Rare Hendrix Tracks Surface For "BBC Sessions"

Fans of Jimi Hendrix will get the chance to renew their "experiences" with the guitar legend as Experience Hendrix/MCA Records get set to release The Jimi Hendrix Experience -- BBC Sessions on April 21.

The two-CD, 30-track box set takes listeners on a "trip" down memory lane with the original line-up of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Beginning with the band's first live recordings in 1967 and closing with a historical television performance from 1969, the collection reveals never-before heard covers of Muddy Waters' "(I'm Your) Hoochie Coochie Man," the Beatles' "Daytripper" and Bob Dylan's "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window."

Hendrix songs that are featured include "Foxy Lady," "Stone Free," "Hey Joe," "Purple Haze" and "Voodoo Child," all of which were culled from live performances at various BBC locations. "Driving South" and a legendary version of "Hey Joe/Sunshine of Your Love," a song that Hendrix dedicated to Cream on a legendary episode of the popular BBC radio show "Happening for Lulu," is also available for the first time.

Stevie Wonder, who was on location for an interview during one of the sets, assists on drums during "Jammin" and his own hit, "I Was Made to Love Her."

Most of these songs have been unavailable for quite some time, according to Janie Hendrix, CEO of Experience Hendrix and Hendrix's half-sister. "We decided to maximize this release by including 30 tracks because we feel it is important to fully chronicle that aspect of Jimi's career and to provide a comprehensive overview of these sessions in one collection." A 24-page booklet of pictures and essays penned by British journalist David Sinclair is also included and help illustrate the impact of the legendary guitarist.

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Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

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