Jimi Hendrix- Valley's of Neptune

I just got it the other day, sounds great on the Ayon CD-1 I just got too.

I think the music is good to great (though I could live without "Sunshine"), Jimi's playing is superb, tracks are pretty loose and unpolished, especially some of his vocals, but this does not really detract from its quality IMO, and the sonics are great. I wish Band of Gypsys sounded so good.

The question is: What is Janie Hendrix going to do next? She re-released Woodstock now this recording and I think a short, cheesy interactive book with inserts of Hendrix handwritten lyrics, etc. She's trying to milk everything she can from Jimi.
It's amazing that everyone in the World has heard of Jimi Hendrix. It's mind-blowing that a single person can have an effect like this all over the World.
Go to Crosstown Torrents forum. There are a lot of informative guys there. There's one guy from Romania that knows everything about every Hendrix recording made.
I visited Crescent Rd. in Notting Hill where Hendrix died. Beautiful neighborhood and very emotional to see.

Been a HUGE Hendrix fan since I was 11 and heard my sister playing "Are You Experienced" I didn't understand what I was listening to, but knew that this guy was different and special.

I've got most every Hendrix title that's ever been released and when the mood strikes listening to 3-4 hours of straight Jimi is one of life's great pleasures.

"Valleys of Neptune" is just another posthumous historical document released by the Hendrix Family. For us Hendrix junkies any new material is welcome and cherished. I've multiple versions of his more famous recordings like: "Red House", "The Wind Cries Mary", "Little Wing", "Hey Joe" and they all satisfy in different ways.

I think that the big time Hendrix fan just says" Bring it on, I want all you got in the can, regardless whether it was commercial viability around the time it was recorded." Those critical of some of the material on "Valleys..." are missing the point- ANY Hendrix recording that has never been heard/released before is a new found treasure.

Here is one review I saw:

The Imaginary Hendrix Vault boasts so many hypothetical treasures: Hendrix with Miles Davis — Future Shock!; Hendrix with Crosby, Stills, or Nash — Band of Merry Pranksters!; Hendrix with the Monkees — Together on Stage! (Okay, that last one really did sort of happen.) The actual Hendrix vault (at least, the sections that we laypeople are allowed to see) is much more prosaic: Jimi plays the blues; Jimi re-records signature songs; Jimi works through half-baked ideas for future albums shortly before his untimely death.

Valleys of Neptune plays like a cobbled-together mash of that trio, though it's being marketed as another "lost record" of sorts. Consisting of tracks recorded between Electric Ladyland and what is thought to have been intended for First Rays of the New Rising Sun (save for one track, "Mr. Bad Luck," which hails from the Axis: Bold As Love sessions), it's mostly alternate versions of old warhorses like "Red House," "Fire," "Stone Free," and "Hear My Train a Comin'."

The handful of unreleased songs — "Lover Man," "Ships Passing Through the Night," "Lullaby for the Summer" — make up for the glut of sameness, especially the hooky title track, with its tasty guitar lines. Still, for a visionary guy like Hendrix, this glorified compilation isn't as imaginary as it could be.

Read more: http://thephoenix.com/Boston/music/97876-valleys-of-neptune-2010/#ixzz0jWF3NgW4

What's surprising is that it got a great review from anybody! I'm a HUGE Hendrix fan and have been one since the beginning (late 60's). I've read a lot about this release and although it's selling well (which speaks volumes)I think the general consensus is that it's sub-par. The fact is Hendrix was a studio hound but he was also a perfectionist, he released what HE felt was worthy, and if it wasn't released it's because HE felt it wasn't good enough. Based on the majority of what's come out since his passing it's clear that he knew what he was talking about. There's been very few posthumous releases (mostly live; BBC sessions/ complete Band of Gypsies/Fillmore set) worthy of the Hendrix legacy. I think it's great that there's still a hunger for Jimi's music, but it's clear that the well's gone dry!

A great review from Stereophile. Are you sure about this.

There's already a thread started on this.Check it out.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?gmusi&1268266779&&&/Any-feedback-on-the-just-released-Hendri