After the tragic death of rock music’s messiah, Jimi Hendrix, in 1973, the musical productions of Hendrix’s studio came to a screeching halt. But last fall, previously undiscovered tracks from Electric Ladyland Inc. were released on a new album, “First Rays of the New Rising Sun” — consisting of music from Hendrix’s last studio recordings, recently discovered by the Hendrix family. Overseen by Hendrix himself before his death and completed by co-producer Eddie Kramer and historian John McDermott — this is the best Hendrix collection ever. This music will allow the music legend to live on 25 years after the Voodoo Child’s death. For all those Hendrix fans out there, this is a definite purchase. In addition to classics such as “Dolly Dagger,” “Room Full of Mirrors” and “Freedom,” this album also includes songs that were recorded in the later years of Hendrix’s star-studded life. “Belly Button Window” displays his views on society and his feelings towards his mother and father. This low-distortion, simple track has a sleek bluesy feel to it; a fan may not even realize it’s Jimi at first. Hendrix sings this song as if he were able to hear what others were thinking of him, while he was still inside of his mother’s womb. Reflectinghis influences of the hippie movement while expressing his opinions on liberty in society, Hendrix wrote “Freedom” to speak out against violence and to stress the importance of individuality. Utilizing his many skills on the electric guitar and the latest in electronic effects, Hendrix rips up the fretboard with the same killer riffs and ground-breaking sounds that made him a legend. This unusual mixture of unreleased and more popular tracks shows the extent of Jimi’s creative musical vocabulary. Hendrix’s uncanny perseverance and dedication to rock and roll can easily be heard on this album. It is definitely an incredible show of innovative, classical rock. The album well displays Hendrix’s passion for the electric guitar and the infinite number of effects that can be produced with it. It is a must-buy for all Hendrix fans out there. |
