113. The Jimi Hendrix Experience | Electric Ladyland (1968)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. ...And the Gods Made Love
2. Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland)
3. Crosstown Traffic
4. Voodoo Chile
5. Little Miss Strange
6. Long Hot Summer Night
7. Come On (Let the Good Times Roll)
8. Gypsy Eyes
9. Burning of the Midnight Lamp
10. Rainy Day, Dream Away
11. 1983... (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)
12. Moon, Turn the Tides...Gently Gently Away
13. Still Raining, Still Dreaming
14. House Burning Down
15. All Along the Watchtower
16. Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

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Note: the US release used the cover at the top left; the UK release used the cover at the top right. Jimi Hendrix didn't approve of either. See the Wikipedia entry for Electric Ladyland for more information.


Electric Ladyland is a mighty album. From the groove-heavy rhythm section to the near-vocal lead guitar, from the double album length to the more-than-ten minute length of several tracks, from the Olympian allusions in the lyrics to the godlike guitar solos, this album exudes power and masculinity. This is the natural consequence of electrifying the blues. This is the pinnacle of hard rock.
Jimi Hendrix pushes the boundary of the role of the guitar in rock and roll. He clearly demonstrates that the guitar can be an alternative to a singer, yet retaining a vocal similarity. Not only does Jimi do that, but he also charts the future course of hard rock. Since he's so far ahead of his time, it's hard to tell if anyone can even try to match his skill. So he may have pushed the boundary, but the trail, if any, that he left might be to obscure to follow.

Listening to this album all the way through is a real workout. It's one outstanding song after another. There's no question about this album being a "must" to listen to. It's an album for the ages. There's not a bad track on the album, although ...And the Gods Made Love isn't necessary. The real stand outs are Crosstown Traffic, Voodoo Chile, Gypsy Eyes, Burning of the Midnight Lamp, 1983...(A Merman I Should Turn to Be), House Burning Down, All Along the Watchtower and Voodoo Child (Slight Return).

★★★★★★★★★★

105. The Jimi Hendrix Experience | Axis: Bold as Love (1967)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. EXP
2. Up from the Skies
3. Spanish Castle Magic
4. Wait Until Tomorrow
5. Ain't No Telling
6. Little Wing
7. If 6 Was 9
8. You Got Me Floatin'
9. Castles Made of Sand
10. She's So Fine
11. One Rainy Wish
12. Little Miss Lover
13. Bold as Love

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Axis: Bold as Love is a tight album. The songs are straight up rock and roll. The album has a really rich and clear sound which really emphasizes each of the main three instruments: guitar, bass and drums.

Jimi Hendrix is an amazing guitar player. He makes it sound so natural. He doesn't so much play the guitar as he wills it to make sound. Does anyone even come close to playing as naturally as Jimi could?


Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell are completely overshadowed and underrated. Mitch Mitchell is an aggressive and assertive drummer and Noel Redding's bass playing is solid, sounds great and really complements Jimi's guitar playing.

Aside from Spanish Castle Magic, the album doesn't really get going until a few songs in. But from Little Wing to Bold as Love, it's nearly flawless. This album is definitely worth listening to, but I'm ambivalent about whether it's worth owning. Are You Experienced certainly overshadows this album which its heavy riffs. This album is more subtle and the guitar is more lyrical.

Every song is worth listening to. EXP is a distraction. The stand out songs are Spanish Castle Magic, Little Wing, If 6 Was 9, You Got Me Floatin', Castles Made of Sand, She's So Fine, One Rainy Wish and Bold as Love.

★★★★★★★★★★

100. The Jimi Hendrix Experience | Are You Experienced (1967)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

UK release

1. Foxy Lady
2. Manic Depression
3. Red House
4. Can You See Me
5. Love or Confusion
6. I Don't Live Today
7. May This Be Love
8. Fire
9. 3rd Stone from the Sun
10. Remember
11. Are You Experienced

US release

1. Purple Haze
2. Manic Depression
3. Hey Joe
4. Love or Confusion
5. May This Be Love
6. I Don't Live Today
7. The Wind Cries Mary
8. Fire
9. Third Stone from the Sun
10. Foxey Lady
11. Are You Experienced?

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Note: There are two versions of this album. The Wikipedia entry for this album discusses the differences between the two and the reason for the different versions. 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die discusses the UK version.

Are You Experienced is a monstrous album. The songs are loud and heavy.

With this album, Jimi Hendrix has changed the way the guitar is played on rock and roll albums. This isn't an unexpected development. Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, Jeff Beck and Keith Richards all had hinted at a more prominent lead guitar role, but it's primacy had remained elusive. Then, Jimi Hendrix simply cut to the chase and gave the lead guitar primacy. There hardly seems any point during a song where Jimi isn't doing something significant and jaw-dropping with the guitar.

This is a must-have album. It's a must to have both the US and UK versions. Every time I listen to it, I'm amazed by how great the songs are and how great a guitarist Jimi Hendrix is. 

Every song is outstanding, so there's no point in having a stand-outs list.

★★★★★★★★★★