Hear My
Train A Comin' unveils previously unseen performance footage and home movies
taken by Hendrix and drummer Mitch Mitchell while sourcing an extensive archive
of photographs, drawings, family letters and more to provide new insight into
the musician's personality and genius.
A
pioneering electric guitarist, Hendrix had only four years of mainstream
exposure and recognition, but his influential music and riveting stage presence
left an enduring legacy. Hear My Train A Comin' traces the guitarist’s
remarkable journey from his hardscrabble beginnings in Seattle, through his
stint as a US Army paratrooper, unknown sideman to R&B stars such as Little
Richard, Joey Dee and the Isley Brothers and his discovery and ultimate
international stardom.
Presented
as part of a year-long celebration around his 70th birthday year--the guitarist
was born November 27, 1942--the two-hour Hear My Train A Comin' tells the definitive
story, illustrated by interviews with Hendrix and illuminated with commentary
from family, well-known friends and musicians including Paul McCartney, Noel
Redding, Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, Eddie Kramer, Steve Winwood, Vernon Reid,
Billy Gibbons, Dweezil Zappa and Dave Mason as well as revealing glimpses into
Jimi and his era from the three women closest to him Linda Keith (the
girlfriend who introduced Jimi to future manager Chas Chandler), Faye Pridgeon
(who befriended Hendrix in Harlem in the early 1960s) and Colette Mimram (one
of the era's most influential fashion trendsetters who provided inspiration for
Hendrix's signature look and created such memorable stage costumes as the
beaded jacket Hendrix famously wore at Woodstock).
The film details the
meteoric rise of the Experience, the creation of his groundbreaking music, the
building of Electric Lady Studios, his state-of-the-art recording facility in
Greenwich Village, and concludes with poignant footage from his final
performance in Germany in September 1970, just 12 days before his death at age
27.
Janie
Hendrix, President and CEO of Experience Hendrix LLC and the sister of Jimi
Hendrix commented, "Hear my Train a Comin' is an in-depth look at the life
and legacy of Jimi with his own words as well as the words and memories of
those that knew him well and were close to him. His impression on the world
through his genius, music and talent continue to magically touch the lives of
ensuing generations."
American
Masters: Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin' is directed by the award winning
director Bob Smeaton (Festival Express; The Beatles Anthology; Jimi Hendrix:
Voodoo Child; Hendrix 70: Live at Woodstock). Susan Lacy is series creator and
executive producer of American Masters. The expanded DVD features an array of
special features highlighted by never before released film footage featuring
performances filmed at Miami Pop, the July 1970 New York Pop Festival and the
September 6, 1970 Love & Peace Festival at the Isle Of Fehmarn in Germany—the
final performance by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The high definition DVD
features new stereo and 5.1 surround mixing by Hendrix's engineer Eddie Kramer.
The documentary is a production of Fuse Films and THIRTEEN's American Masters
in association with WNET.
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