Customer Reviews

Searching for Jimi Hendrix

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

 

 

Unlike most of the Stevie Ray, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, etc. tributes that have been coming out lately, this disc provides truly unique takes on the Jimi Hendrix legacy. Each artist truly makes the songs their own; no almost-but-not-quite the original versions here (except perhaps the Los Lobos version of Are You Experienced?), but rather songs in the artists own varied styles, that provide more interpretation of what they think Jimi meant and what the songs really are.

Styles vary from reggae (Neville and Sheena Staples) to country/blues (Roseanne Cash), traditional blues (Charlie Musslewhite), jazz (Isham) and even gospel (Blind Boys). Chuck D. and Laurie Anderson do their version of songs in their signature styles -- fans of either won't be disappointed - that truly expand on the originals. Not for those who are looking to relive the JHE -- for those who want to understand it.

Ok, so it's the thing to do in the ninties --get your name on a tribute album. I have yet to hear a tribute album that is well done. This one gets two stars ONLY for the fine acappella "Driftin'" by FBBoA, Los Lobos treatment of AYE, and Cassandra Wilson's soulful LW. For the life of me, I can't understand why mostly overrated artists have a need to regurgitate perfect tunes in their own style. Does someone really think a ten year old will buy this CD because Taylor Dayne or Chuck D is on it? Come on folks, only Hendrix fans will buy it and lame 90's interpretations will only make us mad.

While only half the covers are great, they are truly great...especially Los Illegals and the 5 Blind Boys...this is far better overall than either of the two "offical" tribute CDs.

try Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix
at least there you got Bootsy and George Collins ripping up the Power of Soul, well arranged and worthy of repeated hearings.
and having fun with the funk
and you know that we do too
also there you got live little Stevie Ray Vaughn tearing his heart out with Little Wing live
cool off your player after that one
let it rip
and competent covers of eric on midnight lamp (oh, so that's what the words are . . .) and carlos WITH THAT GREAT BASS PLAYER STANLEY CLARKE JIMI COULDA USED LIVE playing a perfect cover of Spanish Castle Magic (except for the unbearable vocalist, what a crying shame)
but that's about it over there

here on SEARCHING FOR JIMI HENDRIX you get even less
Five BLind Boys are worth listening to in their sleep anytime any day
and CHUCK D must be heard (and read) whenever possible:
from
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
to
How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?

and of course Mr. Charlie Musselwhite here really takes care of bidness with hear my train a coming

then you get a real competent cover of AYE by Los Lobos.
A few weekends ago up in Santa Fe I heard Los Lobos do a real tasty Them Changes too for a teacher's convention
it rocked righteously

but that is about it
laurie anderson is unhearable
and admits she never liked jimi
and they give her his best symphony
with nothing but a repeat machine
she ain't searching for jimi
no way
no when
no where

the rest:
faggedabowdid
even los illegales

good ghostly cover photo though
that's about it

The other day I went looking for a record on this site whose reviewers gave it an average rating of less than 4 stars. Not Christina Aguilera, not Pat Boone, not even 2 Live Crew managed. And the average review of this record-- as I write-- is less? That's the strongest evidence yet that the reviews here cannot be trusted. I bought this record on a used rack to check it out because I respect Hendrix and most of the artists here. It's probably not going to make my top 10% for the year of all the CD's I'll buy, but will easily make my top 1/3. It's high points by Neville and Sheena Staples, Laurie Anderson and a handful of others are very high. Its weakest cuts are more interesting than the best cuts by the artists mentioned above. I don't have high expectations for tribute albums, so perhaps that's why I was pleasantly surprised. But it's unquestionably worth a listen. The idea that this currently has one of the worst ratings I've ever seen on amazon is ridiculous.

I SAW THE LAST PERFORMANCE OF THE J.H.E. AT THE DENVER POP FESTIVAL IN 1969. JIMI'S TO ROCK MUSIC AS THE MASTERS ARE TO CLASSICAL. WHY IS THERE NO SAMPLER OF THIS FIASCO, AS JIMI ROLLS IN HIS GRAVE?! THIS IS A JOKE, RIGHT?!.........right? WHAT'S NEXT? JOE PESCHI SINGS JIMI!