Blues by Jimi Hendrix (CD, Apr-1994, MCA Records USA)

I was surprised how good this album is: I wasn't expecting the quality or the stylistic content - I guess I should have known better. Hendrix was one of the most gifted musicians of the last century (I think that was Miles Davis's opinion as well) and even though he didn't exactly complete the job (dying in his late twenties) there is much excellent material to be had. This is one of them. My favourite album remains Axis: Bold as Love, but this is not far off. Great listening.

Jimi Hendrix as a blues man rather than the visionary psychedelic rocker we generally think of him as. But this collection of previously unreleased material truely works as an example of blues spirit and soul. Jimi does a couple of covers of blues artists' tunes but much of the compositions are his own creations. There are additional blues covers in later previously unreleased material such as "The Jimi Hendrix Experience", 4 CD box set released in 2000 but the tone of this compilation's tracks ache with a blues feel. My brother told me about it and I could not learn of its existence on wikipedia but as he insisted I checked my allmusic guide and found it. A must for any Hendrix fan and for blues music fans alike. Come on - its Jimi oh-my-god Hendrix for pete's sake. Many still argue the best electric guitarist of ALL time. Indeed, this was a generally accepted statement of fact prior to his 1970 death. His talent is blatantly obvious on each track of this album.