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Angélique Kidjo — Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
Album: Cover the World
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1825









Released: 2003
Length: 3:49
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Well I'm standing next to a mountain
Chop it down with the edge of my hand
Well I'm standing next to a mountain
Chop it down with the edge of my hand
Pick up the pieces and make an island
Might even raise a little sand
'Cause I'm a voodoo child
Lord knows I'm a voodoo child
I didn't mean to take up all your sweet time
Give it back to you one of these days
I didn't mean to take up all your sweet time
Give it back to you one of these days
If I don't meet you again in this world
Then I see you in the next one
Don't be late
'Cause I'm a voodoo child
Lord knows I'm a voodoo child
Comments (120)add comment
This amazing cover first appeared on Angelique Kidjo's 1998 album Oremi (track # 2) in case RP wants to update their album info. Props to Putumayo of course for making this track more widely available. 
Posted 1 week ago by siqbal    [ Reply ]
 maryte wrote:

Possibly my favourite Jimi cover (close with PM Dawn's "You Got Me Floatin") - I feel lucky to have seen her perform this live several years ago. Amazing!



Or 'Purple Haze' by The Cure. Another re-imagination rather than a cover. 
Posted 1 week ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
I saw her last year and she was amazing - she opened with a talking heads cover.
Posted 6 months ago by ecojot    [ Reply ]
I think Jimi would be pleased!
Posted 7 months ago by DanielHLloyd    [ Reply ]
Posted 8 months ago by barnabyresendiz    [ Reply ]
This kicks ass. 
Posted 9 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 Mugro wrote:

I prefer to see this as a reinterpretation, rather than a cover. In that light, it is not that bad! You can't cover Jimi by trying to compete with his guitar playing. Forget it. This tune, though, focuses on funkiness and interesting vocals, so it works!


All truth, but is this song a good lyric piece? It feels a bit more like an Oreo without the cream. Nice, but you know the best part is missing 
Posted 10 months ago by MilSF1    [ Reply ]
 FourFortyEight wrote:

When I turned my head and looked at the title after hearing recognizable lyrics, my first thought was "sacrilege!!!!". A minute into it though, I'm appreciating the complexity. Sounds more like a celebration of the original to me now.


Same for me
Posted 10 months ago by jjbournisien    [ Reply ]
This is great if you don't get enough yelling and screaming at home!
Posted 11 months ago by johnfiva    [ Reply ]
Possibly my favourite Jimi cover (close with PM Dawn's "You Got Me Floatin") - I feel lucky to have seen her perform this live several years ago. Amazing!
Posted 11 months ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
In the background, are they asking, "Oh, can you trim the bougainvillea?" 

8
Posted 11 months ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
So cool! Thanks RP! 
Posted 1 year ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
Blasphéme! 😂
Posted 1 year ago by luminouslass    [ Reply ]
 MayBaby wrote:

This kicks ass! 


I  Agree.
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]


Hello William, It's amazing how good the radio is sounding and the improvements there are, it's been more than 3 years since I listened to it and I found everything super cool and positive. Congrats! I will stay listening. Cheers from Argentina

Posted 1 year ago by billy_argento    [ Reply ]
xx
Posted 1 year ago by barnabyresendiz    [ Reply ]
 timmus wrote:

Curious what "slight return" is supposed to mean.



a 'return' in music composition is reemergence of a piece of music, most often with some variation (tempo for example). On the album by Hendrix, Voodoo Chile is a slower and longer song on one side of the album, the song Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) is the last song on the album as a variation on the original version (yet different). the phrase 'slight return' indicates that it's not an identical repeat of the original song composition.
Posted 1 year ago by TC1    [ Reply ]
If you ever have the opportunity to see Angelique perform live, do not hesitate! Run like a bunny and snap up tickets! She is amazing - and this is one of my two favourite Jimi covers (the other being PM Dawn's "You Got Me Floatin'."
Posted 2 years ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
excellent segue from SRV's "Couldn't Stand the Weather"
Posted 2 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
This kicks ass! 
Posted 2 years ago by MayBaby    [ Reply ]
This is how to do a cover of a great song.

You keep the essence but...make it your own. 

 
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
sweet version
Posted 3 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:

a poor man's Sade. Very poor




Are we listening to the same artist? Other than the range of their voices I hear little in common.
Posted 3 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
From SRV to 'Voodoo Chile'... it's almost like there's some omnipotent unseen hand guiding the music...
c.
Posted 3 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
a poor man's Sade. Very poor
Posted 3 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Love this artist!  More, please!
Posted 3 years ago by jobohocomo    [ Reply ]
 timmus wrote:

Curious what "slight return" is supposed to mean.

On the original Electric Ladyland, Voodoo Chile is on side 1, this song is on side 4 ; so Slight Return, but it sort of takes on an interesting new context here...

I love covers that totally re-imagine the original!

Posted 3 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
I would ordinarily suggest to stay away from songs performed by Hendrix. From now on, I'll keep my mouth shut
Posted 3 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
When I turned my head and looked at the title after hearing recognizable lyrics, my first thought was "sacrilege!!!!". A minute into it though, I'm appreciating the complexity. Sounds more like a celebration of the original to me now.
Posted 3 years ago by FourFortyEight    [ Reply ]
Curious what "slight return" is supposed to mean.
Posted 3 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 Faithful_Fool wrote:

Bill, I'll take songs that stop me in my tracks for 1000 please. Catchy tune indeed. :fight.gif:

... and follow it with Smoke on the Water by Senor Coconut which had a similar effect on me!

Posted 4 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
NICE!!!
Posted 4 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Nice and Funky Groooooooove!!
Posted 5 years ago by dmiley    [ Reply ]
This CD rattled around in my car for yeeeaaarrrssss !!

That warrior wail!! So hot it chills! 
Posted 5 years ago by KaiT    [ Reply ]
Brilliant performer. Just some serious funk. Oh my God. Putumayo, thank you.
Posted 5 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
My first listen... had to look to see if this was a Peter Gabriel New World production, as it sure sounds like he had a hand in the mix on this (a very good thing). He is listed as a collaborator in general but couldn't confirm. Also was wondering if that was Tony Levin kickin out that deep bass  line... and again can't confirm. But being a huge fan of both those guys, I'm diggin this!
Posted 5 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
I could swear that i rated this a 9 in the past. I'll just make sure and rate it a 9 again. So original for a cover version. It really caught my attention, and I love Jimi for this song, too. 
Posted 5 years ago by 2Hawks    [ Reply ]
Absolutely brilliant! This is why I listen to RP.
Posted 5 years ago by zenhead    [ Reply ]
 manzanitafire wrote:
Why do we get Anjelique Kidjo on RP but not Zap Mama? I do not understand this.
 
Zap Mama is here too.  Maybe a more recent addition since your post is from 2008.  
Posted 13 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
 Mugro wrote:
I prefer to see this as a reinterpretation, rather than a cover. In that light, it is not that bad! You can't cover Jimi by trying to compete with his guitar playing. Forget it. This tune, though, focuses on funkiness and interesting vocals, so it works!
 

Indeed, Jonathan!  See - we *do* agree on a lot more things than we disagree on!  {#High-five}
Posted 17 years ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
I love Angelique Kidjo......play more of her!
Posted 17 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Jamunca wrote:
FAIL.

this is good!

Posted 17 years ago by lophrequa    [ Reply ]
Why do we get Anjelique Kidjo on RP but not Zap Mama? I do not understand this.
Posted 17 years ago by manzanitafire    [ Reply ]
No, can't get behind this. Used to think it was tolerable, but, no, it's a 1.
Posted 18 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
nice, 4th song with the word "voodoo"in it. These are not fantastic transitions....
Posted 18 years ago by sigmonsays    [ Reply ]
Jamunca wrote:
FAIL.
I like it
Posted 18 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
FAIL.
Posted 18 years ago by Jamunca    [ Reply ]
Great!
Posted 19 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
nuggler wrote:
Go Jimi ! Long may you reign....long may your astral visions grace us...
amen to dat brutha
Posted 20 years ago by trempel    [ Reply ]
Hooray for Angelique! I'm a huge fan and it's great to hear her on RP.
Posted 20 years ago by Sarcasm-hime    [ Reply ]
Bill, I'll take songs that stop me in my tracks for 1000 please. Catchy tune indeed. :fight.gif:
Posted 21 years ago by Faithful_Fool    [ Reply ]
Heh, little flashback here... String Cheese Incident used to play this before most of their concerts in the late 90s.
Posted 21 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
I like her voice, and the musical sensibility here. I want to hear more of her stuff. But I don't want to hear this song, ever again. Ick.
Posted 21 years ago by rsfc_carp    [ Reply ]
And the Spirit of the Voodoo Chile finds itself back in the ancient lands of Afrika, sacred place of his prophetic birth...and the legend does continues... Go Jimi ! Long may you reign....long may your astral visions grace us... LUV IT !!!!!!
Posted 21 years ago by nuggler    [ Reply ]
appst89 wrote:
Just awful.
I disagree - 8/10.... got something.
Posted 21 years ago by pyxxel    [ Reply ]
Just awful.
Posted 21 years ago by appst89    [ Reply ]
Now we need Cassandra Wilson's version of Voodoo Child (Slight Return). How many ways can we do a great song? Just a 9, 'cuz I like the studio version better.
Posted 21 years ago by KitKat    [ Reply ]
kevbo77 wrote:
Have you no sense of decency? This song has two major strikes. It attempts to remake a song that is already perfect and, more importantly it does a horrible job.
You gotta be kidding, I would like to hear the original version because I think this artist and this song is really worthy of airplay. Makes you want to dance around...and I am rather serious sort. So long live Angelique Kidjo's music-lets hear more!
Posted 21 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
had to bump that one from a 6 to an 8 - had since gotten significantly better speakers and now hear a lot more intelligent layering to this reprise. Check out Beautiful People's "If 60's Were 90's" album - it's blended with amazingly aranged cuts from Jimi's work, some bytes are rare. I'll have to upload from it...
Posted 21 years ago by MisterVErb    [ Reply ]
kevbo77 wrote:
Have you no sense of decency? This song has two major strikes. It attempts to remake a song that is already perfect and, more importantly it does a horrible job.
I will have to agree...From an incredible song that actually changed my perception of music...comes this MEDIOCRE rendering..what a shame...
Posted 21 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
I spent two years in the Peace Corps in Benin, where Angelique is from. I have unfortunately never seen her in concert but hear that she puts on an absolutely mind-blowing show. I listen to this and think, "She comes from one of the 30 poorest countries in the entire world." I know well the area where she grew up. THAT blows my mind. More power to her!
Posted 21 years ago by Alafia    [ Reply ]
took a good song, and drove it straight down the middle of the road.
Posted 21 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Shesdifferent wrote:
Thanks RP for playing Angelique Kidjo
Amen. I like the original and I like her too
Posted 21 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Thanks RP for playing Angelique Kidjo :sunny.gif:
Posted 21 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
KevinM wrote:
I'll probably catch hell for this but I like it better than the original.
Yes - I hereby throw hell at you. Twice.
Posted 21 years ago by OmegaConcern    [ Reply ]
Wow - I thought I had commented on this song before, so I checked. Yep. And Yep - it's still complete crap.
Posted 21 years ago by OmegaConcern    [ Reply ]
Usually I enjoy 're-interpretations' of classic songs. This one is for the birds.. Give me Johnny A doing "The Wind Cries Mary" ...
Posted 21 years ago by healyf52    [ Reply ]
i like it. this is definitely the best putumayo album.
Posted 21 years ago by MisterVErb    [ Reply ]
Even if it wasn't a remake of an unremakeable song (barring SRV's scorcher), this would just be average at best.
Posted 21 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
Mugro wrote:
I prefer to see this as a reinterpretation, rather than a cover. In that light, it is not that bad! You can't cover Jimi by trying to compete with his guitar playing. Forget it. This tune, though, focuses on funkiness and interesting vocals, so it works!
:nodhead:
Posted 21 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Take this off the playlist! Play either the Hendrix or Stevie Ray.
Posted 21 years ago by mrmojorisin    [ Reply ]
I'll probably catch hell for this but I like it better than the original.
Posted 21 years ago by KevinM    [ Reply ]
Have you no sense of decency? This song has two major strikes. It attempts to remake a song that is already perfect and, more importantly it does a horrible job.
Posted 21 years ago by kevbo77    [ Reply ]
Posted 21 years ago by n4ku    [ Reply ]
If I ruled the world, my first act would be to arrest anybody involved with this crime.
Posted 21 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
truk77 wrote:
See folks, this is a good cover. It takes the original and explores new territory, as opposed to simply trying to be a remake. I'm likin' it. :nodhead:
I'm glad to see a lot of people agreeing with this particular view. Doing a cover is a chance to really tell people what it means to you. One of my favorite cover tunes is Grant Langston's (https://grantlangston.com) version of Fat Bottom Girls. Since he is best classified as "alt-country" it is odd to hear that song with a country twang to it; however, the song turns out to be excellent.
Posted 21 years ago by pikester    [ Reply ]
zipper wrote:
wtf? 8O
Agree.. I am ususally open minded but what was she trying to do? Besides screwing Hendrix's MASTER CREATION?
Posted 21 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
I was SO prepared to hate this, but it's really kind of cool. I give it a 7.
Posted 21 years ago by n4ku    [ Reply ]
truk77 wrote:
See folks, this is a good cover. It takes the original and explores new territory, as opposed to simply trying to be a remake. I'm likin' it. :nodhead:
Ditto that. Lyrics notwithstanding, this is a totally different song, and I would like it whether I'd heard the original or not. Kinda nice blend of African and synthesia IMO. Obviously not everyone's cup o' tea, but it works for me.
Posted 21 years ago by tg3k    [ Reply ]
I prefer to see this as a reinterpretation, rather than a cover. In that light, it is not that bad! You can't cover Jimi by trying to compete with his guitar playing. Forget it. This tune, though, focuses on funkiness and interesting vocals, so it works!
Posted 21 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
wtf? 8O
Posted 21 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
truk77 wrote:
See folks, this is a good cover. It takes the original and explores new territory, as opposed to simply trying to be a remake. I'm likin' it. :nodhead:
Amen and well-said.
Posted 21 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
i am not enjoying this and am wishing that i was hearing the original. bad sign. luckily bill's following it with jimi doing a short live "little wing" thing. i feel better now. <----jimi hendrix
Posted 21 years ago by bluedot    [ Reply ]
Posted 21 years ago by n4ku    [ Reply ]
Typesbad wrote:
This was way cool, and its not like I've forgotten the power of the original, I was just shakin' my head to it just yesterday. And since in this case, it becomes a lead in to Hendrix' Little Wing - all the better!
:nodhead: i agree :D
Posted 21 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
(pimp) all day. why not?
Posted 21 years ago by lotus_65    [ Reply ]
I wonder what they felt/thought, listening to the original :-k Well, it can hardly get any more exciting than Hendrix' version, so yes, a totally other approach is maybe the only way to do a relevant cover of it. A good attempt in that respect. The "African feel" is nice (voodoo, you know ).
Posted 21 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
neither good nor bad, it just is. Feh.
Posted 21 years ago by pdhski    [ Reply ]
Well, ya got yer good voodoo and then ya got yer bad voodoo. Having said that, it takes guts to cover Hendrix, and while it isn't better than Jimi, it doesn't suck altogether. Good effort at being creative at least.
Posted 21 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
See folks, this is a good cover. It takes the original and explores new territory, as opposed to simply trying to be a remake. I'm likin' it. :nodhead:
Posted 21 years ago by truk77    [ Reply ]
Oh man ' what a let down. I read earlier that someone prefered this to Jimi - I was hopeful this would be exciting. Instead it seems to suck the urgency right out of the song.
Posted 21 years ago by glenns    [ Reply ]
This was way cool, and its not like I've forgotten the power of the original, I was just shakin' my head to it just yesterday. And since in this case, it becomes a lead in to Hendrix' Little Wing - all the better!
Posted 21 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
:headshake:
Posted 21 years ago by LLMikeJ    [ Reply ]
Posted 21 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
No frickin' way - what a great version!
Posted 21 years ago by ciscochasbro    [ Reply ]
I like this! A good 7 and you never know, it might go higher the more I hear it. Thanks RP
Posted 21 years ago by Al_Koholic    [ Reply ]
groovy stuff! i love it.
Posted 21 years ago by PattonFever    [ Reply ]
Where's the guitar? Wasn't the whole "chop it down withthe edge of my axe" a guitar reference? I'd rather hear Ben Harper's version...
Posted 21 years ago by BagelBoy    [ Reply ]
bc wrote:
I'm glad to hear a new take on this one. I bet Jimi would be, too. He was open minded, experimental, and pushed the envelope.
Yeah, I agree...Jimmie would dig this girl...
Posted 21 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
This has to be the absolute worst piece of God knows what. Just stop it already.Torturous!!
Posted 21 years ago by hideglue    [ Reply ]
I lke it! I like it! Who is this? I want more!!!!!
Posted 21 years ago by ediTed    [ Reply ]
Beez wrote:
Jimi is rolling right now. :headshake:
I'm glad to hear a new take on this one. I bet Jimi would be, too. He was open minded, experimental, and pushed the envelope.
Posted 21 years ago by bc    [ Reply ]
had a good beat... I could dance to it... I think Jimi would dig it-- somehow I think he didn't take himself as seriously as his fans do...
Posted 21 years ago by nolands    [ Reply ]
Man! RP must have some nice sound equipment! The beginning of this tune came through my tinny ,little desk speakers like an experiment in audio at a museum, where you are left dumbfounded at what you actually hear! Nice!
Posted 21 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Ahh - the satisfaction of having my vote lower this tune's average by one tenth.
Posted 21 years ago by -relayer-    [ Reply ]
I personally happen to think that the original and this song are different enough that the two songs can be rated independent of each other. Nevertheless, I only rated it as "decent"
Posted 21 years ago by lizardman_tcs    [ Reply ]
I have Angelique Kidjo's album, Oremi (with this song on it), and LOVE it. Highly recommended.
Posted 21 years ago by suzebee    [ Reply ]
very interesting. don't know what jimi would think and don't presume to guess. it's certainly danceable.
Posted 21 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
I though it was Zap Mama before the instuments kicked in.
Posted 21 years ago by gntlemanartist    [ Reply ]
Oh yea! I somehow was expecting this song to come next all along while hearing the song before (how I knew it would come? Voodoo powers ...). And I wasn't disappointed. Of all the new pop-rock songs of the last few years, this one is definitely one of my absolute favourites.
Posted 21 years ago by Konrad    [ Reply ]
OmegaConcern wrote:
Um, no. And not because I think it's killing Jimi's legend. Just no.
Agreed :nodhead:
Posted 22 years ago by Beez    [ Reply ]
Um, no. And not because I think it's killing Jimi's legend. Just no.
Posted 22 years ago by OmegaConcern    [ Reply ]
very cool... wonder what some of the other tracks off this album are like.. given the albumn's name..
Posted 22 years ago by TreborG2    [ Reply ]
I think its quit blasphemic :-)
Posted 22 years ago by HotMahony    [ Reply ]
Jimi is rolling right now. :headshake:
Posted 22 years ago by Beez    [ Reply ]
The more I hear the song the more I like it. Amazing.
Posted 22 years ago by Konrad    [ Reply ]
Wow. Very interesting interpretation. I hope that gets played a lot because it simply rocks. I'm an Angelique Kidjou fan since having seen her live on stage together with Santana where he introduced the song of his new album, Adouma. Well, I bought the album later and the song was cool but in my opinion it was nowhere near to when sung by Angelique Kidjou (who wrote the song, Santana did the cover). I am still mad at Santana because the version on his album does not feature Angelique Kidjou (and why not? He played it live with her and nearly every other song on the album features another artist).
Posted 22 years ago by Konrad    [ Reply ]
Not sure what I'll think after repeated listening, but it's an interesting interpretation, and I like it. I'm sure we'll see several overheated comments about "besmirching Jimi's memory" if this gets much play.
Posted 22 years ago by AugieK    [ Reply ]
I'm there.
Posted 22 years ago by hetchins    [ Reply ]
Jimi is casting a spell as we speak. Please, never again.
Posted 22 years ago by Spliff    [ Reply ]