Various Artists
“Power Of Soul: A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix”
Experience Hendrix/Legacy
(88697 63105 2)

Jimi Hendrix
“South Saturn Delta”
Experience Hendrix/Legacy
(88697 62773 2)
5 Stars
By Gillian G. Gaar

Legacy began reissuing Jimi Hendrix’s catalogue last year, the new editions of his original albums coming with an accompanying DVD. But these latest releases are simply straightforward reissues, with no new material.

“Power Of Soul,” originally released in 2004, was the first Hendrix tribute record to be curated by the Hendrix family company, Experience Hendrix LLC. As a result, they get the heavy hitters — Prince (a suitably funky “Purple House” with a ripping guitar solo), Sting (a bluesy “The Wind Cries Mary”), Santana (“Spanish Castle Magic,” a full-bodied rocker) and Eric Clapton (“Burning of the Midnight Lamp,” somewhat subdued until Clapton’s guitar solo), to mention a few. Other highlights include a burning live version of “Little Wing/3rd Stone From The Sun” by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble and Musiq’s great modern take on “Are You Experienced.” It’s also sweet having a few spoken interludes by Hendrix’s father, James “Al” Hendrix.

“South Saturn Delta,” originally released in 1997, is a single-disc rarities collection. Given Hendrix’s prodigious output and the existence of multi-disc sets, like “West Coast Seattle Boy” and “The Jimi Hendrix Experience,” a single disc might seem rather skimpy. But the set was released at a time when the Hendrix family recently had won back the rights to Jimi’s catalogue and was just getting started on reissues. Besides, even a little rare Jimi is better than no rare Jimi. The songs are drawn from 1967 to 1970 (the latter being a rough mix of “Power Of Soul” put together less than a month before his death). Tracks like demos of “Midnight Lightning,” “Little Wing (Angel),” and alternate mix of “All Along The Watchtower,” offer a tantalizing glimpse into the Hendrix archives, a kind of appetizer for the bounty that’s followed in subsequent years.

Paul McCartney
Yankee Stadium
July 15, 2011

By Pat Prince

Who is this Derek Jeter guy? Somebody said he’s got more hits than me.

So began Paul McCartney’s rapport with the Yankee Stadium crowd on this Friday night, July 15, in the Bronx. McCartney casually strolled onstage with his band at 8:35 pm, and nearly three hours later, Macca and crew didn’t seem the least bit tired. Afterward, the people in the crowd could be heard remarking how great McCartney sounded for his age (69) and how energetic he appeared throughout (not once did McCartney seem winded; not once did it appear that he even sipped a bottle of water).

Highlights were “The Night Before” by The Beatles (which McCartney noted had its live debut on this night} the spontaneous jam in “I’ve Got a Feeling” and the amazing intensity of “Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / The End” (in all its Abbey Road glory) to end the concert.

McCartney told some interesting tidbits to the crowd about his experiences over the years. After an instrumental jam of “Foxy Lady” to end “Let Me Roll It,” came the often heard tale of Jimi Hendrix playing the song “Sgt. Pepper’s” live in 1967 (London’s Saville Theatre), on the Sunday following the Friday record release of the iconic Beatles album. McCartney was in the club that evening and he told the Yankee Stadium crowd that it was one of the greatest compliments he ever received. He expanded the story by telling about Hendrix’s whammy bar taking the song out-of-tune, then Hendrix jokingly asked audience member Eric Clapton to come up on stage to tune it.

Another story had George Harrison giving Paul a prized ukulele (supposedly Harrison was a collector), after the Beatles bassist claimed to have learned one of Harrison’s most recognized songs, “Something,” on a ukulele. McCartney played that Harrison instrument during the introduction to “Something” — a uniquel way to introduce one of the best ballads ever written.

McCartney and his band sounded remarkable. And the overall sound at Yankee Stadium was far superior than other outdoor venues (especially New Jersey’s Meadowlands). It was a night to remember, and for fans in other cities, an event to look forward to.

The concert was like a wonderful jukebox of McCartney’s life. He may not have as many hits as the future hall-of-famer Derek Jeter but every one of McCartney’s ‘hits’ have turned out to be more substantial to the world at large.

Setlist:

1. Hello, Goodbye
2. Junior’s Farm
3. All My Loving
4. Jet
5. Drive My Car
6. Sing the Changes  
(The Fireman)
7. The Night Before
8. Let Me Roll It/FoxyLady (Hendrix)
9. Paperback Writer
10. The Long and Winding Road
11. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five
12. Let ‘Em In
13. Maybe I’m Amazed
14. I’ve Just Seen a Face
15. I Will
16. Blackbird
17. Here Today
18. Dance Tonight
19. Mrs Vandebilt
20. Eleanor Rigby
21. Something
22. Band on the Run
23. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
24. Back in the U.S.S.R.
25. I’ve Got a Feeling
26. A Day in the Life / Give Peace A Chance
27. Let It Be
28. Live and Let Die
29. Hey Jude
Encore:
31. Lady Madonna
32. Day Tripper
33. Get Back
Encore 2:
35. Yesterday
36. Helter Skelter
37. Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / The End

Remaining tour dates:
Saturday 16th July 2011 – Yankee Stadium, New York, USA
Sunday 24th July 2011 – Comerica Park, Detroit, USA
Tuesday 26th July – Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada
Wednesday 27th July – Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada
Sunday 31st July 2011 – Wrigley Field, Chicago, USA
Monday 1st August 2011 – Wrigley Field, Chicago, USA
Thursday 4th August 2011 – The Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, USA

• For related items that you may enjoy in our Goldmine store:
• Cover everything with Goldmine’s Guide to the Beatles (PDF Download)
• Get the book “John Lennon: Life is What Happens Music, Memories & Memorabilia”

Backstage Auctions held a hot Rock n’ Pop auction earlier this month (June 4-12). Over 750 lots were up for bid, much of it memorabilia from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. But among the hottest items sold were Ron Wood paintings and Woodstock memorabilia were very popular among bidders. Here are some results:

RON WOOD 2007 “WA WA WOOD” SIGNED CANVAS ART
Realized Sold Price: $1,840.00
Self portraits have always been an interesting way for an artist to communicate his or her life to the outside world. What better way for Rolling Stones’ guitarist Ron Wood to chronicle his own life than in the same tradition? This painting — aptly titled “Wa Wa Wood” — expresses the man’s passion for his instrument and the joy of playing onstage to millions of fans.

Released in 2007 (in a limited edition of 250), this canvas was professionally matted and framed. It measures 39 x 54 inches and is signed by Ron Wood. It is numbered 82/250 and includes the original COA issued by “Scream Art” in the UK. It is a piece in pristine condition, too.

RON WOOD 2008 “PENSIVE” KEITH RICHARDS SIGNED CANVAS ART
Realized Sold Price: $575.00
This painting originated as a study sketch during one of the Rolling Stones rehearsals. Ron Wood has said that he remembers this particular moment vividly, as he was taken by how deep in thought Keith Richards had been. The colorful excitement in the painting’s detail explains why Wood is drawn to Richards as a subject in his work. Ronnie aptly titled it “Pensive.”

This is a digital screen print on canvas, which was offered in 2008 as a limited edition series of 600. This particular canvas, which measures approximately 21 x 32 inches, is #88/600. It has been signed in silver by Ronnie Wood and is in excellent condition. Some lucky bidder got it for a very reasonable $575.

WOODSTOCK 1969 ORIGINAL “HOSPITAL” FIRST AID SIGN
Realized Sold Price: $1,897.00
Backstage Auctions claims that out of all the original Woodstock collectibles they have offered over the years, this one is by far the most unusual.

Set up at various locations surrounding Max Yasgur’s farm, the Woodstock organizers offered several First Aid spots for those in need of medical assistance. The main tent was the ‘Hospital’ where people with more serious ailments were treated. In lieu of having official signage, a simple white sheet and red paint were used to create this 84 x 144 inch sign.

The infamous Day Two rain storm caused the paint to run, giving this historic memento a somewhat ‘spooky’ effect.

Dan List of the Village Voice was at Woodstock ‘on assignment’ and decided to take the memento home on Monday morning, after Hendrix played his last notes.

The overall condition is very good (all things considered). A very cool piece. No surprise that this was a popular item among many bidders.

WOODSTOCK 1969 ORIGINAL PRESS KIT & ORIGINAL PHOTOS
Realized Sold Price: $2,013.00
Auctioned off as an original Woodstock press folder, containing a total of six press releases on various subjects, this piece also included ten original black & white photos (8×10″), stamped on the back by Village Voice photographer, Robert Niebuhr. Three of the photos show Mary Werning, who was an associate of the Village Voice, selling copies of the New York City tabloid.

Like the other Woodstock collectibles in the auction, this item came from the collection of Dan List, who at the time was an editor at the Village Voice. List traveled to Woodstock to write a cover feature for The Village Voice.

It sold in excellent condition.

JIMI HENDRIX 1972 AUTHENTIC TEST PRESSING & VINTAGE VINYL LOT
Realized Sold Price: $1,685.40
A fantastic piece for any music collector: an authentic test pressing of Jimi Hendrix’ 1972 “In The West” album, straight from Electric Lady Studios engineer & producer John Jansen. The test pressing shows some surface wear but overall it is in good condition.

For related items that you may enjoy in our Goldmine store:

• The ultimate Woodstock memorabilia book: “Woodstock Peace, Music & Memories”
• Get the DIGITAL Download: “Woodstock Site: Then and Now”

Experience Hendrix LLC and Legacy Recordings announced four new titles representing the fourth wave of releases in the monumental Jimi Hendrix Catalog Project, available everywhere Tuesday, September 13.

The fourth round of titles from the artist Rolling Stone magazine called “the greatest guitarist of all time” focuses on Hendrix the concert performer with four outstanding releases underscoring the artist’s electrifying on-stage prowess: Winterland (a 4 Disc Deluxe Box Set), Hendrix In The West (Expanded), Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle Of Wight on DVD, and Jimi Hendrix: The Dick Cavett Show (every Hendrix appearance on the celebrated talk show on DVD).

Jimi Hendrix Experience- Winterland (versions available: 4 Disc Deluxe Box Set or 8 12″ 180 gram Vinyl Audiophile LP Deluxe Box Set or 1 CD Winterland “Highlights”)

Winterland is drawn from six shows recorded over three days (October 10, 11 and 12, 1968) at San Francisco’s historic Winterland Ballroom. These special performances celebrated the two year anniversary of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and came just as the groundbreaking album Electric Ladyland was released.

Winterland presents some of Hendrix’s most spectacular guitar work and the four CD set (also available as eight 12″ vinyl LPs) is filled with rare live versions of classic songs such as “Manic Depression,” “Are You Experienced?,” “Tax Free,” and “Little Wing” that are not part of any other Sony Legacy release. Fans will also enjoy Hendrix’s dramatic interpretations of Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love” and Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor” [with the Experience joined by Jefferson Airplane bassist Jack Casady] as well his rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone,” which has been selected as the lead track for this special release.

This special deluxe box set features never before released music from each of the six unforgettable Winterland performances. The new standard and deluxe editions of Winterland are markedly different from a single disc compilation, long out of print, that was briefly issued by Rykodisc in 1987 and 1988.

The deluxe edition also presents a rare interview with Hendrix recorded backstage at the Boston Garden a few weeks after the Winterland performances. This previously unreleased bonus provides fans with a unique window into Hendrix’s views about his background, his approach to the guitar and songwriting and future direction of his music.

The deluxe edition also features a 36 page booked filled with previously unpublished images by acclaimed photographers Robert Knight, Allen Tannenbaum and Jim Marshall as well as an essay by noted Rolling Stone journalist David Fricke.

The featured track, “Like A Rolling Stone,” will precede the album’s release as a CD and 7″ vinyl single coming out Tuesday, August 23 in the states (international release date: August 22). The single will also feature a previously unreleased live version of “Purple Haze” from the Winterland concerts that will not be featured on the box set.

Amazon will offer an exclusive bonus CD to be bundled with all orders of the four CD and 8 LP Winterland box sets sold through Amazon during 2011 consisting of recordings from Jimi’s February 4, 1968 Winterland performance: “Killing Floor,” “Red House,” “Dear Mr. Fantasy (Part One)” and “Dear Mr. Fantasy (Part Two).” These tracks have been previously available only as part of the rare Dagger Records official bootleg Paris ’67/San Francisco ’68 and have never been available for retail sale.

Tracklisting Jimi Hendrix Experience- Winterland (4 Disc Deluxe Box Set):

Disc One
10/10/68 Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco
Tax Free
Lover Man
Sunshine of Your Love
Hear My Train A Comin’
Killing Floor
Foxey Lady
Hey Joe
Star Spangled Banner
Purple Haze

Disc Two
10/11/68 Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco
Tax Free
Like a Rolling Stone
Lover Man
Hey Joe
Fire
Foxey Lady
Are You Experienced
Red House
Purple Haze

Disc Three
10/12/68 Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco
Fire
Lover Man
Like a Rolling Stone
Manic Depression
Sunshine of Your Love
Little Wing
Spanish Castle Magic
Red House
Hey Joe
Purple Haze
Wild Thing

Disc Four
Bonus disc Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco
Foxy Lady
Are You Experienced
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
Red House
Star Spangled Banner
Purple Haze
Jimi Hendrix: Boston Garden Backstage Interview

* * * * *
Jimi Hendrix – Hendrix In The West – available as single CD or 2-Disc 12″ 180 gram Vinyl Audiophile LP Vinyl version
Consisting of live material recorded at venues ranging from the Berkeley Community Theatre and the San Diego Sports Arena to the Isle of Wight Festival, Hendrix In The West captures the guitarist exploring new directions in sound during 1969-70. Robert Christgau, the Dean of American Rock Critics, called Hendrix’s versions of “Red House” and, “Johnny B. Goode” on this album “definitive.” Out of print in the US since 1974 and for more than two decades internationally, Hendrix In TheWest, has remained one of the most requested albums by fans to return to the commercial marketplace.

Hendrix In The West will be reissued as an expanded single disc featuring five additional, previously unavailable performances. The album’s iconic cover features a classic Jim Marshall photograph of the guitarist and the twenty-four page book is filled with rare and previously unseen images captured by Marshall’s distinctive lens. This expanded edition of Hendrix In The West will also be available on 12″ vinyl as a 2 LP set.

Tracklisting Hendrix In The West:
The Queen
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Little Wing
Fire
I Don’t Live Today
Spanish Castle Magic
Red House
Johnny B. Goode
Lover Man
Blue Suede Shoes
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

* * * * *
Jimi Hendrix – Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix At The Isle Of Wight – DVD
Experience Hendrix has also expanded this definitive presentation of Jimi’s historic performance before 600,000 at the Isle of Wight Festival in August 1970.

Exquisitely directed by Academy Award-winning American documentary/experimental filmmaker Murray Lerner, this special reissue now runs more than 180 minutes and features a newly created special features section that allows viewers to view individual camera angles of selected performances. Hendrix fans can now select individual camera angles to focus on the guitarist’s incomparable fretwork and technique during such signature songs as “All Along The Watchtower,” “Spanish Castle Magic,” “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Foxey Lady,” and more.

This new definitive DVD edition also features newly discovered footage of Hendrix’s Isle Of Wight performance of “Hey Joe,” the single that launched his meteoric career in England in 1966.

Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle Of Wight features both stereo and 5.1 surround soundtracks mixed by Eddie Kramer, Hendrix’s original recording engineer.

* * * * *
Jimi Hendrix: The Dick Cavett Show – DVD
The complete collection of Jimi Hendrix’s celebrated appearances on The Dick Cavett Show is now available on Legacy Recordings. The Dick Cavett Show marked Jimi’s US network television debut and this special documentary, directed by multiple Grammy Award winner Bob Smeaton [Beatles Anthology, Band Of Gypsys], features complete live performances of “Izabella”, “Machine Gun”, and “Hear My Train A Comin’” as well as new interviews with Cavett, Experience band members Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox, and others. Jimi’s own insightful interviews with Cavett touched upon a variety of personal and professional issues ranging from his stint as a US Army paratrooper to his celebrated rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” at the Woodstock Festival. These conversations with Cavett helped reveal the humor, passion, and intelligence of the man behind such rock classics as Are You Experienced and Electric Ladyland.

This deluxe edition also includes a new, behind the scenes documentary. The Dick Cavett Show DVD runs 90 minutes total.