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54 of 57 found the following review helpful:
 Hodge-podge editing and no new surprises hereSep 16, 2003
By Krishna M. Sadasivam
"pcweenies dot com cartoonist"
Clocking in at a woeful 56 minutes, this DVD represents only a fraction of the two concerts JImi performed on May 30, 1970. The packaging itself comes with a nice booklet that explains the background on how the concert was filmed, and the events that unfolded with it after JImi's unfortunate demise. The only 'real' bonus footage is a complete 5.1 surround sound audio for Jimi's second concert (which is essentially a different mix to the newly released Jimi Plays Berkeley CD, also available.)In all fairness, the sound for the video has been substantially overhauled. But, the haphazard edits and shaky camera movements that plagued the original documentary (rockumentary?) still exist. One would have figured that today's technology could have at least fixed the 'shaky camera' problems, but I digress.
Pciture quality is clean - though one can clearly see the limitations of the original equipment used to record the show. Given that it's one of only a handful of live Hendrix videos available, one can't be too picky I suppose. Highlights include Jimi's screaming rendition of "Johnny B. Goode", "Star Spangled Banner/ Purple Haze", and "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", only because these songs are more or less complete. The other songs on the DVD are all significantly edited down from their original length. One interesting tidbit gleaned from the accompanying booklet is that Experience Hendrix was not able to include any outtakes because they haven't been turned over 'by the previous administration' that controlled the guitarist's legacy. Which probably means that Alan Douglas or Michael Jeffery's estate is probably sitting on the rest of the film. Jimi's performance itself warrants 5 stars, but given the sheer lack of extra material, my rating stays firm at 3 stars for this release. Mildly recommended.
16 of 17 found the following review helpful:
It is what it is and you should consider yourself lucky we have this muchJun 26, 2005
By Flabbergast the Brown
"record sleuth"
I agree that Jefferies is a total schmuck and this was basically an 'exploitation flick' at the time of its original release. But at this point, it is all we have of this performance and therefore it is a interesting historical document that has been *lovingly restored* by the Experience Hendrix project and should be treasured as such. To the reviews here at Amazon such as the one by C.METHOT I can only say this: READ THE DARN BOOKLET before you post your ill-begotten reviews. OF COURSE we would all rather be watching Hendrix play than watch a bunch of students boycott the release of the 'Woodstock' film; as the text in the booklet very plainly states, this stuff was largely inserted to cover for MISSING concert footage due to Jefferies' complete mishandling of the whole affair. You folks who are asking for the 'missing' footage to be 'inserted' in some kind of expanded release: THERE IS NONE. I'm sure if it existed, it would be here. That is probably a big reason why this is offered as a 'budget' release, cheaper than an audio CD.
People need to get a clue, realize how much work goes into audio and film production, let alone restoration, and that they get what they pay for. This is a fine addition to any Hendrix collection. Quit your whining. And I happen to think the scenes of the riots at Berkeley over the soundtrack of 'Machine Gun' actually works pretty well. So there!
15 of 16 found the following review helpful:
 FINALLY JIMI PLAYS BERKLEY ON DVDNov 05, 2003
By Luke H.
This DVD is a favorite not just to me but alot of people out there Hendrix fans mostly. I ordered this DVD from amazon and recieved it a few days latter. I loved the DVD I mean of course it was just like the orginal JIMI PLAYS BERKLEY but the sound quality was unbelieveable. JIMI PLAYS BERKLEY was never released on DVD until now the music is so vibrant this is a must have for you Hendrix fans (including me). The bonus features are all audio but the thing that brings this DVD to 5 stars is not just the music but The booklet which gives you an inside on the filmmakers and the story behind JIMI PLAYS BERKLEY +plus very rare photos in the booklet hope you enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
Incomplete but amazing nonethelessDec 09, 1998
Tracklist: Johnny B. Goode (missing the spoken intro heard on "In The West"), Hear My Train A-Comin', Star Spangled Banner, Purple Haze, I Don't Live Today, Hey Baby (New Rising Sun), Lover Man, Machine Gun, Voodoo Chile The video has been edited from two performances that day, and some of the songs have been cut down in size. Whole thing runs under an hour. The concert footage is dark, but watchable, and there is also footage of the Berkeley riots. But if you're new to Hendrix, go for Monterey or Woodstock first.
8 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Jimi is great ....Oct 21, 2003
....but whoever allowed this to be released in the butchered state that it's in should be shot!!!! I have waited for this complete show/movie to come out with good sound and uncut now for so many years, when I found out that they did this to it, my jaws just droped.... I will buy it but I am so angry that some of his best playing has actually been cut out.... Get your act together "the people who are in charge of Jimi's music" please, you are doing him a great diservice..... If Jimi was alive he would be doing the shooting himself....Enough said but the dvd is still worth it because of the 5.1 and stereo sound remastering.....(if it was not cut i would have given it a 5)...Buy it anyway it's still worth it..."Purple Haze" "Johnny B Goode" and what is left of "Hear my Train A Comin" alone are invaluable...ROCK ON JIMI (the undisputable master!!!!)
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