Well, it had been done before, it's bound to be done again. But at least this time it was done right, and they brought some interesting tidbits to the table.

"Cornerstones" was a very superior Japanese Polydor Hendrix compilation that had a few suprises for collectors at the time of its release in 1990-- it was the first time that the Studio version of "Star Spangled Banner" from the "

" LP had ever appeared on CD (although it's since surfaced again on the "

" Box Set). This CD also marked the first time that the cuts "Fire" and "Stone Free" had been released from the July 4, 1970 Atlanta International Pop Festival (3 other cuts from this show had been released on the 1986 LP "Johnny B. Goode"-- the complete show wouldn't be released until a year later on the "

" Box Set). As noted above, the version of "Stepping Stone" here is the 45 RPM Single, not the "

" edit.

The rest of the tracks were already available elsewhere-- most on

; released the previous year in 1989. This compilation was a nice overview of Hendrix' career for its time, with a decent balance of studio and live material, but the tracks that distinguished it have been rereleased, and it's strictly for completists now. If choosing one or the other, I'd go for the "Essential" release, it's got the 7" version of "Gloria" that's only otherwise available on the "

" LP/CD.