Classic Albums - The Jimi Hendrix Experience

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Can an effective episode of Classic Albums be produced when its subject's creator has been dead for more than a quarter century? Perhaps surprisingly, the answer is yes. With Experience members Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell, additional musicians on the order of Steve Winwood and Dave Mason, manager Chas Chandler, and engineer Eddie Kramer telling much of the story, Jimi Hendrix still stands front and center in this hourlong examination of the making of his most ambitious release, the 1968 double LP Electric Ladyland. The series's usual centerpiece (isolating parts of the multitrack tapes to illuminate the whole) is invaluable not only in demonstrating Hendrix's genius for building performances in the studio, but, by extension, implying how the music coming out of his head reflected his heart. The result is possibly the most moving documentary about Hendrix, and certainly one whose rare bits of film (such as a promotional clip for "Burning of the Midnight Lamp") make it even more invaluable. --Rickey Wright

Description

Released in 1968, Electric Ladyland represented a watershed in the flourishing career of Jimi Hendrix, and today is recognised as one of rock music's landmark albums. The album features some of Hendrix's most notable recordings, including Crosstown Traffic, Voodoo Chile, and a cover of Bob Dylan's All Along the Watchtower.

This classic album features archive film footage and interviews with many of those who were there for the ride: Producer Eddie Kramer, Noel Redding, Mitch Mitchell, Steve Winwood, and Chas Chandler.

Track Listing:
1. Burning Of The Midnight Lamp
2. All Along The Watchtower
3. Rainy Day, Dream Away
4. Voodoo Chile
5. Crosstown Traffic
6. Little Miss Strange
7. Gypsy Eyes
8. House Burning Down
9. Long Hot Summer Night
10. Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland)
11. Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)

Customer Reviews:

Getting close to the genius........2007-09-10

Watching this DVD brings the Hendrix fan closer to the soul that produced this beautiful work of art. The interviews and recollections show how Jimi's personality imprinted on everyone he worked with. They all still miss him terribly. This DVD provides insight into the process Hendrix evolved to in writing and recording his work. After watching this DVD I hear the album in a more informed light. Hendrix was a brilliant shooting star. I also noticed how much Prince copies Jimi's style. Somehow I missed that before this DVD.

batcall.......2007-08-09

It's a shame that one of the best guitarist in rock'n roll died so young. This is great music.

Behind the scenes in the studio.......2006-11-04

Great video that focuses on the mixing of the individual parts in the studio mixing and really has some great behind the scenes glimpses into the making of this classic album. Very good quality and production. Very interesting to all guitarists interested in classic rock.

Okay, not outstanding.......2005-09-11

While this DVD is interesting and well-produced, it doesn't measure up to other releases in the "Classic Album" series. The great bulk of screen time is spent on talking head interviews. That in itself would be okay, but they focus more on praising Jimi than discussing the music and the nuts and bolts of its creation. There is a lot of material that didn't make it onto this DVD - extensive alternate takes and outtakes - that has been broadcast on the radio. That material would have provided a fascinating supplement and insight into the Electric Ladyland creation process, and the brilliance behind the compositions of the songs. But instead this disc shows too much reminiscing about Jimi and mourning of his early death.

Once again, Eddie Kramer provides the meat of the subject matter, playing the mixer like a virtuoso. But even here his comments seem curiously attenuated. Electric Ladyland is a masterwork of studio recording, one of the striking achievements of 20th century rock music, and a complete treatment could fill several DVDs. Here we only get snippets. The same is true of the performances; this disc only shows brief clips, frequently interrupted, of various classic performances.

This is a disc for completists, and you probably won't want to watch it more than once. It talks about Jimi a lot, but there just isn't much of him here.

Recounting The Journey .......2004-09-12

Classic Albums recounters the journey of the legendary music recordings.Classic Albums takes you a behind the scences look at one of jimi hendrix's most succesful albums. The story is told in rare archival film footage, music, and from a diary kept by a hendrix employee. Their are many great interviews from the members themself Mitch Mitchell, and Noel Redding as well as keyboard virtuoso Steve Windwood. I think the best part of the film is Eddie Kramer who engineered the electric ladyland sessions. This film is loaded with fascinating footage of Jimi Hendrix in the studio. I think from one perspective we can all appreciate how great Electric Ladyland really was.

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