Record Details - RecordDB

Record ID 3228

Artist Jimi Hendrix

Title Both Sides Of The Sky

Field / Genre Rock

Year Recorded 1970

Label Sony Legacy

Pressing Aus

Rating ****

Discs 1

Media CD

Date Bought 9 Mar 2018

Cost ¤20.00

Cover Name —

Review Jimi Hendrix remains arguably one of the greatest electric guitarists that ever lived, who, upon his untimely passing in 1970, left behind an enormous wealth of previously unheard studio recordings which, according to those in the know, had the potential to offer new and compelling insights into one of the 20th Century's ultimate rock instrumentalists, someone whose genius has often been likened to that of Robert Johnson and Miles Davis.Both Sides of the Sky is the third and purportedly final instalment in a trilogy of albums (starting with 2010's Valleys of Neptune and 2013's People, Hell & Angels) dedicated to highlighting Jimi's creative development throughout the last two years of what was an incredibly short albeit spectacular career.As Hendrix scholar and archivist John McDermott stated in relation to the project: "I have had the good fortune of being able to listen to everything in the vault and I got a sense that some of these songs trace back to '67 and he was still working on them. Jimi really tried to be whittling down songs, working hard to refine things. There was a constant evolution of the content."Starting with "Mannish Boy," a bluesy funky rocker that finds Hendrix exploring his inner Muddy Waters, the cut is also the first known recording he made with Buddy Miles (drums) and Billy Cox (Bass) in April 1969, several months before the trio officially named themselves the Band of Gypsys. "Lover Man," also recorded with Cox and Miles in December 1969, is another up-tempo tune Jimi had been tinkering with since 1967's Are You Experienced but never quite managed to perfect to his satisfaction.He lets rip on a scorching "Hear My Train A Comin'," backed by Mitch Mitchell (drums) and Noel Redding (bass), followed by a country-tinged rendition of "Stepping Stone," the last single released during his lifetime. On Stephen Stills' "$20 Fine" Hendrix proves that he could easily have been a fifth member of CSNY, thanks to some very tasty guitar licks, while on "Power of Soul" he out-funks Funkadelic by at least a few thousand light years.On other tracks Jimi burns the midnight amp via "Jungle," a previously unreleased instrumental, along with an embryonic take of "Sweet Angel" (recorded in January 1968), a song inspired by a dream Jimi had of his late mother, and continued to work on until his death.There are also recordings with Johnny Winter and previous band-mate Lonnie Youngblood, each of which places a historic spotlight on Hendrix's blues credentials.Fans of Crosby, Stills & Nash may be fascinated to hear a nascent reading of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock," with Stephen Stills singing and Hendrix filling in the role on bass. On other tracks Jimi branches out, exploring new musical territory on the medium-tempo ballad "Send My Love To Linda," and closing cut, the oft-bootlegged "Cherokee Mist," a moody instrumental which sees Hendrix playing electric sitar to Mitch Mitchell's tribal beat.Both Sides of the Sky is in no way a perfect record, nor does it definitively illustrate Hendrix's undisputed genius. But what it does offer is further insight into Jimi's seemingly unlimited potential and talent as an artist. That his music continues to inspire people to this day is a testament to his enduring brilliance.—Sacha O'Grady<hr/>Both Sides Of The Sky presents 13 studio recordings including 10 which have never before been released. All but two of these studio recordings were made during a fertile period between January 1968 and 1970. Jimi's mastery and use of the studio as a proving ground for new songs resulted in a growing collection of extraordinary material. This album completes a trilogy of albums [with Valleys Of Neptune and People, Hell & Angels] presenting the best and most significant unissued studio recordings remaining in the Hendrix archive. The songs include fascinating alternate versions of "Stepping Stone," "Lover Man" and "Hear My Train A Comin'" as well as recordings where Jimi is joined by special guests Johnny Winter and Stephen Stills. Both Sides Of The Sky was mixed by Eddie Kramer, the engineer for all of Hendrix's albums throughout the guitarist's lifetime, and produced by Janie Hendrix, Kramer and John McDermott.Mannish Boy - The first ever studio session by the group Hendrix would christen as his Band Of Gypsys. Hendrix, Cox & Miles shared a love for the blues as this driving, uptempo reworking of "Mannish Boy" by Muddy Waters makes clear.Lover Man - Just two weeks before their triumphant New Year's concerts at the Fillmore East in NYC [yielding both 1970's Band Of Gypsys and 2016's sequel Machine Gun], Hendrix gathered with Cox and Miles to cut this dynamic rendition of what had become a favorite concert staple.Stepping Stone - A totally unique take on this Hendrix favorite, with Jimi showcasing both blues and country styled licks atop a relentless, galloping beat.$20 Fine -Stephen Stills joined Jimi, Mitch Mitchell and Buddy Miles Express keyboardist Duane Hitchings at this September 1969 session. With Stephen handling lead vocals and organ, Jimi added multiple guitar parts to this rollicking Stills original.Power Of Soul - This 1970 studio session came three weeks after the Band Of Gypsys concerts at the Fillmore East. While a live version remains one of the highpoints of Band Of Gypsys, Jimi never released a studio version during his lifetime. For this album, we present the mix that Hendrix and Kramer prepared of the complete song at Electric Lady on August 22, 1970.Jungle - The influence of Curtis Mayfield can be heard here as Jimi expands on the "Villanova Junction Blues" theme he made famous by its inclusion in the 1970 Woodstock documentary.Things I Used To Do - Jimi is joined for this rendition of Guitar Slim's blues classic by Johnny Winter. Jimi's trademark guitar work and Winter's deft slide playing weaves in and around the foundation set by bassist Billy Cox and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young drummer Dallas Taylor.Georgia Blues - Jimi reunited with some old friends from his pre-Experience days. Lonnie Youngblood, with whom Hendrix played in R&B groups like Curtis Knight & The Squires, voiced this superb twelve bar blues neatly underpinned by Hendrix's sublime rhythm and lead guitar work.Sweet Angel - With Axis: Bold As Love only just released, Jimi immediately turned his focus to recording what would become Electric Ladyland. This gorgeous, instrumental reading of "Angel,", features Jimi on guitar, bass and vibraphone joined by Mitch Mitchell.Woodstock - Stephen Stills came to this session fresh from having visited Joni Mitchell, who had a new song that Stills was excited to try and record. Long before CSNY's version, Stephen, Jimi and Buddy Miles recorded this amazing rendition.Send My Love To Linda - A superb new Hendrix original composition recorded with Cox and Miles in the aftermath of their successful Band Of Gypsys performances at the Fillmore East.Cherokee Mist - Together with drummer Mitch Mitchell, Jimi created this moody, evocative original complete with his playing of a sitar to complement his traditional electric guitar.—Amazon.com

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