Review by Geoff Jenke
Jimi Hendrix is probably only beaten by Elvis to have had more albums released since his death 47 years ago, than when he was alive. Jimi’s output while he was alive was minimal, only three studio albums and three live albums.
Both Sides of the Sky marks Jimi’s 13th Studio album released since he passed away, along with in excess of 25 live albums, not to mention greatest hits and box sets. So, you can see why one approaches this release with some trepidation. Just how much unreleased music did Jimi record before his death? Surely this has to be scraping the bottom of the barrel?
The 13 songs on this album were recorded between 1968 and 1970 and 10 of them have never been released. I am happy to say that, no, these recordings have not been scraped from the bottom of the barrel and are a worthy addition to any Jimi Hendrix collection, or to any music collection for that matter.
The album opens with Jimi and The Band of Gypsy’s, Mannish Boy. This up-tempo reworking of the Muddy Waters’ song features Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on drums. Lover Man is a Hendrix original, first attempted by the original Experience but this version comes from 1969 and The Band of Gypsy’s – complete with its homage to the Batman theme song.
Hear My Train a Comin’ features the original Experience, drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding and became a staple live favourite. It showcases Hendrix’s furious powerful guitar playing. Also, by the Experience, we get unheard of recordings of Stepping Stone, Jungle, Sweet Angel and Cherokee Mist, the latter featuring Hendrix on electric guitar and sitar. Way out man!
In 1969 Stephen Stills was invited to a Hendrix session at the Record Plant in New York. Stills had bought a song with him, written by Joni Mitchell, called Woodstock. Stills, Hendrix and Buddy Miles recorded this version on the album months before Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young had a hit with it.
Guitarist Johnny Winter guests on the track Things I Use to Do and Jimi is reunited with his old bandmate, Lonnie Youngblood (vocals/sax) from his pre-fame days in Curtis Knight and The Squires on Georgia Blues. Jimi sure could play the blues and this is one of the finest examples you will ever hear of him just doing that.
Yes, you could be forgiven for thinking that this album is just wringing dollars from Hendrix fans. However, you can’t be forgiven for not having this album in your collection. With a set of songs this good, one wonders just how many more are out there. It sure seems Hendrix never slept, he just kept recording songs.
Buy it. You won’t be disappointed. It’s not perfect, but Hendrix still thrills.
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