What could be more Christmassy than a record company squeezing the fans ’til the pips squeak? Jimi Hendrix in a Santa suit, that’s what! Welcome to Merry Christmas And Happy New Year.
Jimi in his Christmas gear (photographed in ’67 to promote Axis: Bold As Love) was the reason I forked out for this RSD 2019 picture disc. I knew deep down that musically this record would never change my life*, but hey, Hendrix-Santa suit-limited edition-picture disc!
The medley of ‘Little Drummer Boy / Silent Night / Auld Lang Syne’ by Band Of Gypsies, presented in both normal and extended formats is … actually pretty darned good. To a minimal drummer-boy style drumming, Hendrix just paints the melodies with feedback and overdrive as only he could, to rather superb, if quite sombre, affect, really gunning it on ‘Auld Lang Syne’, while the band add a vocal harmony or two, mixed deep down.
The gloriously throwaway ‘Three Little Bears’ with its’ odd shuffling, almost calypso beat is one I’ve liked since I discovered it as a teenager on the War Babies compilation my dad owned. It is the Jimi Hendrix Experience having some joyous stoned fun and all the better for it. They sound so incredibly tight on this cut too, that guitarist chap just spins gold in the air above us.
Scrap everything I said, Hendrix in sodding around mode is a darned worthwhile listen. Especially in a Santa suit and unconvincing beard.
The back cover pic by Miles Davis associate Mati Klarwein is a goodie too, for when you’ve had too much Jimi as Santa fun for the day.
1045 Down (the chimney).
*which naively is still what I’m looking for every time I buy anything.
This post changed my life… for the better!
That’s what I aim for. Didn’t Jimi have such a nice face? I’d like the man even if he wasn’t the best banjo player I could think of.
I envy this. Seriously, I do. Not for the Hendrix odds and sods (though they’re cool) but for the Mati Klarwein art. Big fan of Mr K.
Although you have got me riffling the ‘H’s for War Heroes to hear that song.
Belated seasonal good wishes, Mr S.
Even later ones to you Bruce! These odds and sods stand up surprisingly well too, but I get your enthusiasm for Mati Klarwein.
Did you pick up the Miles Davis Bitches brew outtakes LP they did for RSD this year (the last lot of them), that had one of his covers too. I suspect you’ll have the music already on a 90 CD box set, but it was a very good release.
I didn’t grab that one Joe, because as you rightly surmise, I have the CD set (5 discs? Can’t remember). From what I can see, the cover images for the RSD release are details from the original painting.
https://vinylconnection.com.au/2014/11/28/mati-and-the-music-part-two/
Plus, don’t think I didn’t notice that sneaky dagger to my heart – Jimi gets filed under J!!
Oh no, not this trip again! Presumably just before John, John, John, John, John John and Johnny.
Any record you released would be filed next to Springsteen, if that helps.
Yep. That works. You win.
I had no idea this was a thing that existed!
It’s already worth £6 less than I paid for it on Discogs! Wait another 6 years and you’ll get it for free.
Jimi has just made my Christmas a little more merry.
Im just slapping the “suit” on right now. I should be good until April. I’ll give these tunes a spin
Jimi in fun-mode is still so many miles above so many other releases. Also, it isn’t naive to hope a record can change your life. They change, save, inspire and uplift your life. Give ‘er!
Merry Merry!
Every time we pay out. That’s what we’re hoping for. Merry Christmas
I am convinced by the beard.
They could have spent a bit more budget on better facial hair.
I don’t have this so I guess my buddy Tad and I will be celebrating with 8 Way Santa.
That’s an LP title I never cared to think about too much.
The banned cover does have a Joe Dirt wannabe fondling a breast though.
I’ll thank you not to use the B-word here, Bop. This is a family friendly blog.
I don’t want to look like a boob here, but if my mammary serves me correctly you use a Titmouse in your posts. If I am wrong I will bust out the bird guide to keep abreast of the situation.