Monday, January 11, 2010

Jimi Hendrix's Posthumous Album Release

If I could go back in time and see any concert ever performed, it would be a Hendrix show. No question. I would melt directly to the floor if I heard that dreamy, haphazard voice in person, and someone would have to scoop me up into a bucket and take me home.

So this is almost like a dream come true: an album Jimi Hendrix recorded (and never released) in London in 1969 called Valleys of Neptune is to be released in March, followed by a slew of Hendrix DVDs and re-releases.

But a posthumous release is not exactly rare in Hendrix's case. In fact, his collection is rather extensive (Rolling Stone lists 50 albums, although many are compilations and 'best ofs'). These albums have recordings he never got a chance to release, outtakes and jams.

It does make me wonder what Hendrix would have wanted done with his unreleased material. Hidden away in a vault as it had been until now? Or produced and potentially exploited for loads of cash? (I'm not sure how I'd feel about a Jimi Hendrix Rock Band release...)

That, I suppose, is something we'll never know. Regardless, I'm going to revel in the small sense of "I was totally there" that I'll get from buying a new release from one of the greats!