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. There are too many shots from behind, off to the side, extreme facial close-ups, stoners in the crowd, and shaky camerawork. Didn't they know that all we really want to see is his hands?
The performance as a whole is loose, spirited, passionate and fabulous. There's something there for every Hendrix 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 of it culminating into the classic frozen pose of Jimi waving good-bye as he leaves the stage.
He died 3 1/2 months after that Berkeley show.
Damn. If 6 was 9.
Peace.
