JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE/ELECTRIC LADYLAND 0920 060/61 (-68) FRANCE

Here's another tip for those who want a 1st press good audio original of this legendary LP and don't want to ruin themselves to get it. As far as I can tell the same tapes as UK was used, but to my ears this sounds slightly different. I can only guess why - the French used other limiters or compression during engraving. Anyway it comes out somewhat clearer with slightly different balance at a few places. It's not a big difference and most people wouldn't take notice, but it's there and that makes it a keeper for me. It has a cover exclusive to early releases, later ones had a totally different art work - details from front cover and top pic inside f/o below. I'm not very familiar with French issues, but I take this is one of very the first - with thick, unflexible vinyl and laminated cover (matrixes has stamped record numbers plus A/B/C/D and side one of both records has a "GP" stamp). Even if it is a first press, has top audio and an exclusive cover it's still possible to find high quality copies for under $100 - in comparison to the ten times more you have to pay for a UK 1:st top copy. Highly recommended. (JHÄ*)(MFÄX*)

JIMI HENDRIX & CURTIS KNIGHT/SOUL PPX-01 (-67) SWEDEN

I don't know how many issues there's been through the years from the two sessions Hendrix recorded with Curtis Knight 1967. Probably hundreds so far and they keep coming. Like it or not - a true fan is obligated to have at least a few of them. I've had quite a few and even if it's about the same tracks on all of them I find some more worthy than others. This is a favorite. A twelve track pressed in Germany for the Scandinavian market. Not much to do about the recording quality, but this sounds relatively good - loud and clear with most tracks having a very fine separation allowing the guitars to be heard properly. It's pressed on thick unflexible vinyl, cover is fully laminated and the first press label beautiful. So if you gotta have it, this is one of the better issues. (JHÄ*)(SWÄU*)(LYBÖ*)

BACKTRACK 4 2407 004 (-70) UK

Fourth in the serie and one of three shared by The Who and Jimi Hendix only - the others being no. 3 and 5. The Who side mixes doesn't coincide with the signs on back cover and label, saying "Pictures Of Lily" is true stereo and "I Can See For Miles" plus "Call Me Lightning" true mono. In fact all three sounds like more or less enhanced monos - so fake one way or the other. The rest however are legit two-channel with fine audio. The Hendrix side is all true stereo with top audio, making this the first time tracks from "Are You Experienced" was issued that way in UK, sometimes before Backtrack 10. It's a good sequence too with a couple of my JH favorites. Good listening. Premiere issue had matt label as shown here and thin glossy cover. (WÖH*) (SÄM*) (JHÄ*) (TRÄC*) (XXÖ*)

JIMI HENDRIX/WINFRIED TRENKLER PRESÄNTIERT DIE JIMI HENDRIX STORY 2310286 (-73) GERMANY

 

  Of about a zillion posthumous Hendrix compilations I don't know how many one can, or even is allowed to, have. I probably got way too many already, but every now and then I see and hear one more copy that sticks out enough to attract. Like this one. Not sure why the Germans issued special compilations that was presented by DJ:s or such.  Here's another exemple https://monolover.blogspot.com/2014/10/frank-zappa-mothers-of-inventiondolf.html . Can't seem to find much on this Winfried Trenkler other than he was a journalist and DJ, working in Germany in the seventies and eighties. But whoever he was this collection has a lot going for it. To my taste a very good tracking all through. I get many of my Hendrix favorites - like "I Don't Live Today", "Woodo Chile (Slight Return)", "All Along The Watchtower" and "Angel" - all on the same plate, conveyed by smashing audio - loud and distinct. So even if the flogging of this horse has gone on many decades after his death with various results it's clear he still has a lot to give...if you can find the right source. Don't know of any other issues. This had label as shown here in a laminated fold/out cover with "story" and pics inside. (JHÄ*) (GÖXÄ*)

                                                                                

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                                   

                                                                                  

                                                                                

 

JIMI HENDRIX/RAINBOW BRIDGE K 44159 (-71) UK

Allthough this and "Cry Of Love" were posthumously released and in a way unauthorized, I've always seen them as legit, regular Hendrix albums. Maybe that has to do with the way we grasped them back then, hungry for anything Hendrix, but also because of the original songs, killer guitars and high quality. As the story goes the songs on both albums were from cuts initially planned for a 2LP follow-up to "Electric Ladyland" - "First Rays Of The New Raising Sun" - recorded 1968-70 at TTG, Electric Lady and Record Plant studios. Some of the recordings were almost ready to go while others were engineered and re-mixed by Mitch Mitchell, John Jansen and Eddie Kramer. Of the two LP:s I like this best. It's the one sounding closest to "Electric Ladyland" album and the one with best guitars. There are some really good songs here and his playing has so much edge and spunk - just listen to the equibrilist licks on "Pali Gap", or "Hear My Train A-Comin" live track. I can only see two fillers on the album - "Star Sprangled Banner" version and "Hey Baby". The latter seems to have some tape problem and comes through as somewhat shaky, maybe it was meant that way but still not a good listening. First issued in US on Reprise (MS 2040). 1:st UK with matt f/o cover and label as shown here. (JHÄ*) (ZÖNT*)

JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE/ARE YOU EXPERIENCED 612001 (-67) MONO AUSTRALIA

 

Time for a much needed rewrite of this issue. The recording itself so outstanding and mindblowing at arrival and still today unique with its  perfect blend of melodic and experimental with the most exquisite guitars on top.  I've had a number different versions through the years, but seldom got that connection I always want to enjoy a record to the fullest.  For exemple lost my last UK copy long time ago as I thought it sounded too bassy and therefore partly too dense.  Instead I found this Aussie mono and it brought me a lot closer. Thought it sounded clearer with better separation and the balance more natural than arranged.  I got the impression that was how it sounded at recording while most other issues edited the audio in some way to make it easier listening.  So instead of a smoothened top album I got to visit the recordings. But now after finding another UK mono copy I can't hear much difference between this and that. Can't exactly explain why, if it's due to change of pressing quality, playing equipment or in me. This Oz one still comes out a bit clearer at parts, but the UK also sounds great and since that is the original it may also be held as canonized and above criticism.    (JHÄ*)  (DÖW*)

 

THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE/ELECTRIC LADYLAND 613008/009 (-68) UK

A magic moment in rock history, on the same level as Sgt. Peppers, Exile on Main Street and Piper At The Gates Of Dawn. IMO it's also the coolest album ever made and one that will last forever. Earlier both rumours and numbers of a UK stock mono and a US mono promo circulated. As it shows it was just rumours and the only chances for legit monos would be a UK test press, a rather bad (unbalanced) Brazil single LP, or five tracks appearing on an issue for US Armed Forces radio. I've also heard about monos from Peru and Chile, but have to see them to believe. Lately there's been confusion about UK premiere press. I bought my first copy very early and it was as shown here, having "corrected" matrix numbers ending with -1. Inside of f/o had smaller Mitchell/Redding pics, white fonts and "Track Records" logo, the text "POLYDOR STEREO records..." situated between logo and record number at the bottom. Some decades ago another variation, having blue fonts and larger band pics, started to show up on auctions, claimed to be the the first. It was confusing for an old Hendrix fan and didn't agree with any earlier circumspections. I stayed confused till I found this very interesting article http://recordmecca.com/news/jimi-hendrixs-electric-ladyland-exposing-the-blue-type-hype/ . According to that the blue fonts/large pic cover was a somewhat later misprint, an error originating in confusion with the "Part 2" single LP. The writer - a former record company art director - now owns Hendrix' private copy and also quotes a number of people who got it pre-release or on the first day - all those have the white fonts and small pics. At least I'm convinced and dare say the one shown here is the very first UK press. (JHÄ*)(TRÄC*)

JIMI HENDRIX/LOOSE ENDS 2310-301 (-73) UK

One of few post-humous Hendrix releases I find worth having. It was the fourth and last LP issued after his death by manager Michael Jeffery and it seems many of the involved parts didn't like it. Reprise thought it was below standard and didn't release it in US or Canada and the man behind compiling, main mixing and arranging - John Jansen - didn't want his name on the cover and got credits as "Alex Trevor". I don't understand the negative feelings. There are no inferior live cuts here, no back-ground roles or bootleg quality sound. It's all studio outtakes from 1967-70, Hendrix has the lead and the sound quality is great. Some of the tracks are studio jams, but with personnel like Buddy Miles, Billy Cox and Mitch Mitchell and Hendrix himself in a playful mood - what could go wrong? It also includes "The Stars That Play With Lauging Sam's Dice" as true stereo, a new mix by Eddie Kramer made especially for this issue, sounding a lot better than the original messy mono. The cover of Dylans "Drifters Escape", recorded 1970, saw its first release here. It's the only track that doesn't have top audio, probably a demo kept in its original shape. OK it's not "Electric Ladyland" or "Axis", but still a must for us Hendrix fans. Original release also in Japan, Germany and France. Re-issued as "The Jimi Hendrix Album" 1983 on Contour Records. First UK release with label as shown here and thin, matt cover. (JHÄ*)

JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE/AXIS:BOLD AS LOVE 613 003 (-67) UK STEREO

When I posted the UK mono earlier   https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/04/axis-bold-as-love-612003.html   I didn't make any thorough mono-stereo comparision. I wont do all of it here either, just mention a few variations. Stereo has a psych intro to "You Got Me Floating" not appearing on the mono and "EXP" differs in balance and guitar feedback. "Little Wing" almost sounds like separate versions and "One Rainy Wish" endings differ. Also use of phasing and track timing varies. Altoghether the mono appears firmer while the stereo is more laid-back. For a long time mono was it for me, but lately I've come to appreciate this stereo a lot. It' s softer and doesn't hit you the same way, providing a more relaxed listening. Mono is dearer and very sought after today. Just be aware that sold a lot more initially and first press stereo is rarer. The initial two-channel mix was originally released in UK, US and France. The Germans made an alternate mix that was issued in the rest of Europe and also replaced the UK mixes from around 1970. I'll get to that later. A very first UK stereo issue can be identified by following - A ∇ 1 1/B ∇ 1 1 matrixes, thick unflexible vinyl, label as shown here and laminated f/o cover with flips, stereo sticker and orange lyric/picture insert. (JHÄ*)(TRÄC*)

JIMI HENDRIX 2343-080 (-75) UK

One from the Polydor "Flashback" serie. In this case reissue of a 1973 release, using same number, label, matrixes and almost same cover - only difference is while the original is branded "standard" this has "special". No big deal, the real question is - do I really need one more posthumous Hendrix album? In this case - probably yes! It comes on a major label and though the cover design could be somewhat more exciting, the audio is very good and track choice intriguing enough. Apart from the rather expected I get live versions of "Johnny B. Goode" (from the 1973 movie soundtrack) and "Power Of Love" (Band Of Gypsys), "The Drifters Escape" (also on the "Loose Ends" compilation) and "Izabella" (first figuring on "War Heroes" and also released on 45 in a couple of countries). It may not seem especially enthralling picking cuts from the already so looted estate for a compilation, but the ones here fits in just fine and sounds surprisingly leveled. In all very good listening and to me a lot more than the horse flogging many others fussed with at the time. This 1975 press also issued in Australia (Summit SG 043). UK had label as shown here and thin matt cover. (JHÄ*)

JIMI HENDRIX & CURTIS KNIGHT/STRANGE THINGS HA 8369 (-68) UK MONO

It would be impossible even for the most fanatic Hendrix completist to keep track of or collect all separate issues with pre-fame recordings. The records may have differing copywrites, labels or sleeve designs, but most of them sharing about the same tracks. As a fan it is important to know origins and history, even if musical and audiophile qualities are rather low, and with this huge panoply one have to choose. The earliest I've seen so far are the US 1967/68 Captitol issues "Get That Feeling" (ST/T 2856) and "Flashing" (ST 2894), the German/Scandinavian 1968 "Soul" on Telefunken (PPX 1) and two 1968 UK ones on London - "Get That Feeling" (SH/HA 8349) and this. All those were released on major labels with high quality sleeves, have surprisingly good audio and above all they're not posthumous but were contemporary with "Axis" and "Electric Ladyland". Both UK built on the US Capitol issues with interrelating track choices. Not sure if Capitol used separate mono mixes for GTF or if that was a fold, or if this is true mono or not, still the audio here is amazing - loud and clear with big bass giving an authentic front row feeling. It couldn't improve the performance, but the sound and total package makes it one of the better choices. Favorite tracks - "Love Love" and "Simon Says". First had label as shown here and laminated cover. (JHÄ*)

JIMI HENDRIX/VOODOO CHILE 2499012 (-71) SWEDEN

Swedish issue of a German compilation with exclusive cover and track choice - combining nine cuts from "Are You Experienced with three from "Electric Ladyland". Apart from "Woodoo Chile" having a 3:32 edit, the EL cuts are the same as on the Track album. With the ones from AYE it's harder to tell. The pressing on this isn't as good as the Track or Reprise issues and the songs comes through much weaker. Most do co-incide with the 1970 UK "Backtrack 10" stereo issue, but a few differs - e.g. "Foxy Lady" sounds about the same here, but has a slightly different balance on the lead vocals. The AYE different mono/stereo/fake stereo versions is a mess and my ears are getting too old for delicate comparisons. If You want it more sorted out check this thread on Steve Hoffman's http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/jimi-hendrix-are-you-experienced-first-uk-stereo-pressing-is.166769/ . The EL cuts have good audio, the AYE ones don't. Even so it's a keeper, not least because of the attractive first press "big hair" sleeve, which didn't appear on the re-issues. It came with label as shown here and fully laminated cover. (JHÄ*)