Customer Reviews

Black Gold: The Lost Archives of Jimi Hendrix

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ever wonder who jammed with who? This book helps you to find out. This book both a comprehensive list of all recordings of Jimi and his band, as well as an intimate look at the lifestyle of one of America's greatest musicians. I skipped over a lot of the lists and dove into the narratives that told stories of Jimi jamming with Janis Joplin, Eric Clapton (Jimi is supposedly the only guitarist to ever play Clapton off-stage), The Who and many other greats. What I enjoyed most about the book was the details about Jimi learning to play the guitar and his first gigs. Jimi is a musician that stayed true to his roots and his own unique style.
I only gave this book 3 stars because, unless you know absolutely nothing about Jimi Hendrix or some of the other musicians in the book, much of what you read you are likely to already know. Redding included many well known anecdotes as filler for his archival list, which is admirably constructed and researched. The only problem is, is that much of what is on the list is unavailable to the public.
Still, if you're a Jimi fan, you have to read it. After all, it's a book about Jimi.

"Black Gold", written by Steven Roby, is a painstakingly accurate depiction of Jimi Hendrix' life and times. As a musician, singer and guitarist, and an avid student of music history, I appreciate an author who approaches his work with the thoroughness that Steven Roby has done with this book.
I've read many books on Jimi, as well as, the Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Nirvana, Miles Davis and Joh Coltrane (By the way- thanks Miles for the Wah-wah). This book is objective and lacks that selfish bias some authors instill in their writing. Some writers aren't willing to display their subject matter exposed for all to see. They don't want to fully let the readers know all the sides to a character because something captivated an author to write about a particular person in the first place. Roby gives you the places, the names, everything, and lets the reader see where Jimi Hendrix leads them. Finally, I've got a book I can reference after so many years of speculation, rumour, and hearsay. Jimi Hendrix is one of my heroes,and Steven Roby helps me keep him my hero.

Steve Roby, a well known Hendrix archivist as collected information on audio, film and video recordings of Hendrix, either in circulation or 'lost'. There is a wealth of info that Hendrix collectors, such as myself, will be able to use for years. Roby also hopes that 'lost' recordings will surface from someone reading his new book.

Admittedly, this book will appeal to the Hendrix-ophile more than the casual reader. However, Roby weaves a good thread of history and minutiae that will capture the interest of the casual Hendrix listener as well. Since the book was published, a lot of the "lost" material has been officially released. However, there is a wealth of video and audio that even the most ardent collectors have not seen or heard. (Experience Hendrix possesses some but not all of this un-bootlegged material and will probably release it in dribs and drabs for the next decade or so, consider this: a large armored truck was used in the 70's to transport all of the hundreds of reels of Hendrix material) Roby does neglect covering the Douglas/Hendrix period with the same level of archivists detail. What about all the sessions set up with Tony Williams, Mother Hen/Dave Holland, the apartment jam w/Miles Davis? There is still much entombed in vaults and will be for decades to come. Roby's book scratches the surface but I think as time passes more and more evidence will confirm the importance of Hendrix to pop music and music in general.

Excellent read and addition for any hendrix fan or any interested party.The material is very well researched and provides excellent background material as well as the current status of hendrix recordings,videos,etc.What was most interesting to me were the background stories of the material itself and the authors superb presentation and style of writing .The book is simply a must.Thank you Mr.Roby

Black Gold relies to a great extent on extracts from interviews conducted when Steven was the editor of the Jimi Hendrix fanzine 'Straight Ahead',(no longer in print). A nice taster for those of us who didn't subscribe, though a number of interviews have remained unpublished. These, along with the already published, would be of great interest to Hendrix fan's throughtout the world. Publisher's please note!
Discography omissions and factual errors are at a minimum but some are a little too obvious, it's hard to believe they were not picked up prior to publication. For me the most interesting section of the book was the pre-experience years. A fairly large portion of the book deals with this period, which is not such a bad thing as the content is very informative and detailed.
Overall is the book worth buying? Well it will prove very useful as a source of reference. If you already own a collection of JH related books, then yes it's well worth adding to the book shelf as it will no doubt add to your already burgeoning knowledge of an exceptional musical talent. If your new to Hendrix then maybe something like 'Electric Gypsy' will serve you better, for now.

For anyone looking for the maximum in "Hendrix" information or history,this is "The Book" !! Steven Roby, the author, went to some incredible effort to make this book possible ! I have read eight Hendrix books in my life and this one is the best there is.

J.P. Morel,Boynton Beach Fl.

This is the Hendrix book fans have waited for. While Hendrix's catalog has been messy (compared to the Beatles), Roby has researched & documented Hendrix's many amazing collaborations, unreleased gems, and new directions, both audio and video. Roby proves that Hendrix deserves another Top 40 credit with "Mercy,Mercy" with Don Covay. Very well documented (endless end notes!) and highly entertaining for any level of music fan. Check out the new stuff on Jimi with Miles Davis, Jayne Mansfield, or Frank Zappa!

For a beginner interested in the roots and history of one of the world's greatest influential guitar players who ever wakled the planet, you cant go past BLACK GOLD. This book is the most definitive Hendrix book I've read yet. Starting from childhood beginnings right up to his unfortunate death, this book covers all the known places where Jimi has collaborated with other musicians and raises the question if any person out there has copies of these known collaborations.

In conclusion, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for any Hendrix enthusiast.

This is the Hendrix book fans have waited for. While Hendrix's catalog has been messy (compared to the Beatles), Roby has researched & documented Hendrix's many amazing collaborations, unreleased gems, and new directions, both audio and video. Roby proves that Hendrix deserves another Top 40 credit with "Mercy,Mercy" with Don Covay. Very well documented (endless end notes!) and highly entertaining for any level of music fan. Check out the new stuff on Jimi with Miles Davis, Jayne Mansfield, or Frank Zappa!