Plays the Music of Jimi Hendrix [Import, Original recording remastered, Extra tracks]

Gil Evans, Gil Evans & the Monday Night Orchestra | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 5, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered, Extra tracks
• Label: Rca
• ASIN: B00005TOXQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #244,161 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Gil Evans will forever be remembered as the arranger for those classic Miles Davis orchestral albums, but Evans led his own orchestra from the '60s until his death in 1988. A true fusion of jazz's free-ranging leanings and Hendrix's psychedelic and blues jams, Plays the Music of Jimi Hendrix is a masterstroke for Evans, who was actually supposed to do an album with Hendrix himself. Evans completely revamps classics like "Crosstown Traffic," "Voodoo Chile," and "Little Wing," twisting these tunes in a way that might even blow Hendrix's mind. Rather than turning the session into guitar wank fest, the horn-heavy group (which prominently features saxophonist David Sanborn) really comes up with something different. And although the early synthesizers and production aesthetic makes this sound dated, it should still appeal to a new generation of fans. People have rediscovered producer David Axelrod--Gil Evans is just as skilled at mixing jazz and rock, but he's even further out (as the crazed tuba solo on "Voodoo Chile" attests). --Tad Hendrickson

Product Description

Reissue of the Jazz great's original album from 1974, in which his orchestra, featuring John Abercrombie, Hannibal Marvin Peterson, David Sanborn, Billy Harper, etc., interpret nine classic Hendrix tunes. Includes the bonus tracks 'Little Wing' and alternate takes of 'Angel', 'Castles Made Of Sand', Up From The Skies' & 'Gypsy Eyes'. RCA Victor Gold Series in digipak with original sleeve with booklet in French & English with photos & 24 bit remastering.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Meets the Challenge, April 24, 2005

By 

Strat Man (Shelton CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plays the Music of Jimi Hendrix (Audio CD)

Given some prior reviews, I almost passed on this CD. Took a chance and am quite pleased. It's not Jimi, nor does it have some of the oomph of later tribute CD's. But it really has some amazing moments, and could not possibly be confused with Muzak (IMHO).

I feel that Mr. Evans captured much of Jimi's ethereal feel with instruments that are normally not associated with trippy sonorities. The arrangements of "Angel" and "Up from the Skies" are beautiful.

But my favorite bit is an upper-register tuba rendering of the melody for Voodoo Chile. Reminds me of Frank Zappa. It's priceless!

Mr. Evans delves into a number of Hendrix's lesser known tunes, and pulls out a feeling that only someone of his caliber can possibly even attempt to put forth with a big band.

My only complaints are the cheesy contemporary synthesizer, and somewhat dated production quality. But given the 1974-5 recording dates, and the difficulty of stuffing so many instruments into a bit of tape, I don't find these to be much of a distraction.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Addictive, February 24, 2002

By 

Jonathan M. Mason "jm_1951" (Punta Gorda, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Plays the Music of Jimi Hendrix (Audio CD)

This is a wonderful, wonderful album. I have 200 jazz and blues albums loaded in my CD player, and I usually play them in some kind of rotation, so they don't get stale or overplayed, but since I've had this I just want to play it over and over again. Crosstown Traffic and Up From The Skies are probably my favorite tracks, but they are all great.

But what else can I say? Listen to some of the samples here on Amazon and judge for yourself.

One caveat: On a first superficial listening, I did get the impression that some of the tracks were a bit like that "smooth" jazz that they play on the radio all the time, but really it has a lot more guts to it.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this album., April 26, 2011

By 

DARKPRINCEOFJAZZ "SELIM SIVAD" (southern ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plays the Music of Jimi Hendrix (Audio CD)

Most of the Neo-con reviewers who give this 1 star, most likely enjoy their jazz as a museum artifact instead of Living breathing music, Most of the things complained about, are what I like the most about it. Howard Johnson's Tuba on Voodoo Chile is startling, but well executed. The arrangements are never boring, only the average Vocals on a few numbers can be complained about. If you like Funky music and have an open mind, you will not be disappointed. What was Gil Evans Thinking? I don't know, But I bet he wasn't to worried about what the stuffy jazz establishment was thinking while making it.