Jimi Hendrix - Valleys of Neptune

Jimi Hendrix
Valleys of Neptune

Sometimes you have to be cynical of certain album releases. Whether it’s a greatest hits compilation after three years of a group or artist being around, or a CD released in a vain attempt to appeal to a new demographic following a label-led image change (here’s looking at you, Nelly Furtado), it’s usually motivated by a common goal: money. This seems to be the case more than ever with Valleys of Neptune, the latest offering from Jimi Hendrix. Well, his sister and the Experience estate.

Janie Hendrix, the aforementioned relative of the guitar legend, seems to have struck a deal with Sony soon after the Universal deal ended and has offered up a piece which, for the most part, is unreleased. If it’s that good, why hasn’t it been made public earlier? I mean, Jimi’s been dead for nearly 40 years – surely there’ll’ve been time to look over some of the tracks? Something’s amiss here…

…except that it isn’t. Valleys of Neptune, to give it the full credit it deserves, is nothing short of excellent. Despite there being criticism before, during and after the review process elsewhere on the interwebs that the album is little more than some remastered practice sessions, then Jimi Hendrix’s abilities are even better than we thought before.

Some tracks have been lambasted for overlays of drum work recorded and added in the 80s and 90s, though it seems like the criticism is there for the sake of it again after research lets the more negative reviewers know that this was the case. It’s like criticising the cleaning of the Sistine Chapel – the original work is there for all to see, just altered for the maximum impact. Truth be told, you can’t really tell this is the case with Valleys, or you’re in awe of Jimi’s unbelievable, consistently amazing, riff-destroying, melody-making magic and simply can’t tell as a result.

Duff songs are practically non-existent, though the re-recordings of ‘Fire’ and ‘Red House’ aren’t exactly mind-blowing when compared to the originals; they’d be solid gold if released now for the first time, but the prior versions are much tighter.

Despite this, the cover of Cream’s ‘Sunshine of Your Love’ is possibly one of the greatest things you’ll hear and nearly outdoes Clapton’s original. Essentially, Jimi is able to play the riffs in one motion, while also using the guitar to knock out the vocals on a separate melody. It’s like a religious experience. He performed it often on tour and while there’s bound to be an even better version elsewhere, you won’t care; this’ll do.

Similarly, the work put into tracks such as ‘Hear My Train A’ Comin’ is simply dependable Jimi. His powerful vocals only seek to reinforce a left hand which seems to play of its own accord. Going from scratchy solos to a wonderfully slow-and-steady groove is flawless; flawless Jimi, at least, as no-one else could pull this off.

His sense of humour is still there too, proving he has plenty of personality. For example, in the excellent traditional rock tune ‘Mr Bad Luck’ (of course, with plenty of solo action), Jimi assumes the role of the main character. “There’s a-knockin’ on my door and now my house is burning down. …crackle crackle,” says Jimi. You laugh. It’s hard not to enjoy the music as much as he does, really.

Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding, the much underrated British pairing who founded the Experience with Hendrix, also prove their worth and make us remember that it wasn’t just one, but three great musicians who died too young in their lives.

I could deconstruct each song individually but it’s for you to discover, and I hope you will. Just ignore what your inner passions tell you to do in reaction to a release like this one; revisionist reviewers seem to be keen to knock Jimi down – because they can, more than anything else – and ought to be ignored.

Despite the lack of finer polish, Hendrix still reigns supreme and fully deserves his place as the greatest guitarist ever, as judged by Rolling Stone at least. Valleys of Neptune is, therefore, a must-have for anyone’s list, should they be into their guitar work or psychedelic rock. And Hendrix fans needn’t worry – the man’s legacy certainly isn’t dead.

By Matt Gardner

Valleys of Neptune is going to be on shop shelves on March 9th, courtesy of Sony.