A good concert thats gets an unfair bad rap

Jimi's August 30, 1970 concert at the Isle of Wight is often given a bad rap. Let's put it into perspective. Jimi was exhausted of touring as he had just finished a tour of the U.S. He was working on his long-anticipated double album First Rays of The New Rising Sun and wanted desperately to finish it (He hadn't released a new studio album since Electric Ladyland of 1968). Most of the multi-layered tracks he was working on didn't turn out well live with a 3-piece and he had plans to expand the group. His manager, Michael Jeffery was relentless and made him go on another tour, in Europe. He went on to this concert at 3 in the morning, it was cold, dark, and he couldn't see the audience.



So with that being said, Jimi, Mitch Mitchell, and Billy Cox still managed to put on a good concert. Sure there were a lot of technical problems and security radio interference (as well as a few times, some strange, faint, opera-sounding music and people speaking what sounds like spanish!). But Jimi managed to get it together with a lot of great moments along the way. Whatever his state of mind on this night, he dosen't sound enthusiastic about the concert. You can't blame him, given the circumstances. When people hear this, they are quick to jump the gun and say that Hendrix is awful here. His actual playing isn't terrible; it's the technical problems and hang-ups that make this a rougher live album (only Foxey Lady is spoiled by the technical problems). Is it one of his best? No. Is it better than most? Yea. In fact in many parts, his soloing is fantastic. Many numbers here are fantastic. Early on, "All Along The Watchtower" is performed with great force, it is very moving when Jimi yells the "There's too much confusion" line, summing up the festival. The 22-minute "Machine Gun", features some great, as-always, intense guitar work. Mitch Mitchell's drum solo is great, and is a nice touch (although, I always felt that Buddy Miles's drumming on the original Band of Gypsys version was better suited for this song). Interesting to note that the security radio is picked up by the amps, and says, "Security personnel, security personnel are you receiving me?". I always liked that and thought it fit the song very nicely and enhances it in a way. In fact, it's a great touch! "Freedom" the best played number of the night. In fact, it's one Hendrix's best live peformances. Every thing seems to come together perfectly here. Jimi's guitar is great and the band delivers the song with great power. "Red House" is a real treat, as Jimi gets lost in the blues. He really delivers the song and his solo is fantastic. "Dolly Dagger" is a real treat as it wasn't played often and is played very nicely at that. "Foxey Lady" is the only real disappointment of the night. The unwanted feedback here is awful and the radio interference is bad. The video reveals that, while doing the splits, Jimi thought he split his pants, he told Billy and Mitch to continue playing and went behind the amps to get them checked. He then comes back and continues playing. Voodoo Child (Slight Return) is nicely done, and it is taken with an unusual, slower, blusier, tone. It's just great.



So in the end, this is a good concert, with only a few down points in some songs. Sadly, this would prove to be one of his last concerts. He would play his last concert at the Isle of Fehmarn in Germany, and 2 weeks later, he would be dead. I recommend this album after you have gotten some other live albums, and then pick this one up.

Not Jimi's best... (3.5 stars)

While the Isle of Wight concert contains some great playing (as any Jimi Hendrix release does), it is not close to as good as some other Hendrix releases. I do not find myself listening to it very often at all, despite the fact that I am a big Hendrix fan. Certainly there are some enjoyable numbers (a rarely seen live Watchtower, newer songs like Dolly Dagger and Midnight Lightning) but overall Jimi seems somewhat sloppy and tired. I find myself wishing I only bought the single CD. I leave open the possibility that this album may grow on me, but for now I don't listen to it much.

One Of The Last Hendrix Concerts

The Isle Of Wight was one of the last Jimi Hendrix concerts before his death in Semptember 1970. Their were many other bands that night including The Who, and The Doors. Jimi Hendrix did many great things that night including his highlighted performence Machine Gun that seems to run on too long. Their are many of his known hits that were played including Purple Haze, and Foxy Lady. But their were also his latter songs that were really interesting to hear including Freedom, and Dolly Dagger. Hendrix was at the peek of his career he was on too much drugs.

Watching the Concert captures the intesity that was played that night. My favorites are LoverMan, All Along The Watchtower, and In From The Storm. Jimi Hendrix did some crazy blues solo's on songs like Red House wow. I still cant believe some of the great things hendrix was doing on the guitar during 1970. Blue Wild Angel is a great concert but not one of his best. I recomend this concert to a real Jimi Hendrix fan for the rest im leaving this one up to you enjoy!