The Jimi Hendrix Concerts [Import]

Personnel: Jimi Hendrix (vocals, guitar); Mitch Mitchell (drums); Noel Redding (background vocals). Liner Note Author: Bruce Archive Pates. Recording information: Albert Hall, London, England (02/24/1969); Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, CA (02/24/1969); New York Pop, Randall's Island, NY (02/24/1969); The Forum, Los Angeles, CA (02/24/1969); The Sports Arena, San Diego, CA (02/24/1969); Winterland, San Francisco, CA (02/24/1969); Albert Hall, London, England (04/26/1969); Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, CA (04/26/1969); New York Pop, Randall's Island, NY (04/26/1969); The Forum, Los Angeles, CA (04/26/1969); The Sports Arena, San Diego, CA (04/26/1969); Winterland, San Francisco, CA (04/26/1969); Albert Hall, London, England (05/24/1969); Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, CA (05/24/1969); New York Pop, Randall's Island, NY (05/24/1969); The Forum, Los Angeles, CA (05/24/1969); The Sports Arena, San Diego, CA (05/24/1969); Winterland, San Francisco, CA (05/24/1969); Albert Hall, London, England (05/30/1970); Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, CA (05/30/1970); New York Pop, Randall's Island, NY (05/30/1970); The Forum, Los Angeles, CA (05/30/1970); The Sports Arena, San Diego, CA (05/30/1970); Winterland, San Francisco, CA (05/30/1970); Albert Hall, London, England (07/17/1970); Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, CA (07/17/1970); New York Pop, Randall's Island, NY (07/17/1970); The Forum, Los Angeles, CA (07/17/1970); The Sports Arena, San Diego, CA (07/17/1970); Winterland, San Francisco, CA (07/17/1970); Albert Hall, London, England (10/10/1968-10/12/1968); Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, CA (10/10/1968-10/12/1968); New York Pop, Randall's Island, NY (10/10/1968-10/12/1968); The Forum, Los Angeles, CA (10/10/1968-10/12/1968); The Sports Arena, San Diego, CA (10/10/1968-10/12/1968); Winterland, San Francisco, CA (10/10/1968-10/12/1968). Photographers: Jim Marshall ; C. Tchirakadze. Out of several live Hendrix albums, The Jimi Hendrix Concerts stands as one of the very best. Taken from shows at Winterland, The Royal Albert Hall, and from various venues in New York, Berkeley, and San Diego, the set includes hits like "Fire," "Voodoo Chile," and "Hey Joe," as well as fine blues like "Red House," "Bleeding Heart," and "Hear My Train a Comin'." Highlights include a definitive version of "Little Wing" and one of the most assured and driving versions of "Voodoo Chile" (these and four other stellar tracks come from what must have been an amazing concert at Winterland in the fall of '68). Another standout is "I Don't Live Today," which features a fine mix of jazz-inspired soloing and various feedback and distortion "tricks" (tricks that figure into Hendrix's way of "playing with the electronics," and which make up one of the more innovative aspects of his guitar playing). Hendrix gets adept and sympathetic support throughout from bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell (Band of Gypsies' bassist Billy Cox replaces Redding on "Red House" and "Hey Joe"). With top-notch performances, consistently inspired solos, and excellent sound, this is probably the best introduction to Hendrix's live recordings. ~ Stephen Cook

• Genre: Rock and Pop
• Format: CD
• Released: 01/01/1982