Jimi Hendrix: The Guitar Hero

Jimi Hendrix has been dead for 40 years but remains unsurpassed as an innovative genius on guitar. Offering little that's new, director Jon Brewer's documentary focuses on Hendrix the musician, eschewing tales of sex and drugs. Narrated by Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, the film features plenty of fellow artists, including Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, Ginger Baker, Dave Mason, Eric Burdon, ex–Rolling Stone Mick Taylor, and Mickey Dolenz, along with Hendrix's brother Leon and ex-girlfriend Kathy Etchingham. The material here will be familiar to any serious fan: Hendrix's unique technical approach (a lefty, he played a right-handed Fender Stratocaster upside down), his enormous hands and unusual way of playing chords (along with his penchant for feedback, wah-wah pedal, and whammy bar), his Marshall amps, and his colorful showmanship. Along the way, the film serves up photos from Hendrix's childhood, talks about his arrival in England in 1966 (still unknown in the U.S., Hendrix took London by storm), and looks at various other career highlights (Monterey, Woodstock) and low points (management problems, the breakup of the Jimi Hendrix Experience). What you won't hear, unfortunately, is Hendrix's playing, save for a few fleeting performance clips, the best of which is a very early “Hey Joe” at London's Marquee Club. DVD extras include extended interviews, a full performance of “Hey Joe,” silent footage of a Monkees' tour, and a 20-page booklet. An optional purchase, at best. Aud: C, P. (S. Graham)