Customer Reviews

BBC Sessions

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A die-hard Hendrix fan, I had to buy this album because let's face it - he had such a short career that anything new that is at all good is a bonus. This album delivers the goods. There are several versions of the same songs, giving a better-rounded view of his thinking and ideas, especially when compared to the versions on the released albums. Also included are some lead-in announcements and short interviews by totally straight-laced-sounding BBC chaps and gals that sound retro and enthusiastic next to Jimi's laid-back responses.

The first CD has the more polished recordings and is a great example of Jimi's singularly pure, unworldly music. With such superb takes of the gamut of his repertoire, it's like having Electric-Ladyland-quality on every song. The second CD has a lot of sloppy takes and frankly bad lyrics, singing and playing (no wonder they weren't released!) As a musician, though, I found it inspiring to hear that it didn't always work perfectly, to hear him and the others working it out. There are more of the BBC voice-overs on the second CD to make up for the bad takes though. It's a great slice of history, and it's remarkable they were willing to release it. I recommend this to anyone who loves that time in music, who loves Hendrix, who plays in any kind of band, or who just loves the guitar.

'BBC Sessions' is an expanded 2-disc version of an out-of-print Rykodisc CD called 'Radio One.' If you've already got 'Radio One,' you've already got most of the good stuff here and will probably want to pass on this. If you haven't, you're in for a treat, although you might end up wishing for a slightly shorter-running time if you aren't an absolute Hendrix fanatic.

In virtually every way, this is an improvement over the Rykodisc version. There's a better cover photo, for starters (the Ryko featured a hideous hand-tinted Jimi photo). There are better liner notes - Ryko should be downright ashamed of themselves for implying that John Lennon sang backup on Jimi's version of 'Day Tripper.' (The rumor, as anyone with ears will tell you, simply isn't true). There's also a more careful sequencing of songs, and some of the patter between the Jimi Hendrix Experience and the program hosts have been restored.

As I have several other live Hendrix CDs, my favorite parts of the BBC Sessions are the songs that Jimi simply didn't perform elsewhere. "Killing Floor," "Driving South," "Catfish Blues," and "Hoochie Koochie Man" all give Jimi lots of space to play around with the blues, which was something his first two studio LPs didn't allow him to do. We also get two off-the-cuff rock covers, one of "Day Tripper" and one of "Hound Dog." Yes, Hendrix' solo in "Day Tripper" isn't one of his best, but at least it shows that he wasn't going to copy George Harrison note-for-note either. There's also the fun "Radio One" jingle goof, and I'll note that other rock bands such as the Beatles and the Who also did their own jingle spoofs when they appeared on the Beeb. There's also the only known live version of "Burning the Midnight Lamp" and an early version of "Hear My Train A'Comin" which would eventually evolve into a real showstopping blues tune during the Woodstock era. For what it's worth, I always thought that "Hear My Train A'Comin"'s evolution was far more interesting than "Voodoo Child"'s, even though the latter is one of Hendrix' best loved songs.

The sound quality of these discs, as with almost all BBC recordings, is almost unnaturally crisp and clean. Most likely this is due to the BBC engineers insisting that the volume levels in the studio be kept to a certain level. (It seems of all the classic rockers, only Jimmy Page was able to break these rules with Led Zeppelin). While this isn't typical of Jimi Hendrix' signature sound, the crisp clear and relatively undistorted Strat playing proves that Hendrix never used distortion effects like a crutch. Hendrix could really play, and I enjoyed being able to hear his songs in non-distorted versions.

Despite my generally positive review, I would also suggest that you start your Hendrix collection with his three studio albums (Are You Experienced, Bold as Love, and Electric Ladyland) and then start exploring his live output. "BBC Sessions" is a fine place to begin your journey into the world of live Hendrix.

If you're a Hendrix fan, you NEED this two-CD set! What could be better than the JHE in its prime, recorded meticulously in a "live-studio" format, in Swinging London, where it all "began" for him? These BBC recordings are remarkably crisp, and you'll hear a happy Hendrix absolutely soaring in his "first blush" of fame. This is possibly the most consistently excellent "live" stuff you'll hear. Be warned, these BBC mono recordings sound quite different from the usual classic live stuff-- Star-Spangled Banner" at Woodstock; "Machine Gun" at the Fillmore East; "Johnny B. Goode" at Winterland; "Like A Roling Stone" at Monterey; and "Little Wing" at the Royal Albert Hall. But in this BBC set, Hendrix' performances are consistent, conscientious, and his virtuosity is absolutely unquestioned. He mostly stays within the lines-- which can be a good thing, because I for one enjoy the exquisite tension borne when his infinity of ideas are balanced and honed within a psychedelic "pop" sensibility. And interestingly, I enjoy the tight, trebly mono sound because it provides another angle from which to enjoy Jimi's playing. There's also an intimate, conversational, "in the studio with Jimi" feel; his playing is red hot, and it cuts through like a thin laser here. I particularly love "Love or Confusion," "Wait Until Tomorrow," "Burning of the Midnight Lamp," "Hound Dog," and of course "Day Tripper" (in this CD version, unlike the earlier "Radio One" release, you can hear Hendrix doodling with Harrison's "I Want To Tell You" guitar intro before lurching into the famous "Day Tripper" riff). For those of you intensely involved with Hendrix' music, you'll dig the exquisite rhythm guitar he lays out throughout these cuts. For me, his soloing is almost of secondary interest compared to his unparalleled rhythmic ability. Let's face it-- with Hendrix, rhythm and lead often become meaningless categories, so integrated and complete is his playing. Hendrix is indeed the supreme rock instrumentalist of all time.

This is an interesting view into the archives of Experience Hendrix and/or the BBC. I doubt that when the BBC instigated "needle time" that they would end up with a plethora of live recordings by some of the greatest musicians to adjust the volume on an amp. The set goes through small sets on different shows. My personal favorite being the Christmas Eve broadcast of "Hear My Train A Comin'","Raidio One","Wait Until Tomorrow","Day Tripper"
and"Spanish Castle Magic". This set has so many high points that the whole set is good, the most amusing being Jimi's crazed preformance on the show "A Happening For Lulu"(tracks 15-19 on
disc one). Some highlights of this set are: "Can You Pleas Come Crawl Out Your Window?" a Dylan tune, Lennon/McCartney's "Day Tripper" a version of "Wait Until Tommorrow" that I prefer to the
original. Jimi's blues jam "Driving South", powerful electrical renditions of "Hey Joe", and a quick and very powerful tour de force in Cream's "Sunshine Of Your Love". Also interesting are the short interviews and comments by hosts between songs.
An overall score by Experience Hendrix.

Jimi Hendrix first became a hit in Europe before he was noticed in the U.S. The BBC radio in England had a policy of airing a specific amount of live music broadcasts. This gave Jimi, along with Noel Reading and Mitch Mitchell, an opportunity to perform live in the BBC studios. Thus, this recording combines the best of a studio recording and a live recording by having the band perform live in the studio. The result is an amazing recording.

First of all, the quality of the recording is fantastic, especially considering the technology back then. The sound is crisp and clean. Second, the band is having a lot of fun playing and it comes through in the performances. Third, because they performed live to tape, there are no overdubs, studio effects etc. so you get to hear the band in its purest form. I own many Hendrix albums, but this is the one I listen to most often because the performance are so fresh sounding. Highly reccomended!

Before the Hendrix family got the rights to Jimi's recordings, select songs from the BBC studio recordings were previously released on a single CD, called Radio One. However, this recording contains the complete sessions, including all songs and the DJ chatter, and so is a better, more complete recording than Radio One. The BBC Sessions also contains a very informative booklet. Get it, its worth it.

I was pretty impressed with the perfomances of Jimi Hendix in this album. He, as usual puts his soul into all of his songs, but also is able to just fool around and jam like in his cover of "Hound Dog". Jimi gets to experiment with the blues as well in this album and I personally think that is where Jimi is most talented. I am also impressed with BBC as a whole, first because I have the Led Zeppelin BBC sessions, and they were equally as awesome. Second because in BBC sessions, the artists get to just have fun with the music and play with raw talent. I highly suggest this album if you are a Hendrix fan and you should look for other BBC versions of your favorite artists as well.

Jimi Hendrix was, in 1967, a very talented musician and composer. He came to England a few months earlier and had been given the chance by Chas Chandler, who was very important for him in the beginning. Jimi was very hungry and very creative in 1967 and that sure shows on this CD. You can hear that Jimi feels good and like to deliver the goods. Many tracks here is true classics. I enjoy the inclusion of alternate versions, the odd jam and the somewhat twisted interviews. The booklet is wrong by saying that several tracks seldom were performed live. Tracks like Love Or Confusion, Wait Until Tomorrow, Hound Dog and Hoochie Coochie Man has never been performed live but they are cooking ! The sound quality is great, if you think about the primitive equipment they used. If you're into Jimi Hendrix and has the five albums (Are You Experienced ?, Axis:Bold As Love, Electric Ladyland, Smash Hits and Band Of Gypsys) that was released during his lifetime, you sure needs this one.

I'm sick of being jerked around because of my affection for classic rock. Most wouldn't care, but when people relaize I'm fourteen and my three favourite bands are Pink Floyd Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix, they act like I'm an invalid. I'm not a reject, people, I just understand music.

When you play the guitar four two years as I now have been, you pick up some of the instrument's heritage. While some are content to detune their guitar to Drop Z and pick away one string patterns, I decided to delve deeper into the realm of the electric guitar.

When someone associates a name with the guitar, more often than not it's one of two people: Jimmy Page or Jimi Hendrix. Since this is a review for BBC Sessions, I'll stick to him.

Jimi Hendrix remains the most influential electric guitarist of the twentieth century. If you listen to any rock piece, you will undoubtedly hear the strains of the many innovations of Jimi Hendrix. From the wah to the Octaver, Jimi was a master of innovation, and with BBC Sessions, this fact is just exemplified further. Being too young to have ever heard the original Jimi Hendrix Radio One disc, this review is more from the eyes of a person who knew not what had happened during this time.

Although the last official Hendrix album I bought, it is undoubtedly one of the two best post-humous releases from Experience Hendrix/MCA (The other being First Rays Of The New Rising Sun).

Although many do have Radio One, or various bootlegs, that doesn't mean you still shouldn't purchase this album. The sound quality is much improved, and each piece has been remastered excellently by (who else?) Eddie Kramer. The first disc starts off in a blues rock vein, and pretty much stays that way to the final track of the first disc. Foxey Lady is better than the AYE? version, and many of the blues numbers are unique to this set (I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man, Hound Dog, Driving South). It rocks the entire way through, only stopping for various introductions and a short interview section (Goooood Eeeeeeevening). The Burning Of The Midnight Lamp is another unique song. It was never again (to my knowledge) to be played live anywhere. Disc two has a softer feel most of the way through, and it has more of a "fun" atmosphere to it than the first disc. I was Made To Love Her, Jammin' and Radio One are all examples of the upbeat mood found throughout this recording. Radio One is yet another unique song, as this is the only place to get it. It is in fact a quick song in the form of a station identification that is pretty funny (Radio One/You stole my gal/But I love you just the same). The CD remains at peak intensity throughout, and after continued listening remains an incredibly enjoyable experience.

There are generally two types of Jimi fans. There are those who prefer the three studio recordings, citing them as the peak of perfection, and believing that the live recordings are far to messy and unorthodox. And then there are those who prefer the live Jimi, saying they appreciate the unorthodoxy and inventiveness, and who see the studio recordings as just too polished. This set will please either camp. Although they are technically studio recordings, there were never more than two overdubs. The feeling of unorthodoxy is there, but it is found in the face of music just as beautiful as that on any of the studio recordings.

So you want my opinion? It's a must have for any Jimi fan. Fans new to Hendrix might want something a bit more reliable like Electric Ladyland, but never the less, I still see this collection as pure genius, that anyone with half a brain can appreciate. Kudos to Experience Hendrix for giving something to us Jimi-nuts while we wait for something big to drop.

Peace, love and happiness...

This CD catalogs Jimi Hendrix' complete BBC sessions material. Sometimes slick, sometimes sloppy, sometimes playful, this CD contains all of Jimi's BBC sessions, including the audio of a TV Appearance on the Lulu Show.
And it is amazing.

Due to arcane performance and programming laws, the BBC was mandated to have a certain portion of live artist performance during its air-time, and subsequently a number of now classic bands, such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds, Cream, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and Jimi Hendrix (to name but a few) made pre-recorded live performance tapes for the BBC at the first crest of their incipient careers, capturing these artists youthful energy and spontenaity for all time. For many years, this material was the substance of dozens of bootleg LPs and CDs, it wasn't until the late 1980's that some this material began to see legitimate release. In Jimi Hendrix' case, it was on the Ryko release "Radio One" a single-CD that cherry-picked many of the best cuts found on this 2 CD set. These tapes, like all BBC tapes of this era are monophonic, i.e. NOT in stereo, and subsequently not exactly up to the sound standards of the 21st Century. However, they still sound fine, and capture Jimi at a period in his career when his ideas were still fresh, and his creative performing on the ascendant. This is one of the better, if not the best, compilations of live Jimi Hendrix around. HIGHLY reccommended.

This is not a live album in a usual sense of a single live set put on a record. Rather, this is a compilation of tracks, that Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded live in a studio at different sessions during 1967 exclusively for BBC airplay.

I like listening to Jimi's different versions of songs, that he and his band played live. His live perfomances are a proof that he really lived and breathed through his playing. As for this compilation, it has a specific flavour of a musician taking pleasure from his music, and really enjoying what he's doing. Hendrix's positive energy and a relaxed attitude is easily felt both in the playing, and in short song introductions inserted in several places on CDs. The value of "BBC Sessions" is further increased by including some rare material, like covers of classic blues songs, songs by such famous acts as The Beatles and Cream, and even a jam with Stevie Wonder. The sound quality for the most part is very good, and doesn't detract from enjoying the music. While the performance is at times not flawless, one should value this compilation as a unique document, in addition to the high quality of material here.

I think that a casual listener would better be going for Jimi's studio albums first, because this collection is better appreciated with some background knowledge of Hendrix's legacy. But anyone who considers himself a Hendrix fan is advised not to miss "BBC Sessions".