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Written by David Bowling
Published August 15, 2008

The Jimi Hendrix Experience box set is not for the faint of heart. This
four CD box set of unreleased tracks, alternate versions of well known
songs, and rare concert footage is a cornerstone of any Hendrix
collection. This box set is no place to start if you are not familiar with
Hendrix. I would recommend his first three studio albums for any type of
Hendrix indoctrination. This set, however, is a good place to complete
your collection or at least to explore his legacy a little deeper.

Engineer Eddie Kramer was in charge of the project. He is a familiar
figure as his posthumous Hendrix production credits go back to The Cry
Of Love in 1971. The tracks sound terrific as he re-mastered the sound
with modern equipment which gives the music a polished feel. He also
presents the tracks in chronological order which is always welcome with
projects this extensive.Disc one finds three unreleased tracks. “Title #3,”
“Taking Care Of Business,” and “Here He Comes” may not be of the
quality of Hendrix’ first album but they certainly present his musical
vision circa 1967. The gems of this first disc are alternate versions of
such classics as “Purple Haze,” “Foxey Lady,” and “Third Stone From
The Sun” which give a glimpse into the creative mind of Jimi Hendrix.

Disc two presents some excellent live tracks. “Fire” is taken from a 1968
concert at Clark University in Massachusetts. It is a frenetic version that
shows just how technically sound Hendrix was as a guitarist. “The Wind
Cries Mary,” from a 1967 Paris concert, shows Hendrix’s softer side as
he provides subtle and melodic improvisations. “Burning The Midnight
Lamp” from September 5, 1967, is just Hendrix squeezing every possible
sound from his guitar.

Disc three is dominated by alternate versions. It is nice to hear “Hear My
Train A Comin’” as a formative track as it was a concert staple. “Spanish
Castle” and “Room Full Of Mirrors” show subtle differences from the
recognized versions. Live versions of “Little Wing” and “Voodoo Child”
come complete with feedback and all sorts of distortion that only Hendrix
could produce on stage.

Disc four is a feast of unreleased material. “Country Blues,” at over eight
minutes, “Lover Man,” “Cherokee,” and “Slow Blues” all make their
debuts. Hendrix’ early producer, Chas Chandler, did not approve of Alan
Douglas’ changing Hendrix’s material and even taking writing credits
during the twenty years that he controlled Hendrix’s catalogue of music.
When Jimi’s family won back control in a court battle, Chandler turned
over a treasure trove of unreleased material to them. “In From The
Storm” and “Slow Blues” close out the set as they were recorded at the
Isle Of Wight Music Festival, August 30, 1970, just prior to Hendrix’s
death.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience Box Set is a valuable addition to the
Hendrix legacy. Not only does it expand the music that Hendrix left
behind but it also solidifies him as a genius of the guitar who forever
changed the use of that instrument and rock music..


Disc 1


   1. (03:26) - Purple Haze (Previously Unreleased Recording)
   2. (03:06) - Killing Floor (Live)
   3. (02:52) - Hey Joe (Live)
   4. (03:28) - Foxey Lady (Previously Unreleased Recording)
   5. (03:40) - Highway Chile (Previously Unreleased Recording)
   6. (03:06) - Hey Joe (Previously Unreleased Recording)
   7. (02:12) - Title #3 (Previously Unreleased Recording)
   8. (09:19) - Third Stone From The Sun (Previously Unreleased Recording)
   9. (03:43) - Taking Care Of No Business (Previously Unreleased Recording)
  10. (03:03) - Here He Comes (Lover Man) (Previously Unreleased Recording)
  11. (01:30) - Burning Of The Midnight Lamp (Previously Unreleased Recording)
  12. (05:58) - If 6 Was 9 (Previously Unreleased Recording)
  13. (03:21) - Rock Me Baby (Live)
  14. (06:49) - Like A Rolling Stone (Live)


Playing Time.........: 00:55:33
Total Size...........: 345.90 MB


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Disc 2


   1. (01:52) - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Live)
   2. (04:06) - Burning of the Midnight Lamp (Live)
   3. (03:24) - Little Wing
   4. (02:22) - Little Miss Lover
   5. (04:12) - The Wind Cries Mary (Live)
   6. (05:27) - Catfish Blues (Live)
   7. (07:09) - Bold as Love
   8. (04:12) - Sweet Angel
   9. (02:43) - Fire (Live)
  10. (03:49) - Somewhere
  11. (01:29) - (Have You Ever Been To) Electric Ladyland
  12. (03:44) - Gypsy Eyes
  13. (01:26) - Room Full of Mirrors
  14. (08:54) - Gloria
  15. (08:52) - It's Too Bad
  16. (04:12) - Star Spangled Banner


Playing Time.........: 01:07:53
Total Size...........: 424.16 MB


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Disc 3

   1. (03:44) - Stone Free (Alternate Version)
   2. (05:50) - Spanish Castle Magic (Alternate Version)
   3. (06:59) - Hear My Train A Comin' (Alternate Version)
   4. (07:57) - Room Full Of Mirrors (Take 31)
   5. (06:34) - I Don't Live Today (Live At The LA Forum 26th April 1969)
   6. (03:16) - Little Wing (Live At The Royal Albert Hall 24th February 1969)
   7. (13:08) - Red House (Live At The San Diego Sports Arena 25th May 1969)
   8. (04:03) - Purple Haze (Live At The San Diego Sports Arena 25th May 1969)
   9. (07:54) - Voodoo Child (Slight Return) (Live At The Royal Albert Hall 24th February 1969)
  10. (03:40) - Izabella (Take 3)


Playing Time.........: 01:03:04
Total Size...........: 412.34 MB


Cannot be verified as accurate (confidence 17)

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Disc 4


   1. (03:35) - Message To Love (Alternate Version)
   2. (04:09) - Earth Blues (Alternate Version)
   3. (04:12) - Astro Man
   4. (08:27) - Country Blues (Jam Session)
   5. (03:53) - Freedom (Alternate Version)
   6. (04:46) - Johnny B. Goode (Live At Berkley 30th May 1970)
   7. (02:57) - Lover Man (Alternate Version)
   8. (04:29) - Blue Suede Shoes (Live At Berkley 30th May 1970)
   9. (06:03) - Cherokee Mist
  10. (03:18) - Come Down Hard On Me (Alternate Version)
  11. (08:56) - Hey Baby / In From The Storm (Live In Maui 30th July 1970)
  12. (03:44) - Ezy Ryder (Alternate Version)
  13. (04:24) - Night Bird Flying (Alternate Version)
  14. (04:23) - All Along The Watchtower (Live At Isle Of Wight 30th August 1970)
  15. (04:21) - In From The Storm (Live At Isle Of Wight 30th August 1970)
  16. (01:46) - Slow Blues (Jam Session)


Playing Time.........: 01:13:23
Total Size...........: 483.30 MB


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