Four Hendrix Reissues for the Holidays

December 2nd, 2011

Label: Experience Hendrix / Legacy Records

Formats: 4-CD Box Set; 8-LP + 1CD Box Set

Release Date: September 13, 2011

This 4-disc deluxe box set is a collection of live recordings from six unforgettable shows at San Francisco’s historic Winterland Ballroom. These six shows were recorded over a three day period in October 1968. The first thing one must take note of when dropping the needle on the first of eight LP’s is the brilliantly well executed sound restoration process of these recordings. They sound so pristine and live, with this humble raw feel, yet they still exemplify the sound of the era. Hendrix’s cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor” was the high point of the album for me, and I especially enjoyed the rare 20 minute interview that they decided to include in the collection. The interview is awkwardly interesting as the journalist is asking Jimi about his perceptions on playing and his style, and also telling Jimi about some criticism of his style from other musicians of the era. The deluxe edition also features a 36 page book teeming with unpublished images of Jimi Hendrix, as well as an essay by Rolling Stone writer, David Fricke. Winterland is a must have for any Hendrix fan, and it’s also a good place to start for someone just now discovering the Hendrix legacy. The album is available in an 8LP collector’s edition for all you audiophiles out there.

Note: apparently Amazon is selling an “exclusive version” (available for a limited time only) which includes a fifth disc featuring “Killing Floor,” “Red House,” “Catfish Blues,” and “Dear Mr. Fantasy (parts 1-2).”

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Title: Hendrix in the West

Artist: Jimi Hendrix

Label: Experience Hendrix / Legacy Records

Formats: CD, 2-LP, MP3

Release Date: September 13, 2011

Here we have another phenomenal collection of Jimi’s live performances, recorded from 1969-1970 during a time when he was heading in new musical directions, right before his death later that year. The compilation takes stellar tracks from performances at the Berkley Community Theatre, San Diego Sports Arena, and the Isle of Wight Festival. Notable performances on the album include the more straight forward blues tune, “Red House,” as well as the outrageousness improvisation and guitar soloing in “Spanish Castle Magic.” The last time this collection was in print was 1974, so anyone who overplayed their LP until the grooves ran dull, now is your chance to pick up the CD or deluxe 180 gram double LP release.

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Title: Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix at the Isle of Wight

Artist: Jimi Hendrix

Label: Experience Hendrix / Legacy Records

Format: DVD, Color, NTSC, Region 1

Release Date: September 13, 2011

This film is a special reissue of Jimi’s performance in front of 600,000 screaming fans at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970. Roughly, the first 30 minutes of the film were edited like a documentary and host some great interviews with Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, and recording engineers from Electric Ladyland Studios. The documentary portion of the film builds an excellent tension and anxiousness leading up to the moment when Jimi takes the stage, says “hello” to the crowd, awkwardly tunes his guitar, and eases into the first tune, “God Save the Queen,” with a swelling wall of noise. The performance itself was shot from multiple camera angles, and with this special reissue the viewer actually has the power to control which angle to watch it from. The 180 minute film makes you feel like you have a long expired press pass to a historical moment in rock and roll history.

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Title: Jimi Hendrix: The Dick Cavett Show

Artist: Jimi Hendrix

Label: Experience Hendrix / Legacy Records

Formats: DVD, Color, NTSC, Region 1

Release Date: September 13, 2011

A documentary focused around the evening talk show in which Jimi Hendrix made his first and several other television appearances on? Yes please! Hendrix on the Dick Cavett show gives a rare glimpse into an intriguing side of Jimi Hendrix. Obviously out of his element in the majority of these interviews, Hendrix speaks softly about his perceptions of what music means, its importance as a new language of communication, and his opinion of those who criticized his rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner.” Jimi does this with a humble grace while providing profound answers. The crowd seems confused, and Mr. Cavett seems confused at times, but that’s what makes it all so spectacular. The documentary aspect of the DVD is excellent as well, because it not only documents Hendrix and the Experience, but it also delves into the Dick Cavett Show’s history. See, I haven’t even gotten to the music yet and you’re already excited! The performances are superb. “Machine Gun” was brilliant, and the context of Hendrix on a small studio stage is such a different experience from watching him playing to hundreds of thousands during those festival performances that made him famous. “Hear My Train Coming” is by far my favorite performance, simply because it’s Jimi, on stage alone, with an old Ampeg amplifier. He just starts into this tune, and all of a sudden Bobby Rosengarden (Dick Cavett’s band leader) and the house band jump in with the accompaniment. Seeing Jimi with a certain vulnerability makes for a beautiful performance.

Following is the official trailer:

Jimi Hendrix: The Dick Cavett Show is more than just Jimi—it’s a piece of musical and television history, a time capsule of sorts that is ripe for opening.

Reviewed by Jason Cyrus Rubino

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Review Genre(s): Blues,Popular, Rock, and Misc.