The Jimi Hendrix Experience BBC Sessions

OK, everyone who knows me knows that Hendrix is one of the few gods that I have in my life. He was an utter genius who revolutionized the electric guitar and created methods of playing effects boxes and amplifiers as well as every piece of the guitar. There is no guitarist alive who doesn’t owe him a debt in one form or another. So, that said, take my raves with a grain or a barrel of salt!

But this 2 CD collection of the Experience’s BBC sessions is just phenomenal! While all of the recordings are not necessarily live, all of these versions are quite different from the studio takes and usually they are louder, looser, wilder and more fun! (Which is not to denigrate the originals in any way!)

All of the hits are here – “Purple Haze”, “Stone Free”, “Foxey Lady”, “Hey Joe”, “Fire” and tons more, but there are also a huge amount of otherwise unreleased (officially) tunes. There are wild versions of “Hoochie Coochie Man”, “Catfish Blues”, “Hound Dog”, “Killing Floor”, “Day Tripper” (legend had it that Lennon was singing backup on this tune, but apparently that is only legend) and even “Sunshine of Your Love” from the Lulu show instead of BBC radio.

Some of the real revelations are the alternative recordings of songs rarely played live such as “Burning of the Midnight Lamp”, “Love or Confusion”, “Spanish Castle Magic” and great jamming tunes like “Hear My Train A’Comin’” and “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)”. The band is in top form throughout and while they occasionally are sloppily loose, is sounds like stoned-out, good-time fun rather than pure chaos.

The set comes with an extensive, full color booklet with plenty of rare photos, too. Absolutely essential collection for those who love the electric guitar!