Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year [Single]

Jimi Hendrix | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 16, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single
• Label: Sony Legacy
• ASIN: B003YDZVC2
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,558 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Little Drummer Boy/Silent Night/Auld Lang Syne - Jimi Hendrix

2. Three Little Bears - Jimi Hendrix

3. Little Drummer Boy/Silent Night/Auld Lang Syne (Extended Version) - Jimi Hendrix

Editorial Reviews

As Christmas 1969 beckoned, Jimi Hendrix, bassist Billy Cox, and drummer Buddy Miles engaged in extensive rehearsals for their highly anticipated appearances at the Fillmore East in New York. To mark the occasion in his own inimitable fashion, Jimi readied this special medley of holiday favorites to celebrate both Christmas and the dawning of a new decade. It by no means should be considered a polished studio recording made to Hendrix's exacting specifications. This is a glimpse of Jimi simply having fun in the company of close friends. As an added bonus, also included is Jimi's playful "Three Little Bears." This track was recorded with the Experience at the Record Plant in May 1968 during sessions for Electric Ladyland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars RE-RELEASE WITHOUT THE SANTA CLAUS BEARD AND HAT, November 16, 2010

By 

Stuart Jefferson (San Diego,Ca) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year (Audio CD)

This 16 minute CD, mastered by Eddie Kramer and George Marino, is a re-release (with "new" artwork from the original release) of the 1999 CD. The '99 release booklet had a color photo of Hendrix with white beard and a Christmas hat, on the cover. The back showed Hendrix in the same costume holding the album cover for "Axis: Bold As Love". The photos were done in conjunction with the UK music paper "Record Mirror", to advertise that album. For those who don't own the 1972 "War Heroes" release, the song "Three Little Bears" will be of special interest. This track features the original band in 1968. The "Little Drummer...Syne" tracks are from 1969, and feature the rhythm section of Billy Cox-bass, and Buddy Miles-drums. These relatively unpolished tracks show Hendrix having fun in the studio, and give a bit of insight into what he did in the studio at different times while recording his own music. While this "new" artwork is okay, the Christmas/Santa Claus beard and hat cover was a really nice touch, and in keeping with the spirit of Christmas.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars rehearsal material with klarwein cover, December 8, 2010

By 

23skiddoo "23skiddoo" (Southwest Pacific, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year (Audio CD)

The cover in question is a painting by Abdul Mati Klarwein whose work was used for Miles Davis's "Bitches Brew," "Live/Evil" etc., Santana's "Abraxas," Earth, Wind & Fire's "Last Days...," Jerry Garcia/Howard Wales and others quite extensively in the late '60s - early '70s, so the use of his work for this is very appropriate. If you google "klarwein hendrix" in images, you can see a photo of Hendrix visiting Klarwein's New York loft.

The music is a rehearsal and should be appreciated as such.

Merry Christmas, folks.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hendrix & Christmas? I love it!, November 16, 2010

By 

H. Wahlen (left coast) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year (Audio CD)

Geez you guys! Quit your whining! The cover this go around is from the original 12" vinyl promotional copy that circulated in 1979 courtesy Alan Douglas & Reprise Records. The Jimi as Santa cover was cute, but now you get the rare promo cover.

As for the music on this CD, it's as much fun as it was the first time I heard it in '79. It's just not Christmas without this tune on my Rockin' Christmas compilation.