Jimi Hendrix's Valleys Of Neptune out!
Mar 9, 2010 at 11:13 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 17

Jubei

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Jimi Hendrix's Valleys Of Neptune is officially out this week (I think).

Product description from Amazon (link: http://www.amazon.com/Valleys-Neptun...N%3DB00328G4V6) :

Quote:

This brand-new, completely unreleased studio album features 12 previously unreleased studio recordings totalling over 60 minutes of unheard Jimi Hendrix. Ten of these recordings were made between February and May, 1969, as the Jimi Hendrix Experience set out to create the sequel to their groundbreaking 1968 double-album Electric Ladyland. The album features “Valleys Of Neptune,” one of the most sought after of all of Hendrix’s commercially unavailable recordings, and includes exciting 1969 arrangements of the classic signature songs “Red House,” “Fire,” and “Stone Free.” Also includes unheard studio versions of Hendrix’s inspired interpretations of “Bleeding Heart” (Elmore James) and Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love.” Mixed by Eddie Kramer, the engineer for all of Hendrix’s albums throughout the guitarist’s lifetime. Produced by Janie Hendrix, Eddie Kramer, and John McDermott, the team behind all of the acclaimed Jimi Hendrix CD and DVD releases since 1996.

VALLEYS OF NEPTUNE: Track by Track
All of the 12 recordings featured on the album have never before been released on a CD/LP. The songs document the pivotal time period after Electric Ladyland and before Electric Lady Studios and the recordings made there that would later take form as Cry of Love and First Rays.

Valleys of Neptune documents both the final studio recordings Jimi made in 1969 with the original Jimi Hendrix Experience and the first efforts with new bassist Billy Cox. As a number of the song titles will be familiar to fans and buyers alike, the following details the key characteristics of each of the tracks on Valleys of Neptune.

"Stone Free": The original 1966 recording by the original Jimi Hendrix Experience is best known as one of Jimi’s signature songs. The Jimi Hendrix Experience box set (2000) featured a new remake by the original group. Hendrix, Mitch Mitchell, and Billy Cox recorded this version in May 1969. It is a different recording entirely.

"Valleys of Neptune": This track was recorded in September, 1969, and May, 1970. This full-band version has never been released. An extract of a demo Hendrix made of this song -- featuring just Mitchell on drums and percussionist Juma Sultan -- was part of the short-lived Reprise/Polydor album Lifelines, which was in the marketplace between 1990 to 1992.

"Bleeding Heart": This cover of the classic blues song by Elmore James is different entirely from the versions featured on South Saturn Delta and (originally) on War Heroes. This recording has never been issued and features Jimi, Billy Cox, and drummer Rocky Isaac. It was recorded in April, 1969.

"Hear My Train A Comin’": This electric, full-band version is different from the famous 12-string acoustic version that was featured in the 1973 documentary Jimi Hendrix and subsequently on the album Jimi Hendrix: Blues.

"Mr. Bad Luck": Like “Valleys of Neptune”, a different version of this song was part of Lifelines in (1990). Jimi would later develop this song as “Look Over Yonder,” issued as part of South Saturn Delta.

"Sunshine of Your Love": A stage favorite for the group during the 1969 period which has never been released.

"Lover Man": Jimi recorded many different arrangements of this song, including the versions on both the Jimi Hendrix Experience box set (2000) and South Saturn Delta. This is an entirely different recording made in February, 1969.

"Ships Passing Through the Night": A never-before-released track taken from the last recording session by the original Jimi Hendrix Experience on 4/14/69.

"Fire/Red House": Both of these songs by the original Jimi Hendrix Experience were recorded at the same February, 1969, session. They feature the expanded stage arrangements Jimi had developed and are not alternate takes of the original 1967 recordings.

"Lullaby for the Summer/Crying Blue Rain": These April, 1969, recordings by the original Jimi Hendrix Experience have never been released.


Probably will get it despite all the eventually controversies ...
 
Mar 10, 2010 at 10:43 AM Post #7 of 17
Way back in the late 80s, I bought the 2CD Electric Ladyland released by Polydor (with all the nude ladies on the cover). Apparently the running order was messed up, as was not uncommon in the early days of CD rereleases.

Then in the 90s, when the remasters of the original Jimi Hendrix albums came out, I basically rebought all 3 (Are You Experienced, Axis As Bold As Love and Electric Ladyland). Since I am quite broke at the moment and according to some online sources the CD is essential the same one as the 90s remasters, I won't to be buying them.

As for the Valleys of Neptune disc ... well, I suppose I am a sucker for these things. A friend gave me a couple of the notorious Crashing Landing (Polydor) in the early 90s and will it is generally reviled as not being "authentic", I quite liked the music. I bought VooDoo Soup later in that decade and again while it is generally loathed, I liked it too.

I suppose I just can't really get enough of the Hendrix.
 
Mar 22, 2010 at 8:39 AM Post #8 of 17
I just got them. God I think they sound awful! Is it just me? I am not talking about the music, just the remaster. And specifically the cds. I don't know how the vinyl sounds.

ps-I hope this isn't thread crapping. Seriously, I just meant I was let down.
 
Mar 27, 2010 at 1:41 PM Post #12 of 17
Quote:

Originally Posted by augustwest /img/forum/go_quote.gif
It's amazing they can continue to mine this material over & over again after 30+ years.

- augustwest



Yep, seems remasters are in no way nonrenewable resources.

Perhaps in the future we'll be able to harness them as an unlimited source of energy?

Two of my recent CD purchases were Are You Experienced and Electric Ladyland. Not sure what remastering they are, but since this was only a few months ago probably the next newest. Terrible sound. All -9dB across the board. Next to no soundstage, like everything smashed into a ball in the middle of your head (like Californication). Gotta be plenty of clipping, but I've found that unless it's almost all clipping I don't hear it much if I don't listen for it. I'm really disappointed with the purchase, one of the worst buys I've made and one of the worst sounding. It's a shame because the music's so good.
 
Mar 29, 2010 at 2:11 AM Post #13 of 17
Quote:

Originally Posted by augustwest /img/forum/go_quote.gif
It's amazing they can continue to mine this material over & over again after 30+ years.

- augustwest



It's a total scam. Bad remaster after bad remaster is the name of the game. Also, completists must have it. These are put out by Hendrix's family and they are only interested in $$$$$. They could care less about the sound quality. I have some used Hendrix records from the era and they sound much better than any remastered cd. And not just cause they are different mediums.
 
Mar 29, 2010 at 4:26 AM Post #14 of 17
Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterMoJo /img/forum/go_quote.gif
It's a total scam. Bad remaster after bad remaster is the name of the game. Also, completists must have it. These are put out by Hendrix's family and they are only interested in $$$$$. They could care less about the sound quality. I have some used Hendrix records from the era and they sound much better than any remastered cd. And not just cause they are different mediums.


I completely agree. All of my Hendrix CD remasters have been sourced from mint vinyl. The sound, despite being on an old "obsolete" medium, is miles ahead of the CD "remasters". Just sad.
 

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