Experience Hendrix, LLC And Legacy Recordings Partner To Release The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s 1970 Maui Concert

Courtesy: Experience Hendrix, LLC/Legacy Recordings

Experience Hendrix, LLC will release a new Jimi Hendrix documentary and companion live recording this fall.

Music, Money, Madness…Live in Maui is scheduled for release Nov. 20 through Legacy Recordings.  The documentary and its companion recording center on The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s 1970 performance in Maui, HI.  The band’s performance was part of the now infamous documentary film Rainbow Bridge, which was produced by the band’s then manager Michael Jeffrey.

The central plot of Rainbow Bridge was that of a “rainbow bridge” that connected the unenlightened and the enlightened worlds.  It was shot without professional actors, and featured footage of people taking part in activities, such as surfing, Tai-Chi and meditation.

The film remains controversial to this day for a variety of reasons.  Jeffrey spent $500,000 — given to him as an advance from Warner Brothers — on the documentary.  It is alleged that Hendrix’s involvement in the film was not a guarantee.  It is alleged that Jeffrey had to convince Hendrix to perform, as he allegedly did not initially agree to take part.

The performance put on by Hendrix and his band mates ended up totaling only 17 minutes.  None of the performance footage featured in the film is a complete song.  The recording set for release in November will be the first time that the group’s performance has been released in full.

The Jimi Hendrix Experiences’ performance as part of Rainbow Bridge‘s production would be Hendrix’s last recorded concert and his second to last American Concert.  His final American concert was a performance on  Aug. 1, 1970 at the H.I.C. Arena in Honolulu, HI.  Hendrix had already committed to the concert before being convinced by Jeffrey to take part in Rainbow Bridge.

Hendrix died a short time later on Sept. 18, 1970 when he went to Europe to tour there.

The documentary and recording will release on Blu-ray/2CD combo pack and separate 3LP gatefold vinyl.

Pre-orders for Music, Money, Madness…Live in Maui are open.  Audiences can view a trailer for the documentary here.  The band’s performance of ‘Voodoo Child (Slight Return)‘ held during its performance in Maui, is also streaming.

The track listing for the concert is noted below.

 

DISC ONE

FIRST SHOW:

Chuck Wein Introduction

Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)

In From The Storm

Foxey Lady

Hear My Train A-Comin’

Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

Fire

Purple Haze

Spanish Castle Magic

Lover Man

Message to Love

DISC TWO

SECOND SHOW:

Dolly Dagger

Villanova Junction

Ezy Ryder

Red House

Freedom

Jam Back at the House

Straight Ahead

Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)/Midnight Lightning

Stone Free

 

More information on Music, Money, Madness…Live in Maui and other Jimi Hendrix releases is available online at:

 

Website: http://www.jimihendrix.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JimiHendrix

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JimiHendrix

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

 

Capitol Records, Universal Music To Reissue Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Band Of Gypsys’ Live Recording Next Month

Courtesy: Capitol Records/Universal Music Group

Capitol Records and Universal Music will celebrate a major musical milestone next month.

The companies will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original release of Jimi Hendrix’s seminal live album Band of Gypsys March 27 with a new vinyl reissue of said album.  The all-analog presentation was mastered from the original analog stereo tapes of the recording.  The mastering work was handled by famed Hendrix engineer Eddie Kramer.

The new vinyl reissue will be available on two different pressings — a black, 180-gram pressing from Quality Record Pressings, and a translucent cream, red, yellow and green swirl 180-gram pressing available exclusively through AuthenticHendrix.com.

Each pressing will feature an eight-page booklet filled with rare images from the Band of Gypsys concert and an essay penned by John McDermott.  They will also feature a 24″ X 36″ reproduction of the original poster used by Capitol Records to promote Band of Gypsys.  Pre-orders are open now for the reissue.

Jane Hendrix, Jimi’s sister and Experience Hendrix CEO, spoke highly of the forthcoming reissue in a recent interview.

“This is more than the commemoration of an anniversary that is, of course, something momentous, but it is also the celebration of a cathartic event in Jimi’s life…a sort of changing of the guards,” she said.  “He demonstrated that there was no limit to his musical landscape.  It was broad and beautiful, and like the leader of a true band of gypsies, Jimi could go anywhere on the spectrum of genres and be at home there musically!  This is our way of celebrating that part of Jimi’s journey.”

Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys live show was originally recorded Jan. 1, 1970 at New York’s famed Fillmore East.  His then bassist Billy Cox recalled what led to the release of the concert recording during his own recent interview.

“There had been a lawsuit against him and the only way out of that was to give them something,” he said.  “Jimi came to me and explained what had happened.  Then it was decided to give them an album.  I said let’s go for it.  At the time, Mitch [Mitchell] was in England, but [Buddy [Miles] would frequent the studios with us and he decided the same thing; let’s help our friend in need. Ultimately we became the Band of Gypsys.”

The lawsuit of which Cox referenced reached back to 1965 when Hendrix was still an unknown artist.  He worked at the time on a series of recordings from Curtis Knight & The Squires.  He was signed to Sue Records at the time, but had signed a deal with PPX Industries, binding his services not only for his work with Curtis Knight & The Squires but in general for the next three years.

That contract with PPX Industries led to the release of two 45 rpm singles that were licensed to RSVP Records by PPX Industries in early 1966.  Neither release gained any traction, leading Knight and Hendrix to part ways.  Hendrix’s agreement with PPX Industries was still in effect when Hendrix became famous as his own star.  A series of recordings that Hendrix had done with Knight was released at the time of Hendrix’s fame, competing with Hendrix’s own successful records Are You Experienced and Get That Feeling.

The competing recordings led to litigation, which was settled in 1968.  The settlement required Hendrix to deliver an album of original content to Capitol Records for distribution.  That recording was the now timeless live recording Band of Gypsys.

Band of Gypsys features six then unreleased songs — ‘Machine Gun,’ ‘Message To Love,’ ‘Power of Soul,’ ‘Who Knows,’ ‘Changes’ and ‘We Gotta Live Together.’  The recording’s track listing is noted below.

JIMI HENDRIX – BAND OF GYPSYS 50^th ANNIVERSARY EDITION TRACK LISTING

SIDE A
1) Who Knows
2) Machine Gun
Recorded January 1, 1970 Early Show

SIDE B
1) Changes
2) Power To Love
3) Message To Love
4) We Gotta Live Together
 Recorded January 1, 1970 Late Show

More information on Band of Gypsys and other Jimi Hendrix releases is available online at:

 

Website: http://www.jimihendrix.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JimiHendrix

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JimiHendrix

 

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Jimi Hendrix: Live At The Atlanta Pop Festival Is One Of 2015’s Top New Live CDs

Courtesy: Experience Hendrix, LLC/Legacy Recordings

On July 4th, 1970 legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix stood on a stage in Byron, Georgia before an audience estimated to be anywhere from 300,000 to 400,000 people at the city’s Second Atlanta International Pop Festival. He was joined on stage by then band mates Billy Cox (bass) and Mitch Mitchell (drums) for what would go on to be the biggest audience for which the trio would ever perform before Hendrix’s untimely death a little more than two months later. While it is the biggest performance that Hendrix and company had ever held, it has never seen the light of day. That is until now. Thanks to the efforts of the people at Experience Hendrix, LLC and Legacy Recordings, this classic concert will finally be available to audiences this Friday, August 28th. Needless to say this new, upcoming live recording is one more welcome addition to any Hendrix fan’s music library. The main reason that it is such an enjoyable recording is its set list. The show’s set list totals sixteen songs and tops off at roughly an hour and twenty-two minutes. It features both a number of Hendrix’s biggest hits up to that point and even a number of lesser-known pieces. The combination of both those bigger hits and lesser-known pieces makes for a set list that both the most hardcore Hendrix fans will enjoy and those that might not be so familiar with the music that made Hendrix rock royalty. As important as the concert’s set list is to its presentation in whole, it is just one part of what makes the show so enjoyable. Hendrix’s stage presence and that of his band mates plays its own role in the concert’s enjoyment. Last but hardly least important in the concert’s enjoyment is its audio mix. Considering the changes in recording technology over the course of the past forty-five years the quality of this concert’s audio mix is surprisingly impressive. Sure, it’s tough to hear Hendrix talking and joking with the audience between songs without pumping the volume almost to max. But that’s a minor issue when looking at the audio mix in general. That being the case, the audio mix passes the test and rounds out what is yet another archived show that any Hendrix fan will want to have in his or her own music library.

Jimi Hendrix: Live at the Atlanta Pop Festival is hardly the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s first archived live show to be released by Experience Hendrix, LLC and Legacy Recordings. That aside, it is still another great addition to the home music library of any Hendrix fan out there regardless of his or her familiarity with Hendrix’s body of work and his live shows. The main way in which it proves so enjoyable is its set list. The set list is not entirely different from previous Jimi Hendrix Experience concert recordings. However, it does show at least some differences from those recordings. It shows differences by including a number of lesser-known songs including the likes of: ‘Lover Man,’ ‘Spanish Castle Magic,’ ‘Room Full of Mirrors,’ ‘Message To Love,’ and ‘Freedom’ just to name a handful. While the inclusion of those lesser-known songs is in itself important to the enjoyment of this recording the performance of the band’s more well-known songs should not be played down. Audiences will love the band’s laid back take of ‘Red House.’ And fittingly the band’s performance of the show-opening ‘Fire’ will have listeners even today feeling the energy exuded by the band and by the audience in attendance all those decades ago. Feeling that energy, listeners will feel it running through themselves, too. Just as interesting is the band’s performance of ‘Hey Joe,’ one of its biggest hits of all. Unlike with so many other performances of this song–and even the song’s original recording–it shows to be more up-tempo than in those recordings. That’s not to say that it is a really fast paced rendition of the song. It is just not as slow as audiences are accustomed to in regards to this song. It’s yet another interesting way in which the set list shows to be just one important element in the whole of Live at the Atlanta Pop Festival. The rest of the songs featured in the show’s set list could each be used as examples, too. These examples within themselves are just a few of the clearest examples of why the show’s set list is so important to its success and enjoyment.

The set list featured at the heart of Live at the Atlanta Pop Festival is a key element of the recording’s success. It is of course just one element in a much larger picture. The band’s stage presence–especially that of Hendrix himself–is just as important to its success and enjoyment. Audiences that are familiar with Hendrix’s history both on and off the stage will find his stage presence just as enjoyable as ever. This includes both his performance of each song and his rapport with his audience. During the course of each of the band’s songs, Hendrix feels just as at ease as ever. His performance feels completely natural and organic. Listeners will especially notice this in some of the concert’s more spur of the moment jam session moments. The same can be said of [Billy] Cox and [Mitch] Mitchell. They feel just as natural in their performances. Mitchell sounds as if his drumsticks are natural extensions of his arms as he flows through each song while Cox is just as smooth, offering up just enough low-end to perfectly compliment both Mitchell’s rhythms and Hendrix’s main line. It makes for a great harmony opposite Hendrix’s work. All three musicians’ talents together make for a nearly ninety minute set that is still just as enjoyable today as it was forty-five years ago. Hendrix’s rapport with the audience plays into that, too. Although listeners will have to pump the volume on their stereos or MP3 players in order to hear him between songs, they will hear for themselves in doing so just how natural he was even when not performing. It’s really interesting to note especially considering his nature off-stage. He was just as nice off-stage as he was in front of a crowd. But he was also somewhat shy around people when he wasn’t performing. So keeping that in mind, it makes his interactions with the audience here just as enjoyable and incredible as in any of the band’s other performances. It really goes to show why his ability to overcome that shyness is so important both to the enjoyment of this and other performances from the band, and why he is himself one of the most important front men in modern rock history.

The stage presence of both Hendrix and his band mates throughout the course of Live at the Atlanta Pop Festival shows in the long run to be a hugely important element in its overall success and enjoyment. That is because all three musicians’ performances feel just as natural and organic as in any of the band’s previous performances. That natural, organic approach to each song make the set list in whole that much more important to the recording’s success, too. For all of the importance of both noted elements, neither would be of any worth noting without noting the concert’s audio mix. Thankfully, those charged with restoring the concert’s audio mix stepped up and accomplished their task with the utmost expertise. Sure, it would have been nice if listeners didn’t have to jack up the recording’s volume in between songs. But that is a minor price to pay for a recording that sounds as good as it does in this case. It speaks volumes of not only the abilities of those that re-mastered the concert’s sounds but of those that originally recorded the concert and of the recording tech from the era. It is thanks to both that tech and the abilities of all involved that both the show’s set is so easy on the ears and why the band’s stage presence throughout the whole show comes across just as well even with the issue of the moments between the songs. It is the foundation for the concert in whole and in turn makes the concert complete. It is the final touch in the concert’s examination, proving exactly why it is yet another welcome addition to any Hendrix fan’s music library.

Jimi Hendrix: Live at the Atlanta Pop Festival is not the first live Hendrix concert recording to be released to audiences. That aside, it still proves in the end to be another fully welcome addition to any Hendrix fan’s music library. That is thanks to the show’s near ninety-minute set list, made up of songs that all of Hendrix’s fans will recognize. The band’s stage presence and the work of those responsible for re-mastering its sound are just as much to note. All three elements combined make Live at the Atlanta Pop Festival one more welcome addition to the music library of any Jimi Hendrix fan and one more of this year’s best new live CD recordings. It will be available in stores and online this Friday, August 28th. More information on this and other Jimi Hendrix recordings is available online now at:

Website: http://www.jimihendrix.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JimiHendrix

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Experience Hendrix, Legacy Announce New Hendrix Live Recording

Courtesy: Experience Hendrix, LLC/Legacy Recordings

Officials with Experience Hendrix, LLC and Legacy Recordings announced Tuesday that the companies will release one of the last live performances of Jimi Hendrix’s career next month.

Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live at the Isle of Wight will be released on Tuesday, June 17^th on DVD and Blu-ray. The recording captures what would be his last full performance before his death eighteen days later on September 18^th, 1970. His last live performance before his death was an impromptu set at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho less than a month later. The concert presented on Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live at the Isle of Wight documents Hendrix’s headlining performance at the hugely revered festival on August 31^st 1970. Hendrix performed to an audience of 600,000 at the festival. It was the largest audience before which he had ever performed. It was also the first time that his new band, rounded out by bassist Billy Cox and drummer Mitch Mitchell, had played together in the UK.

The concert’s presentation on both DVD and Blu-ray will contain the same features including new footage of ‘Hey Joe’ that was not part of the concert recording’s original release. There is also a bonus interview with director Murray Lerner, reproductions of the original Isle of Wight Festival tickets, festival posters and even a copy of Hendrix’s own hand-written directions to the festival. The recording features both a stereo sound mix and ad 5.1 audio surround sound track mixed by Eddie Kramer. Eddie Kramer was Jimi Hendrix’s original recording engineer. The complete track listing for Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live at the Isle of Wight is noted below.

TRACKLIST

1.      Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle Of Wight (Main Film) (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
2.      Introduction (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
3.      God Save The Queen (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
4.      Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
5.      Spanish Castle Magic (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
6.      All Along The Watchtower (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
7.      Machine Gun (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
8.      Lover Man (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
9.      Freedom (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
10.  Red House (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
11.  Dolly Dagger (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
12.  Foxey Lady (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
13.  Message To Love (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
14.  Ezy Ryder (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
15.  Purple Haze (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
16.  Voodoo Child (Slight Return) (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
17.  In From The Storm (Live At The Isle Of Wight)
18.  Credits (Live At The Isle Of Wight)

Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live at the Isle of Wight will be available Tuesday, June 17^th. It can be pre-ordered online now via Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JGD0TGC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00JGD0TGC&linkCode=as2&tag=legacy_recordings-20&linkId=ZIHQ4HIRI22HXDGE. More information on this and other Jimi Hendrix recordings is available online at http://www.facebook.com/JimiHendrix and http://www.jimihendrix.com. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Miami Pop Festival Another Fitting Tribute To Hendrix’s Legacy

Courtesy: Sony Legacy/Experience Hendrix, LLC

November 27^th, 1942 is one of the most important dates in modern music history.  It is such an important date because that was the day on which one of the greatest guitarists in modern music history was born.  His name was Jimi Hendrix.  If he were still around today, this November would mark his seventy-first birthday.  In honor of the upcoming anniversary, Sony Legacy and Experience Hendrix, LLC will release the never before released live recording, Jimi Hendrix Experience: Miami Pop Festival on November 5^th.  This latest live release is another welcome addition to the home library of any true purist Hendrix fan.  Fans will appreciate and enjoy this latest live release first and foremost because as any fan knows, Hendrix and his band mates never played the same song the same way twice.  This was the case both in The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Band of Gypsys.  And that holds true even in the case of this release.  Audiences will also take note that in this performance, they get Hendrix’s very first ever recorded live performance of ‘Hear My Train A Comin’’ and ‘Tax Free.’  And sealing the deal for fans is the fact that as old as the performance is, the sound quality is just as good as any live recording released today.  The sound quality combined with the set list and overall performance makes this recording one that is deserving of many more than just one listen.

Anyone purist Hendrix fan knows that one thing that makes his live recordings so special is that he and his band mates never performed the same song the same way twice.  This applied both in the case of his performances with The Jimi Hendrix Experience and with his Band of Gypsys.  And it rings especially true on this recording.  Listeners will love how the band spontaneously breaks into jam sessions on every song.  One of the best of those moments comes in the band’s performance of ‘Red House.’  One can instantly see the band on stage, letting the music take over as it flows within the moment.  Drummer Mitch Mitchell’s playing is incredible to say the least.  Even throughout his performance in the band’s jam session here, he never misses a single beat.  And one can almost close one’s eyes and see Jimi, his own eyes closed as he lets the music flow from his fingertips.  This is a moment that is more than just part of concert.  It is part of a musical experience (pun fully intended).  It’s just one of so many moments that audiences will appreciate throughout this recording.

Hendrix and company offer so much enjoyment throughout The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Miami Pop Festival.  Listening to this new release is just as good as having been there.  The performance itself is just part of the equation, though.  Listeners get an extra special treat in this new live release that they’d never gotten in previous live Hendrix recordings.  That special treat is the inclusion of the first ever live recordings of ‘Hear My Train A Comin’ and ‘Tax Free.’  The first ever live recording of ‘Hear My Train A Comin’ is a wonderful musical experience.  It really served to exhibit Hendrix’s talent on the guitar.  The song’s old school blues roots come out so powerfully throughout the song, showing perfectly the connection between rock and the blues.  And again, Mitchell’s drumming perfectly complements Hendrix’s playing, while bassist Noel Redding maintains the songs foundation just as expertly.  ‘Tax Free’ by contrast is something that simply has to be heard to be appreciated.  This song is a full on jam session.  There are no words here.  Just music.  And the music is incredible. It is a rock song.  But it is also a chance for the band members to show the extent of their talents.  And to say that each one is talented would be an understatement.  It is one more small portion of the whole that makes this recording a must for any fan of Jimi Hendrix or of real music with soul and substance.

The set list and overall performance presented by Jimi Hendrix and his band mates on this latest live release are both extremely impresses parts of the whole presentation.  There is one more aspect of this recording’s presentation to consider in its success.  That factor is its audio mix.  More than forty-five years have passed since this performance was originally recorded.  Considering how much time has passed, it’s incredible that the masters have stood the test of time so well.  Just as interesting to note is that they survived the transfer from tape to CD.  The sound on this recording is just as clear as if one were actually at the performance as it was happening.  That is a tribute to both those that transferred the show to CD and to the man originally responsible for putting the recording to tape, Hendrix’s friend and sound engineer Eddie Kramer.  Kramer handled his recording duties with the utmost expertise in this performance.  And it shows from start to finish.  No one part overpowers the other at any one point throughout the show.  This added to the mix puts the recording over the top and that much more worth picking up when it hits stores in November.  More information on this and other upcoming Hendrix recordings is available online at http://www.jimihendrix.com.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.