Record Reviews
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  | FAT MATTRESS ~ FAT MATTRESS
ESOTERIC 2134 (Barcode: 5013929723429) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2009
1st album by British Prog band Fat MattressFind albums by this artist founded by Jimi Hendrix ExperienceFind albums by this artist bassist Noel ReddingFind albums by this artist. The band included excellent musicians and managed to write excellent material, but didn´t achieve any commercial success, which led to its demise. This expanded version includes a plethora of bonus tracks, which includes singles and previously unreleased material. Although usually seldom considered as a classic, it is definitely as good as any other stuff recorded at the time and firmly belongs to the proto-Prog legacy. Definitely worth investigating!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | FAT MATTRESS ~ FAT MATTRESS II
ESOTERIC 2135 (Barcode: 5013929723528) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2009
2nd and last album by British Prog band Fat MattressFind albums by this artist founded by Jimi Hendrix ExperienceFind albums by this artist bassist Noel ReddingFind albums by this artist. The band included excellent musicians and managed to write excellent material, but didn´t achieve any commercial success, which led to its demise. This expanded version includes material originally recorded for the band´s 3rd album, which was never finished. Although usually seldom considered as a classic, it is definitely as good as any other stuff recorded at the time and firmly belongs to the proto-Prog legacy. Definitely worth investigating!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | JIMI HENDRIX ~ BBC SESSIONS (DELUXE EDITION)
SONY 774519 (Barcode: 886977451928) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1967 - 1969 Released: 2010
The BBC vaults are surely the world´s most valuable archive of recorded music when it comes to documenting the Golden Age of late 1960 and early 1970s. Countless albums based on the material recorded by the BBC have been released over time, revealing many previously never heard performances. Most of these recordings are blessed by both a high sonic quality and spirited performances, inspired by the incredible atmosphere, which existed at that time in the various BBC recording facilities, manned by the best sound engineers and producers of the time. The collection of BBC recordings by Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist is one of the greatest musical treasures to come out of these vaults. His short career and just a few studio albums leave the numerous fans hungry for additional high-quality material, and this album supplies just that. Almost all of the material presented here was recorded in 1967, with the exception of a few tracks from a TV show in early January of 1969, by which time the Jimi Hendrix ExperienceFind albums by this artist was almost on the verge of being disbanded. This new edition also adds some BBC video material as well as one previously unreleased audio track. There is no need to go into the importance of this music, as it is obvious to anybody aware of Rock´s history. It is a Holy Grail from start to finish and an absolutely essential piece of history!
| | | 2CD+DVD 3 Digipak Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | JIMI HENDRIX ~ HOLLYWOOD BOWL, AUGUST 18, 1967
SONY 196588315626 (Barcode: 196588315626) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1967 Released: 2023
This is an archival live album by the legendary Jimi Hendrix ExperienceFind albums by this artist, which was previously unreleased. The album presents ten tracks, which are a mixture of original songs and songs by others. Originally recorded on a cassette and offering a pretty Lo-Fi sound quality, the music was restored and remastered by the mythological Eddie KramerFind albums by this artist, and is certainly audible. The fact that previously unreleased material by Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist is still being unearthed almost 60 years later is truly astounding.
At the time of the recording, Hendrix and his trio were almost completely unknown in the US, with only one previous appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival a couple of month earlier. The trio was formed in UK and included British bassist Noel ReddingFind albums by this artist and drummer Mitch MitchellFind albums by this artist, releasing their debut album in UK in May 1967, which was not released in the US until much later. They made a name for themselves in the UK and Europe, but the US was as yet unconquered.
The performances are as stellar as one might expect from this unearthly trio, and these early moments are especially interesting as all three players were still testing their ground and experimenting, before the wall of sound effect they developed later on was firmly in place. The brilliant virtuosity and originality was all there already, so there is nothing for us but to admire once again the best ever Rock guitar player in action, supported by an unstoppable and incredibly sophisticated rhythm section.
Overall, despite the imperfect sound quality, this album is an absolute pure gold as far as Rock history is concerned. It does not matter how many live Hendrix live album there are already in your collection, this is definitely one of the most fascinating, presenting Hendrix at his most innocent, almost naïve self, before fame, fortune and drugs destroyed him. Long live the Summer Of Love!
| | Updated: 22/12/2023Posted: 22/12/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JIMI HENDRIX ~ LIVE AT WOODSTOCK
SONY 780552 (Barcode: 886978055224) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2010
As imperfect as the Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist Woodstock appearance is, it is still an iconic moment not only in Rock history but also a turning point in US history. As the closing set of the festival, Hendrix played to a small "leftovers" crowd of the immense human Woodstock gathering, when the almost apocalyptic scenery of garbage and desolation serves as the visual background of his performance in the Woodstock movie. The 1960s were over, for Hendrix, for the US, for the world. The ideology of "Peace and Love", shuttered by the Vietnam War, Cold War, political hypocrisy and false promises of "chasing the buck" were definitely winning. The social unrest and high aspirations to create a "better world" would be also over pretty soon, ultimately making no impact in the big picture. Europe would hold on to the ideology for a bit longer, eventually falling victim to the Golden Calf as well. It was "Apocalypse Now", and Hendrix played the perfect soundtrack for it. With the Jimi Hendrix ExperienceFind albums by this artist gone, he put together an ad-hoc band which would fulfill the Woodstock contract; under-rehearsed and not really an organic musical unit, it did its best, which was far from what it could have been. Nevertheless, Hendrix and his musical genius were sp overwhelming, that the Woodstock performance still manages to stand out as an epic piece of Rock music. This album includes the complete Woodstock performance with the exception of two songs, which were purposely omitted, as they didn´t feature him as the leader, which is perhaps for the best. Is this still a valid piece of music in retrospect? Hell yes! It´s stunning, whichever way one looks at it, remaining as iconic now as it was then. Essential!
| | | CD 2 Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | JIMI HENDRIX ~ LOS ANGELES FORUM
SONY 196587246723 (Barcode: 196587246723) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2022
The short-lived Jimi Hendrix ExperienceFind albums by this artist remains a quintessential icon of the Golden Decade of Classic Rock. A combination of American blues soaked guitar virtuosity of Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist and British Rock / Prog influenced bassist (originally a guitarist as well) Noel ReddingFind albums by this artist and Jazz influenced drummer Mitch MitchellFind albums by this artist, created a phenomenon way bigger than just a Power Rock trio. Hendrix perfected the Rock improvisation idiom, bringing it to ecstatic heights beyond any other Rock guitarist of his generation and the tightness of the trio defined the parameters of the Power Rock idiom.
This album is an archival live recording, captured at the Los Angeles Forum on April 26, 1969 at the last leg of the last Experience American tour. The internal tensions and other circumstances would tear the trio apart soon after. The concert was recorded and intended to be released as a live album, but that never materialized. Although the recordings present here were previously scattered on several collection albums, the concert in its entirety appears here for the first time, and the new remix, by the legendary studio engineer Eddie KramerFind albums by this artist, improves the aural experience considerably. The material includes the usual mixture of original material and favorite covers by the trio, with no special surprises. The booklet includes some fine photographs and interesting liner notes, describing the historical background of this recording.
Overall, although not particularly innovating to the Hendrix crowd, this is still a great time capsule, documenting a unique phenomenon called Jimi Hendrix Experience, which although recorded over five decades ago, sounds today infinitely better than most Rock music recorded since. An absolute must to all Hendrix enthusiasts!
| | Updated: 02/12/2022Posted: 02/12/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JIMI HENDRIX ~ VALLEYS OF NEPTUNE
SONY 764056 (Barcode: 886976405625) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2010
Holding a new album by Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist, released forty years after his death, is surely an once-in-a-lifetime experience for someone, like me, for whom the music of Hendrix has been the soundtrack of his life. Anything I can say here is completely insignificant in comparison to the anticipation and then the excitement of pushing the play button with this album inside the CD player for the first time. The plethora of posthumous Hendrix albums on the market are all live recordings of various quality and often of almost unlistenable quality, so hearing twelve pristine studio recordings, previously unreleased and mostly previously unheard, is a momentous event for any Rock fan on this planet. The legendary status achieved by Hendrix over the years and the influence of his music, most of which was recorded in a brief three years period, is completely unprecedented in music history. Although Hendrix managed to win an immediate acceptance and massive popularity following the release of his debut album in 1967, his true musical genius came to be appreciated over the years with ever increasing intensity. Generation after generation of musicians and listeners realized that his prophetic musical vision, combining cross-genre idioms and breaking established barriers was eons ahead of its time and remains completely exceptional and solitary in contemporary music history. Most of the music included on this album was recorded by the original Jimi Hendrix ExperienceFind albums by this artist, with Noel ReddingFind albums by this artist on bass and Mitch MitchellFind albums by this artist on drums, between February and September 1969, in an attempt to assemble material for the follow up album to the "Electric LadylandFind albums with this title" masterpiece released the year before. Three tracks feature bassist Billy CoxFind albums by this artist, summoned by Hendrix from the US to replace Redding due to a personal drift between the two, which ultimately led to the demise of Experience and the formation of the Band Of GypsysFind albums by this artist lineup with Buddy MilesFind albums by this artist. Some of the songs included here are known to Hendrix followers in their live versions, but these studio recordings present them in a much more precise and solidified form, which were the basis for future expanded and improvised upon live versions. Unfortunately, as we all know, the follow up album never materialized and with Hendrix tragically dead soon after, this is the closest we are ever going to be able to enjoy and cherish. I´m confident that in time, when all this new material truly sinks in, after repeated listening, it is inevitably bound to become an extension of the glorious Hendrix legacy we are privileged to enjoy due to his timeless, extraordinary genius. Thank you God for being able to experience Hendrix!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ROBIN TROWER ~ AT THE BBC 1973-1975
CHRYSALIS 5099907071324 (Barcode: 5099907071324) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1973 - 1975 Released: 2011
This is a collection of BBC radio recordings by the British guitarist / composer Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist and his power trio which also included vocalist / bassist James DewarFind albums by this artist and drummers Reg IsidoreFind albums by this artist or Bill LordanFind albums by this artist. The album presents five radio sessions and a concert, which cover the material included on the first three albums by Trower and the trio: "Twice Removed From YesterdayFind albums with this title", "Bridge Of SighsFind albums with this title" and "For Earth BelowFind albums with this title", altogether thirty tracks on two CDs. All the tracks were composed by Trower or co-composed by him and Dewar, and two were co-composed by him and vocalist Frankie MillerFind albums by this artist (see below).
After recording five albums with Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, of which he was a founding member, Trower left the group to join forces with Scottish vocalist Frankie Miller, ex-Stone The CrowsFind albums by this artist bassist James Dewar and ex-Jethro TullFind albums by this artist drummer Clive BunkerFind albums by this artist to form the short lived band JudeFind albums by this artist. After Jude broke up Trower decided to form a guitar power trio, which became his modus operandi for many years to come.
Trower´s guitar playing was often compared to that of Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist, especially his early trio output heard on this album, but although some stylistic similarities can be clearly heard, Trower always had his very unique idiosyncrasies that set him apart from all other guitarist of the period. They do however share their deep love for the Blues, which profoundly influenced their approach to the instrument.
The music included here is a classic example of British guitar power trio idiom, which started with CreamFind albums by this artist, Jimi Hendrix ExperienceFind albums by this artist and Rory GallagherFind albums by this artist´s TasteFind albums by this artist in the late 1960s, and which Trower proudly and very ably continued in the 1970s.
There is no need to emphasize the historic importance of this material, and although the sound quality is a bit muddy at times, the depth and ingenuity of the music is simply stunning. This is an absolute must to the many Trower fans and guitar aficionados the world over!
| | Updated: 20/10/2023Posted: 25/05/2019 | CD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ROBIN TROWER ~ THE STUDIO ALBUMS 1973-1983
CHRYSALIS 5060516091263 (Barcode: 5060516091263) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1973 - 1983 Released: 2019
This Box Set presents all ten studio albums recorded by British Rock guitarist / songwriter Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist for the ChrysalisFind albums on this label Records label: "Twice Removed From YesterdayFind albums with this title", "Bridge Of SighsFind albums with this title", "For Earth BelowFind albums with this title", "Long Misty DaysFind albums with this title", "In City DreamsFind albums with this title", "Caravan To MidnightFind albums with this title", "Victims Of The FuryFind albums with this title", "B.L.T.Find albums with this title", "TruceFind albums with this title" and finally "Back It UpFind albums with this title". All these albums feature the guitar power trio format, with slight personnel changes; Trower plays the guitar of course, vocalist / bassist James DewarFind albums by this artist plays and sings on most of the albums except the two collaborations with Jack BruceFind albums by this artist ("B.L.T." and "Truce") and drummers Reg IsidoreFind albums by this artist (who plays on the first two album and "Truce") and Bill LordanFind albums by this artist (who plays on all the other albums except "Back It Up"). A few additional musicians are also involved, like American bassist Rustee AllenFind albums by this artist of Sly & The Family StoneFind albums by this artist fame who plays on "In City Dreams" and "Caravan To Midnight". Almost all the material on these albums was written or co-written by Trower with a few exceptions.
After recording five albums with Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, of which he was a founding member, Trower left the group to join forces with Scottish vocalist Frankie MillerFind albums by this artist, ex-Stone The CrowsFind albums by this artist bassist James Dewar and ex-Jethro TullFind albums by this artist drummer Clive BunkerFind albums by this artist to form the short lived band JudeFind albums by this artist. After Jude broke up Trower decided to form a guitar power trio, which became his modus operandi for many years to come.
Trower´s guitar playing was often compared to that of Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist, especially his early trio output, but although some stylistic similarities can be clearly heard, Trower always had his very unique idiosyncrasies that set him apart from all other guitarist of the period. They do however share their deep love for the Blues, which profoundly influenced their approach to the instrument.
The music included here is a classic example of British guitar power trio idiom, which started with CreamFind albums by this artist, Jimi Hendrix ExperienceFind albums by this artist and Rory GallagherFind albums by this artist´s TasteFind albums by this artist in the late 1960s, and which Trower proudly and very ably continued in the 1970s.
There is no need to emphasize the historic importance of this material, and although the sound quality is a bit muddy at times, the depth and ingenuity of the music is simply stunning. This is an absolute must to the many Trower fans and guitar aficionados the world over!
Side Note
I can´t imagine what Chrysalis Records were thinking when they decided not to include in this Box Set the only live album Trower recorded for them, entitled simply "Robin Trower Live!Find albums with this title". With the inclusion of that album this Box Set would have become "The Complete Robin Trower Chrysalis Recordings", which beyond any doubt almost all people who bought this Box Set would have preferred! The live album was already released as part of the budget "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" series (two volumes), which in turn left out "Back It Up". So the fans and collectors got screwed for the second time! There is no limit to stupidity and meanness!
| | Updated: 01/06/2019Posted: 01/06/2019 | CD 10 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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