---------------------------------------------------------------------
Jimi Hendrix - The Guitar Hero (2013) 2xBD25
---------------------------------------------------------------------

This uneven portrait of Jimi Hendrix specifically as a guitarist, rather than a hero for a generation, is best regarded as an affectionate tribute rather than a definitive biog. Director Jon Brewer, who has previously helmed docs on BB King and others, deserves a nod for bringing in large numbers of Hendrix’s surviving contemporaries (Eric Burdon, Dave Mason, Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Chris Squire and many more) plus an aunt and his younger brother Leon. Brewer also pulls off a coup by getting Slash to narrate and provide much of the talking-head expertise, but The Guitar Hero isn’t technical enough to satisfy guitar geeks, or indeed wide enough in its perspective.

The main aspects of Hendrix’s technique, which revolved around rapid legato picking and blues bends, coupled with his astounding showmanship, aren’t addressed in the detail they deserve. Slash’s claim that Hendrix had “pretty much everything” as a guitarist also misses the important point that many of today’s soloing techniques hadn’t been invented back then. This and other oversights make this DVD interesting rather than essential. Where it does score highly is in the recollections of the various guests, such as Lemmy of Motörhead, who reveals that he was due to audition for the post of Hendrix’s bass player two days after his death. Now there’s an image to savour.

Actor: Jimi Hendrix
Format: PAL, Blu-ray
Region: Region B / 2
Aspect ratio: 16: 9
Number of discs: 2
Studio: Universal / Music / DVD
Release date: 8th November 2013
Production year: 2013
Genre: Rock
Playing time: 443 minutes

Tracklist

BD 1 (2h:08min)
01. Titles
02. England
03. The Experience
04. Jimi's Peers
05. Brit Pioneers
06. Rhythm & Blues
07. Black & White
08. Family Life
09. Early Career
10. Dylan
11. Monterey
12. Guitar Skills
13. Performance
14. Break Up
15. Death
16. The Road Ahead
17. End Credits

BD 2 (5h:15min)
Interview
01. Mickey Dolenz
02. Leon Hendrix
03. Dave Mason
04. Slash
05. Alan Douglas
06. Lemmy Kilmister
07. Mick Taylor
08. Chris Squire

Video: MPEG-4 AVC Video / 18000 kbps / 1080i / 29,970 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio: English / LPCM Audio / 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
Audio: English / Dolby Digital Audio / 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps
Subtitle: English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Portuguese
Playtime: 7h:23min