There are so many posthumous Hendrix recordings out there it borderlines on blasphemy. The novice Hendrix listener might not "experience" Jimi Hendrix for what he really was...one, if not the greatest, rock guitarists of all time. For those who are just getting into what Hendrix was about, this album is NOT for you. Grab "Are You Experienced", "Axis Bold As Love" and
Electric Ladyland". Trust me, those albums will BLOW YOUR MIND! "Valleys Of Neptune" however, is an album for the truly devoted Hendrix fan. What I like most about this album is it's rawness. It's like being in the studio with Hendrix while he's just having fun and jamming. And who wouldn't want to buy THAT ticket? The sound quality is superb, and the basic tracks haven't been ruined like some other posthumous releases, like on "Crash Landing" and "Midnight Lightning", where random studio musicians actually OVERDUBBED over the original tracks. (Alan Douglas...you should be ashamed of yourself.) On this album however, I'm glad this has been released, and I do not feel like it's a rip-off to make money. There is quality stuff here.

Track By Track:
1.) Stone Free - Basicly an alternate version of the original. I prefer the original, but this is a fun and interesting listen.

2.) Valleys Of Neptune - I'm not a fan of this song, and I doubt it would ever have been released on an actual Hendrix approved album. If so, it would have been MUCH more orchestrated, perhaps like 1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be) from Electric Ladyland. Still, it's great hearing Hendrix' in his writing process.

3.) Bleeding Heart - I LOVE THIS VERSION. It's the best studio version I've heard. The version from "War Heroes" just didn't have the bite and rawness that this classic blues tune deserves. Hendrix kicks into this version hard and heavy from the start. Fantastic guitar work here, and a great variation on the original vocal approach.

4.) Hear My Train A Comin' - Most Hendrix fans will tell you Hendrix' 12 string acoustic version is the best, and they would be correct...but this electric version is really nice also. I have a version from a live LP called "The Jimi Hendrix Concerts" that I feel is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but this is a great listen as well, and once again the guitar playing is other-worldly.

5.) Mr. Bad Luck - There was another version of this song called "Look Over Yonder". I'm not a fan of this song or either version. This is not Hendrix' best song writing by a long shot, but still...it's Jimi Hendrix on guitar.

6.) Sunshine Of Your Love - Hendrix was a major Clapton fan and he did this song instrumentally with The Experience many times live, and it was a staple of his live shows. It's finally nice to hear a studio jam of this song. It has become my favorite version, and the guitar playing is VERY NICE!

7.) Lover Man - Again, a song Hendrix performed live many times. This studio take is nothing short of amazing, and is a fresh approach to the song. Again, it has become my favorite version.

8.) Ships Passing In The Night - This is actually a slowed down bluesy version of "Night Bird Flying", but only a true Hendrix head would hear that. Again...this has become my favorite version of "Night Bird Flying". Why it's called "Ships Passing In The Night" on the album is beyond me. I'm hoping they didn't change the name to make it seem like a new song. It isn't, but it IS a totally different approach to the way "Night Bird Flying" was eventually released.

9.) Fire - Nice alternate version, and GREAT drumming, but the original is much better.

10.) Red House - I have a plethora of "Red House" live versions, and they all bring something unique to the table. This alternate studio version is very nice also, with some great blues licks of course, but with no real new surprises. The major problem with this version is that the final verse is faded out, without any "I know her sister will!" lyric at all. Highly anti-climatic to say the least.

11.) Lullaby For Summer - Once again I am baffled why this song is named "Lullaby For Summer" on this album. It's basicly a jam based off the opening riff to "Ezy Rider", with some very cool hook riffs thrown in the middle section. The thing is...IT ABSOLUTELY ROCKS! "Ezy Rider" was never one of my favorite Hendrix songs, but I am BLOWN AWAY by this instrumental jam version! I can't praise it enough.

12.) Crying Blue Rain - A VERY nice bluesy jam. I love the guitar tone. The only drawback with this track is that I believe it loses it's "blues mood" when the band speeds it up towards the end. But still...just wonderful guitar playing.

Bonus Tracks:

13.) Trash Man - This is actually the instrumental "Midnight" sped up just a bit. Great licks and a nice version...but the original has much more feel in my opinion.

14.) Slower Version - A nice instrumental jam. However, the sound quality doesn't seem to match the rest of the album, and the guitar tone seems very overdriven. Still, Hendrix' guitar playing shines brightly on this track.

There will probably be more posthumous releases to follow, but who knows if there will EVER be another Jimi Hendrix CD release of unreleased material as strong as this one. So to me, it's like Christmas came early. I hope this review helps in Classic Hendrix this CD you are listening to what I want and desire If you decide to buy, I recommend buying the album now!

Valleys of Neptune (Special Edition with 2 Bonus Tracks) Overview

Special edition includes two bonus tracks!

Track listing:

1. Stone Free

2. Valleys of Neptune

3. Bleeding Heart

4. Hear My Train A Comin'

5. Mr. Bad Luck

6. Sunshine Of Your Love

7. Lover Man

8. Ships Passing Through The Night

9. Fire

10. Red House

11. Lullaby For The Summer

12. Crying Blue Rain

Bonus tracks

13. Trash Man

14. Slow Version



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