- Billy Cox - bass

- Jimi Hendrix (RIP 1970) - vocals, guitar

- Mitch Mitchell - drums

- Noel Redding (RIP 2003) - bass

- none known

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Hendrix In the West

Company: Reprise

Catalog: MS 2049

Year: 1972

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve

Available: 2

Price: $9.00

Hendrix's unexpected death saw an explosion in the release of posthumous releases, including a flood of live in-concert sets.  Among the first out the door was 1972's "Hendrix In the West".  While former Hendrix manager Michael Jeffrey was the brainchild behind the project, the real credit for the set belong to engineers/producers Eddie Kramer and John Jansen, who managed to take material spanning the 1968-70 timeframe (including two separate Jimi Hendrix Experience lineups) and cobble it into a decent collection.  Technically the album was somewhat of a misnomer.  While the majority of the eight tracks were recorded in California (separate dates at the Berkley Community Center and the San Diego Sports Arena), a couple of tracks ("The Queen" and "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band") were recorded at Hendrix's 1970 Isle of Wight appearance.  So what's worthwhile here?  Well, to our ears it's a series of three covers - "Johnny B Goode", "Blue Suede Shoes" and The Beatles cover. (The album was originally released with a gatefold cover.)

"Hendrix In the West" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) The Queen (British National Anthem)   (traditional) - 

2.) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band   (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 4:02

3.) Little Wing   (Jimi Hendrix) - 3:13

4.) Red House   (Jimi Hendrix) - 13:12

(side 2)

1.) Johnny B Goode   (Chuck Berry) - 4:45

2.) Lover Man   (Jimi Hendrix) - 3:05

3.) Blue Suede Shoes   (Carl Perkins) - 4:31

4.) Voodoo Chile   (Jimi Hendrix) - 7:55

Rating: * (1 star)

Title:  Jimi Hendrix At His Best

Company: Sagapan

Catalog: 6313

Year: 1972

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: UK pressing

Available: 1

Price: $10.00

This one's a piece of work ...Mike Ephron was a New York-based keyboard player who'd made a minor reputation for himself in avant garde/jazz circles.  The late-1960s found him becoming friendly with Jimi Hendrix, resulting in a series of jam sessions at Ephron's New York City apartment.  Eprhon conveniently had access to a small Sony recorded (though judging by the sound quality, he didn't have a clue how to effectively use the equipment).  Released by the small Sagapan label in the wake of Hendrix's death, "Jimi Hendrix at His Best" is hardly essentially listening.  First off, the set's liner notes are incredibly self-serving, leaving the impression that Hendrix wanted Ephron to release the material (doubtful).  Equally appalling, all five tracks are credited to Ephron who claims they were recorded in 1964.  There's absolutely no way these were recorded in 1964!.  So what's here?  Well what you get is a series if five extended jams.  Only one ("She Went To Bed with My Guitar") has a vocal, leaving the other four pieces to lurch between pseudo-raga jams and mind-numbing boredom.  Be warned, this is for Hendrix completists only.  Also note there are at least three volumes of this stuff.

"Jimi Hendrix At His Best" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) She Went To Bed with My Guitar   (Mike Ephron) - 

2.) Free Thunder (instrumental)   (Mike Ephron) - 

3.) Cave Man Bells (instrumental)   (Mike Ephron) - 

(side 2) 

1.) Strokin' a Baby On Each Hip (instrumental)   (Mike Ephron) - 

3.) Baby Chicken Strut (instrumental)   (Mike Ephron) -