BBC Sessions (1998)
Hendrix On The Radio

Despite Hendrix’s skills as a live performer, many of his live recordings aren’t really all that satisfying. Between primitive recording technology and Hendrix’s own “sloppiness” on stage (due in part to his showmanship, his drugs and his surrounds), many of the live performances that have surfaced since his death have typically left me wanting to revisit his studio stuff instead. There are exceptions – Jimi Plays Monterey (HERE) is a highlight – but The Experience live is often a hit and miss affair (unless you’re just a stone cold fanatic that needs it all, of course). The BBC Sessions has its issues, too, largely due to the thin TV-quality sonics of much of the BBC’s archives, but it’s still better than most, and still a rich and historic collection of live studio recordings from The Experience’s early years (and beyond), including material Jimi never released elsewhere. Most importantly, these takes are still fresh to Hendrix, who famously tired of his early music after years of touring and as he attempted to expand his sound and approach, a mere few years later. We’ve got tons more Hendrix in the archives, including Blue Wild Angel (Isle Of Wight 1970), First Rays Of The New Rising Sun, Jimi By Himself: The Home Recordings, Jimi Plays Monterey, South Saturn Delta, The Complete Are You Experienced, The L.A. Forum Concert, The Rainbow Bridge Concert, The Voodoo Chile Sessions, The Winterland Reels, Winterland and more (all HERE). Find the BBC Sessions at Amazon, HERE.

1
Foxey Lady (Alternate Take) (3:01)
Alexis Korner Introduction (0:28)
Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window? (3:32)
Rhythm And Blues World Service (0:13)
(I’m Your) Hoochie Coochie Man (5:30)
Traveling With The Experience (0:22)
Driving South (5:31)
Fire (2:42)
Little Miss Lover (2:58)
Introducing The Experience (0:51)
The Burning Of The Midnight Lamp (3:44)
Catfish Blues (5:29)
Stone Free (3:26)
Love Or Confusion (2:54)
Hey Joe (4:02)
Hound Dog (2:44)
Driving South (Second Version) (4:49)
Hear My Train A Comin’ (5:00)
2
Purple Haze (3:17)
Killing Floor (2:28)
Radio One (1:34)
Wait Until Tomorrow (2:56)
Day Tripper (3:25)
Spanish Castle Magic (3:08)
Jammin’ (3:24)
I Was Made To Love Her (3:05)
Foxey Lady (Alternate Take) (2:44)
A Brand New Sound (0:54)
Hey Joe (Alternate Take) (2:58)
Manic Depression (3:11)
Driving South (Alternate Take) (3:22)
Hear My Train A Comin’ (Alternate Take) (5:03)
A Happening For Lulu (0:20)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) (4:09)
Lulu Introduction (0:23)
Hey Joe (2:44)
Sunshine Of Your Love (1:17)

The Estate has crafted another “new” Hendrix product. This video, featuring producer/engineer Eddie Kramer, is the sales pitch. I haven’t seen the track list yet, but some of the news outlets have used the phrase “follow-up to Electric Ladyland,” which is never a good sign. Listen for Stephen Stills’ bass work when Kramer cues up “Somewhere.” It would be nice if it was some sort of chronological document of those years, 1968-69, and not just another confusing collection of remixed and retitled outtakes and jams. Some of us older fans can’t be bothered to remember all this stuff. UPDATE: There’s a track-by-track breakdown (from Guitar World) in comments.

Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle Of Wight (1970/2002)
The Rainbow Bridge Concert (1970/2002)
The Final Months

Double discs of two well-known Hendrix performances, though… the discs themselves aren’t quite as celebrated. The Isle Of Wight concert, one of Hendrix’s last performances was recorded three weeks before his death. Despite the experiments in band personnel during the last year of his life, Hendrix returned to an “Experience” trio format for his last UK gig, with Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox in tow. Great sound. Check out the 22 minute “Machine Gun,” complete with the walkie-talkie interference coming from stage security that adds a new dimension to Hendrix’s famed anti-violence anthem. The Rainbow Bridge concert was recorded a month prior, with the same line-up. This, however, is a bootleg. One that fooled me when I bought it in the stores in 2002 because of the excellent artwork and packaging (and because I was temporarily confused by the recent glut of official Hendrix product that was hitting the shelves at the time). The sound quality ranges from OK to not-OK, sometimes thin and lacking dynamics, other times muddled and just lacking in general. The Late Show (previously unreleased in any form) fares better than the Early Show, but experienced listeners know that any live Hendrix is a quality crapshoot, both sound-wise and performance-wise. You can find Rainbow and Blue Wild Angel at Amazon. This post is also a good excuse to draw attention to our Hendrix archive, now back up and available; First Rays Of The New Rising Sun, Jimi By Himself: The Home Recordings, Jimi Plays Monterey, South Saturn Delta, The Complete Are You Experienced, The L.A. Forum Concert, The Voodoo Chile Sessions, The Winterland Reels, The Last Interview & Winterland.

Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle Of Wight
1
God Save The Queen (3:55)
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (0:49)
Spanish Castle Magic (5:10)
All Along The Watchtower (5:40)
Machine Gun (22:14)
Lover Man (2:59)
Freedom (4:37)
Red House (11:38)
Dolly Dagger (6:02)
Midnight Lightning (6:24)
2
Foxy Lady (9:13)
Message To Love (6:24)
Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) (6:59)
Ezy Ryder (4:35)
Hey Joe (4:33)
Purple Haze (3:32)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) (8:18)
In From The Storm (6:15)

The Rainbow Bridge Concert – Early Show
Lover Man (2:33)
Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) (4:36)
In From The Storm (5:00)
Message To Love (4:52)
Foxy Lady (4:45)
Hear My Train A Comin’ (9:08)
Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) (7:17)
Fire (3:44)
Purple Haze (4:35)
The Rainbow Bridge Concert – Late Show
Dolly Dagger (5:09)
Instrumental (5:28)
Ezy Rider (4:54)
Red House (6:47)
Freedom (4:21)
Jam Back At The House (7:00)
Land Of The New Rising Sun (4:47)

It appears that Sony and the Hendrix Estate, is behind the upcoming 4CD release, Winterland. According to reports, the box set, due to be released September 13, is a distillation of Hendrix’s three-day stand at San Francisco’s Winterland in October, 1968. Of course… this music is already available (in some places) as The Winterland Reels, six CDs worth of raw unedited live tapes. So, take your pick. Amazon is also giving away an exclusive 5th disc of unreleased live material from a February 1968 Winterland show when you buy it from them (5 discs somewhat reasonably priced at $40.99 – if you lock in the price). There’s also a single disc version more akin to the old Ryko Live At Winterland from the late 80s. Find all our Hendrix HERE. For the new box, click HERE.
DISC ONE
Tax Free
Lover Man
Sunshine of Your Love
Hear My Train A Comin
Killing Floor
Foxey Lady
Hey Joe
Star Spangled Banner
Purple Haze

DISC TWO
Tax Free
Like a Rolling Stone
Lover Man
Hey Joe
Fire
Foxey Lady
Are You Experienced
Red House
Purple Haze

DISC THREE
Fire
Lover Man
Like a Rolling Stone
Manic Depression
Sunshine of Your Love
Little Wing
Spanish Castle Magic
Red House
Hey Joe
Purple Haze
Wild Thing

DISC FOUR
Foxy Lady
Are You Experienced
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
Red House
Star Spangled Banner
Purple Haze
Jimi Hendrix: Boston Garden Backstage Interview

DISC FIVE (Amazon Exclusive)
Killing Floor
Red House
Catfish Blues
Dear Mr. Fantasy (Part One)
Dear Mr. Fantasy (Part Two)

Click HERE to get The Winterland Reels
Hear “Manic Depression” from October 12 (Late Show).

The Complete Are You Experienced
Live In The Studio Outtakes

Like many poorly crafted bootlegs, the title of this one is misleading. These studio session tapes have been floating around bootleg shops and torrent sites for years, with differing aliases and track listings – most notably, Out Of The Studio and Are You Experienced – The Sessions, Volumes 1 & 2. So, to be accurate, there’s nothing really “complete” about this set. But if, like me, you’re a sucker for hearing your favorites live in the studio, then you should enjoy this collection of outtakes, backing tracks, false starts and run-throughs that capture The Experience’s first studio dates for Are You Experienced, from 1966-67. History on tape. As collectors have come to expect, there’s some weeding that needs to be done to get to the goods (some of the “Hey Joe” “takes,” for example, are fully overdubbed versions), but you’ll get the gist. Many of the take-after-take clusters are instrumental, with Hendrix’s lead vocals sometimes heard off-mic, if at all. This boot’s sound is pretty good… but sonically flat and, at times, speed-challenged. There’s plenty more Jimi in the archives, including live studio outtakes from the “Voodoo Chile” sessions.

1
Hey Joe (take 1) (3:45)
Can You See Me (takes 1-4) (8:45)
51st Anniversary (takes 1-3) (5:01)
Fire (takes 1-6) (7:37)
Red House (take 1) (4:30)
Hey Joe (takes 2-4) (9:15)
Hey Joe (with The Breakaways) (3:26)
Purple Haze (3:01)
Purple Haze (guitar overdubs) (2:44)
Fire (take 7) (2:32)
The Wind Cries Mary (3:31)
I Don’t Live Today (takes 1-5) (15:44)

2
Red House (takes 2-5) (10:48)
La Pouppee Qui Fait Non (3:43)
Manic Depression (takes 1-3) (9:38)
Remember (takes 1-6) (17:50)
May This Be Love (unknown mix) (3:15)
May This Be Love (French single mix) (3:17)
Stone Free (unknown mix) (3:39)
Can You See Me (unknown mix) (2:36)
Are You Experienced (guitar overdub) (2:43)
Mr. Bad Luck (Look Over Yonder) (2:54)
Taking Care Of Business (4:10)
Cat Talkin‘ To Me (2:36)

Jimi By Himself: The Home Recordings (1968)
Out Of Print 1995 CD – Not A Boot

For years these tapes have made the rounds under different bootleg titles, but Jimi By Himself: The Home Recordings is actually a legitimate 1995 CD release that was packaged inside of a book, Voodoo Child: The Illustrated Legend Of Jimi Hendrix. Only 30 minutes long, this disc was created to push sales of the now out-of-print graphic novel. It worked, too. Most bought the book just for this collectible. Skeletal performances and great sound quality make for a fascinating listen to Jimi’s Electric Ladyland demos. It’s just Hendrix, in a Greenwich Village apartment with his electric guitar, notebook and tape recorder (and the occasional ringing phone). It doesn’t get any more up-close and personal than this. The book & CD is under $5 at Amazon.

1983… (A Merman I Should Turn To Be) (7:45)
Angel (3:28)
Cherokee Jam (3:12)
Hear My Train A’Comin’ (1:22)
Voodoo Chile/Cherokee Mist (10:09)
Gypsy Eyes (2:59)

First Rays Of The New Rising Sun (1997)
South Saturn Delta (1997)
Hendrix’s “Last Album,” And Some Odds & Ends

With the Hendrix Estate now gearing up for a series of new releases, here’s a look back at their first attempts to collect some of the many scattered recordings Jimi made before his death in 1970. First Rays Of The New Rising Sun is a re-imagining of what Hendrix’s fourth and final studio album might have been like – even though no one was seriously proposing that this was actually Hendrix’s final vision. In reality, the album is comprised of material that Hendrix had nearly completed by September, 1970. Most of these tracks were later issued in various forms on haphazard, posthumous releases like Cry Of Love, Rainbow Bridge and War Heroes. In retrospect, First Rays has stood up quite well as a worthy collection that fills the void of curiosity regarding what Hendrix might have released, had he lived. It’s surprisingly concise, comprised of three & four minute songs… with barely any of the majestic jamming that characterized his actual, final studio release, Electric Ladyland. South Saturn Delta, on the other hand, is a less impressive gathering of odds & ends that had previously trickled out on 70s/80s albums like Crash Landing, Midnight Lightning and Loose Ends. For SSD, the Estate went back to the original master tapes, stripping them clean, then re-building them from the bottom up. It’s little more than a random rarity collection, however. Ladyland‘s “All Along The Watchtower,” for instance, is included here as an slightly altered remix. For collectors, both are worth having, but those that want more of an “album” experience are advised to stick to First Rays Of The New Rising Sun.

First Rays Of The New Rising Sun
Freedom (3:27)
Izabella (2:50)
Night Bird Flying (3:51)
Angel (4:22)
Room Full Of Mirrors (3:21)
Dolly Dagger (4:44)
Ezy Rider (4:09)
Drifting (3:49)
Beginnings (4:13)
Stepping Stone (4:13)
My Friend (4:36)
Straight Ahead (4:43)
Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) (6:04)
Earth Blues (4:21)
Astro Man (3:35)
In From The Storm (3:41)
Belly Button Window (3:37)

South Saturn Delta
Look Over Yonder (3:25)
Little Wing (2:44)
Here He Comes (Lover Man) (6:33)
South Saturn Delta (4:08)
Power Of Soul (5:20)
Message To The Universe (Message Of Love) (6:20)
Tax Free (4:58)
All Along The Watchtower (4:01)
The Stars That Play With Laughing Sam’s Dice (4:21)
Midnight (5:33)
Sweet Angel (Angel) (3:56)
Bleeding Heart (3:15)
Pali Gap (5:09)
Drifter’s Escape (3:06)
Midnight Lightning (3:07)

Jimi Plays Monterey (1967/1986)
The Experience Lands In America

This one has always ranked up there with the three studio albums for me. The Jimi Hendrix Experience playing their first date in the USA at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. Hendrix is fresh, animated and eager to please, and while some of the execution is a bit sloppy (what Hendrix performance isn’t?), there’s no mistaking the band’s power and enthusiasm. And how punk is that cover of “Wild Thing?” Years before the style was coined. They’ve still got that new car smell.

Foxy Lady (3:38)
Like a Rolling Stone (6:52)
Rock Me Baby (3:30)
Hey Joe (4:02)
Can You See Me (2:54)
The Wind Cries Mary (3:48)
Purple Haze (5:07)
Wild Thing (7:58)

The Voodoo Chile Sessions
Live In The Studio, May 2-3, 1968

Raw session tapes of Jimi Hendrix, Steve Winwood, Jack Casady and Mitch Mitchell live at The Record Plant in NYC performing “Voodoo Chile.” Good sound, though… you’ll need to be prepared for what it’s like to be a fly on the wall in the studio. The first five minutes is engineer Eddie Kramer getting the mic levels and set ups prepared, as the band was already well underway. Later, there are disproportionate levels for some of the studio chatter, along with Kramer punching some of the instruments in and out. But in between all the chaos, you’ll hear some amazing and historic jams that formed the basis for two central tracks from Hendrix’s last studio album, Electric Ladyland. For the following night’s recording of “Voodoo Chile (Slight Return),” it’s Jimi and the original Experience (Mitchell & Noel Redding) learning the new song in the studio as tapes rolled. Listen below to “Voodoo Chile 2,” which includes a few false starts, Hendrix breaking a string and Winwood, Casady & (the incredible) Mitchell continuing to jam until Jimi was ready to go again. Great stuff.

Voodoo Chile 1 (12:32)
Voodoo Chile 2 (9:37)
Voodoo Chile 3 (2:34)
Voodoo Chile 4 (15:30)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 1 (1:27)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 2 (4:16)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 3 (1:37)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 4 (0:39)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 5 (1:34)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 6 (2:07)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 7 (3:59)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 8 (1:30)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 9 (6:08)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 10 (2:39)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 11 (1:07)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 12 (5:27)

The Winterland Reels (1968)
6 Complete Shows Over 3 Nights

The original Experience, captured live at Winterland, October 10-12, 1968. These are the raw reels, later plundered for the Ryko release(s), Live At Winterland, as well as various Hendrix collections over the years. What you’ll hear over these 6-1/2 hours is all the music, patter, tuning, miscues and triumphs that took place during Hendrix’s three day residency at the famed venue. The sound is raw but good, with plenty of tweaking and balancing happening on the fly. Note that because the tapes ran out during the early, Oct. 11 show, an audience bootleg was used for three songs to complete the set. As experienced fans know, the Experience wasn’t always at their peak, and Winterland is no exception. Between the 20 minute jams, drum & bass solos and Jimi’s growing intolerance for “the hits,” there are rushed performances, boring indulgences and plenty of out of tune moments. But… it’s a rare chance to hear three straight days of prime Experience. And how often does one get a chance to experience that? Hear “Manic Depression” from the Oct. 12 late show, below.

OCTOBER 10, 1968 (Early Show)
Intro (3:29)
Are You Experienced (7:37)
Voodoo Child (slight return) (7:38)
Red House (14:52)
Foxy Lady (6:15)
Like A Rolling Stone (9:48)
Star Spangled Banner (5:29)
Purple Haze/Outside Woman Blues (6:07)

OCTOBER 10, 1968 (Late Show)
Intro (2:42)
Tax Free (13:34)
Lover Man (4:28)
Sunshine Of Your Love (9:10)
Hear My Train A Comin‘ (14:04)
Killing Floor (w/ Jack Casady on bass) (9:19)
Hey Joe (w/ Jack Casady on bass) (5:32)
Star Spangled Banner (7:34)
Purple Haze (7:28)

OCTOBER 11, 1968 (Early Show)
Intro (5:24)
Are You Experienced (w/ Virgil Gonsales on flute) (17:56)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) (8:15)
Red House (11:38)
Foxy Lady (Audience Tape) (6:06)
Star Spangled Banner (Audience Tape) (6:33)
Purple Haze (Audience Tape) (6:03)

OCTOBER 11, 1968 (Late Show)
Intro (2:19)
Tax Free (20:32)
Spanish Castle Magic (11:05)
Like A Rolling Stone (w/ Herbie Rich on organ) (11:35)
Lover Man (w/ Herbie Rich on organ) (6:11)
Hey Joe (w/ Herbie Rich on organ) (5:14)
Fire (w/ Herbie Rich on organ) (4:44)
Foxy Lady (w/ Herbie Rich on organ) (5:14)
Purple Haze (6:00)

OCTOBER 12, 1968 (Early Show)
Intro (3:41)
Fire (3:48)
Lover Man (5:37)
Like A Rolling Stone (12:14)
Foxy Lady (7:30)
Drum & Bass Jam (8:58)
Tax Free (9:06)
Hey Joe (7:12)
Purple Haze (3:40)
Wild Thing (3:39)

OCTOBER 12, 1968 (Late Show)
Intro (1:32)
Foxy Lady (9:31)
Manic Depression (5:55)
Sunshine Of Your Love (9:07)
Little Wing (4:41)
Spanish Castle Magic (7:07)
Red House (12:09)
Voodoo Child (slight return) (7:03)
Star Spangled Banner (4:57)
Purple Haze (7:45)

The L.A. Forum Concert (1969)
Legit, Out Of Print Release.

With the glut of live Hendrix tapes available, it’s amazing there are still “official” releases that are coveted, yet out-of-print. Case in point: The L.A. Forum Concert. Originally issued by Reprise as part of an awful 1991 box set, Lifelines: The Jimi Hendrix Story, this excellent April 26, 1969, L.A. Forum material was included as a stand alone concert disc. Well-recorded, it’s over 70 minutes and captures the original Experience (Mitch Mitchell & Noel Redding) stretching out during the band’s Electric Ladyland tour. “I Don’t Live Today” has re-surfaced on a couple of official compilations.

Tax Free (13:56)
Red House (11:07)
Spanish Castle Magic (11:43)
The Star Spangled Banner (2:29)
Purple Haze (6:56)
I Don’t Live Today (7:06)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)/Sunshine Of Your Love (17:15)

Jimi Hendrix Speaks!
Maybe His Last Audio Interview

Fascinating 30 minute interview with Jimi Hendrix, conducted September 11, 1970, a week before his death. What’s great about this tape, besides actually sounding good, is hearing Hendrix discuss his past and his future – coherently – with an interviewer who’s got some decent questions and who is actually listening to Hendrix’s responses. Jimi talks about his guitar god status, his plans for future bands, the departure of bassist Billy Cox, Black Panther pressure, Pink Floyd and the state of his own personal music vision. We’ve got more Hendrix in the archives.

Jimi Hendrix Interview – September 11, 1970 (31:17)