AT LAST... THE BEGINNING: THE MAKING OF ELECTRIC LADYLAND

This is an interesting view on the making of the legendary double album from the master. Lots of guests who were active in the recording are available (Mitch, Noel and Buddy being the most important musicians but Eddie Kramer and Chas Chandler as well).

Some play back moments are probably useless (''Burning of the Midnight Lamp'') but there are some hints about both ''Rainy Day, Dream Away'' and ''Still Raining, Still Dreaming'' which refers to the Miami Festival which that was flooded for the second day and prevented ''The Experience'' to show up (the day was cancelled actually). So, what else could you do than write a couple of songs?

Still, I can't be a soptimistic as Eddie about this work. When he says that it still sound as fresh as it would have been recorded yesterday, I believe he's kind of exaggerating. ''Electric Ladyland'' was pivotal at the time of release but hasn't aged that well IMHHO.

It is also good to see Jimi in his daily life (on the street, during interviews...). He seems to be very relaxed although there was a lot of pressure and lots of travelling involved for touring. This led to some exhaustion because apparently there were no accurate planning.

We also get some insides on the relation between the master and Noël who was quite P.O. with the fact that Jimi was also playing bass at that time and that his role was almost confined to a sub-par studio musician.

I learned more about the genesis of ''House Burning Down'' (which is inspired by the riots following the murder of Martin Luther King. In all, it is a good document about this release. Maybe a bit too much bla bla, but you can't avoid this with this type of project. For fans or for anyone dedicated to the history of rock music.

One gets also some explanation about the controvertial packaging with nude girls on the cover. That was Jimi's idea and it made a scandal of course.

This documentary is available in a special 40th anniversary edition of ''Electric Ladyland'' that combines both the CD and the DVD (but it is pricey). It is cheaper to get both items separately.

Three stars for the document, but it is indeed for devoted fans.