Hear Every Track on “New” Hendrix Album – “People, Hell and Angels” Preview Guide

Amazon recently listed the track lengths and provided audio snippets of every track.  On January 6th musicradar.com published an in-depth interview with co-producer John McDermott detailing the album and on January 9th “Somewhere” was officially uploaded to YouTube as the first promo single from People, Hell and Angels.  Putting all these pieces together we can confirm the exact sessions that sourced each of these “new” tracks and compare them with other circulating versions from these dates.

Recorded: December 19, 1969 at Record Plant Studios

Backstory: In May 1969 Jimi introduced a new song to Buddy Miles and Billy Cox at their first session together, “Earth Blues.”  They revisited the tune that December as they began recording as “Band of Gypsys” and rehearsing for upcoming shows.  On December 19th they recorded 16 takes of “Earth Blues” (along with the basic track for “Message to Love”).  Deciding on take 11 for a basic track, guitar and vocal overdubs were added later – with harmonies added by sisters Ronnie Spector and Estelle Bennett of The Ronnettes on January 20, 1970 (Jimi was friendly with the girl group in 1964 and invited them to record after running into them again at a 1969 party).  Unsatisfied with these results however, the following summer Hendrix added new vocal lines and guitar parts, had Cox re-record his bass track and replaced Buddy Miles’ December 19th drumming with a new take by Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell.  It’s from these unfinished overdub sessions the mixes of “Earth Blues” (with Mitch) were created for the official posthumous releases of the song (1971’s Rainbow Bridge and 1997’s First Rays of the New Rising Sun).  2000’s “Purple Box” however included an “alternate mix” (with Buddy’s original drum track) from the December 19th and January 20th sessions plus March 24, 1970 guitar layering.  There’s also an officially released live version recorded by the Band of Gypsys at the Fillmore East, New Year’s day 1970 – not long after that original studio session.  Additionally there’s bootlegs of the song labeled December 19th, most notably on 1994’s Eyes and Imagination (2002’s The Baggy’s Rehearsal Sessions – a tape of concert rehearsals, not a recording session – is also from that date).  In all there’s at least four different studio versions circulating among bootleggers by the Band of Gypsys (i.e. with Buddy Miles drumming and without the summer overdubs) –  Jimi tries different guitar parts on each.

2. Somewhere   – click to hear a sample from People, Hell and Angels

4:05

Recorded: March 13, 1968 at the Sound Centre

Backstory: “Somewhere” is an example of Douglas retooling the tracks Jimi left behind.  He retitled it “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on the Crash Landing LP and added new overdubs, wiping a bassline played by Stephen Stills in the process.   That same track minus Douglas’ overdubs was included on the 4 CD “Purple Box” in 2000.

 

McDermott elaborated: “It’s a great track with something of a strange history: It was part of the Crash Landing album, but a different take of the song was used on that. To us, this is the version that has all the right pieces. It’s got the original instrumentation and none of the posthumous overdubbing…. It’s surprising to me that Somewhere was never considered for Electric Ladyland…it’s a really interesting look at Jimi when he was just starting to step outside the original three-man band.  Stephen Stills was good friends with Jimi, and he was friends with Buddy, as well, so it was a great mix of personalities.”

What Was Expected: When “Somewhere” was released as the first promo single on January 9th it proved to be no revelation to long-time Hendrix fans, but it also offered more differences than assumed.  Based on the audio in last November’s behind-the-scenes video of Eddie Kramer explaining People Hell and Angels (and Jimi’s very well-documented, publicly accessible session logs), before its January 9th release “Somewhere” was suspect to be a remix of the “Purple Box” version.   It now appears it’s two different recordings: the previously released vocals are cut and pasted onto a newly unearthed backing track.

 

 

In any case, Stills bass-playing is unremarkable.  Of more interest is the yet-unissued material McDermott confirmed in 2008 to MusicRadar: “Stephen has been working with Experience Hendrix to compile an album’s worth of sessions recorded with Jimi Hendrix during 1969 and 1970.”  The collection in question was different than the 1968 recordings bootlegged as At Stills Basement, and included the controversial track, “White Nigger” (also bootlegged, though Jimi’s involvement in that version is dubious – listen).  This “lost” collaborative album primarily of Stills’ songs was widely reported at the time, sometimes noting Graham Nash was cleaning up the tapes.  “He has an enormous history of recording,” Nash was quoted by Uncut.  Then nothing happened…

 

Worth buying? Judge for yourself – the full track of “Somewhere” that will appear on People, Hell and Angels is officially streaming above via YouTube.  In addition to the album release, “Something” will be issued in February as a 7″ single b/w a “previously unreleased studio recording” of “Power Of Soul” and as a CD single b/w the Band of Gypsys’ New Year’s Day 1970 live version of “Foxy Lady.”  A music video may very well be in the pipeline as well, though that hasn’t been confirmed.

Recorded: May 21, 1969 at Record Plant Studios

Backstory: Also known as “People, People, People,” Bleeding Heart is a stunning example of how Jimi could dramatically alter a song’s sound in the process of perfecting a recording.  He performed this Elmore James standard with the Experience at the Royal Albert Hall as a slow blues, but soon after contrastingly recorded it as an uptempo rocker with Billy Cox and Cherry People (the second of the two video below, from Valleys of Neptune).   Both of those versions are from 1969.  The War Heros/ South Saturn Delta version was another attempt, from March 24, 1970.

 

The May 1969 take on People, Hell and Angels is different than all of those.  “What’s so cool about this track,” McDermott says, “is that, prior to cutting it again, he told Buddy and Billy, ‘I want to drive a whole different beat.’

6. Izabella  – click to hear a sample from People, Hell and Angels

3:43

Recorded:  August 28, 1969 at the Hit Factory

Backstory: “Izabella” is best known today for its CD issue on 1997’s First Rays of the New Rising Sun (supposedly from January/ June 1970 sessions).  Jimi was never satisfied with his recordings of the song, which he attempted with different groups.  Debuted at Woodstock, the Gypsy Sun & Rainbows only concert, a paired down line-up of the group played the song a few weeks later on The Dick Cavett Show.  In between those two performances the Gypsy Sun & Rainbows had their only official recording sessions including numerous takes of “Izabella.”  “In the aftermath of the Woodstock festival,” notes People, Hell and Angels’ press release, “Jimi was eager to perfect a studio version.”

Jimi was apparently unpleased with this version and re-recorded it with the Band of Gypsys later that year.  Although the re-recording was issued as the B-side of the Band of Gypsys’ “Stepping Stone” 7″, that single was pulled shortly after release (the Band of Gypsys also performed the song on New Year’s Eve 1969-70 at the Fillmore East, a well-known live recording, and their studio sessions produced an instrumental take of “Izabella” on 2006’s Burning Desire).   After the Band of Gypsys 7″ disappeared the song re-appeared on the 1972 LP, War Heroes (supposedly the Gypsy Sun & Rainbows version).  As it stands now both the single and album are hard to find, though the 2001 compilation Voodoo Child: The Jimi Hendrix Collection supposedly re-instated the Band of Gypsys version.  It’s a mystery why all the versions from varied origins sound similar – per haps a case of mislabeled recording dates….

Expect: “This new version is markedly different from the Band Of Gypsys 45 rpm single master issued by Reprise Records in 1970,” according to the press release.  Very well, except it’s unclear which version that is, and the vinyl itself is a long out-of-print collectors item few have heard.  Presumably the overdone vocal overdubs will be cleaned up.

Worth buying? McDermott thinks so: “The solo is just fantastic – absolutely scorching. Eddie Kramer and I heard it in ’95 when we were going through the tape library, and we said, ‘You know what? When the time comes, there will be a place for that.’ It’s amazing.”

The Gypsy Sun & Rainbow recording sessions are a popular bootleg.  Chances are this version will be familiar to those who have heard them.

7. Easy Blues  – click to hear a sample from People, Hell and Angels

5:57

Recorded: August 28, 1969 at the Hit Factory

Backstory: A jazzy jam from the Gypsy Sun and Rainbows sole recording sessions mentioned above (the “Isaballa” date), ‘Easy Blues’ was released in a severely edited cut on Nine to the Universe in 1980.

Expect: “It’s right in Mitch’s pocket,” McDermott notes of the swinging feel.  “He plays very, very well on this. The additional percussion, the ability for everybody to add to what Jimi was doing instead of him having to carry the weight all the time – there’s a lot here, and you can hear why Jimi felt that this band had a lot of potential. It’s a shame that it wasn’t able to grow into something, but cuts like this sound great.”

Worth buying? The press release claims, “now nearly twice as long, the track offers fans the opportunity to enjoy the dramatic interplay between Jimi, second guitarist Larry Lee, Billy Cox and drummer Mitch Mitchell.”  In other words, like the bootleg in the video above but cleaned up…
…and shorter.  Why is the duration listed at only 5:57?  Is this a mistake? If not it”s nearly four minutes less than the complete take and surely not “twice as long” as the Nine to the Universe edit.

8. Crash Landing  – click to hear a sample from People, Hell and Angels

4:14

Recorded: April 24, 1969 at Record Plant Studios

Backstory: On April 4, 1969 Hendrix began recording the song that became “Crash Landing” – itself an embryo of the songs that became “Freedom” and “Dolly Dagger.”  It wasn’t until April 24th that Hendrix recorded the track itself though – labeled as “Crash Landing Jam” – backed by Billy Cox and drummer Rocky Isaac of the Cherry People.  Unhappy with Rocky’s drumming, the trio sidetracked to tackle “Drone Blues.”  They returned to “Crash Landing” with renewed focus and recorded three solid takes, of which overdubs were addded on April 29th.

Jimi was still unsatisfied though so the track was abandoned until 1975 when it became the title-track of the first Alan Douglas produced posthumous Hendrix release – with new overdubs by Jimmy Maeulen (percussion), Jeff Mironov (guitar), Allan Schwartzberg (drums), Bob Babbitt (bass), plus Linda November, Vivian Cherry and Barbara Massey (backing vocals).

Expect: People, Hell and Angels’ “Crash Landing” mix is most likely the same basic track from April 24th as on the bootlegs Talent & Feeling Vol. 2 and “Paper Airplanes” as well as 2000’s (better sounding) official boot Cherokee Blues (listen) – minus the backing vocals and other overdubs.

The press release claims, “this April 1969 original recording has never been heard before.” That’s unlikely, but for people only familiar with the completely overhauled 1975 version this will be a refreshing return to the actual sessions Jimi recorded, however flawed they may be.  “We just felt that anything that had been tinkered with should be heard in its original form,” McDermott states. “This is what Jimi was actually doing with the players, and it’s really good. There was never any need for any of that overdubbing that had gone on in ’75.”

Worth buying? There’s little suggesting this will be dramatically different than the bootlegs, but it will sound infinitely better.

9. Inside Out  – click to hear a sample from People, Hell and Angels

5:04

Recorded: June 11, 1968 at Record Plant Studios

Backstory: “Jimi was fascinated by the rhythm pattern which would ultimately take form as ‘Ezy Ryder,’ reads the press release.

Indeed.  2010’s Valley’s of Neptune gave us “Lullaby For The Summer” (recorded April 7, 1969) and the 2011 Record Store Day “Fire” single dug even deeper for its B-side, the previously unreleased “Touch You” (recorded December 20, 1967) – both variations of what became “Ezy Rider,” both different.  Then there’s a jam coupled with the “Star Spangled Banned” from February 14, 1969 on Hear My Music, “Slow” from February 16, 1969, and the January 23, 1970 recording on Burning Desire that Alan Douglas edited into and retitled “MLK” and “Captain Coconut.”  All of these except the last pre-date the first attempt to record a basic track for “Ezy Rider” itself (on December 18, 1969 with the Band of Gypsys).  The eventual “Ezy Rider” studio track was created over the following year and released on 1971’s The Cry Of Love (and on CD on First Rays of the New Rising Sun).  Hendrix brought Traffic’s Steve Winwood and Chris Wood into the process in June 1970 (the “Purple Box” offers an alternate take).  He also worked it into several of his final live sets (most famously at Isle of Wight).

So what is the embryonic variation of “Ezy Rider” on People, Hell and Angels, “Inside Out”?

“Joined here by Mitch Mitchell,” the press release notes, “Jimi recorded all of the bass and guitar parts for this fascinating song–including a dramatic lead guitar part amplified through a Leslie organ speaker.”  The track that will appear on the new album is usually bootlegged under the title “Ezy Rider Instrumental” (i.e. on 1968 AD, Electric Ladyland Outtakes, Every Way To Paradise, Freak Out Jam, Studio’69).  It appears on Electric Hendrix 2 as “Instrumental Jam (Unreleased Studio Track)” and on Groove (Collectors’ Disc) as “Inside Out.”  Parts of it are similar to posthumous Hendrix classic “Peace In Mississippi.”

Expect: All of the above is just a long-winded way of saying this is a rare track partly based around a riff later used in “Ezy Rider” – but the similarly ends there.  The rest will be new to anybody who hasn’t heard the bootlegs.

Worth buying? Factoring in Jimi plays bass and Leslie guitar effects, this could be interesting.  It’s also the closest to truly be new on the “new” album (behind the aforementioned “Let Me Move You”).

10. Hey Gypsy Boy  – click to hear a sample from People, Hell and Angels

3:39

Recorded: March 18, 1969 at Record Plant Studios

Backstory: Ideas and imagery from “Hey Gypsy Boy” later found their way into the better known “Hey Baby (New Rising Sun),” though they are two different songs.  The earlier, gorgeous song was recorded in March 1969 with Buddy Miles and then abandoned.  In 1975 Alan Douglas added psychedelic effects to this recording and replaced Mitchell’s drumming with new overdubs by Allan Schwartzberg for the version on Midnight Lightning.  The original tracks have since been bootlegged (on Cherokee Blues for example).

Expect: A better sounder mix than the bootleg versions, and a more accurate portrayal of what Jimi recorded than the Midnight Lightning track.

Worth buying? It will make a welcome return to the official discography. One of Jimi’s most beautiful songs, it should not have been so hard to find for so long.   The press release notes, “Unlike the posthumously overdubbed version briefly issued as part of Midnight Lightning in 1975, this is original recording that features Jimi joined by Buddy Miles.”

11. Mojo Man  – click to hear a sample from People, Hell and Angels

4:07

Recorded: Summer 1970 (probably July 1st or August 14th)

Backstory: Albert and Arthur Allen were a singing brother group known as the Ghetto Fighters that Jimi invited to some of his summer 1970 sessions.  An article at top Hendrix fan-site univibes.com explains how while the Allens were recording “with Jimi on ‘Dolly Dagger,’ Jimi suggested that they turn their attention to the ‘Mojo Man’ track and The Twins couldn’t have been happier. It had been over a year since they had played it for him in Los Angeles and since time had passed without Jimi mentioning it again, his idea, apparently from out of the blue, might have seemed an unusual one.”  

Expect: The same track – or a very similar one at least – as issued in 2011.

Worth buying? It’s already on the market, and not even a Hendrix song.  This one seems like filler.

12. Villanova Junction Blues  – click to hear a sample from People, Hell and Angels

1:45

Recorded: May 21, 1969 at Record Plant Studios

Backstory: Famously performed at Woodstock, Jimi recorded this studio version with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles at the same May ’69 Band of Gypsys session as People, Hell and Angels’ “Hear My Train A Comin'” and “Bleeding Heart.”   The band recorded a more famous version of the song on January 23, 1970 (as appeared on 2006 bootleg Burning Desire).

Expect: A different take than in circulation, at only 1:45 this will probably be nothing more than the intro of the track, functioning as a coda to this album.  We can hear Jimi delicately phrasing his guitar lines in the snippet currently streaming, suggesting this will be a peaceful ending to People, Hell and Angels – but not the full jam fans associate with the track.

Worth buying? “We thought it was a sweet way to bring the record to a close,” McDermott adds. “Like a lot of great songs in the library, it’s one that held a lot of promise, but of course, he wasn’t able to finish it.”

The bottom line is the hype around People, Hell and Angles is a bit misleading, and some of these tracks are looking like filler unfit for a high profile official Hendrix release (“Let Me Move In,” “Mojo Men,” and perhaps the 1:45 edit of “Villanova Junction Blues”), but none of that detracts from the many gems it promises.  With four studio tracks by the Band of Gypsys (five if “Hey Gypsy Boy” is counted), plus another three with Buddy Miles, and the remaining with Cox or other players key to Hendrix’s post-Experience explorations, this is important part of the Hendrix legacy which will likely be presented better here than ever before.  True, it would be best if they released a Band of Gypsys box set (culling the cream stray ends from various comps and bootlegs into one cohesive, logical set of studio discs, plus 1970’s Band of Gypses remastered and expanded for the 21st century with the finest remaining Fillmore recordings).  The Hendrix estate shows no interest in such a project though – that’s what self-made mixes and CD burners are for….