Continuing the recent trend on Lion
Music for tribute albums recent acts to be covered include
Uli Jon Roth and Ritchie Blackmore. Now its turn for Jimi
Hendrix to get the cover tribute treatment. Once again acts
involved are those on Lion Music's roster so we get such acts
as Sun Caged, Arabesque. Michael Harris and Lars Eric Mattson
amongst others. Also included are guest appearances from Greg
Howe and Regi Hendrix (relation of Jimi's).
Now Hendrix is not an easy artist
to cover so its a case of going into this release expecting
different reworkings of classic tracks. Some of the updatings
do work exceptionally well, Sun Caged take on Freedom
with their usual aplomb and pull it off with ease, they seem
to have taken a few pointers from Steve Lukathers Los Lobotomy's
version of the same track but they have produced a winner.
Also high in the success stakes is keyboard guru Mistheria
take of Gypsy Eyes (with help
from vocalist Max Roman and guitarist Andrea Rivera). This
is a very fresh take with some superb guitar work, some grooving
hammond organ work and just a great vibe. Cyril Archard version
of Highway Chile suffers somewhat
from a cold mix, but otherwise is a competant enough take.
Arabesque's version of Crosstown
Traffic suffers thanks to some truly bad vocals from
Katia Salemi who sounds like a chipmunk! Perhaps one of the
problems is they appeared to have tried to funk up a funky
to start with track. Joop Walters smokin guitar solo wins
bonus points but the vocals spoil the overall picture. Eric
Sands attempts to update and make a mix of industrial and
funk sounds on Stone Free, it
works to some extent on the chorus but otherwise comes short.
Michael Harris's interpretation of
Little Wing starts out with a
great intro based around Hendrix's classic opening. Even more
impressive is Michael's vocals and use of keys on the verses
adding subtle depth to the track. The solo sees the tempo
pick up and Harris again uses the original as a template to
add his own ideas to. A great version and the best interpretation
here.
Lars Eric Mattson take on Spanish
Castle Magic is quite close to the original with a
slightly heavier feel. OHM guitarist Chris Poland lays down
the first solo here. Bold As Love
sees Regi Hendrix supply vocals in a very Jimi fashion. Guitars
here are provided by Jason Richardson and Greg Howe. Howe's
outro solo is quite superb, great use of the wah pedal.
Fire
by Bumblefoot (aka Ron Thal) is a good funk interpretation
of the original, the vocals are a little Elvis-esque in places
- not such a bad thing just different. Foxey
Lady unfortunately suffers from a very flat mix and
basically kills any life in the track. Carl Roa's take on
Third Stone From The Sun is original
enough incorporating some of Hey Joe, yet does not really
add anything to the original.
Ex Yngwie Malmsteen bassist Randy
Coven gives his take of the Star Spangled
Banner, and the abum is closed by Lars Eric Mattson
again this time joined by Richie Kotzen for Little
Miss Lover which is the stronger of Mattson's two offerings,
nice funky groove and Kotzen's first solo is superb.
Over this dedication to Jimi Hendrix
is a bit of a hit and miss affair. Yes this is Hendrix, one
of the all time legends of music and for anyone to redo his
music is always going to bring mixed results. So marks must
go to all the acts here who have tried to alter the familiar
arrangements, even if not successful. However, this does not
hide the fact that a couple of tracks make you wonder why
they bothered. This is counter balanced by Sun Caged, Michael
Harris and Mistheria whose interpretations I thoroughly enjoyed.
Pt.2 is set to be released later
this year with James Byrd, Torben Enevoldsen, Chris Steberl,
Tommy Denander, Chris Poland, Lars Eric Mattsson, Winterlong,
Tony Hernando, Dave Martone, Condition Red all contributing
parts.
