Search - Jimi Hendrix :: Jimi Hendrix: Live At Berkeley

Keep On - Straight Ahead

Mad Dog | TimbuckThree, Tennessee | 02/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On May 30 of 1970, Jimi, Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox played two shows at the Berkeley Theater. This disc consists of the songs played at the second show. Parts of both shows have been available as a bootlegs for many years, some of them relatively low quality affairs, others reasonably good soundboard boots. Both shows had some excellent playing and perhaps the best known song from these performances is that of "Hear My Train a Comin'" from the first show. Many collectors have questioned why Experience Hendrix has chosen to only release the second show, but I'll just express my gratitude that the second show has finally seen the light of day as a commercial release. We can for now only sit back and hope for the first show and maybe the soundcheck to be released as soon as possible. But for now, let's consider what we have here in this release of the second show...Altogether, this disc clocks in at 67 minutes and change, with eleven tunes, all of them well known to Hendrix afecianados. They are presented here in the best sound yet - a significant step up from the best boots. To clarify further, the sound is actually very good given its era, with decent stereo separation, dynamics and clarity, and very good dynamic contrasts. Jimi's guitar is placed in the center, and if there is any gripe about the sound it might be that Billy's bass is down in the mix too far.Sandwiched around the tune up, Jimi gives the little bit of intro that speaks volumes to me. '70 was not just a dark year in America's history due to unrest over Viet Nam and civil rights, but also a difficult year for Jimi. This was due to legal issues and conflicts with his management, all multiplied by his need to do new things and move on against the resistance that tried to keep him churning out the acid rock hits. But Jimi had moved beyond those days as is shown in the song selections and delivery at the Berkeley shows.After the intro, a slightly rough around the edges Pass It On (Straight ahead), is followed by Hey Baby, a true sleeper of a tune that is given an excellent run-through here. It's such a gem, and it shows where a part of Jimi's musical future might have gone had he lived. In my opinion, this is one of the very best live recordings of this essential tune. Other highlights include Stone Free, I Don't Live Today and Machine Gun.Of these, I Don't Live Today is very illuminating of where Jimi was at emotionally at the time. Interviews given around the time of the performance revealed Jimi to be eagerly anticipating his future, with many exciting plans, such as the possibility of playing with Miles Davis. But his forward look was tempered by the mood of the times and one can sense this by his introductory remarks to this classic acid-infected blues, when he says: "We'd like to do a thing that's what's happening today with a lot of people. And I'd like to dedicate it to all... all the cats that are trying to struggle that are gonna make it anyway." The word "anyway" has an emphasis that shows resolve in the face of adversity and in that way, this song encapsulates much of Jimi's last year. This is one of the better live versions of this tune, although I could have done without the profanity because it seems to dilute the song's impact. Jimi had often dedicated this tune to the American Indian, so the Berkeley dedication was surely a sign of the times.The set is closed out with a fairly fast Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) again delivered with a classic intro, where Jimi says: "We hope you all got some kind of a feeling about this thing - the next thing we're gonna play and the last thing. It goes like this - playing to keep us alive. This is nothing but determination and so forth and so on, you know. Knowing that you're gonna get it together. Thank you, good night." The song is then delivered with more drive than any of the many versions I've ever heard. The themes throughout were consistent with how the music was delivered - with a purpose - that being to support each other during hard times and to not give up in the face of adversity. It's all just another example of how Jimi had become a crystal clear spokesperson for the people, a leader with a vision."

It Dosen't Get Any Better Than This!!

Mad Dog | 09/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A portion of the Berkeley Community Theatre performance has finally been released after languishing in the vaults the last 30-odd years. Despite the fact that I've had an underground recording of this show for years, I've looked forward to the official release of this show.And I wasn't disappointed. Eddie Kramer's remastering of the soundboard recording is superlative. Not to mention that this recording is one of the few professionally recorded concerts where Jimi and the band were firing on all cylinders. Jimi's guitar sound is bell clear and superb, aptly propelled by the rock-solid and organic bass playing of Billy Cox and Mitchell Mitchell's Elvin Jones-inspired percussion.The highlights: the opening jam on "Pass It On" (aka "Straight Ahead", "Hey Baby" (New Rising Sun), "Machine Gun", and "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)".It's puzzling why Experience Hendrix didn't release the complete concert including the first set. I'd rate this as one of the best of the professionally recorded performances by Jimi Hendrix. Experience Hendrix made the right decision in releasing a "warts and all" DVD and CD set of the Isle of Wight Festival, why take a big step backwards and release only 1/2 of the Berkeley concert??Nonetheless, this recording is essential. Further aural proof of the viruosity of Jimi Hendrix. Highly-recommended."

Jimi remains the top live guitar player

Blues Bro | Lakewood, Colorado USA | 12/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"AS you can see in the video, Jimi was on fire at Berkeley, he certainly was not burnt out by touring. If he was, it doesnt show. I was never fond of the song 'Straigh Ahead' until I listened to this version, totally smokes. This was a show with a nice balance between old songs and new songs, and you can tell that Jimi is even enjoying playing some of his old hits. The best way to enjoy these shows is to go back in time and remember how a live concert was staged back then. Just a guitar, some pedals and the amps. Nothing like all the technial gizmos available today for guitar players. So you hear Hendrix tuning, getting out of tune, tunning again, having guitar problems, amps problems... It was all part of the gig back then. Do people sit around and complain how much better the Mona Lisa would be if Leonardo would have used photoshop? People taking out stars of this stellar release because of 'amp problems' and such just makes me mad. Now, why complaining about releasing only the second show? There is nothing wrong with that! This is a complete, unedited, never before released Hendrix show people! Stop complaining. Five stars."