Search - Jimi Hendrix :: South Saturn Delta

A Glimpse Of What Else There Might Be.

Edward Z. Rosenthal | Collingswood, NJ, USA | 11/25/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This collection in no way compares to the authorized releases, but there are a few songs here that are just remarkable. Some of my favorite Hendrix stuff, in fact. First "South Saturn Delta" injects Chicago style horns into a cooking soul number. A great mix. The horns are extremely effective at expanding the sonic palette, a strong clue to as to what Jimi would have been exploring had he not slipped away so soon. Next, "The Stars that Play with Laughing Sam's Dice" builds real nicely to a near cacophonous din, but never falls apart. The mix is extremely unusual, very thin and harsh. Almost a Punk sound. As a live take you can smell the sweat and smoke.



My next choice is "Pali Gap" 'cause it just feels so good; a relaxed, exotic voyage to the edge of civilization and beyond. Jimi's guitar at times sounds like gourde drums and xylophone. It was inspired by his trip to Hawaii.



Then there's the alternate take of "All Along The Watchtower" which for me is the greatest cover song ever done by anyone. This version is nearly identical to the "Electric Ladyland" version but with some slightly different mixing and effects.



The rest are all OK samples, demos and unfinished tracks. There are better versions of some of them on other albums, like "Tax Free" on "Live At Winterland", "Power of Soul" and "Message to the Universe (Message to Love)" on "Band Of Gypsies", and "Bleeding Heart" on "Blues:". There's a shorter but more finished version of "Pali Gap" on the out-of-print but available "Voodoo Soup".



If you enjoy Hendrix for what he does better than anyone who ever lived - play guitar - then it's no chore getting through this disc. The real great thing about digital music today is how you can remix the order of songs and combine with other albums to create fresh presentations. This disc is a great place to pick from."

A Mixed Bag Of Rarities

Dave Sigmon | Connecticut, USA | 04/03/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It's no shock that the two great cuts here, the wild blues "Look Over Yonder" and the made-on-the-spot instrumental "Pali Gap" were initially released in 1971 with much more stellar company. Except for the annoying "Stars That Play With Laughing Sam's Dice" and the meandering "Tax Free", each of the remaining cuts is worth a listen. The jazziness of the title track reveal where his leanings may have led him given a few more years. The same but different "Watchtower" fascinates as does the other Dylan cover. And though there are disruptions of a smooth flow, the home demos are evidence enough that this guy breathed and felt music like few others."