VARIOUS ARTISTS
Blue Haze (Ruf)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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As dead rock stars go, forget Elvis, Jimi Hendrix is clearly the king. Outselling himself by several orders of magnitude since his controversial demise (don't get me started you conspiracy nuts), Hendrix is actually gaining steam as the years pass. I point you in the direction of a new box set, the Hendrix museum and now, another tribute album. Blue Haze has the expected redundency factor built right in (guitar whizes aping Jimi - yawn), but a couple of performances ensure you will actually play this beast instead of filing it alongside the growing collection in your basement shrine. An absolutely deliciously slow cooking, organ fuelled, whiskey soaked female vocal take on "Purple Haze" by Friend 'n' Fellow is to die for. Michelle Shocked pops by with a great version of "House Burning Down" and Taj Mahal delivers a smoky smooth "All Along the Watchtower." Why, you can almost forgive the closing Eric Burdeon eulogy. Almost.

© 2000 - John Sekerka