Jimi hendrix in Rock & Pop Music

"Plays Berkeley" (10/14/2003) Rock & Pop Hendrix, Jimi, Experience HendrixPersonnel: Jimi Hendrix (guitar, vocals); Billy Cox (bass); Mitch Mitchell (drums). Filmed May 30, 1970 at the Berkeley Community Center, California.

"Smash Hits" (08/02/2005) Rock & Pop Hendrix, Jimi, Universal DistributionPersonnel: Jimi Hendrix (vocals, kazoo, piano, bass); Dave Mason (acoustic guitar); Noel Redding (bass, background vocals); Mitch Mitchell (drums); The Breakaways (vocals). Recorded between October 23, 1966 & January 21, 1968. The first good Jimi Hendrix collection, and one of the all time great best-of collections by any artist, SMASH HITS serves as a concise introduction to the Seattle guitar master's genius. Though far from a representative overview of Hendrix's career (AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE isn't represented, and 10 of the 12 tracks are from either the U.S. or U.K. versions of ARE YOU EXPERIENCED?), the collection is sequenced like a regular album, and in this respect may be the Experience's most consistently satisfying record. These are the Hendrix tunes that have recieved the most media exposure over the years, from the primal blues-rock stomp of "Purple Haze" and "Foxey Lady" to the electrified murder ballad "Hey Joe" and the redefined Dylan tune "All Along the Watchtower. SMASH HITS has something in common with great Beatles records like RUBBER SOUL and REVOLVER; each song stands on its own as a fully formed progressive statement, yet the whole is greater than the sum of its uniformly excellent parts.

"First Rays of the New Rising Sun" (04/22/1997) Rock & Pop Hendrix, Jimi, MCA Records (USA)Personnel: Jimi Hendrix (vocals, guitar, piano); Ken Pine (12-string guitar); Paul Caruso (harmonica); Stephen Stills (piano); Buzzy Linhart (vibraphone); Billy Cox (bass); Buddy Miles (drums, background vocals); Jimmy Mayes, Mitch Mitchell (drums); Billy Armstrong, Juma Sultan (percussion); Arthur Allen, Albert Allen, Billy Cox, The Ronettes, Steve Winwood, Chris Wood (background vocals). Producers: Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Kramer, John Jansen, Mitch Mitchell. Engineers: Eddie Kramer, Bob Hughes, Bob Cotto. Recorded between March 1968 and August 1970. Includes liner notes by John McDermott. Personnel: Jimi Hendrix (vocals, guitar, piano, background vocals); Paul Caruso (harmonica); Stephen Stills (piano); Buzzy Linhart (vibraphone); James Mayes, Mitch Mitchell (drums); Juma Sultan, Billy Armstrong (percussion); Chris Wood , Emmeretta Marks, Albert "Ghetto Fingers" Allen, Steve Winwood, The Ronettes, Billy Cox, Buddy Miles (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Eddie Kramer; Jimi Hendrix; John Jansen; Mitch Mitchell. Audio Remasterers: Eddie Kramer; George Marino. Liner Note Authors: John McDermott, Jr.; John McDermott. Recording information: Electric Lady Studios (03/13/1968-08/24/1970); Record Plant (03/13/1968-08/24/1970); Sound Center (03/13/1968-08/24/1970). Photographers: Eddie Kramer; Baron Wolman; Ted Kessell; Mike McGettigan; Chuck Boyd; Elliott Landy; Michael Jang; Jim Cummins; Walter Looss; Linda McCartney. Unknown Contributor Roles: John McDermott; Tony Bongiovi. After years of legal wrangling, FIRST RAYS is the initial album released under the direct supervision of the Hendrix family. These remastered classics, previously found on the posthumous albums THE CRY OF LOVE, WAR HEROES and RAINBOW BRIDGE, were originally slated to be part of a double-album sequel to ELECTRIC LADYLAND, a concept that died with Hendrix in 1970. The compilation of these songs allows us to see the many sides of this innovative artist. Alongside runaway flights of fancy ("Stepping Stone") and overcharged rock/funk explosions ("Room Full Of Mirrors") are beautiful ballads ("Angel") and rollicking numbers that point to a Bob Dylan influence ("My Friend"). Famous friends dot the sonic landscape (Steve Winwood and Chris Wood on "Ezy Rider" and The Ronettes on "Earth Blues"), but Hendrix remains the center of a musical universe whose light was snuffed out far too soon.

"Axis: Bold as Love" (04/22/1997) Rock & Pop Hendrix, Jimi, MCA Records (USA)This 1997 reissue of AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE is a newly remastered version that restores the original album artwork. It includes a 24-page booklet with previously-unpublished photos and song lyrics. It is among the first batch of albums on Experience Hendrix, a new label controlled by Hendrix's family. The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Jimi Hendrix (vocals, electic guitar); Noel Redding (vocals, bass); Mitch Mitchell (drums, background vocals). Recorded at Olympic Studios, London, England. Originally released on Reprise. Includes liner notes by Jym Fahey. AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE was the follow-up to ARE YOU EXPERIENCED?, and represented a much more conscious use of the recording studio's possibilities. Where his live shows continued to showcase the raw rocking power of the Experience, the recording studio gave Hendrix the composer/arranger a broader palette. There are still plenty of powerful blues/rock-inflected songs, such as the menacing "If 6 Was 9," the rolling "Spanish Castle Magic" and the spatial title tune. But "Up From The Skies" is a jazzy trio romp, featuring Hendrix's bluesy, vocalized wah-wah pedal. And on the ballads "Little Wing" and "Castles Made Of Sand," Hendrix shifts the focus from the band to the silvery chord/melody accompaniments he often employed to complement his vocals. They are an orchestral effect unto themselves.

"Power Of Soul (140 Gram Vinyl) - A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix" (n/a) Rock & Pop Various Artists, Classic RecordsTributee: Jimi Hendrix. Unlike numerous rock-oriented tribute albums that have been released in Jimi Hendrix's memory, POWER OF SOUL focuses on the R&B/soul aspects of Hendrix's music. The artists range from Goodie Mob rapper Cee-Lo (sounding unrecognizable on a tasty version of "Foxy Lady") and Prince riding a funky wah-wah pedal on a renamed "Purple House" to Chaka Khan teaming with Kid Rock guitarist Kenny Olson on a heart-wrenching walk through "Little Wing." Sounds of Blackness work wonders on an uplifting "Castles Made of Sand," and neo-soul crooner Musiq growls new life into "Are You Experienced?" Equally notable is the supergroup of Carlos Santana, Corey Glover, Stanley Clarke, and Tony Williams, who groove solidly through "Spanish Castle Magic." The final cut, a previously unreleased live performance of "Little Wing/3rd Stone from the Sun" by the late Hendrix acolyte Stevie Ray Vaughan, is a fitting musical exclamation point.

"Power Of Soul (200 Gram Vinyl) - A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix" (n/a) Rock & Pop Various Artists, Classic RecordsTributee: Jimi Hendrix. Unlike numerous rock-oriented tribute albums that have been released in Jimi Hendrix's memory, POWER OF SOUL focuses on the R&B/soul aspects of Hendrix's music. The artists range from Goodie Mob rapper Cee-Lo (sounding unrecognizable on a tasty version of "Foxy Lady") and Prince riding a funky wah-wah pedal on a renamed "Purple House" to Chaka Khan teaming with Kid Rock guitarist Kenny Olson on a heart-wrenching walk through "Little Wing." Sounds of Blackness work wonders on an uplifting "Castles Made of Sand," and neo-soul crooner Musiq growls new life into "Are You Experienced?" Equally notable is the supergroup of Carlos Santana, Corey Glover, Stanley Clarke, and Tony Williams, who groove solidly through "Spanish Castle Magic." The final cut, a previously unreleased live performance of "Little Wing/3rd Stone from the Sun" by the late Hendrix acolyte Stevie Ray Vaughan, is a fitting musical exclamation point.

"Live at Woodstock" (n/a) Rock & Pop Hendrix, Jimi, Classic RecordsPersonnel: Jimi Hendrix (vocals, guitar); Larry Lee (guitar); Billy Cox (bass, background vocals); Mitch Mitchell (drums); Juma Sultan, Jerry Velez (percussion). Compilation producers: Janie Hendrix, Eddie Kramer, John McDermott. Recorded live at the Woodstock Festival, Bethel, New York on August 18, 1969. Includes liner notes by David Fricke. Jimi Hendrix was the headliner at the 1969 Woodstock Festival. Ironically, he got to go on around dawn on Monday morning, by which time there were only (...only) 60,000 remaining parishoners--the last act. Hendrix's Gypsy Sun & Rainbows emerged from a communal summer of jamming in the upstate arts community, but these other musicians are largely inauidble. So what we have in WOODSTOCK is a high energy test flight of Hendrix's last two touring trios, featuring Experience-drummer Mitch Mitchell and Jimi's old Army buddy, the groove oriented Fender bassist, Billy Cox. Following hot on the heels of the acclaimed BLUES, this second gem from the Hendrix archives finds Hendrix in transition: from a rock and pop approach, to Sky Church music--Jimi's free form synthesis of blues, modal jazz, funk and ethnic sources. An early arrangement of "Hear My Train A-Comin'," and such old warhorses as "Red House" and "Voodoo Child" are given spirited blues treatments. Following the national anthem, Jimi builds to another emotional catharsis with his breathtaking "Woodstock Improvisation"--which showcases his taste for modern jazz and flamenco--while his poignant instrumental reverie "Villanova Junction" reflects the influence of Wes Montgomery. This one is an essential for fans--WOODSTOCK showcases Jimi Hendrix as a guitarist's guitarist.

"Live at Berkeley: 2nd Show" (09/16/2003) Rock & Pop Hendrix, Jimi, MCA Records (USA)Personnel: Jimi Hendrix (vocals, guitar); Billy Cox (bass); Mitch Mitchell (drums). Compilation producers: Janie Hendrix, Eddie Kramer, John McDermott. Recorded live at the Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, California on May 30, 1970. Includes liner notes by John McDermott. While there's certainly no shortage of posthumous Jimi Hendrix concert recordings running the gamut in terms of quality, this one is something special. It captures Hendrix in a period of transition. He was ready to start a new chapter, having no way of knowing he'd be dead in a matter of months. After his Band of Gypsys phase, he had decided to reunite the original Experience, but bassist Noel Redding declined, perhaps convinced that his band, Fat Mattress, was bound for glory. Consequently, the visceral R&B of the Gypsys mixed with the fluid open-endedness of the Experience through the combination of Mitch Mitchell and drummer Billy Cox. On this night in Berkeley in 1970, the trio was on fire, roaring through "old" chestnuts ("Hey Joe," "Purple Haze") invested with new life, and pushing the boundaries with works-in-progress (embryonic versions of what would become "Straight Ahead" and "New Rising Sun"). It's interesting to note that while Hendrix's gut-wrenching solos on the evening's second set were among his most expressive, the song list tended toward the more blues-based numbers rather than the psychedelic masterpieces he'd been concocting in the studio. It's as fascinating to hear him make his way through the thickets where composition and improvisation meet, as it is tragic that we'll never know where he would have emerged at the other end of his journey.

"Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix [Box]" (09/12/2000) Rock & Pop Original Soundtrack, MCA Records (USA)Personnel: Jimi Hendrix (vocals, guitar, flute, kazoo, piano, harpsichord, glockenspiel, bass); Dave Mason (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Noel Redding (bass, background vocals); Billy Cox (bass); Mitch Mitchell (drums, percussion); Graham Nash (feet). Producers include: Chas Chandler, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Kramer, Mitch Mitchell, John Jansen. Compilation producer: Janie Hendrix, John McDermott. Engineers: Dave Siddle, Eddie Kramer, Mike Ross. THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE [BOX] consists principally of previously unreleased alternate takes & mixes, studio demos and live tracks, and comes with an 80-page booklet. Personnel includes: Jimi Hendrix (vocals, guitar, harpsichord, bass); Larry Lee (guitar); Paul Caruso (harmonica); Larry Young (organ); Billy Cox, Noel Redding (bass, background vocals); Buddy Miles, Mitch Mitchell (drums, percussion, background vocals); Juma Sulton, Jerry Velez (percussion); Graham Nash, Andy Fairweather Low, Steve Winwood, Chris Wood, Arthur & Albert Allen, Chas Chandler, Gary Walker, The Ronettes, Roger Chapman (background vocals). Producers: Jimi Hendrix, Rune Hallberg, Chas Chandler, Lou Adler. Compilation producers: Janie Hendrix, Eddie Kramer, John McDermott. Engineers include: Eddie Kramer, RTE, Gary Kellgren. Includes liner notes by Dave Marsh & John McDermott. Digitally remastered by Eddie Kramer & George Marino (Sterling Sound, New York, New York). Containing interviews with the legendary guitarist as well as with the Experience's drummer and bassist Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding, EXPERIENCE also includes live recordings of one of Jimi Hendrix's final performances, at London's Albert Hall. This collection represents the essential items of the Jimi Hendrix catalog. Each selection illustrates Hendrix's uniqueness as both guitarist and composer. In the '60s, he virtually defined rock guitar, remaking history in his own image. His mix of blues, psychedelia and Dylanesque folk-rock made him a rock & roll icon. It's in the surreal balladry of "The Wind Cries Mary." It's in the archetypal hard-rock cadences of "Purple Haze." It's in everything this electric guitar prodigy laid his talented hands on. Those unfamiliar with Hendrix's legacy are fortunate to have EXPERIENCE HENDRIX as a guide. The Jimi Hendrix catalogue has been diced and sliced so many ways over the years that only the most cynical record executives could possibly envision another box set of the same old material. Thankfully, this four-disc box entirely avoids the pre-existing body of work that's been presented to Hendrix fans innumerable times in the past. Instead, JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE consists exclusively of previously unreleased material, alternate takes, demos, live tracks, and the like. Every moment of it is designed to illuminate a different side of the many-faceted artist, and will undoubtedly make any hardcore Hendrixite's mouth water. It's obviously a kick to hear the alternate takes of classic tracks such as "Foxey Lady" and "Purple Haze," which bear a slightly rawer edge than the versions we're used to. But the real joy of this box comes in the more unexpected selections, particularly the live cuts. We get a look at Hendrix's blues roots, in turbo-charged takes on Muddy Waters ("Catfish Blues") and Howlin' Wolf ("Killing Floor"), but we also learn about where the guitarist's head was at during his late-'60s heyday in covers of the Beatles ("Sgt. Pepper") and Dylan ("Like a Rolling Stone"). Ranging from Hendrix's rootsiest endeavors to his most free-form explorations, this box set offers an alternative-yet-comprehensive view of this complex performer.