Mr. Hansen(Jimi Hendrix?), February 7, 2008

I was quite apprehensive about buying this because I feared it was mastered from vinyl (being that it had never been reissued on CD) Well, for anyone wondering it is NOT mastered from vinyl! The sound is really good and is much better than I have ever heard it. I have had it on vinyl and tape since Ritchie Blackmore recommended it decades ago. A shame there's no extra material,-especially since Hansen mentions all the extra takes in the liner notes. Good multi-page booklet that explains the history and failures in the marketplace of what is essentially a superb guitar album. Great guitar playing, great sound. No extras but finally it's available in a modern context. If you are unfamiliar with the album it actually sounds like it's recorded live in the studio. It has a very loose feel but every solo is impressive. Personally I think it is the best album Hansen has ever done.(I'm not into the Hendrix covers even though he does them well) Why are these other reviews here before the...

I bought this album when it first came out in 1980, then I was lucky enough to see Randy play with the Band of Gypsies in San Francisco's Lindley Meadow( I think it was called) in Golden Gate Park as the headliner on the first of two days of free concerts there(Carlos Santana headlined the second day). Randy was superb and on the second day, I was lucky enough to spot him in the crowd wandering around and actually got to meet him and partake of some mood altering drugs with him(Pot)LOL. Fantastic guitarist and great album, especially like the songs "Millionaire" & "Champagne and Cocaine". Randy come back to the bay area and tour, would you? Kenster

I bought this album when it first came out in 1980, then I was lucky enough to see Randy play with the Band of Gypsies in San Francisco's Lindley Meadow( I think it was called) in Golden Gate Park as the headliner on the first of two days of free concerts there(Carlos Santana headlined the second day). Randy was superb and on the second day, I was lucky enough to spot him in the crowd wandering around and actually got to meet him and partake of some mood altering drugs with him(Pot)LOL. Fantastic guitarist and great album, especially like the songs "Millionaire" & "Champagne and Cocaine". Randy come back to the bay area and tour, would you? Kenster

1. I first stumbled onto Randy Hansen at one of the "Day on the Green" concerts in Oakland (ah, those were the days...). Anyway, he was first act and I was just dumbfounded at this guy, dressed up like Jimi, playing the Strat completely hardcore and old school. He started out with the National Anthem. Then when I saw that he just had a trio with an ancient looking drumset, I was thinking that it was going to be lame... but the dude and band just completely rocked the Oakland Coliseum.2. I was so impressed with the guy that I bought this album and it was / has been one of my favorite "classic rock" albums of all time. Unlike most of the stuff that's out there by Randy, a lot of this stuff is his own material and his material is awesome. He has some nice non-Jimi cover tunes as well. The sound is straight ahead classic rock, the recording is excellent and again, the music is just pure gold. With this being my favorite Randy Hansen recording, I'm just frustrated that it's...

1. I first stumbled onto Randy Hansen at one of the "Day on the Green" concerts in Oakland (ah, those were the days...). Anyway, he was first act and I was just dumbfounded at this guy, dressed up like Jimi, playing the Strat completely hardcore and old school. He started out with the National Anthem. Then when I saw that he just had a trio with an ancient looking drumset, I was thinking that it was going to be lame... but the dude and band just completely rocked the Oakland Coliseum.2. I was so impressed with the guy that I bought this album and it was / has been one of my favorite "classic rock" albums of all time. Unlike most of the stuff that's out there by Randy, a lot of this stuff is his own material and his material is awesome. He has some nice non-Jimi cover tunes as well. The sound is straight ahead classic rock, the recording is excellent and again, the music is just pure gold. With this being my favorite Randy Hansen recording, I'm just frustrated that it's...