Review of Jimi Hendrix ‘People, Hell And Angels’

Jimi Hendrix has been gone over 40 years now, he only lived to be 27, but he managed to influenced just about anyone who has picked up a guitar since.  'People, Hell and Angels' is a collection of unreleased material from 1968 to 1970 that shows why he has to be the greatest guitarist of all time.

Considering the lack of effects and technology back in those days makes his work even more amazing.  How takes some of the twists and turns will amaze even the legends.  He makes the guitar talk better than anyone, his solos will give you goosebumps and leave you mystified.

Style-wise the songs fit into his current library very well, if you love Jimi, you'll love these songs.  There's not the outstanding track here that would have taken over the radio waves, but that was never his thing anyway.  The songs are all blues/funk based with his signature all over them.

"Somewhere" seems to be the stand out for most listeners.  "Hear My Train A Comin'" has one of my favorite solos, and the instrumental "Inside Out" is a jam session of epic proportions.  My personal favorite is 'Mojo Man' that's dripping with a sexual vibe, horn section and infection groove.

If I had any complaint with the releases I would say maybe the cleaned it up a little too well, I always attribute this era with feedback, scratches and random noise.  It seems they took out a little too much of the personality of the late 60's.  It sounds a bit over-produced and slick at times, but don't let this distract you from enjoying this new material from the man who made the electric guitar the coolest invention of the past 100 years.