Undoubtedly the world’s greatest guitarist ever, Jimi Hendrix made three studio albums, two live albums and a compilation album in his relatively short (1967-1970) career as guitarist, singer, song-writer and eponymous leader of The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was an English-American psychedelic rock band that formed in London in October 1966. Comprising singer-songwriter and guitarist Jimi Hendrix, bassist and backing vocalist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, the band were active until June 1970.
The Experience’s first album, Are You Experienced (1967), is a master-class in guitar playing, innovation, effects, and sonic experimentation. Third Stone from the Sun, Are You Experienced, Fire, Manic Depression, and Foxy Lady are the stand-out tracks.
The Experience’s second album, Axis: Bold as Love (1968), is full of beautiful melodies, some amazing but restrained guitar solos, and a focus on lyrics rather than guitar histrionics. However, the tracks If Six Were Nine, Spanish Castle Magic, Little Wing and Bold as Love all contain some excellent guitar work.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s third album, Electric Ladyland (1970), is a veritable sonic masterpiece. The whole album is beautiful, but the best section is the Rainy Day, Dream Away… 1983… Moon, Turn the Tides… and Still Raining, Still Dreaming sequence. Amazing. If there’s one Hendrix album that’s mandatory listening, it’s this one.
The live album, Jimi Plays Monterey, features killer versions of Dylan’s Like a Rolling Stone, Chip Taylor’s Wild Thing and Hey Joe.
The other live album, Blue Wild Angel: Live at the Isle Of Wight, features diamond-hard versions of All Along the Watchtower, Purple Haze, Red House, Foxy Lady and Voodoo Child (Slight Return).
There’s also a Smash Hits compilation, but if you’ve got the first three albums, you don’t really need it.
Here’s a clip of The Jimi Hendrix Experience playing Purple Haze live:
Have a listen to any of the albums mentioned above, particularly the first three. The music is fantastic. You won’t regret it.
R J Dent 