BBC Sessions

Reviews

BBC Sessions (rec. 1967 - 1969, rel. 1998)
Mostly live-in-the-studio BBC radio material from 1967, plus a few alternate takes and a few TV recordings. This 2-CD set replaces the one-disc Radio One, which to be perfectly honest already contained all the best material here, with the exception of a very loose, never-broadcast jam with Stevie Wonder on drums ("Jammin'"), and an amusing take on Dylan's obscure "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?" There's also the famous Hendrix practical joke at Lulu's expense, when he ran over the end of her show with an impromptu Cream tribute ("Sunshine Of Your Love"). But the highlights are still the stripped-down version of "Burning Of The Midnight Lamp," the turbocharged instrumental "Driving South" (two alternate takes don't have the same fire), the hilarious "Radio One" jingle, and "Hoochie Coochie Man" with host Alexis Korner on slide guitar. Though there's a hefty assortment of hits, there are more covers ("Hound Dog") and album tracks ("Little Miss Lover"), and the loose atmosphere of the recordings adds to the fun. This time the liner notes correctly quash the rumor that John Lennon appears on the cover of "Day Tripper" - the co-lead vocal is Redding's. Casual fans might as well get the one-disc version if they can find it, but collectors will be happy to have this comprehensive set. (DBW)
I have Radio One, which is most valuable as an alternative for those who are bored with the standard studio versions of Hendrix's hits from this era, most of which already appear on newer CD versions of RUX. There are a few other rarities, but they're mostly throw-aways ("Hound Dog"; "Catfish Blues"). My favorite of these is Hendrix's cover of "Day Tripper." (JA)