Since acquiring the rights to his prodigious recorded output in 1995, surviving relatives of guitarist/composer Jimi Hendrix have issued and reissued an abundance of titles. Fortunately, and in contrast to the years following his death in 1970, said releases do not merely exploit the enduring curiosity in his life and work. “Jimi Plays Berkeley” continues this recent trend. Previously issued in mono on VHS but long out of print, the two May 30, 1970, performances depicted here demonstrate Hendrix’s limitless improvisational skill. From a psychedelic, well-over-the-speed-limit take on “Johnny B. Goode” to the relentless power-trio assault of “Hey Baby (New Rising Sun),” he remains the most influential guitarist of the rock era. Scenes of street unrest interspersed with concert footage lend a dated feel to “Jimi Plays Berkeley,” yet they complement the frenetic, sometimes chaotic soundtrack. Bonus material on the disc includes the entire second set in audio-only, stereo and 5.1-channel mixes.—CW
