Customer Reviews

Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix

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

 

 

First, how amazon let the "tribute cd's suck" "recommendation" go through, only they can answer. Secondly, I own about 60 Hendrix cds, and this one is the best tribute cd, right up there with "Stone Free." A previous reviewer or two said that they thought this release "lacked energy." To each his own. I felt that the performers on this cd had nothing but energy. How one can listen to Robert Randolph do "Purple Haze" and lament the lack of energy is incomprehensible to me. Same goes for Chaka Khan's stunning version of "Little Wing." These performers sounded like they were having fun to me, not just giving you an exact copy of a Hendrix song, but putting their stamp on it while truly celebrating Hendrix. What more can you ask for in a tribute cd?

Tribute albums are usually a mixed affair, and few really hold up as albums, but this one comes close. It succeeds on so many levels for several reasons. First, the man it pays tribute to, Jimi Hendrix, is an indisputable legend; his reputation is so widespread, kids who've never heard his music know who he is. So not surprisingly, he's had an enormous influence on a wide variety of musicians, which brings us to a second reason why this collection succeeds: the participating musicians. The line-up here is so impressive because each artist is so different from the other, yet each one has some connection to him, either as a collaborator, as an artist he influenced, or as a friend.

Organized by the Hendrix estate, this disc has plenty of highlights: "Purple House" by Prince and former Sly & the Family Stone bassist Larry Graham showcases Prince's amazing guitar skills - the best track, and from an artist who, like Hendrix, managed to be a great innovator and commercial success while crossing the barrier between rock and r&b. Carlos Santana and Living Colour's Corey Glover perform an excellent cover of "Spanish Castle Magic," with an inspired jazz rhythm section: bassist Stanley Clarke and the late, great Tony Williams, arguably the greatest drummer of all-time. Elsewhere, Sting sings and plays bass on a cover of "The Wind Cries Mary," which has some searing guitar work by John McLaughlin; George Clinton and Bootsy Collins (of Parliament/Funkadelic/etc.) shake it up with "Power of Soul," Chaka Khan and Kid Rock's guitarist Kenny Olson do a strong version of "Little Wing," the late, great blues legend John Lee Hooker covers "Red House" (actually a track from a previous John Lee CD; he passed away before he could record something new, so they selected this as a tribute to him as well), and an awesome live recording of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble performing "Little Wing" and "3rd Stone..." from Oct, 20, 1983 in Philadelphia for the King Biscuit Flour Hour. Granted, none of these covers 'surpass' the originals, and there are some mild disappointments, like an Eric Clapton/Chic collaboration on "Burning Of The Midnight Lamp" (a real letdown) and Lenny Kravitz's contribution, but as tributes go, this is surprisingly good, the kind you'll actually listen to again.

I just heard the bonus disc with this cd seems to only be available at Best Buy. It has 2 songs the first is with Seal doing Wind Cries Mary and the 2nd one is a real fun song with Vernon Reid and what seems to be another guitarist doing
Stars That Play With Laughing Sam's Dice it is a really fun version with some wicked fret action definitely worth getting

I rate this CD as 5 star but have one small complaint. As much as I love Prince, why did they have to change the name of the song "Red House" to "Purple House"? It may seem very trivial but I find it irritating - this is a tribute to HENDRIX! Perhaps it was to be a play on "PURLE HAZE" - who knows. I would like to have heard him bust out on this song as he is one of the best guitar players ever and doesn't get the credit he deserves. This was an opportunity for Rock and Rollers that don't listen to his music to get to know what he is truly capable of. Bring your funk card because BOOTSY "The Cincinnati Kid" gets down and funky. Now somebody play this on the radio - PLEASE! Eric Clapton seems inspired by this tribute to his dear friend. There was no way to rate Jimi - he is from another stratosphere and the cover is exquisitely beautiful quintessential 60's. Bring back the 60's! PEACE!

I truly enjoyed this disc, and if you like any one of these artists you will too.This is as the name implies Soul.Jimi Hendrix influenced not only rock guitar, but other as well
such as funk, soul, r and b. Many people fail to realize he started with the Isley Brothers and others.Standout tracks
are Prince with Purple House.Earth Wind and Fire,George Duke,
Bootsy Collins,and Eric Gales. Also Robert Randolph this guy smokes. The thing here is these are real musicians, not some
one programming a computer.If the family estate does another
i would like to see Robert Cray, Jeff Healy, Jessie Johnson
from The Time, and Vernon Reid.This aint no joke.

There have been many Jimi tribute albums over the years, however they seem to slip quietly into history without major mention. The latest offering from the Hendrix estate has thankfully not suffered this fate, even down here in New Zealand I have heard and read at least 4 reviews - all of them positive.

The album is certainly deserving of the praise being heaped upon it, there are a couple of wandering moments in a few songs, but overall it's a solid performance from all concerned and it will certainly be getting a bashing at work, in the car and at home over the next few weeks!

Well done, and as they say "a must for any Jimi fan."

There are few artists who continue to leave such a powerful and reaching impact on fans, music and musicians but then again, Jimi Hendrix was more than an artist - to many, he his a musical god. Unlike many covers of Jimi's material, the artists on this album don't wallo in previously charted waters, but rather, take Jimi's music into differnent directions - exactly what Jimi did with music when he shook the world so many years ago. The great artists on this album breathe new life into the music and what great music it is indeed! This album is not a sappy, nostalgic trip but rather, a powerfull, soul-stirring tribute, worthy of Jimi's name and a place in your music collection.

If you want the same old slavish, faithful reproductions of Hendrix classic songs, don't buy this. You won't like it. If you want funked up, fun, innovative takes on classic Hendrix songs, pick this up as fast as you can. Prince burns, Chaka Khan wails, Bootsy visits from Funkzillaville. If you liked In From The Storm, Carlos is back on Spanish Castle Magic without the orchestra and John McLaughlin loses his mind again. Stevie is, well, Stevie. Earth, Wind and Fire surprised me on Voodoo Chile - an odd arrangement, but it works. The only stinker is Clapton.

SRV and Double Trouble's Little Wing/3rd Stone from the Sun Cover is worth the price of the disc alone...I'd never heard this version; I got chills and tears to remember the loss of a legend, and of a legend's legend.

I found this is a very remarkable tribute album, with some astonishing guitar playing by some of the most worldwide renowned axes. If I had to try one rendition, I think my choice were "The Wind Cries Mary", credited to Sting, but shining thanks to the stellar participation of John McLaughlin. Anyway, that's not the only one, as the CD as a whole is really well done and enjoyable. One of the best tribute albums to the genius of Jimi Hendrix, and one of the best overall, period.