| Boomer Media Review |
 | |  | |  | |  |
THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
Live at Monterrey
Definitive Edition
DD 5.1/DTS DVD
Universal-Experience Hendrix
OK, so let's cut Experience Hendrix
some slack for blowing the 40th
anniversary of the Monterrey coming
out party of Jimi Hendrix by 4 months,
because this new DVD has been worth
the wait.
Produced by Janie Hendrix and John
McDermott, and directed by Bob
Smeaton, you get high definition digital
transfers from the original 16mm A/B
cameras, of which 6 were rolling during
Hendrix's 45 minute performance.
And, from a subjective analysis, this
incarnation of the wild gig is the best
looking-and more importantly-best
sounding of all the issues, dating back
to the late 60s.
Original Hendrix engineer Eddie
Kramer has done an excellent job here
with the 5.1 mix, restoring some bottom
end, which always sounded lacking in
previous editions.
In addition, this "definitive edition"
comes with many extras.
A new doc, American Landing, and two
featurettes, including never before
released performances by Hendrix in
London circa February 1967, are,
although not up to the quality of
Monterrey, fascinating indeed.
Also included is a well illustrated 26
page booklet with a revealing
remembrance by Experience drummer,
Mitch Mitchell, who recalls the festival
as having "an amazing purity."
McDermott also offers his historical
take on the Monterrey fest, quoting
organizer Lou Adler as saying that if it
were not for the push and praise of
Paul McCartney, Hendrix may not have
even been invited to Monterrey.
Also just released, is a companion CD,
which includes Can You See Me, which
was not filmed by D. A. Pennebaker's
crew, due to film issues.
The CD is also an improvement sound
wise, from previous (re)issues.
Live at Monterrey
Definitive Edition
DD 5.1/DTS DVD
Universal-Experience Hendrix
OK, so let's cut Experience Hendrix
some slack for blowing the 40th
anniversary of the Monterrey coming
out party of Jimi Hendrix by 4 months,
because this new DVD has been worth
the wait.
Produced by Janie Hendrix and John
McDermott, and directed by Bob
Smeaton, you get high definition digital
transfers from the original 16mm A/B
cameras, of which 6 were rolling during
Hendrix's 45 minute performance.
And, from a subjective analysis, this
incarnation of the wild gig is the best
looking-and more importantly-best
sounding of all the issues, dating back
to the late 60s.
Original Hendrix engineer Eddie
Kramer has done an excellent job here
with the 5.1 mix, restoring some bottom
end, which always sounded lacking in
previous editions.
In addition, this "definitive edition"
comes with many extras.
A new doc, American Landing, and two
featurettes, including never before
released performances by Hendrix in
London circa February 1967, are,
although not up to the quality of
Monterrey, fascinating indeed.
Also included is a well illustrated 26
page booklet with a revealing
remembrance by Experience drummer,
Mitch Mitchell, who recalls the festival
as having "an amazing purity."
McDermott also offers his historical
take on the Monterrey fest, quoting
organizer Lou Adler as saying that if it
were not for the push and praise of
Paul McCartney, Hendrix may not have
even been invited to Monterrey.
Also just released, is a companion CD,
which includes Can You See Me, which
was not filmed by D. A. Pennebaker's
crew, due to film issues.
The CD is also an improvement sound
wise, from previous (re)issues.
According to the DVD booklet, ABC network gave $400,000 to the festival promoters to produce a made for TV special on
the concert. When the head of ABC-who was reportedly a very conservative individual saw clips of Hendrix humping his
amp and burning his guitar, he is said to invited the festival promoters to get lost, so no TV special appeared on ABC.
the concert. When the head of ABC-who was reportedly a very conservative individual saw clips of Hendrix humping his
amp and burning his guitar, he is said to invited the festival promoters to get lost, so no TV special appeared on ABC.