Electric Ladyland [Remastered] - Jimi Hendrix > Reviews > Jimi's Electric Heaven

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money

Advantages:	too many  -  it's great, before its time
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

'Electric Ladyland' was recorded during September 1968 and shows a definite step away from mid-60's hippy-pop rock into some experimental stuff like spiritual blues and psychedelica. It was the third and last album the experience recorded together.

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Track-by-Track

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1. ...And The Gods Made Love

This first track sets the mood and direction for the album and could be described as a galaxy-patrolling space jam. Which might mean nothing but listen to it and I dare you to describe it.

2. Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland)

A great melodic track which is actually very under-rated in my opinion.

3. Crosstown Traffic

WOW!! This is a two and a half minute flurry of hendrix tells a humorous little story that compares a dead end love affair to a traffic jam.

4. Voodoo Chile

This is a wonderful fifteen minute long version of the blues epic Voodoo Chile, which genuinely reveals the roots of Hendrix's songwriting and guitar playing. The drum solos and stevie winwood organ playing are great too. Put this on in the background of whatever you may be doing.

5. Little Miss Strange

The one disappointing track on this album which was written and arranged by Noel Redding, the Experience's bassist. The song is actually okay, but it has too much of a Beatles feel, and when placed Hendrix's own material it feels out of place.

6. Long Hot Summer Night

A great little tuneful bluesy-funk track that has a great riff (du-du-du-du-der-der-du-du-der) in it with great solos you expect from Jimi.

7. Come On (Let The Good Times Roll)

This is a great rock track that has inspired many a guitar solo I've heard.

8. Gypsy Eyes

Great rock track with guitar effects and truly great drumming.

9. Burning Of The Midnight Lamp

Another true classic using the wah-wah to great effect and there were rumours that Hendrix had used underwater guitar effects here.

10. Rainy Day, Dream Away

The duel between Hendrix and Freddie Smith, horn player, is more exciting than anything you'll see at a sporting event.

11. 1983...(A Merman I Should Turn To Be)

This song may have opened the doors of the progressive rock movement with its length, experimentation and bizarre, apocalyptic lyrics. I still cannot believe it was written in 1968.

12. Moon, Turn The Tides...Gently Gently Away

A psychadelic number.

13. Still Raining, Still Dreaming

Has very wierd guitar effects at the start and is a typical blues number.

14. House Burning Down

Hendrix made a point about race riots with a science fiction analogy. It has some truly incredible sound effects at the end.

15. All Along The Watchtower

It speaks volumes when a musician like Bob Dylan, who wrote the original version of this song, changes his own version to sound more like the cover version.

Probably the best ever cover song.

16. Voodoo Chile

This is the slight return (5 mins) version of track 4. An absolute classic and also the only number one Jimi Hendrix had in the UK.

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This album is a must have for any fan of Jimi Hendrix and anyone else even slightly into experimental music. True, true Class!!