Customer Reviews

Crash Landing

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Alan Douglas takes a lot of flack for 1975's Crash Landings, which is too bad because its a solid record. If you don't read the credits, you'll never know other musicians recorded backing tracks to these well developed tunes. This recording is a very logical sequel to the cry of Love which Hendrix was working on at the time of his death.

Some reviewers here have suggested that extensive overdubbing was done on these recordings, which I suspect to be false since they would have been included these on First Rays or the miserable South Saturn Delta, both "authorized Experience Hendrix" releases.

In fact, the CD vesrion of Crash Landing reveals a click track in the backround, so perhaps Hendrix was ahead of his time (again) preparing tracks and ideas as quickly as possible to be fleshed out later.

Alan Douglas really deserves praise for delivering a "new" Hendrix record in 1975. I've been listening and studying Jimi for years, and if this isn't the real thing, its too close to call.

This album was put together after Hendrix died. Regardless the essence of Hendrix is captured wonderfully. Several of the tracks here are first rate, my favorite being "With The Power". "Message To Love" and "Stone Free Again" are also classic tracks. This is a must have for any Hendrix enthusiast.

I have to scratch my head and wonder about people who gave this album a bad review. Huh?

I first got this in the early 80s and have always loved it. So- the backing musicians are different. I don't see that as deminishing the album's value. But then, I listen to Jimi to hear Jimi.

In short, this album completely smokes. Highly recommended. Peace in Mississippi, baby.

Though much maligned in later years, I've always thought this was Douglas' best work with the Hendrix archives. Coming after the often inconsistent and uninspired tracks on "War Heroes" and "Loose Ends", "Crash Landing" was full of fire and energy and received very positive reviews in its day. True, it's not pure Hendrix but Douglas' finished product was actually quite an improvement over the masters. The fact is that Hendrix would jam in the studio with just about anybody and the overdubbed percussion tracks are far superior to those on the original masters. No, it's not pure Hendrix but Jimi's talent and spirit shine through. Definitely worth a listen.

Crash Landing was my first exposure to Jimi Hendrix when I was around 8 years old (in 1978). After my father mentioned how amazing Jimi was I perused my father's record collection and discovered this album. In total innocence, I put on side two that opened with a devastating track entitled "Peace In Mississippi". Of course, my dad's stereo was already cranked up when the needle dropped and Jimi's completely fuzzed-out guitar just blew my head off. I could not believe a guitar could be THAT FRIGGIN' LOUD!! Crash Landing is a great introduction to the Hendrix legacy as far as I'm concerned, as I had no idea about the "session musicians" that Douglas dubbed onto these tracks and as an 8 year old I didn't care. Frequently I listened to this album for years and still own this ancient LP to this day.

Now in 2008, the question is raised whether Alan Douglas diminished the value of these recordings by using Jeff Minirov for rhythm guitar and adding Bob Bobbit on bass duties with Alan Schwartzberg behind the drum kit. My answer is: NO. In fact, I believe that by 1975 Hendrix would've been working with loads of session musicians (perhaps even the ones who grace this album) at his juncture. When Douglas claims that this was the direction Jimi was heading before his death, I am inclined to believe him. Hendrix used a rhythm guitarist at the Woodstock Festival in his Gypsies, Suns & Rainbows outfit as well as an elaborate rhythm section with percussion. As I listen to my new CD version now, I am struck by how the tight & funky Bobbit/Schwartzberg rhythm section brings these Hendrix tracks right to the mid-70's. The bass & drums are recorded in a way that could only come from the mid-70's: tight, punchy and full of compression. In these regards, the Douglas mixes succeed in updating Hendrix to the soul, funk & fusion of 1975.

While I prefer the live Band Of Gypsies versions of Message To Love & With The Power, these are nice beefy versions Douglas has conjured from the archives. The title track has a deeply underground street soul-funk vibe to it that has some affinity with Superfly-era Curtis Mayfield in subject matter. There is a sort dark tragic vibe that permeates through this album, whether intentional or not. Hendrix's voice sounds deeper than usual and even pessimistic in its tone. It's as if Jimi wasn't feeling too upbeat during these sessions and sings like he's kind of pissed off. His guitar playing is EXTREMELY pissed off in sections, but very funky and soulful throughout.

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" is a great psychadelic blues with haunting (pessimistic) lyrics and great delay drenched guitar leads. "Come Down Hard On Me" is another funky blues thang that brings Jimi back to the basics with clean and compressed guitar tones. Jimi's lead playing is just so tasteful on this track and you can really hear Albert King's influence. The aforementioned "Peace In Mississippi" is just as lethal as when I first heard it as a kid. Listen for the screaming feedback attack during the track's closing guitar solo and tell me that doesn't blow your head clean off. "Stone Free Again" is a nice mid-70's take on the classic with Jimi's processed vocals adding a nice touch. "Captain Coconut" comes from the flamenco head of an earlier jam called "Villanova Junction" performed at the Woodstock Festival. Douglas imaginatively juxtaposes the Bobbit/Schwartzberg unit with various Hendrix guitar-solo tracks until culminating in a wonderful psychadelic swirl of backwards guitar-tracks and other madness before fading out. As a kid I used to love "Captain Coconut", and as a middle aged man I still do.

All in all, I think what Alan Douglas did with these tracks was brave and very imaginatively done. Every track is expertly & expressively mixed, arranged and mastered. Bobbit's bass and Schwartzberg's kick/snare drum have a particularly nice punch together, making for quite a ballsy rhythm section that could only be a product of the mid-70's (as I've said before). At the end of the day, I think that Hendrix would've applauded Douglas' efforts too. On these merits, I rate Crash Landing an 8 out of 10 in comparison with Hendrix's greatest works.

This posthumous 1975 album was over produced but it isn't ruined entirely. It's STILL Jimi playing the solos on here and they are unbelievably good ones.(some of his best solos infact) Remember, the process of overdubbing was practiced by Hendrix himself on all of his albums in the studio. Yeah, they've used Jeff Mirinov to beef up the rhythm guitar but the end product is one helluva funky album. "Come on down hard on me baby" sounds fantastic and Jimis solo will have you turning on the air conditioning. One of the best blues solos i've ever heard anyone do.
When this album was first released in the UK in May 1975 it stayed in the charts for weeks.
I would rate it the same as Jimi's "Cry of Love" album and is similar to it with regard to the use of backup singers.
Many will be offended by the singers but remember Jimi was going in this direction. He'd always been strongly influenced by vocal bands like Curtis Mayfields "Impressions"..just listen how he'd used Buddy Miles on backup on "Band of Gypsy's".
This is NOT the J.H. Experience. (that had passed a long time since) Don't expect it to sound similar. But as i recall not everything Jimi did with the 'Experience' was perfect and listenable. Like it or not THIS was Jimis new direction if he'd lived on long enough.
Some purists may say cynically at this point that maybe it was better that he died.(?)

Although many of the reviews express valid criticism, much of Hendrix' essence permeates. In absolute agreement with an earlier review... just listen to "Peace in Mississippi".......absolutely wonderful!

After years of not understanding what the big Hendrix deal was I finally Got Experienced with this "every song's a winner" album. Rock, soul, psychedelic, love, funk, dizz bustin' - it's all hear! Who cares whose playin' drums - if it click it click. Even a jellyfish would agree to that! Henderix and Alan Douglas opens your heart, mind and soul to a new way of experiencing life and your own body. No over-noddling or never ending doldrum grooves here. Concise with a spirited message. With memorable licks and fills that are timely placed for your listening enjoyment. All new Henderix missiling into a new direction. An emotional roller coaster that will tickle your fancy. Free yourself !

I've been a fan of this album since I first purchased it in 1976. I'm not that surprised by the bad reviews, as it's rare to find /fans/ as open minded to change as the master Jimi was...

I also have copies of some of the original recording sessions...to say that this album was compromised in any way by allowing musicians to re-record certain parts is stupid. This IS NOT a Jimi Hendrix Experience album in any manner, so if you are looking for the raw styles of his first album turn around...if you want a glimpse into the direction Mr. Hendrix was heading as he entered the 70's, check it out. It's full of funk and jazz influences...clean guitar rather than the feedback normally associated with Hendrix style.

This album is a MUST HAVE for any true Hendrix fan...providing they have the understanding that true artists rarely stand still in their style, and JIMI was a true artist in every aspect of the word...

Super fast and excellent transaction! I am gonna buy another item, if I have a chance. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!