Live at Monterey
THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
(Universal)
When Jimi Hendrix took the stage at the Monterey Pop Festival in the late spring of 1967, he was largely an unknown in his own country. That all changed with his brief, rather sloppy, but charismatic and galvanizing set. Within three months, Hendrix would have a top five album, and soon be known as rock's best guitarist and top showman. Besides intimately capturing the Jimi Hendrix Experience show (the one where he sacrifices his guitar by dousing it with lighter fluid and setting it ablaze), Live at Monterey includes a 23-minute lead-up documentary that puts his triumph in context. The sound is tinny, but getting to see Hendrix perform pre-stardom is a treat. 5 stars
This article appears in Dec 26, 2007 – Jan 1, 2008.