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Album Review: Jimi Hendrix - People, Hell and Angels

Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 1:28 pm
by jimmydanger
OK being a Hendrixphile and a completist with a touch of OCD I had to pick up the "new" Hendrix release "People, Hell & Angels". First off, I'm not crazy about the title. What the hell does that mean? Is this a Hendrix lyric or just three words some executives threw together at a meeting? Just when you think Janey Hendrix couldn't possibly milk Jimi's legacy any further she pops out another golden egg to feather her nest (don't you love mixed metaphors?). If you haven't been buying the posthumous Hendrix releases over the past 43 years you might find this collection to be interesting or even inspiring. Otherwise, it's mostly material you've heard better before. "Earth Blues" leads off the album; a better version can be found on the soundtrack to the film "Rainbow Bridge". This version is more stripped down, and has the feel of a live jam recorded in the studio. In fact, the whole album sounds that way, because let's face it, these are just jams that Jimi never properly finished. A pretty decent version of "Hear My Train A-Comin" is included, but again a better version can be found on "Rainbow Bridge". "Izabella" gets the studio treatment but fares not much better than the version from "Woodstock". A stripped down version of "Crash Landing" is here, but really does not improve on the version from the album of the same name. One wonders why we continue to buy these releases; perhaps the ghost of Woodstock commands it. But all you really need in your library Hendrix-wise are the first three studio albums, plus "Band of Gypsys", "The Cry of Love", "Hendrix in the West" and "Rainbow Bridge" - albums I've owned for 40+ years.

Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 1:39 pm
by GuitarMikeB
'milking the true fans'


Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 2:06 pm
by jw123
Jimmy didnt Eddie Kramer remaster this latest?
Im not going to buy it, like you there are just a few essentials.

Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 2:13 pm
by Deadguitars
Not gonna get it but Jimi is the man - Machine Gun is prob the Ultimate Jimi tune for me ....
went to his grave site once ....
at the time it was just a flat marker with a Strat on it
someone had written " Ill see you in the next world ; dont be late "
I think they have a statue now
Bruce Lee and his kid were in the same cemetery


Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 2:39 pm
by jimmydanger
John: Eddie Kramer was the engineer, Bernie Grundman mastered it.
Dead: "Machine Gun" is one of my favorites too but there are so many. I went to Jimi's memorial in Seattle in 2005.

Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 5:24 pm
by PaperDog
I dont blame any family member of any celebrity for 'milking it' Its their birth right and boo-hoo to anybody who cant understand that... You all think Jimi would be upset at his own kids for living on what he provided? What good is any of it if your family cant enjoy it?
Meanwhile, garage tapes are garage tapes...and frankly, Hendrix garage tapes are infinitely more interesting than most other garage tapes floating around, by bands who, for all their effort, still didn't shake the music world...

Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 5:32 pm
by jimmydanger
Please don't flaunt your ignorance. Janie is his sister. Why don't you do some research before making an ass of yourself, as you do continuously.

Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 5:39 pm
by Deadguitars
PaperDog wrote:I dont blame any family member of any celebrity for 'milking it' Its their birth right and boo-hoo to anybody who cant understand that... You all think Jimi would be upset at his own kids for living on what he provided? What good is any of it if your family cant enjoy it?
I'm sure Jimi is happy his family is making a buck off his fans who think this is something new but if you are fan its nothing but a cash grab.
Boo Hoo if you cant understand that.


Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 5:58 pm
by VinnyViolin
Just as an art lover might enjoy seeing a pad full of unfinished sketches by Picasso, some who appreciate Hendrix might want to hear his jams, versions, and unfinished tracks.
I'm not that much of a Hendrix fan, but similar sets have been released of Miles Davis' jams that spawned some of his early 70's releases. I love hearing the less polished stuff and all of the variations that were explored.

Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:09 pm
by Planetguy
VinnyViolin wrote:Just as an art lover might enjoy seeing a pad full of unfinished sketches by Picasso, some who appreciate Hendrix might want to hear his jams, versions, and unfinished tracks.
I'm not that much of a Hendrix fan, but similar sets have been released of Miles Davis' jams that spawned some of his early 70's releases. I love hearing the less polished stuff and all of the variations that were explored.
spot on as usual, vinny. exactly how i feel about much of the lesser jaco work that's been put out there posthumously.

Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:44 pm
by VinnyViolin
Thanks Planetguy.
Here is a gem from Jimi's "People, Hell & Angels" that Jimmy D. does not want us to hear? "Somewhere"
http://youtu.be/G-THhwh5mNI?t=1m19s
"And up in the clouds I can imagine UFOs chuckle to themselves, 'Heh heh' / Laughing, they saying, 'Those people so uptight, they sure know how to make a mess, hey!'"


Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:58 pm
by jimmydanger
Where did I say I did not want you to hear it? I'm the one who bought a copy, not you. If you don't like my review say so, and if that was just an attempt at humor, don't quit your day job.

Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 7:09 pm
by VinnyViolin
jimmydanger wrote:Where did I say I did not want you to hear it? I'm the one who bought a copy, not you. If you don't like my review say so, and if that was just an attempt at humor, don't quit your day job.
Angry punk gets BOSSY!


Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:10 pm
by JCP61
there not unfinished tracks, per say
they are tracks that were released , as jimy said on other post humus albums, save one track. that might possibly be unreleased.
has kind of a Motown sound to it.
I don't recognize it.
but I stopped paying attention after nine to the universe, any Hendrix fan knows
that was the last milking that could be done, and that was in 78' I believe. maybe 77
didn't buy that cause it was awful.
just out of tune jamming. they ripped from the last of the studio dregs.
I have heard all these before, not different versions but these very tracks., on crash landing , midnight lightning, loose ends, rainbow bridge.
9 to the universe.
they have some editing done that's all,
it's false advertising if nothing else.
I won't buy it cause there nothing new to be heard.

Posted:
Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:19 pm
by Planetguy
right now... after a mideastern afternoon snack i suffer from post humus breath.