Title:  In the Beginning
Company: Ember
Catalog: NR 5068
Year: 1973
Country: Seattle, Washington
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: UK pressing; gatefold sleeve; textured sleeve

Jimi Hendrix's catalog is a mess, made even worse by the fact he had stuff released all over the world and bootlegs and gray market releases have become a cottage industry. Released by the English Ember label, 1973's "In the Beginning" (not to be confused with a US set with the same name), supposedly featured a 1967 live set recorded in London's Flamingo Club (which was better known as a jazz forum). Ironically in introducing Joe Tex's 'You Got What It Takes' you'll hear someone say 'You're being recorded live. We're making a record hear at the fabulous [George's] Club 20 in Hackensack New Jersey." Given that comment, I'd assume that's where the set was really recorded. That also means that while this set was billed as a Hendrix album, it was actually a Curtis Knight and the Squires effort with Hendrix's participation largely limited to lead guitar and backing vocals. Listening to the vocals on tracks like 'You Got Me Running' and 'Money' and the spoken word song introductions, the bulk of vocals showcased on the set were clearly Curtis Knight. Hendrix seems to have handled lead vocals on the cover of Joe Tex's 'Walking the Dog'. The audience sounds also appear to have been added in post-production.


Curtis Knight (center) and the Squires December 1965 (Hendrix on the left)

- Even though the opener 'You Got Me Running' was listed as a Curtis Mayfield composition, I'm pretty sure the song was actually a cover of Jimmy Reed's 'Baby What You Want Me to Do'. Regardless, if was a decent, if somewhat standard blues number. Whoever handled the lead vocals, it sure wasn't Hendrix, though the stinging guitar solo sure sounded like Hendrix. rating: ** stars- The cover of the rock chestnut 'Money' was professional and probably sounded even better in a small club through it was hardly the most dynamic version you've ever encountered. Again, the vocal sure wasn't a Hendrix performances. rating: ** stars
- Another decent cover 'Let's Go Let's Go Let's Go' was notable for hideous sound quality. The performance literally sounded like it had been recorded on someone's small cassette recorder rating: ** stars
- Kicked along by a nice Hendrix guitar solo, their cover of Joe Tex's 'You Got What It Takes' was probably the side one highpoint. rating: *** stars
- 'Sweet Little Angel" featured the band on a hardcore electric blues number. Hendrix guitar was nice enough, but the frenetic drumming provided the song's true heartbeat. rating: *** stars
- Another track suffering from horrendous sound quality, the band's cover of Joe Tex's 'Walk the Dog' was distinguished by Hendrix's instantly recognizable vocal. rating: *** stars
- Kicked along by a hideous sax solo, the '50s-styled blues ballad 'There Is Something On Your Mind' was barely listenable. Crappy blues song with super band recording quality. rating: * star
- Showcasing Hendrix's screeching guitar, the instrumental 'Hard Night' sound like a classic slice of early 1960s surf music. Probably my favorite performance. rating: *** stars

Again, I'm no Hendrix expert, but his work with Curtis Knight has been repackaged countless times and unless you're a hardcore Hendrix fan you can probably live without it.

"In the Beginning." track listing:
(side 1)
1.) You Got Me Running (Curtis Mayfield) -
2.) Money (Berry Gordy Jr. - J Bradford)
3.) Let's Go Let's Go Let's Go (Hank Ballard)
4.) You Got What It Takes (Joe Tex)

(side 2)
1.) Sweet Little Angel (B.B. King - Taub)
2.) Walkin' the Dog (Rufus Thomas)
3.) There Is Something On Your Mind (unknown)
4.) Hard Night (instrumental) (Ed Dantes)