Hendrix fans may recognize this title as it first appeared back in 1972. However, the new Hendrix in the West is an improved version in many ways. First, the sound is much better, as Eddie Kramer worked the same magic he did back when he worked with Jimi at Electric Ladyland Studios. Secondly, two songs on the original were credited to being recorded at the San Diego Sports Arena in 1969, when they were really from a Hendrix show overseas. Now, one of the songs in question, “Voodoo Child” is the actual version from the San Diego show. The other that was supposedly done there was “Little Wing,” which was not played at that show. So, included is a version of “Little Wing” from a Winterland concert in 1968.

The album is a hodgepodge of many different gigs ranging from the Isle of Wight show to the Sand Diego show to a performance in Berkley. The resulting live album is much more a retrospective look at Hendrix in concert and less a feeling of a real show. Some fans will enjoy the broader spectrum and some will lean toward the other releases of complete gigs that have been released.

While this release is not as powerful as other live Hendrix albums it is worth it just to hear some of the new discovered versions and to jam out to the best ever captured version of “Red House.”