There's been a lot of speculation over which songs/recordings the producers of All Is By My Side (the upcoming Jimi Hendrix biopic starring OutKast's André 3000, currently filming in Ireland) will or won't have at their disposal without the approved consentof the Jimi Hendrix estate. In what I can't help but think is a semi-conniving sidetrack to Experience Hendrix LLC's blatant disapproval of the production, it's been announced (via Rolling Stone) that the film (set during Hendrix's pre-fame years in London, roughly 1966-1967) will instead feature new recordings of André 3000 performing many of the songs Hendrix himself covered during that time period.
According to producer Sean McKittrick, the soundtrack (which may or may be released as an album along with the film's projected 2013 released date… although, come on, how could it not?) features Mr. André Benjamin (as Jimi Hendrix) tackling the likes of The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," Muddy Waters' "Mannish Boy," The Troggs' "Wild Thing," Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" and Elmore James' "Bleeding Heart." The new recordings were cut in Los Angeles with the help of legendary session musicians Waddy Wachtel (guitar), Leland Sklar (bass) and Kenny Aronoff.
McKittrick insists that All Is By My Side focuses on the period in Jimi Hendrix's life leading up to the recording of Are You Experienced, though I find it hard to believe the filmmakers wouldn't have used original Hendrix songs if they could. As an Experience Hendrix spokesperson tells Rolling Stone, "It would be like making a movie about Lincoln without being able to use the Gettysburg Address." Interesting creative choice or logistical compromise? Probably a little of both. To be honest, at this point I'm more interested in exactly how André 3000 will be approaching whatever material… Hendrix or otherwise… the film opts to feature. Will he be copying Hendrix's trademark vocal style? Performing any of his own guitar parts?
I guess we'll find out "soon" enough—All Is By My Side is slated to debut at next year's Sundance Film Festival.
How do you guys feel about the new Jimi Hendrix biopic forgoing all original Hendrix music? Excited about or dreading André 3000's soundtrack? Let us know in the comments section below.
Anthony Schneck:
's kind of tough to do an honest movie about him AND use his music.
July 4, 2012
Anthony Schneck:
If it really is pre-fame years, then I'm cool with it, but since there's no definitive biopic on Jimi, why not go all the way? I know his estate is pretty controlling of his songs, so I would imagine the producers/writers either didn't want to go through the hassle of securing rights or approval. I think I've heard that if there's ANY depiction of drug use, the estate is not cool with it, so it
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