Jimi Hendrix - Experience [2001] - Region 2

The Experience DVD can be broken down into two sections. The first part is the half-hour documentary film Experience filmed in London 1967. The second half includes over 40 minutes of bonus material; live footage and music videos. Experience is more a collage of footage, including interviews and "videos," than a documentary. There are a lot better documentaries out there if historical accuracy is what you are looking for. However, if you want a glimpse of London in the late '60s and to see a young, optimistic, and happy Jimi Hendrix, Experience will deliver. The bonus material is what makes this DVD. The live footage is strong and the sound and visual reproduction is outstanding, particularly on the May 24, 1967, Stockholm performances of "Wind Cries Mary" and "Purple Haze." The highlight is the performance of "Red House" for SAT Swedish television on January 9, 1969; in spite of the obvious tension between the band members, the performance is perfect. The one low point: with these great extras and all the yet-to-be-released live footage that is still out there, one wonders why the DVD included an absurd "Dolly Dagger" video shot in 1997 and featuring Fawn Reed and James Hong. It's just awful. Fortunately it's at the end and doesn't take away from the overall strength of this title. -- Rob Bracco

Step inside the world of Jimi Hendrix via Experience, the acclaimed 1968 program which features a high speed mix of commentary, interviews with Jimi, Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding, and indelible live performances. Highlights include Jimi's unforgettable twelve-string acoustic rendition of "Hear My Train a-Comin'" as well as incendiary live performances of "Purple Haze" and "Wild Thing" filmed in Blackpool, England, and a soundtrack filled with Hendrix classics like "Voodoo Chile," "If Six Was Nine," "Castles Made of Sand," "May This Be Love," and "Foxey Lady."

Live performances of "The Wind Cries Mary" and "Purple Haze" from Swedish Television's Popside, May 24, 1967; Live performances of "Red House" and Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" from Swedish Television's Number Nine, January 9, 1969, featuring Jimi playing a Gibson SG rather than his trademark Fender Stratocaster; "Wild Thing" live in Paris, October 9, 1967; Original promotional film for "Hey Joe" filmed at London's Saville Theatre in January 1967; 1997 music video for "Dolly Dagger" featuring Fawn Reed and James Hong.