Jimi Hendrix - South Saturn Delta

 Some seriously fantastic outtakes
Rarities, and good ones at that .Basically, this music proves that, if you strip away the distortion, the feedback, the burning guitars, and the onstage stunts, Jimi could've easily made a career as a pure blues guitarist. The album's horn-powered instrumental title song is a fine example; as is "Here He Comes (Lover Man)", taken at a blistering pace and equipped with a classic guitar solo; studio versions of "Power of Soul" and "Message to Love" are among Jimi's most fascinating and underrated tracks, with him eschewing his signature distortion almost entirely and still doing some of his best work. That's another thing this album proves - Jimi's technique was remarkable. It wasn't all smoke and mirrors. There's even an Elmore James cover, "Bleeding Heart" - how hardcore is that? I do think bits of this are unneeded, though. For instance, "Tax Free" is just Jimi soloing for five minutes against an inconsistent backdrop that actually uses a Doors tune, "Five to One", as the basis for one part's rhythm. There's nothing wrong with the playing, of course, but given the song's lack of a melody or even theme I get the feeling that nobody intended to release it. Instead, I think Jimi and a few friends sat down, got really high, and just played stuff. It could've worked as the basis for a song, for sure. But as an independent tune? No. The other guitar solos, "Midnight" (with a slightly distorted blues riff) and the funky "Pali Gap", are much better. But I'm not a great fan of the avant-garde "Stars that Play with Laughing Sam's Dice". It's a great title, but a dated song. It was only issued as a b-side - the flip, "All Along the Watchtower", is only available in its single mix, and while it's not terribly different from the well-known album version, that's okay because it's still "All Along the Watchtower", if you get what I mean. That said, I don't see why they included it. Anyway, for those interested there are also a couple demos - a good instrumental take of "Little Wing", and a bizarre "Angel", which starts halfway through the first verse and contains none of the gorgeous psychedelic guitar of the more well-known First Rays version. To my ears, the best track is the Delta blues of "Midnight Lightning", little more than Hendrix and an electric guitar, and it's one of his best guitar performances, too. This is only really of interest to the big fans, like me, but if you are a big fan and you've touched on all the essentials, this is a nice follow-up buy. January 18, 2008

 "The Stars that Play With Laughing Sam's Dice"
In 1968 I bought an import version of the album "Smash Hits" on it was an incredible piece called "Stars That Play With Laughing Sam's Dice" I was a chemistry major in high school so I got it right away. I've been looking for a copy (digital) since 1981. I just couldn't seem to find it anywhere. I finally looked it up in a music store's resource and found it had been released on this CD. This CD (to me) is worth the price for this one song alone. I once again get to laugh along with Mr. Jimi under the influence of "Stars That Play With Laughing Sam's Dice" November 27, 2007

 Excellent
Excellent for a compilation of basically unfinished work. Alot of raw power and playing here. Of course its not as good as Jimi's first three studio albums, Band of Gypsies or Live at Woodstock, but I listen to this alot more than First Rays of the New Rising Sun even though (or because) it is not as polished or clean. I prefer the raw, more bluesy sound here. Not something Jimi would have released but still recommended for Hendrix fans. November 10, 2007

 HOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
Jimi rips off some new material striaght to your eardrums.

The stars that play with laughing sam's dice and Midnight are very strong tracks, that will blow your mind and your speakers of you're not careful.

Maybe not for someone who is just getting into hendrix, but still a very hot item. October 28, 2007

 Jimi's Estate Takes Over The Motherlode
I don't buy the Estate's take on the problems with past releases, but, this is still the greatest guitarist performing at a time of change in the world and his musical direction. August 9, 2007

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