Electric Ladyland [Remastered] - Jimi Hendrix > Reviews > Grooovy Man

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	Groudbreaking, innovative, superb
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Ian Dury wrote a song called 'Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll' which would seem to describe perfectly the way Jimi Hendrix lived his life and in a way it also can serve to describe the ‘Electric Ladyland ' experience'.

'Electric Ladyland' is considered by many to be one of the best albums ever made. This record more than any other sums up the psychedelic musical era started in the sixties, which seemed to come to an abrupt end with Hendrix death in 1970. It perfectly encapsulated the innovative style that Hendrix had developed over his tragically short career.

Hendrix was the first major black rock star and inspired a whole generation of musicians, the likes of Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Pete Townsend and more recently Patti Smth, Lenny Kravitz and Prince…the list goes on.

This was Hendrix's third record to be released following the excellent 'Axis Bold as Love' in 1968 and the earlier groundbreaking debut ‘Are You Experienced?’ in 1967.
In many ways Electric Ladyland develops the experiments in musical fusion that he began on his earlier records particularly ‘Are You Experienced?.

I think this is the record that really cemented the Hendrix sound, and more importantly showed other rock artists and fans that rock music could break free from the narrow elements of Rhythm and Blues and incorporate any musical style. Electric Ladyland is far more than a great rock album, in bringing together blues, rock, soul, jazz and adding a distinctive drug fuelled psychedelic twist to the music Hendrix single handed developed and evolved the rock genre.

THE BAND

Jimi Hendrix -Lead Guitar
Noel Redding- Base Guitar
Mitch Mitchell- Drums

On the album there are also a wealth of guest musicians Including, Steve Winwood Buddy Miles, Jack Casady and Al Kooper.

The other person who should take much credit for the albu
m is the sound engineer Eddie Kramer.

THE TRACKS

From the outset you know that this is no ordinary record. The first track
‘AND THE GODS MADE LOVE’ is a strange otherworldly experimental piece a sort of Psychedelic/bluesy Jam which then surprisingly leads in to ‘HAVE YOU EVER BEEN (to Electric Ladyland)’ which has a laid back, easy feel to it entering the realms of soul-phychedelia. From now on the hits come thick and fast. Track three is ‘CROSSTOWN TRAFFIC’ a classic song most recently used for an advert re-mixed by Fat-Boy Slim. This song is pure audio sex, a weird fusion of funk souls and full out rock, with a thrusting guitar solo. Still sounds great today.
The pace slows for the next song but the intensity of the music doesn’t we have reached the last song on the original side one of the vinyl release ‘VOODOO CHILE’, probably Hendrix’s most complex track and my personal favourite. This is Hendrix at his bluesy best ably accompanied and challenged by Steve Winwood on keyboards. Long, meandering, improvisational. (Reportedly completed in one take in an early morning studio session), it sound great, one of the best track of the album.

As one other reviewer on this site has mentioned the CD format of this record doesn’t allow for breathing space between key tracks, as I am sure the original plying order on vinyl was designed to do. It does feel slightly incongruous on the CD version that such an epic track as Voodoo Chile is quickly followed by ‘LITTLE MISS STRANGE’ possibly the weakest and poppiest song on the whole record. After some conventional bleus of ‘LONG HOT SUMMER’ and high tempo rock with a cover of Earl King’s ‘COME ON’ and ‘GISPY EYES’ we come to one of the most powerful and haunting song on the record ‘BURNING OF THE MIDNIGHT LAMP’. After an inspired intro Hendrix leads us in to some f
renetic guitar sounds with spiralling solos. A brilliant track, and certainly one that would appeal to potheads everywhere.

The following few tracks constitute a relatively laid back relaxed part of the record where mixtures of blues and more abstract jamming blends together to produce a unique sound. A section much admired by certain fans that liked to experiment with drugs as well as musical styles…

By the time we reach ‘HOUSE BURNING DOWN’ we are definitely back in to the rock genre this is adrenalin-fuelled composition that really lifts the mood again.

‘ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER’ is another classic and could arguably be considered the best cover version ever! Hendrix musically re-interprets Dylan’s song and manages to instil a much more vibrant groove to it. I think Hendrix's vocals are superb on this song although it is strange to think that Hendrix really disliked his singing voice.
To end the record Hendrix pulls out all the stops with. ‘ (slight return). Here Hendrix is at his virtuoso best, some amazing guitar work and wonderful lyrics, the perfect ending. ‘VOODOO CHILD’ went on to be a posthumous No.1 for Hendrix and will always be one of his most popular tracks.

BACKGROUND

The background to the release of the album does not make happy reading. Noel Redding was about to split from the band and earlier that year Hendrix had split with producer Chas Chandler. The concentration of Hendrix on more concept type pieces as opposed to pure pop rock had caused a musical rift between them.

The cover also caused controversy at the time featuring dozens of naked women sitting around in 'modest' poses. The original design favoured by Hendrix himself was ditched for more sensational one and the CD version available of the album has a different cover yet again. Although the naked women are gone from the CD it does include a fairly expansive 2
4-page booklet featuring a short biography of Hendrix and the band and including some interesting photos of Hendrix and of some of the original manuscripts to many of the songs. At the very end is included a two page piece of writing by Hendrix himself in a spontaneous beat style, which he apparently penned in the early hours of the morning in September 1968. Luckily since the original was a double vinyl album there was not enough space on the CD to add additional tracks that would invariably spoil the musical integrity of the original, more is not always better!

‘Electric Ladyland’ at the time of its release was way ahead of what other rock artists were attempting. Hendrix managed to produce a double album record that spanned all musical style effortlessly fusing varied musical styles blues, Rock, soul, funk, pshychedelia. All the tracks are very different in nature and yet the records flow sublimely from one to the other. This is a real milestone in rock history on a par with The Beatles' Sgt Peppers and the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds and Hendrix’ own earlier ‘Are You Experienced?’. This record directly and indirectly influenced many bands from Led Zeppelin and all the first phase of heavy metal bands to the progressive rock bands of the early to mid 70’s and it continues to influence bands today. An absolute classic.

So sit back, roll yourself a spliff (only if you happen to be in Amsterdam of course…), play this record and ...relax.

A final bit of bit of trivia: On the original master tapes the record was mis-named 'Electric Landlady'

‘Electric Ladyland’ is available on CD on the MCA label (Catalogue Number: MCD11600) priced at £11.99 (Amazon.co.uk)

Thank you for reading and rating this opinion.

© Mauri 2002