Jimi Hendrix - Both Sides Of The Sky

First Listen from NPR: Jimi Hendrix, 'Both Sides Of The Sky'

New never-before-released Jimi Hendrix studio recordings!

Mostly recorded between January 1968 and February 1970

Pressed at Quality Record Pressings on 180-gram 2LP

The third in a triology of albums — Valleys of Neptune and People, Hell and Angels — presenting the best and most significant unissued studio remaining in the Hendrix archive!

A new collection by celebrated guitarist, singer and songwriter Jimi Hendrix — Both Sides of the Sky — features 10 never-before-released studio recordings along with three more studio sessions Hendrix made — all but two of these made during a fertile two-year period between January 1968 and 1970, showcasing his desire to push the boundries of blues music throughout.

It's the third in a triology of albums — plus Valleys of Neptune and People, Hell and Angels — presenting the best and most significant unissued studio remaining in the Hendrix archive! These releases of studio material Hendrix never released in his lifetime are produced by his sister, Janie Hendrix, and longtime Hendrix catalog producers John McDermott and Eddie Kramer, who engineered Hendrix's original recordings.

Both Sides of the Sky highlights Hendrix's mastery of studio production and his increasing use of the studio as a proving ground for new sounds, material and techniques. Hendrix was backed on many of the tracks by the trio that would come to be known as Band of Gypsys: Hendrix himself on guitar and vocals, Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on drums.

"Jimi's true home was the studio," Kramer says. "That's where the music and the magic happened. He loved everything about recording and it's been my distinct pleasure and an honor to play a part in that process both then and now."

Both Sides of the Sky also features an assortment of notable guest musicians, including Johnny Winter and Stephen Stills. Stills befriended Hendrix at the June 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. In September 1969 Stills was invited to a Hendrix session at the Record Plant in New York and Stills responded with a version of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock" as well as an original song "$20 Blues."

For the Band of Gypsys first-ever recording session on April 22, 1969, Hendrix turned to their shared musical root, Delta blues. Among the Both Sides tracks: Hendrix's interpretation of Muddy Waters' "Mannish Boy," and Hendrix originals "Lover Man" and "Hear My Train A-Comin'." The latter features drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding from the original Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Once again, Quality Record Pressings has been selected to plate and press the new Hendrix LP — recognition that is both an honor and a treat, says Gary Salstrom, QRP's general manager. The historical aspect of the unreleased studio material plus Hendrix's high-profile musicianship makes the recording both unique and exciting, Salstrom says.

Valleys of Neptune, which was released in 2010, reached No. 4 on Billboard, and People, Hell and Angels peaked at No. 2 on the same chart three years later, spawning the single "Somewhere," the only Hendrix single to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

About Both Sides of the Sky tracks

"Mannish Boy"

The Band of Gypsys uptempo reworking of Muddy Waters' "Mannish Boy" opens the album and sets the tempo for what follows.

"Lover Man"

"Lover Man" was a favored Hendrix original and the guitarist was determined to realize a finished master. Previous attempts by the original Experience had yet to yield this for Hendrix but this December 1969 effort by the Band Of Gypsys — complete with its homage to the popular Batman theme song — was his strongest effort to date.

"Hear My Train A Comin'"

Features drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding from the original Jimi Hendrix Experience. This original blues composition had become a staple of Hendrix's concerts. This previously unreleased April 1969 recording captured the furious power and dynamic tension that made the song so memorable.

"Stepping Stone"

A totally unique take on this Hendrix favorite, with Jimi showcasing blues and country-style licks atop a relentless, galloping beat.

"Woodstock" and "$20 Fine"

Both featuring Stephen Stills and recorded before the hit Crosby, Stills & Nash version of "Woodstock" was released. $20 Fine featured Hendrix on multiple guitars, Mitchell on drums, Stills on organ and lead vocals and Duane Hitchings (Buddy Miles Express) on piano.

"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, Hendrix never realized 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"

Another of the album's unique band creations sees Jimi Hendrix and Johnny Winter on guitar, backed by Billy Cox and drummer Dallas Taylor of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. An excerpt of their rendition of Guitar Slim's "Things I Used To Do" was initially heard as part of a 1990 nationally syndicated radio program and accompanying box set, but here it is presented in full, newly mixed by Eddie Kramer for Both Sides of The Sky.

"Georgia Blues"

Hendrix is reunited with his old bandmate Lonnie Youngblood (vocals/sax) from his pre-fame days in Curtis Knight & The Squires. Briefly issued as part of the 2008 Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues series but out of print for nearly a decade, this special recording is once more available to Hendrix fans throughout the world on all audio formats.

"Sweet Angel"

With Axis: Bold As Love only just released, Hendrix immediately turned his focus to recording what would become Electric Ladyland. This gorgeous, instrumental reading of "Angel," features Hendrix on guitar, bass and vibraphone joined by Mitch Mitchell.

"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" (which features Hendrix on both electric guitar and sitar)

Together with drummer Mitch Mitchell, Hendrix created this moody, evocative original complete with his playing a sitar to complement his traditional electric guitar.

 

1. Mannish Boy

2. Lover Man

3. Hear My Train A Comin'

4. Stepping Stone

5. $20 Fine

6. Power Of Soul

7. Jungle

8. Things I Used to Do

9. Georgia Blues

10. Sweet Angel

11. Woodstock

12. Send My Love To Linda

13. Cherokee Mist

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