| Another decade, another repackaged Hendrix compilation; but like the Beatles and the Doors, his music has a timeless quality perfect for younger generations to rediscover time and time again. Voodoo Child covers the best of his studio work and live performances recorded over the four years in the run-up to his untimely death in 1970. As with many of the previous "best of" collections, CD 1 (the studio side) is packed heavily with the instant pop hits of his debut Are You Experienced with only a handful of hits from his subsequent two "proper" albums. All the usual big names are here, "Purple Haze", "Hey Joe", "Crosstown Traffic", "Voodoo Child" etc... but tacked on the end are some of his finer low-key moments, such as the soulful funk of "Izabella", the epic theme to his Rainbow Bridge film, "Hey Baby" and the sublime space-rocking car ad "Third Stone from the Sun". CD 2 is collected from his numerous live albums and includes some defining moments in the guitarists brief history such as the passionate political thriller "Machine Gun" with his Band of Gypsies; mammoth blues romp "Hear My Train a Comin'"; the now legendary version of him tearing through "Wild Thing" at Monterey and of course his signature tune, the "Star Spangled Banner" Live at Woodstock. Being such a prolific writer, performer and recording artist it will always be difficult to cram his best work into two discs but Voodoo Child serves as a more than adequate introduction to one of the greatest rock icons in history, with no glaring omissions (apart from the bold decision not to include the studio "Foxey Lady") or unworthy inclusions to upset his many disciples.--David Trueman |
