Blue Wild Angel - Live at the Isle of Wight

In 1970, Jimi Hendrix returned to the country where he'd skyrocketed to fame and gave his first performances in almost two years when he headlined the Isle of Wight festival. Sadly, it was also to be his last major public appearance: less than three weeks later, he would be dead. Compiled from that performance, these recordings reveal a guitar legend in good humor, yet restlessly exploring the broader musical directions he'd just laid down on sessions for what would become 'First Rays of the New Rising Sun' (initially released posthumously as 'The Cry of Love'). Backed by Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell and Band of Gypsys bassist Billy Cox, Hendrix ranges from the improvisatory cacophony of 'Machine Gun' and a retooling of his standard blues workout 'Red House' to renditions of 'Dolly Dagger,' 'Freedom,' and 'Hey Baby' that trade on the more rhythmic R&B and jazz influences he'd diligently worked into his music.