MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING

Basically, he kept Jimi's vocals and guitar play and mixed it with session musicians who replaced the initial Mitchell, Cox, Miles etc. Some awful backing vocals (like during the title track) are absolutely useless and truly awful.

There are two mythical tracks here though. Both of them were live anthems: ''Hear My Train?'' and ''Machine Gun''. It is their only studio version to my knowledge, and even if the former is quite acceptable, the live versions available (''Woodstock'', ''Fillmore'') are much superior. But in the current circumstances, it is the best track from this midnight with no much light.

The latter also offers some good parts and can be considered as another highlight. Of course, here as well, the live versions available on the double live set from the Fillmore East are much superior, but amongst so many average numbers, one has to consider this as welcome.

There are some very painful moments during this album (''Gypsy Boy'' and the title track) and some average ones like the opener ''Trashman'' (but this one sounds too heavy to me). A live classic from the early days is the cover of the classic ''Blue Suede Shoes''. But I'm not thrilled with this funky version.

The closing number (which was a Mitchell composition) has been refreshed in a much appropriate manner on ''First Rays?'' which will be released in '97 by Jimi's sister.

IMHHO, Alan Douglas would have been inspired to have released only one album instead of two. At least we could have had a decent to good work instead of two below average ones. In his defence, he will do a better job with some live material.

I rate this album higher than ''Crash?'' for the two emblematic songs that it holds. Two stars.