Countless Jimi Hendrix greatest hits and live albums have been released since the legendary guitarist’s death in 1970. “Valleys of Neptune” is likely the closest to a “new” Hendrix that will ever be released. Of the 12 tracks, two are cover tunes and three are different versions of songs Hendrix had previously released.
Most of the material was recorded in 1969, in several studios in England and the United States as Hendrix worked in sessions around his touring schedule.
Jimi Hendrix Experience was disintegrating during this year. Personality clashes between Hendrix and bass player Noel Redding had escalated to the point that Billy Cox was brought in and his work appears on several tracks.
The arrangement on “Stone Free,” is somewhat different and backing vocals are from two members of the band Family.
“Red House” and “Fire” also appear. Like “Stone Free,” the backing vocals on “Fire” are noticeably different.
Hendrix injects a bit of funk into his cover of “Bleeding Heart” by Elmore James, with a long solo that exemplifies the melding of rock and blues.
The band does an instrumental version of Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love.” While Hendrix was on the cutting edge of recording techniques, this version has a rough, raw sound.
The title track features busy drumming from Mitch Mitchell. Hendrix is in fine storytelling form with his space travelogue lyrics. “Singing about the valleys of sunrise/ green and blue canyons too/ I’m singing about Atlantis/ Valleys of Neptune is rising.”
“Mr. Bad Luck” is from the pre-Experience days, written when Hendrix played New York clubs. This version was recorded by the Experience in 1967. It is one of several tracks where Mitchell and Redding recorded additional sections in 1987 with Chas Chandler, the band’s original producer.
“Ships Passing Through The Night” offers Hendrix’s take on love. “Lay your troubles all down on the chair/ you’ve got to shake those blues out of your hair.” He does a wailing blues solo, followed by another that veers in more of a rock direction.
“Lullaby For The Summer” is an instrumental rocker that lets the rhythm section shine.
John McDermott, who co-produced the album, wrote extensive liner notes that are worth the price of buying the CD.
Had Hendrix lived longer, this may have been a much different album. But it reflects him staying grounded in his blues/rock foundation while exploring his creativity, right down to the cover art, one of his original watercolor paintings. For fans of the kid from Seattle who took the music world by storm, this is a real treat indeed.
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