Jumpin' Jack Flash Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Nearly 40 years after his death, Jimi Hendrix remains not only rock's most iconic and influential guitarist but perhaps its most prolific ghost.Valleys of Neptune, containing a dozen previously unreleased studio tracks recorded mostly in 1969, arrives March 9 to kick off Sony/Legacy's massive reissue campaign.The legend's 11th studio album — the eighth to be issued posthumously and first since 1980 — boasts his Experience trio's final studio recordings, his earliest sessions with bassist Billy Cox and the long-shelved Mr. Bad Luck, intended for 1968's Axis: Bold as Love.Also included is a frenzied Fire, the long-coveted title track (out globally Feb. 2), a sprawling cover of Cream's Sunshine of Your Love and such retooled originals as Lover Man, Red House and Crying Blue Rain. Throughout, Hendrix displays confidence, humor, spontaneity and his trademark virtuosity as he undergoes a shift from psychedelia and unbridled soloing to R&B structures."It's wonderfully fresh material," says longtime Hendrix engineer Eddie Kramer, who originally recorded, and newly mixed, the Neptune tracks, employing high-tech digital and analog gear to cleanse the audio. "You hear the pure essence of the band, an in-your-face vibrancy. There were only four tracks and no overdubs, with Jimi singing as if he's in a concert. He's at the top of his game."Just as 2009's Beatles reissues ignited sales across generations, Neptune and the upgraded Hendrix catalog are expected to lure rock fans of all ages. The March 9 batch includes deluxe editions of Are You Experienced, Axis, Electric Ladyland and First Rays of the New Rising Sun, each with a bonus DVD documentary."We're going to generate a ton of excitement about Hendrix," predicts Adam Block, senior vice president of Legacy Recordings. "Today we experience Hendrix on rock radio, movies, soundtracks, TV. That really reflects the timelessness of this material. And beyond the recordings, there's the spirit of Jimi and what he represents: uncompromising originality. That's so rare, and you can't underestimate how that contributes to his current relevance."Hendrix left a wealth of pristine studio and live tapes."There's a strong vault, a lot of live stuff, that we have yet to tap into," says Kramer, marveling at what the storied ax man might have achieved had he not died in 1970 at age 27."I'm sure he would have incorporated the past and hip-hop and dance and all the modern technology. He would have gone into symphonic jazz with a huge horn section. He'd be a huge force."Well, more huge.=======Pretty excited for this, actually! I don't own any of Hendrix's posthomous stuff, but I think I'm going to grab this one. It sounds like something special. You can never be dissappointed with Hendrix! Although, I think it's weird that they're including a version of "Fire"... if there's so much material, then why put a previously released song on the record? Even if it is an alternate version... Oh well, can't wait until March :xmasssanta: Expected tracklisting"Stone Free""Valleys of Neptune""Bleeding Heart""Hear My Train a Comin'""Mr. Bad Luck""Sunshine of Your Love""Lover Man""Ships Passing Through the Night""Fire""Red House""Lullaby For the Summer""Crying Blue Rain" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Street_Of_Dreams Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Fuck. Thats awesome. Especially looking forward to his cover of Sunshine of Your Love Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthisriver Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Well, I have no smart comment for this one, I'll definitely be checking it regardless of how longs it' has been since he recorded the parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zint Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 (edited) I've heard Valleys of Neptune a few times now.It's soooooooo good!Really into it,sounds amazing!Can't wait for the cd! Edited February 17, 2010 by zint61 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LightningBolt Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 I'm really looking forward to this. It's out fairly soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin' Jack Flash Posted February 17, 2010 Author Share Posted February 17, 2010 Definitely one of the albums I'm most looking forward to this year. I've heard some concert bootlegs of Hendrix doing "Sunshine of Your Love" and they were mindblowing. This album should be great.Fo' sho. Jimi's covers are always fantastic!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkfqVhXtAhg&feature=relatedWatch out for your ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bax Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I am an admitted Hendrix fanatic, and I have a somewhat ridiculous collection of studio and live recordings, both commercial releases and boots.I'm feeling somewhat lazy cause it's been a long day, but when I get some tranquility, I'll post a list. I will suggest one thing to the obsessives: Hendrix in the Studio, a 10-cd boxset. there is so much material it is staggering. The man did build electric lady primarily for his own use, and there are according to the family at least 10 cds of posthumous material that will be released in the near future. I am actually most looking forward to the album he did with Stephen Stills-they mentioned it would be released a few months ago, still no time-frame for this that I know of. any one have word on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalsh327 Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Link to the "Valleys of Neptune" video: http://thesilvertongueonline.com/?p=9525But when it comes to Hendrix reissues, they've done way too many of them over the years. There's very little left that's unheard, the only advantage Experience Hendrix has are the master tapes.But I don't know what bothers Hendrix fans more - Hendrix reissues or John Mayer covering Hendrix. That's a tough one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zint Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 You might want to check out Best Buy.com before ordering anywhere else.They've got an exclusive version coming out...it comes with a t shirt etc.The ad claims "special studio tracks".. Plus there's also deals on the other reissues.Hendrix exclusive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin' Jack Flash Posted March 9, 2010 Author Share Posted March 9, 2010 It's here! And it's fucking awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Len B'stard Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 JUst out of interest, the hendrix doing Sunshine of your Love on this album, is it with lyrics? I've only ever heard it done instrumentally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LightningBolt Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 JUst out of interest, the hendrix doing Sunshine of your Love on this album, is it with lyrics? I've only ever heard it done instrumentally.Instrumental. It's terrific, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpUd_Jr Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 So are the versions of "Stone Free", "Fire", and "Red House" the same ones that are on the current CD version of AYE? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LightningBolt Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I don't think so. "Red House" is over 8 minutes long here and under 4 minutes long on the AYE album. "Stone Free" is about 10 seconds longer and "Fire" is a bit longer, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpUd_Jr Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Ah, thank you. That's good to hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zint Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Preordered this...and all the other reissues and they arrived today!Haven't had a chance to digest everything but this is fucking amazing!Nice packaging on all of these! B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin' Jack Flash Posted March 13, 2010 Author Share Posted March 13, 2010 Preordered this...and all the other reissues and they arrived today!Haven't had a chance to digest everything but this is fucking amazing!Nice packaging on all of these! B)Definiely! Everything I expected and more :krider: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin' Jack Flash Posted March 13, 2010 Author Share Posted March 13, 2010 Mr. Bad Luck sounds like a cross between Crosstown Traffic, Gypsy Eyes and another song I can't quite point my finger on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zint Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Mr. Bad Luck sounds like a cross between Crosstown Traffic, Gypsy Eyes and another song I can't quite point my finger on...It's a great song,really into it.I finally had a chance to listen to the whole cd.It's brilliant!Man that version of "Train" is bloody amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LightningBolt Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 I think my favorite may have been "Red House". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Eyes Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 I resisted buying the album in hmv cos it was a tenner and I'm trying to save money. But the artwork was so godlike it's etched in my brain...I'll go buy it tommorow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin' Jack Flash Posted March 14, 2010 Author Share Posted March 14, 2010 Yep, this album is brilliant...it's official. Been listening to it almost non-stop. Most of these songs would have fitted in ELL easily. Some parts of these songs have that sorta "incomplete" vibe though, which is understandable in the end... Man, whatever was comin' after ELL would have probably ended up being a mindfuck of an album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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