Jimi Hendrix - Valleys of Neptune

Valleys of Neptune is the latest feast of table scraps that the Hendrix estate is offering up to famished Jimi freaks across the globe. The majority of these 12 recordings are from 1969 and have been floating around on bootlegs for years but they’ve been given a sonic upgrade from Jimi’s favorite engineer Eddie Kramer. Since a lot of these were works in progress that were never finished by Jimi, Valleys of Neptune is very much a “mixed bag” as the kids used to say in the 60’s.

A remake of “Stone Free” with Jimi’s old army buddy and future Band of Gypsys bassist Billy Cox and long time drummer Mitch Mitchell gets the ball rolling. This version has a strong R&B feel that contrasts nicely with the original. Not better or worse, but very different and very cool. If only all alternate versions were this good. Billy also appears on a great version of Elmore James’ “Bleeding Heart” that brings to mind Jimi’s high energy remake of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor” and on the spacy title track.

The rest of the songs feature the original Experience of Jimi, Noel and Mitch. Remakes of “Fire” and “Red House” from February 1969 aren’t too different from the originals but are strong versions. These recordings were done in preparation for a pair of shows at the Royal Albert Hall that was professionally filmed. The Hendrix estate is planning to finally release the footage later this year. The bootleg DVD I have is smokin, but it will be great to see it in better quality with superior audio. Also from the February 69 sessions are a good version of “Lover Man” that’s a little slower and shorter than some of the other versions that have been released and an instrumental version of Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love” that could been left unreleased. It’s not bad, but it’s not terribly exciting, either.

"Mr. Bad Luck" from 1967 and "Crying Blue Rain" from 1969 feature bass and drum overdubs by Noel and Mitch done in 1987. The uptempo "Mr. Bad Luck" later evolved into “Look Over Yonder” on the Rainbow Bridge soundtrack and South Saturn Delta album. "Crying Blue Rain" is a slow blues in the vein of “Hear My Train A Comin” with a doubletime section in the middle. Speaking of “Hear My Train A Comin” there’s a good version of that song from April 1969 with plenty of guitar freak outs.

“Ships Passing Through The Night” is a previously unreleased song that brings to mind “Night Bird Flying.” Jimi’s playing his guitar through a rotating Leslie speaker to give it some extra Jimidelic trippiness. This mid-tempo blues is clearly a work in progress. Who knows how he would have finished it off. “Lullaby For The Summer,” and instrumental, is also previously unreleased and later evolved into the power boogie “Ezy Rider.”

Chances are you know what kind of Hendrix fan you are. If you weren’t thrilled with posthumous releases like South Saturn Delta and First Rays of the New Rising Sun then you can probably skip this one. If you’re a Hendrix freak like me, than his leftovers are enough of a meal to keep you satisfied until the next round of bootlegs make the rounds.

--Woody

Buy here: Valleys Of Neptune

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