(09) Jimi Hendrix - The Cry Of Love (1971)

"The Cry of Love" is a posthumous fourth studio album by American musician Jimi Hendrix, released in February 1971. It was the first Hendrix album released after his death and was engineered, mixed and compiled by Eddie Kramer and Mitch Mitchell. The album cover illustration was by Nancy Reiner.

This was the first of the posthumous releases in the Jimi Hendrix catalog and probably the best as it collected most of the studio tracks that were either completed or very near completion before Hendrix died. Some of these tunes, like "Angel" and "Ezy Rider," have become well-known pieces in the Hendrix canon, but they sit alongside lesser-known gems like "Night Bird Flying" and the Dylanesque "My Friend." Cry of Love as an album has been rendered as a footnote, since the Hendrix estate has recompiled, to Hendrix's specifications, First Rays of the New Rising Sun. This (originally) double-album set contains not only the entire "Cry of Love" LP, but the best studio tracks from Rainbow Bridge, War Heroes, and Crash Landing, presented in drastically improved sound.

The song "My Friend" was recorded during the early stages of the Electric Ladyland sessions in 1968. "Belly Button Window", was Jimi's last studio recording with vocals. It was recorded at Electric Lady Studios on August 22, 1970.

Track listing

01.  Freedom  - 3:24

02.  Drifting  - 3:46

03.  Ezy Ryder  - 4:09

04.  Night Bird Flying  - 3:50

05.  My Friend  - 4:40

06.  Straight Ahead  - 4:42

07.  Astro Man  - 3:37

08.  Angel  - 4:25

09.  In From the Storm  - 3:42

10.  Belly Button Window  - 3:34

Released:  February 1971

Recorded at:  the Sound Center, Record Plant Studios and Electric Lady Studios in New York City, New York

Genre:  Psychedelic Rock

Length:  39:48

Label:  Polydor

Producer:  Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Kramer, Mitch Mitchell

All songs written and composed by:  Jimi Hendrix

Personnel

Jimi Hendrix - lead vocals, guitars, backing vocals

Billy Cox - bass

Mitch Mitchell - drums

Juma Sultan - percussion

Buddy Miles - drums

Noel Redding - bass

The Ghetto Fighters - backing vocals

Emeretta Marks - backing vocals

Steve Winwood - backing vocals

Chris Wood - backing vocals

Buzzy Linhart - vibraphone

Billy Armstrong - percussion

Kenny Pine - twelve-string guitar

Jimmy Mayes - drums

Stephen Stills - piano

Paul Caruso - harmonica