i've been watching the 'jimi plays berkeley' dvd lately, in particular, his show-closing version of 'voodoo chile (slight return)'. it's fabulous. even though the cinematography blows (lots of shots from behind, off to the side, extreme facial close-ups, stoners in the crowd, and shakey camerawork), the performance as a whole is loose, spirited, passionate and fabulous. there's something there for every jimi fan(atic)... headbands, flowing shirtsleeves, scarves, sliding the guitar neck across the mic stand, dropping to his knees, playing with his teeth, fuzz, wah-wah, screamin' leads, improvisation, all culminating into the classic frozen pose of jimi waving good-bye as he leaves the stage. he died 3 1/2 months after the berkeley shows. damn, if 6 was 9.
-kenk
