Where to begin, where to begin...Black Gold. I remember first reading about this one on Digital Voodoo, the web page run by Steve Peasant, who now designs the official Hendrix page. As soon as I saw this one, I wanted it. 5, that's right count 'em, 5 CDs.
At the time, I believe it was the largest set out there (51st Anniversary, the *8* CD set now has the title). This one looked sooooooooo good reading about it, I just couldn't wait to get it. Well, turns out I had to wait about 2 or 3 years for it, but I finally have it now.
Now since the time I saw this, to the time I actually got it, I have gotten a fair amount of the material from other CDs. Vol 1, CD 1 features the Jimi/Noel/Stevie Wonder jam which came out on BBC Sessions.
The Voodoo Child (Slight Return) sessions came out on the Voodoo Sessions CD, but was new at the time of this set. The rest of the CD consists of tracks that can be found on the Acoustic Jams CD. CD 2 of the first volume continues with more Electric Ladyland takes, along with some Band Of Gypsys material.
Volume 2 continues where the first set left off, with more Band Of Gypsys rehearsal and outtake sessions. The second CD in Volume 2 is looking like my favorite so far. Mannish Boy, takes 1-7 is the uptempo blues version of Muddy Waters' I'm A Man. The second track on this CD is also the strangest.
Closer To The Truth(Roomful Of Mirrors) features Jimi reciting poetry over some music in his apartment. Jimi recites and operates the music playback, and it makes for a very bizarre, yet appealing track. Definitely not for everybody, but I like it myself.
Volume 3 closes this set, but it's only a single CD this time. But features some great cuts. Voodoo Chile (the Blues session) opens the CD, and it's amazing. But it can be found on the Voodoo Sessions CD, and about 3 minutes longer on there. A jam with Jimi and Mitch follows, featuring sections from a number of songs.
3 more tracks from the Acoustic Jams CD follows, and the CD closes with a short riff from Jimi.
Sound quality on this set varies from good to excellent. As I mentioned, a fair amount of this material has come out since this was first released, but for the most part was here first. If you know a Hendrix fan, this would make a most excellent gift for them.
Volume 1, CD 1
- I Was Made To Love Her/Ain't Too Proud To Beg 8:35
- Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)[The session, takes 1-15] 32:43
- Long Hot Summer Night 4:23
- 1983....(A Merman I Should Turn To Be) 4:00
- Moon Turn The Tides....gently gently away 3:23
- Angel 3:22
- Cherokee Mist 3:12
- Getting My Heart Back Together Again 1:21
- Voodoo Chile 6:07
- Gypsy Eyes 5:53
- Gypsy Eyes 4:14
Volume 1, CD 2
- South Saturn Delta 3:29
- Rainy Day, Dream Away [Overdub session, take 1] 0:58
- Rainy Day, Dream Away [Take 2] 2:19
- Rainy Day, Dream Away [Take 3] 10:21
- Third Stone From The Sun/Villanova Junction Blues 14:05
- Jam Back At The House 5:47
- Bleeding Heart 3:48
- Pride Of Man [Take 1] 1:28
- Pride Of Man [Take 2] 2:18
- Midnight, Valleys Of Neptune Arising [Takes 1-7] 14:51
- Sending My Love To Linda [Instrumental takes 1-3] 11:06
Volume 2, CD 1
- Had To Cry Today 16:33
- Paper Aeroplanes [Rehearsal sessions] 26:41
- Blue Suede Shoes [Jam] 11:36
- Izabella [Reel 4, take 7, Overdub session] 3:50
- Izabella 4:41
- Honey Bed [Takes 1-5] 7:52
Volume 2, CD 2
- Mannish Boy [Rehearsal session, takes 1-7] 39:55
- Closer To The Truth(Roomful Of Mirrors) 22:06
Volume 3
- Voodoo Chile [The Blues session, takes 1-5] 36:44
- Instrumental Jam 23:48
- Three Little Bears 10:05
- Gypsy Eyes 2:38
- 1983...A Merman I Should Turn To Be 4:27
- Untitled Instrumental 0:44
Catalog #: Midnight Beat MB CD 58/59/60/61/62
