Search - Jimi Hendrix :: Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix

Influential Guitarist

Y2bjs Reviews | Melbourne Australia | 05/12/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This guy is one of the mose influential guitarists of all time.Alot of bands to come out in the 70's followed his style at various times.Here is another singer we were robbed of,it's a pity he wasn't around longer.There is some great guitar work in his tunes,that inspired people like Mark Knopfler.

There is alot of albums around with Jimi Hendrix,you could spend a fortune collecting them,they must have released everything he ever did."

Otherwise decent collection ruined by lousy re-mastering

Russell Sharp | Cream Ridge, New Jersey | 09/13/2010

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This would be a fine introduction to Hendrix's output or a sufficient single album for mild fans if not for the terrible sound quality.



Unfortunately, when Hendrix's albums were re-released on CD in the late 1990's the re-mastering included extensive digital dynamic range compression, clipping and distortion that made the new versions unpleasant listens compared with older releases of the albums. This compilation is no exception. The volume of the recording is turned up -- but not in a good way -- and the amount of digital distortion is nearly unbearable, at least to my ears. (As if the extensive analog distortion in the original recordings weren't enough! In any event, if you're baffled as to why a record company would release a CD that sounds so awful, go to Wikipedia and look up the article entitled "loudness war.") I own this collection as well as older CD pressings of two Hendrix albums; the difference between the sound of the songs on this album and the sound of the same songs on the older albums is like night and day. If you've listened to this album and think I am overstating the matter, I strongly recommend listening to Hendrix on a CD issued prior to 1997 or vinyl pressing -- you will be surprised at the difference.



Fortunately, some of the early 1990's MCA pressings of Hendrix's albums are still available used. These have much better sound and won't give you a headache if you listen to them on a decent pair of headphones or speakers. And if you're looking for a best-of collection, try the out-of-print MCA compilation with a similar set of songs called "Ultimate Experience." I have not heard it but I am sure it has better sound than this one. But whatever you do, please do yourself a favor and avoid this collection."