Album Review: Jimi Henrix, Valleys of Neptune
April 2, 2010 by Editor
Filed under 2010 Releases, Album Reviews
Jimi Hendrix
Valleys of Neptune
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Record Label: Legacy Recordings
Review:
It seems like every article I read about the latest release from the Jimi Hendrix estate, Valleys of Neptune, refers to it as a “posthumous album.” Like we need more reminders that Hendrix has been dead for 40 years. His musical legacy is all the reminder needed that this man left Earth too soon.
Valleys of Neptune, with twelve previously unreleased Hendrix recordings, is the probably one of the best albums I’ve heard in 2010 so far. That’s as much a testament to Hendrix’s greatness as it is to how watered down much of today’s mainstream music has become. Highlights of this album include a scorching instrumental rendition of Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love,” and a nearly eight and a half minute version of “Red House.”
Valleys of Neptune reminds me a lot of the Blues compilation released in 1994. The production is mostly stripped back to the basics; guitar, drums, bass, vocals, which serves to accentuate the blues-rock feel of the album. Some of the tracks are far from fully polished with popping sounds and over-driven mics, but this actually make the album better, because you can really hear just how good the music is, flaws and all.
I listened to this album in the format of a V-Album, played on software by ScatterTunes. The audio quality of the download is superb, much better than a typical MP3. The V-Album also contain cool extras, like lyric sheets, videos, and photos. Other Hendrix albums are also available in this format.
Track Listing:
- Stone Free
- Valleys of Neptune
- Bleeding Heart
- Hear My Train A Comin’
- Mr. Bad Luck
- Sunshine Of Your Love
- Lover Man
- Ships Passing Through The Night
- Fire
- Red House
- Lullaby For The Summer
- Crying Blue Rain
Purchase:
Links:
