The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced (17 tracks) +Album Reviews

Classic Album Gets Classic Treatment

Tony C | Los Angeles, CA, USA | 02/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The overview, for those who have recently arrived from Mars and never heard of Jimi Hendrix, or who have recently started studying rock history and never heard of ARE YOU EXPERIENCED?: In his liner essay to this CD, Dave Marsh calls this "the greatest, most influential debut album ever released," and it's hard to counter his praise. Hendrix is one of the few 1960s rock gods who is worshipped as much by the children of those who grew up with his music as by their parents. This was the world's introduction to his psychedelic guitar, trippy lyrics and throbbing basslines, and his voice was clear from the start. It's rare to find more than one or two signature songs on a debut -- even Bob Dylan, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones needed a running start to become the artists we think of today -- but Hendrix has five: "Purple Haze," "Foxey Lady," "Fire," "Hey Joe" and "The Wind Cries Mary." Thirty-five years after its initial release, ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? is prized both for its historical significance and its rocking sound, perfect for summer road trips or dorm room parties.With this CD release, the classic has been given its due. The remastered sound brings out every whine and whistle of Hendrix's guitar, every reverberation of Mitch Mitchell's drums, every "plunk" of Noel Redding's bass, restoring to the sound the layers it was intended to have.Marsh trips over himself to praise the album -- at one point, he suggests the Universe was created for the sole purpose of producing it -- but in his four pages he adequately places the album in its historical context.In selecting the six songs (Tracks 12-17) to add to the album's original 11, MCA and Experience Hendrix did a bang-up job of adding to the classic without breaking up the flow. The casual observer who's never heard the original vinyl would barely notice anything was changed, which is quite a feat, given how carefully crafted the album was.Rock fans will groove to Hendrix's vision and guitar-playing. Die-hard Hendrix fans and music historians will love the CD, making it a must-have for anyone's collection."

Get Experienced

Thomas Magnum | NJ, USA | 06/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Are You Experienced? is the debut album from the original guitar god, the late, great Jimi Hendrix. Along with drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding, he created one of the most original sounds in music and laid down guitar work that has yet to be duplicated. The album opens with one of the most instantly recognizable guitar riffs in music history, the opening line to "Purple Haze". The song became an anthem of the psychedelic rock sound and coupled with "The Star Spangled Banner", punctuated Mr. Hendrix's performance at Woodstock. "Hey Joe" is a cover song that Mr. Hendrix adds a subtle yet powerful guitar. "The Wind Cries Mary" is a quiet, reflective song that is followed up by a complete 180, the manic and reckless "Fire". "Stone Free" is rollicking song while "Foxy Lady" has a start stop, punchy sound. The album's finest song, and probably the best thing he recorded, is the title track. A swirling, shuffling, cornucopia of sounds with a razor blade guitar, the song is everything that makes Mr. Hendrix great. Are You Experienced? spent almost a year in the top ten and brought the Seattle born artist world wide acclaim."

The debut that lit the world on fire

K. Bentley | Stratford, CT United States | 10/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many artists have released excellent debut albums, but this is probably the debut that stunned the music world the most. It introduced the world to a 24-year-old gypsy named Jimi Hendrix, and his rather unique mix of blues, Bob Dylan, avant-garde experimentations and the Beatles. ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? definitely is one of the most essential albums in rock history. A lot of the songs are still played on the radio to this day ("Purple Haze," "Hey Joe," "Wind Cries Mary," "Fire," etc.) and it has influenced a countless amount of people to pick up guitars and just rock out.

In terms of songwriting, a few rival with Hendrix. From the beauty of "may this be love" to the chaos of 'i don't live today' and the On The Road-esque 'highway child,' Hendrix, besides being probably the best guitarist of all time, was an excellent and prolific writer, who used sound effects and chords at all of the right times.

My personal favorite track on this album is the 7-minute psychedelic/avant-garde jam "Third Stone From the Sun." With the experimentation of weird voices, weird poetry, jazz, and of course, Hendrix's legendary guitar distortion, it's an underrated track, but embodies basically everything Hendrix could do.

If you want to get into Hendrix, this is the place to start, and in my opinion, this is his best album. Now with music worse than ever, where's Hendrix when you need him?"

MTV Supporter, There's A Reason Why Nobody Likes Your Review

Beatles Fan 05 | California | 11/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album was released 15 years before MTV came into being so its a no brainer why there were no videos made of these songs. I hope you're just a joker because if you're not you need serious psychological help.

With that out of the way, There is nothing overrated about this album whatsoever. Jimi Hendrix's guitar playing has yet to be matched by anybody else. "Purple Haze", is the ultimate acid rock anthem. It is still played on countless movies and T.V. shows. Hendrix redefined what the guitar could do with his use of distortion and feedback and lightning fast hammer ons, pull offs and bends. He even plays with his teeth and behind his back. Can Good Charlotte do That! One of the best things about Hendrix is that he didn't release any visual representations of his songs(or at least none that I know of). In other words, he didn't release any proto-MTV videos that would have watered down his work and made him less serious as an artist. Now don't get me wrong, some videos are legendary. Just look at Madonna's, "Like A Prayer", or Peter Gabriel's, "Sledgehammer", to see how good videos are made. I'm off subject so back to Hendrix.

Like I said before, the album opens with the legendary acid rock anthem, "Purple Haze", featuring one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock history and one of Hendrix's best solos. "Manic Depression" is another catchy acid rock tune with Mitch Mitchell on drums as the driving force of the song. "Hey Joe", is an instant classic. A familiar ditty about a jealous husband who shoots his wife dead after finding her having an affair and then fleeing to Mexico. The album never lets up. "The Wind Cries Mary", is a classic blues rock song and, "Third Stone From The Sun", is six minutes of crazy and erratic guitar playing(has a very psychedelic feeling to it).

"Foxey lady", is one of the first libido driven songs and who can forget, "Fire", one of the most classic anti-love songs ever.

Extremely good album that is a must have by lovers of classic acid and psychedelic rock. Very accessible so it shouldn't be hard to find. After you listen to this, be sure to check out his other two albums; "Axis Bold As Love", and, "Electric Ladyland".

P.S.

I know MTV Supporter and other MTV loving

losers are going to say this review isn't helpful

but I don't care. As long as I get my point through."

AN EXPERIENCE THAT CHANGED IT ALL!

Jared Insell | Canada | 10/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"He has been dubbed as one of the greatest guitarists of all time yet there is something about Jimi that seperates him from the rest. He was larger than life, he always pushed the limits and it shows it on this wonderful album. It was raw, hip, cool over the edge rock that would change music forever.ARE YOU EXPERIENCED is Jimi Hendrix' debut album and it is considered by many his best. I can only say that is definetly essential Hendrix material. The album opens with the ground breaking PURPLE HAZE followed by the fast guitar riffing MANIC DEPRESSION. Next is another Hendrix classic the bluesy HEY JOE then the bizarre LOVE OR CONFUSION. Hendrix shows that his music is not all rough with the beautiful MAY THIS BE LOVE. After that is one of my favourites I DON'T WANT TO LIVE TODAY followed by the unique WIND CRIES MARY. The beat picks up with the classic FIRE then comes the lengthly blues jam of THIRD STONE FROM THE SUN. Things heat up with FOXEY LADY and ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? then things get bluesy again with STONE FREE and 51ST ANNIVERSARY (another fave of mine). The hit HIGHWAY CHILE turns up next then the groovy CAN YOU SEE ME and REMEMBER the album closes with a bluesrock tune RED HOUSE.In conclusion ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? is essential listening for all music lovers. It is a true work of art and easily one of the best albums of 1967. Bottom Line, ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? is the ultimate musical experience. Why? because music has not been the same since!
Highly recommended."

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