Are You Experienced [Remastered] - Jimi Hendrix > Reviews > Hendrix's Explosive Debut

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money

Advantages:	Quite Simply Genius
Disadvantages:	None at all

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

1967 England. A blues explosion is taking place with guitar heroes such as Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend soaring high. Then Jimi Hendrix with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell arrive on the scene. The guitar and music would never be the same again.

Are You Experienced is the Experience's explosive, groundbreaking debut and stands in music history as one of the all time classic albums, a milestone in the road of rock guitar. The impact of this sublime album cannot be overrated - its impact on music is extreme and far spread.

Welcome to 17 Tracks of Jimi's fretboard acrobatics, soulful lyrical content and a Music 101 course. When you listen to this CD you're instantly taken on an intense ride of thought-provoking lyrical intensity, raunchy rock and roll guitar and pychadlic pyrotechnics and Jimi Hendrix is at the driving seat. With the powerful musicmanship and incredible competence of sidemen Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell this album delivers.

Hendrix was a genius and the guitar legend shines through on this record.

1. Foxy Lady (3.19)

Instantly the listener is catapulted into Jimi's world of tonal extravaganzas with Foxey Lady, the raw sexual anthem of the 60. A song that simply oozes Hendrix's raw sexual and animalistic magnetism. Hendrix drew inspiration from the Hit single "Wild Thing" for this tune and the song's popularity would remain throughout and past Hendrix's life.

2. Manic Depression (3.42)

This heavy and ironically depressive number sees Hendrix step-down on the virtuosity. The heavy, pounding rhythm of Mitchell's percussion and the quite superb bass lines of Redding stand out significantly in this song.

3. Red House (3.42)

The album features Jimi hendrix's raw blues masterpiece, Red House. The sublime sound of virtuostic blues guitar that would never be equalled till Stevie Ray Vaughan reigns supreme in this song. Hendrix's fredboard excellence shines as he speeds through a flurry of notes in true style. Truly an excellent addition to the album.

4. Can You See Me (2.33)

A lesser known yet no less excellent song from the Hendrix repertoir is a fine addition to the album. Hendrix drops his romantic rock and roll figure and takes on a darker tone for this track with menacing lyrics.

5 Love Or Confusion (3.11)

Again this is exotic and truly original track rarely makes an appearance on Hendrix Family releases but is a personal appearance of mine. The pulsing bass of Redding and Hendrix's unstopping virtoustic playing and heartful lyrics make this track a hit.

6. I Don't Live Today

This tribute to the American native Indians from which Hendrix held descendents. Although it may not held the sublime excellent quality of the other songs this track is still an above average, powerful song. Hendrix's depiction of the suffering natives is nothing short of fantastic and as ever Mitchell and Redding deliver the goods in a thoroughly imaginitive and experimentive way.

7. May This Be Love

In this song the album takes another turn. Up till now the lustener has seen the powerful, blues inspired rock side of Jimi's playing but this delicate ballad is a thought-provoking and beauty filled editon to the album, the wondeful playing in the intsrumental break is reminscent of aquatic life or the flight of a bird. A fantastic track.

8. Fire (2.43)

From the delicatness and beauty of the previous track we are catapulted straight back into the feroucious rock of the Experience with this powerful piece inspired by, supirisngly, the fireplace of Redding's parent's home. Arguably Mitch Mitchell's finest hours, this could easily be called "How To Drum".

9. Third Stone From The Sun (6.44)

Third Stone From the Sun is a Hank marvin meets a pschychadelic Universe adventure with JImi, a truly original, experiemntal - yet still listenable - acid trip of a song. At the time this song blew away listeners and although the technical mastery may be less extreme it is no less impressive than it was almost almost 40 years ago.

10. Remember (2.48)

Remember stands as a tragic, superb tribute to Jimi's early Blues influences. The virtuosity may be stepped down but this is a fantastic track from the Jimi Hendrix repertoir. Again this is also rarely heard which makes this album fanatastic for anyone delving deeper into the ever extroadinary and uplifting world of the JimI Hendrix Experience.

11. Are You Experienced? (4.14)

The title track from the song quite simply represents the ideology behind this legendary power trio. It also echoes the experimental and groundbreaking nature of this album. With backwards guitars, shimmering and strangely beautiful instrumental sounds coupled with the impressive lyrical content of Jimi comes together to make a fantastic addition.

12. Hey Joe (3.30)

The only cover on the album and one of the most requested and respected songs throughout Jimi hendrix's career. Up to his depth this song would still please the crowds, and with reason - it's fantastic. An anthem of the 60s, Jimi turned around a rather uninspiring song and made it into something quite brilliant.

13. Stone Free (3.36)

Again a classic song for the Experience's career is filled with Jimi's story of breaking free. The connotations of the open road and freedom is depicted by the genius instrumental breaks and superdb singing quality supplied throughout.

14. Purple Haze (2.51)

Undoubtedly the pinnacle of Jimi hendrix's career, think hendrix, think Purple Haze. Often argued whether the song is of Jimi's Sci-Fi love or LSD trips the impressive lyrics and classic riffing delivers an image of a legend, a guitar god and a musician breaking free.

15. 51st Anniversary (3.16)

Quite different from anything else on the album, it has the feel of Hendrix's earlier influences. this Purple Haze B-Side track is no less exciting and interesting as the other tracks but lacks the fire and experientation of the other songs.

16. The Wind Cries Mary (3.20)

Again the listener is treated to the softer side of the Experience and Jimi. The soft and signature rhythm style of Jimi is perfectly balanced by the work of Redding and Mitchell and the poetic lyrics reminiscent of Bob Dylan's style that Jimi respected and adored so much.

17. Highway Chile (3.32)

This groundbreaking album comes to a close with an enigmatic fast paced track that was absent from the orignal release. The benefits of it's addition are clear, this is a superb track that again represents Jimi's flare for rebellion.

All in all this album is a must have, anyone remotely influenced in rock or blues music should by law, own this album.
Jimi is God, drop to your knees and pray .

Guitars/Vocals - Jimi Hendrix
Bass - Noel Redding
Drums - Mitch Mitchell
Producer - Eddie Kramer

Tracklist -

1.Foxy Lady (3.19)
2. Manic Depression (3.42)
3.Red House (3.42)
4. Can you See Me (2.33)
5. Love Or Confusion (3.11)
6. I Don't Live Today (3.55)
7. May This Be Love (3.11)
8. Fire (2.43)
9. Third Stone From The Sun (6.44)
10. Remember 2.48)
11. Are You Experienced? (4.14)
12. Hey Joe (3.30)
13. Stone Free (3.36)
14. Purple Haze (2.51)
15. 51st Anniversary (3.16)
16. The Wind Cries Mary (3.20)
17. Highway Chile (3.32)