Those looking forward to Experience Hendrix’s upcoming reissue of In the West might be surprised to find that the new In the West isn’t quite the same album it was upon its original release in 1972, and not just because of the three added bonus tracks.  Confirmation has come from Experience Hendrix’s website that, while In the West’s original eight songs still figure on the disc, two will be heard in different performances.

The original LP was drawn from Hendrix’s concerts at the Royal Albert Hall on February 24, 1969, the San Diego Sports Arena on May 24, 1969, Berkeley Community Theatre on May 30, 1970 and the Isle of Wight Festival on August 30, 1970.  For the September 13 reissue, both of the Royal Albert Hall performances have been replaced.   “Little Wing” will now be heard in a rendition from the second show at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom on October 12, 1968.  “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” from Royal Albert Hall has been replaced with a performance from the San Diego Sports Arena on May 24, 1969, exactly three months after the Royal Albert Hall date.

Hit the jump for more information on this unexpected change, and the full track listing with each performance venue indicated!

Those seeking the original In The West versions aren’t completely out of luck, however, as both tracks were included on the (alas, now out-of-print) The Jimi Hendrix Experience box set released on MCA in 2000.  Why have they been omitted from the new reissue?  The Royal Albert Hall concert is the current subject of legal wrangling from Experience Hendrix; as recently as last month, NME and Paste reported that a new lawsuit has been filed to reclaim rights to the RAH audio and video footage.  Should the rights be won, a documentary film and accompanying soundtrack will almost certainly emerge, but as the legal battles have waged for nearly 40 years over this material, one shouldn’t count on a conclusion to come too quickly.

The revised In the West is due as part of Legacy’s fourth wave of Experience Hendrix titles, with new releases on CD/vinyl and DVD.  Full details can be found at those links.  All titles are due in stores on September 13.

Jimi Hendrix, In the West (Polydor 2302 018, 1972 – reissued Experience Hendrix/Legacy, 2011)

1. The Queen (Recorded Live at the Isle of Wight, August 30, 1970)
2. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Recorded Live at the Isle of Wight, August 30, 1970)
3. Little Wing (Recorded Live at Winterland, October 12, 1968 - 2nd Show) **
4. Fire (Recorded Live at the San Diego Sports Arena, May 24, 1969) *
5. I Don’t Live Today (Recorded Live at the San Diego Sports Arena, May 24, 1969) *
6. Spanish Castle Magic (Recorded Live at the San Diego Sports Arena, May 24, 1969) *
7. Red House (Recorded Live at the San Diego Sports Arena, May 24, 1969)
8. Johnny B. Goode (Recorded Live at the Berkeley Community Theatre, May 30, 1970 - 1st Show)
9. Lover Man (Recorded Live at the Berkeley Community Theatre, May 30, 1970 - 2nd Show)
10. Blue Suede Shoes (Recorded Live at the Berkeley Community Theatre, May 30, 1970 - Rehearsals)
11. Voodoo Child (Slight Return) (Recorded Live at the San Diego Sports Arena, May 24, 1969) **

* denotes song not on original LP
**denotes performance not on original LP