cut to save on film which was rapidly running out, a decision made by film maker Wadleigh.
Until now we've only been given snippets of his performance via the Woodstock DVD, which did no justice to the set. At long last we get a chance to see what most didn't. A mix of close-ups and angled shots follows every movement of Hendrix and band, who eventually turn up the heat as they blast they way through new songs and hits. The stage was congested with crew and admirers, a situation that would not happen now. Wadleigh and crew did a remarkable job under the circumstances, compounded by cameras which were regularly malfunctioning. You can only sit back and admire Hendrix's technique at every level, from blues sojourns to rock classics, as he regularly nods and points to band members to keep it tight. Along with concert footage, we get interviews with band members and organisers as they re-live memories of 'Three Days of Peace' at Max Yasgur's muddy pasture near Bethel, New York State thirty six years ago.
Disc 2, A Second Look features black and white video footage, secretly filmed by 22 year old Albert Goodman. Hendrix eventually saw the raw efforts, and was suitably impressed. Until now it has remained unseen by the public. We get another view of the entire set, with one additional song not covered by Wadleigh - Hear My Train A Comin'.
An outstanding DVD in every way.
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