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The Jimi Hendrix Experience in the beginning of 1969 were in a pretty bad spot, with everyone coming to terms with the degrading relationships within the band. As the groups third full length Electric Ladyland was gaining the group a new level of reputation, the band set out for some dates in Europe in the beginning of 1969 which were capped off by a historic performance at the Royal Albert Hall. There is a lot of footage from this tour and one day all of us devoted Hendrix fans can only hope it will see the light of day. What we have here is a show from this tour that really highlights how the group was able to shift from a bad concert right into a stellar one the next evening.

As some of the recordings will prove from this era, the band was not as tight as they had been but there were a handful of performances where the group really elevated their presence to the people attending. This is of course one of them and it’s great to see the Hendrix camp put a few audio enhancements on this recording that has been in circulation for some time now. “Red House” from this tour is among my favorite from the groups existence and this nights version proves to be one of the best ever. Below is a full break down of the contents as from Dagger Records, the sub label of Experience Hendrix LLC. Dagger Records has now released a dozen albums containing hard to find materials that new and old fans will surely appreciate. Full info and purchase link at the end of the article. The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live In Cologne is further reason to stay away from the unauthorized bootlegs of Jimi and to get a healthy dosage of some of the rarest and best Jimi tapes. If you really have the urge to grab unofficial bootlegs from the Hendrix archive, Dimeadozen.org is a place that will cover all your needs as the best materials end up there. Their organization is invaluable to the music community as it spreads the seed of many artists and bands, never allowing a vacuum to occur over a love for one artist.

-Erik Otis

From Dagger Records | http://www.daggerrecords.com/

The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live In Cologne, the twelfth release in the Dagger Records official bootleg series, documents this spirited, January 13, 1969 performance at the Sporthalle in Cologne, Germany.

Hendrix kicked off the proceedings with a scalding “Come On (Let the Good Times Roll)” from Electric Ladyland. This Earl King chestnut had long been a favorite of Jimi’s and here he began with a driving solo introduction before signaling Redding and Mitchell to join. Next followed a blistering version of “Foxey Lady,” a perennial stage favorite.

An abrupt tape cut precedes a memorable rendition of “Red House.” Thankfully the performance is essentially complete lacking only Jimi’s prefacing stage banter, offered as he likely changed guitars before starting. “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” followed next, not yet established as Jimi’s closing number as it would become later in 1969 and remain so throughout his career, but no less muscular.

Jimi then shifted directly into “Fire” and then a thunderous “Spanish Castle Magic.” The Experience were clearly locked in sync, pushing each other throughout all to the delight of their audience. The Experience never backed off, launching next into their first single “Hey Joe.” Jimi had to do some quick tuning on the fly, but he pressed on undaunted, boldly dashing off a lick from the Beatles’ “I Feel Fine” as he barreled through this uptempo rendition. This driving intensity built up after the solo, underscored by Jimi’s rhythm guitar work and Mitchell’s superb drumming before culminating in a rousing finale.

“Sunshine Of Your Love” was offered in tribute to Cream, all to the delight of the audience whose howls of approval can be heard even during Redding’s bass solo. “Star Spangled Banner” and “Purple Haze” capped off a truly memorable night and then the Experience were gone, whisked off to the next city and another unsuspecting audience.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live In Cologne is like other releases in the Dagger Records series. This album was not drawn from professionally recorded masters but instead an amateur, monophonic audience recording. As a result, the recording is not without various technical flaws and sonic limitations. Nonetheless, this special ‘official bootleg’ stands as a captivating document of this important chapter of Jimi’s legacy.

Unique to this vinyl-only Dagger Records release, is an accompanying redemption card that features a unique access code allowing purchasers to download a free digital copy of the album in MP3 format.

TRACK LISTING:
Disc One, Side One:
1. Come On (Let The Good Times Roll)
2. Foxey Lady

Disc One, Side Two:
1. Red House
2. Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

Disc Two, Side One:
1. Fire
2. Spanish Castle Magic
3. Hey Joe

Disc Two, Side Two:
1. Sunshine Of Your Love
2. Star Spangled Banner
3. Purple Haze

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*Below is a professionally captured video of The Jimi Hendrix performing “Red House” in Stockholm 1969 on the same tour as the Live in Cologne release.