Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child

Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child (2010)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Wonderfully entertaining documentary taking a look at the career of Jimi Hendrix. This documentary uses interview and concert footage as well as Bootsy Collins playing narrator and speaking the words of Hendrix. The narration segments come from written letters that Hendrix had written during his short life.

If you're a fan of Hendrix then this here is certainly a must see because there's some really great footage here. I thought the narration was going to be really bad but this is actually where some of the greatest material comes from. This is especially true early on when we hear Jimi's letters to his father when he was still a young and struggling musician. Getting to hear him talk about life on the road was quite interesting to say the least.

The film is full of wonderful concert footage that has Hendrix doing his songs as well as covers of Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Cream. The concert footage alone is worth the price of admission but we also get some interview footage taken from the Dick Cavett Show. If you're a fan of Hendrix then this here is certainly a must see. If you're unfamiliar with Hendrix then this here is a great way to see why he's considered one of the greatest of all time.

If you are a fan of Jimi... and when I say fan, i mean, you've gone beyond "Foxy Lady: - you noticed that JIMI was really into the BLUES, not just POP. Then this documentary is for YOU. Jimi was more than the hype (and there was a ton of Hype) - Jimi was a real musician - a real person. He showed up in the sixties with an awesome skill - which propelled him to the forefront. Yes, he had a defining position in the sixties - But he wanted wanted something more.

This documentary is for YOU.

This documentary has REAL FOOTAGE - unlike other documentaries that do not show real footage (because they do not have the rights) - This documentary has real footage, real songs and the real Jimi.

This documentary traces Jimi from Seattle, working for his father (for a few weeks), joining the paratroopers, working with little Richard - then making it over to England - where he got his start... Jimi was already a super star when he showed up in the U S of A - at the Monterey Festival - where he lit is guitar on fire - on Sunday June 18, 1967 - the summer of love began...

This movie pretends to be a documentary, but is full of half truths, outright lies, and Hendrix's "words" are mostly fictionalized. For instance, the section on his abrupt military career is mostly favorably fictionalized. He was NOT honorably discharged, but was booted out for malingering and truancy*. I'm a huge fan of his music, but truth is truth.

"I don't think I'm going to make it to 28...I got too much to do." Paraphrased & prophetic, Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child tells his story in his own words w/narration by Parliament's Bootsy Collins, we drop into the bright, momentary fire that was Jimi's life. Using concert footage from Woodstock & other venues & an archival interview w/Dick Cavett, we get a nice insight into the man. A must for any lover of Jimi's music.