Record Reviews

GEORGIE FAME ~ THE COMPLETE LIVE BROADCASTS I RHYTHM AND BLUES 065 (Barcode: 5060331752226) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1964 - 1967 Released: 2021 This is an archival 2CD album presenting the BBC broadcasts by the British vocalist / organist / songwriter Georgie FameFind albums by this artist and his group The Blue FlamesFind albums by this artist. The first CD presents thirty-three tracks recorded between December 1964 and December 1965. The second CD presents thirty-one tracks recorded between February 1966 and July 1967, and includes four tracks recorded with the vocalist LuluFind albums by this artist and eight tracks recorded with The Harry South Big BandFind albums by this artist. Fame, my all-time favorite British vocalist, was quite a strange phenomenon on the burgeoning local Rhythm And Blues scene, which give birth to an immense number of groups like The Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist and eventually the entire British Rock scene. While the majority of these musicians followed initially the Blues trail, Fame (and a few others) was much more involved with Jazz influences, which are clearly evident on the tracks present here. The Blue Flames included a three-man horn section with trumpeter Eddie ThorntonFind albums by this artist and saxophonists Peter CoeFind albums by this artist and Glen HughesFind albums by this artist, as well as Jazz drummer Bill EydenFind albums by this artist, guitarist Colin GreenFind albums by this artist, bassist Tex MakinFind albums by this artist and percussionist Speedy AcquayeFind albums by this artist. In time saxophonists Lyn DobsonFind albums by this artist and Johnny MarshallFind albums by this artist, trombonist Derek WadsworthFind albums by this artist and drummers Mitch MitchellFind albums by this artist and Hughie FlintFind albums by this artist all played in Fame’s band. The material includes a mixture of Fame’s early hits (“Yeh Yeh” and “In The Meantime”) and less know material, all perfectly recorded and although in mono, sound brilliantly fresh, and considering the fact that this is the first time they can be enjoyed in full, this album is worth its weight in gold. Since I was convinced that I owned everything Fame has ever recorded, this was a huge surprise and the fact that a second volume of stuff is in preparation is even more exciting. Can’t wait! For Fame followers this stuff is absolutely essential and none of them would like to miss this (or the next volume) in their collections. Heaven on earth!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 12/08/2021

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

JIMI HENDRIX ~ ARE YOU EXPERIENCED (EXPANDED EDITION) SONY 763179 (Barcode: 886976317928) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1966 Released: 2010 1st album by the greatest guitar player that ever walked on the face of the earth, Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist, which completely revolutionized the fate of Rock music as we know it. Endless writings on the subject already detailed the intricacies of this prophetic music, the unearthly talent of Hendrix and the significance of this album in music history, so I won´t bore the reader with my meager explorations on the subject. Suffice to say this was one of the first recordings that truly turned me on and made me realize that Rock can be a creative, meaningful and significant musical experience. I´ve never stopped to listen to this album in the last 43 years since its release and I have no intention to do so up to my last breath. In retrospect it´s interesting to note that this music would have probably never happened if not for the fact that Hendrix was snatched from the American mediocrity and brought over to England, where his genius was appreciated. The support and inspiration Hendrix received from his band members: Noel ReddingFind albums by this artist on bass and Mitch MitchellFind albums by this artist on drums, was a vital component of his breakthrough, as much as the management and support extended by the man, who discovered his genius, Chas ChandlerFind albums by this artist. The European intellectual and artistic Renaissance, which was at its peak in the mid-1960s, with its openness and warm embrace of bold and groundbreaking ideas, music included, allowed Hendrix to find his path and discover his genius, exploring it to the fullest. The result: one of the greatest debut albums ever recorded in music history and an instant classic. This new edition, newly remastered, adds several bonus tracks to the original album´s content as well as a specially filmed DVD, which explores the process of creating this album. Need I say more?

CD+DVD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

JIMI HENDRIX ~ AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE (EXPANDED EDITION) SONY 762163 (Barcode: 886976216320) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1967 Released: 2010 2nd album by the greatest guitar player that ever walked on the face of the earth, Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist, which continued to revolutionize the fate of Rock music as we know it. Following the release of the debut album "Are You ExperiencedFind albums with this title", Hendrix and his British partners: Noel ReddingFind albums by this artist on bass and Mitch MitchellFind albums by this artist on drums, explored the British Underground and Psychedelic scene, which was at its peak at the time, absorbing the influences and incorporating them into their own music. The resulting album, recorded and released just a few months after the debut album, was another stunning excursion. Much more relaxed and contemplative than the debut album, it was the ultimate Psychedelic trip, with Hendrix guitar magic venturing repeatedly into completely uncharted territory. It was of course a nod in the direction Hendrix was to follow in his next and ultimate masterpiece "Electric LadylandFind albums with this title", which took his ever-expanding musical vocabulary way beyond the Blues and Rock sources. This new edition, newly remastered, adds a specially filmed DVD, which explores the process of creating this album. Need I say more?

CD+DVD 2 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

JIMI HENDRIX ~ ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS: A JIMI HENDRIX VISION SONY 194398908427 (Barcode: 194398908427) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2024 This is an archival Box Set, which includes material recorded by the Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist trio with bassist Billy CoxFind albums by this artist and drummer Mitch MitchellFind albums by this artist, captured for posterity in the newly opened Electric Lady Studios in NY between June and August 1970, just before the tragic and unexpected death of Hendrix in September of that year. All the material was recorded and mixed by the legendary studio wizard Eddie KramerFind albums by this artist. The Box Set also includes the documentary “Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision”, which tells the story of creation of the Electric Lady Studios. The Box Set includes three CDs and a BD, and a superb booklet with great photographs and detailed description of each track. It was manufactured in 2021 but the distribution was delayed until 2024 for legal reasons. The 3 CDs present thirty-nine tracks, all bar one previously unreleased. Those are alternate versions, alternate mixes, alternate takes, demos, etc., except for two spontaneous jams, which were just studio time fillers, including a twenty-six minutes long medley. The BD includes the full documentary and twenty newly remixed tracks in 5.1 Surround Sound, which are basically the “First Rays Of The New Rising SunFind albums with this title” album plus three bonus tracks. 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 always testing the ground and experimenting. 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 fact that there is no really new material here, as the Hendrix recorded legacy has been truly deeply explored already, this album is an absolute pure gold as far as Rock history is concerned. It does not matter how many Hendrix albums there are already in your collection, this is definitely one of the most fascinating, presenting Hendrix in the studio devoted to create the best music he was able to, a perfectionist to the max.

Updated: 17/03/2025Posted: 17/03/2025

3CD+BD 4 Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JIMI HENDRIX ~ ELECTRIC LADYLAND (EXPANDED EDITION) SONY 762164 (Barcode: 886976216429) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1968 Released: 2010 3rd and last album by the greatest guitar player that ever walked on the face of the earth, Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist, which continued to revolutionize the fate of Rock music as we know it. Following the release of the two stunning albums a year earlier ("Are You ExperiencedFind albums with this title" and "Axis: Bold As LoveFind albums with this title"), Hendrix and his British partners: Noel ReddingFind albums by this artist on bass and Mitch MitchellFind albums by this artist on drums, explored the unchartered territories of Rock beyond anything tried previously, even by the boldest explorers of the genre. In the meantime Hendrix also got exposed to many other musical explorations beyond Rock, mainly to the pioneering Jazz-Rock experimentations of Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, which influenced him deeply and were supposed to culminate in actual cooperation, which sadly never materialized. In making this milestone recording, Hendrix fused together everything he knew up to this point of his musical development, the early Blues influences, the Psychedelic music of the British Underground Scene, the new Jazz feel and even Avant-Garde sound experimentation, producing what would become one of the true icons of musical achievement, a timeless tour de force, a magnum opus and a work of a genius. The album also marks the first time Hendrix involved other musicians apart from the trio, like Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist, Al KooperFind albums by this artist and others. One could easily write a whole book just about this album, analyzing its musical values as well as its historical significance, but in all honesty listening to it is all that matters. I have been doing just that for the last 42 years since I got my sweaty hands on the shiny double LP for the first time. It´s been a faithful companion in bad times and good times, never letting me down. It still sounds prophetic, every time I listen to it. This new edition, newly remastered, adds a specially filmed DVD, which explores the process of creating this album. Need I say more?

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD+DVD 2 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

JIMI HENDRIX ~ FIRST RAYS OF THE NEW RISING SUN (EXPANDED EDITION) SONY 762168 (Barcode: 886976215828) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1968 - 1970 Released: 2010 This incredible collection of 17 tracks, which were (all except one) recorded by Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist during the months shortly preceding his tragic and untimely death in September 1970, are a best possible reconstruction of the next double LP Jimi planned to release under this title as the follow up to "Electric LadylandFind albums with this title". Most of the work on these tracks was done in the newly constructed Electric Lady studio, which was Jimi´s brainchild and dream. Engineered by Eddie KramerFind albums by this artist, the same sound engineer who recorded all Jimi´s studio material, these songs were never finished and polished to perfection the way Hendrix would have probably made them as their final versions, but we´ll never know how that would have turned out. But under these circumstances, whatever is here in whatever shape or stage of completion, is surely important and essential enough to be cherished and remembered, as is every note Hendrix played during his short life. The music is performed by the usual Hendrix trio Mk II with Billy CoxFind albums by this artist on bass and Mitch MitchellFind albums by this artist on drums, with several other artists appearing on various tracks. Stylistically the music is quite different from the early Jimi Hendrix Experience material, with Jimi pushing constantly to cover more ground away from the Blues influences into more Rhythm And Blues and even Soul influenced music, in a way coming back full circle to the music he used to play in his formative years. But of course his genus guitar work and vocal delivery make whatever style he was playing in less significant, since anything he touched was, and always will be, first and foremost Jimi Hendrix. All these songs were previously released on three posthumous Hendrix albums in 1971 ("The Cry Of LoveFind albums with this title" and "Rainbow BridgeFind albums with this title") and 1972 ("War HeroesFind albums with this title"), but grouped together here they are the first proper treatment of this material. This new edition, newly remastered, adds a specially filmed DVD, which explores the process of creating this music. Essential stuff for body and soul!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted:

CD+DVD 2 Digipak Remastered 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 ~ 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