Search - Lonnie Youngblood & Jimi Hendrix :: Two Great Experiences

A Preview Of The Hendrix That Followed!

deepbluereview | SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA | 04/04/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Two Great Experiences" is one of the few releases featuring Hendrix which is not controlled by his Estate. Rather, this gem is the property of one Lonnie Youngblood, sax man and the so-called Prince of Harlem. Prior to Hendrix's solo outing in 1967, and after playing with Curtis Knight, Hendrix played guitar in Youngblood's band. That band was centered on Youngblood, his sax and his vocals rather than Hendrix. As Youngblood tells it, "I blew a hard horn and Jimi played a hard guitar. . .but it was about me. . .I was trying to push Lonnie Youngblood." The tapes of these early sessions were stolen and showed up as bootlegs. Youngblood was understandably upset that everyone was making money but Lonnie Youngblood. So, 40 years later, the often overlooked Youngblood now seeks to cash in on the Hendrix name and why not. The fact of the matter is that there is some pretty interesting material here. The CD opens with an 8-minute version of "Mother, Mother" which was originally titled "Georgia Blue". Youngblood has remastered the song in a manner which highlights Hendrix's amazing guitar playing abilities and that song along justifies the purchase. Also, in an attempt to bring Hendrix to the forefront, there are two takes of Under The Table, three takes of Wipe The Sweat and multiple takes of everything else, again focusing mainly on Jimi's riffs. There is no doubt that Youngblood opened up his music vaults and gives us every snippet featuring Hendrix that he owns in an effort to show the world what could have been, for Youngblood anyway. Listening to these recordings the early talent demonstrated by Hendrix shows why he was destined for fame. There is some fantastic playing here and no Hendrix or blues fan should be without this CD."

A Star is Born

deepbluereview | 02/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These often bootleged, often rumored sessions finally get proper reissue. Recorded in 1965 a young Jimi first time soloing sounds great. Forget the rest this is the best"