[dazedcola]

Hendrix's music is made for this time of year. The freedom and expression fit perfectly with the mood of a wild unpredictable summer. No matter how much you've heard his music it's still unbelievable and can reveal more layers of itself like an onion. This guy must have been inspired 24/7.

In three short years he changed the face of rock music, leaving water marks musicians are still trying to reach today. His evolution musically is astonishing in the short time he was here. I've been recently playing Electric Ladyland and its crazy all these ideas he had with a guitar. I think "1983...A Merman should I be" is one of the best psychedelic songs ever written. Listening to it makes you travel away to a world constructed by Jimi's imagination where we as a people can restart society underwater.

Anyway, what is your favorite album from this guitar genius ? Please feel free to elaborate on your answer and talk about why you like that or your favorite parts.

[ricechex]

Had to vote "Are you Experienced" for the title track alone..

[demonrail666]

I chose the same one as ricechex, and for exactly the same reason. Highly spooky.

[terminal pharmacy]

this time of year is not summer for me, so i will tell you in 6 months

[StevOK]

I had to put "Are You Experienced?", but "Band of Gypsies" would be a close second.

[demonrail666]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

I chose the same one as ricechex, and for exactly the same reason. Highly spooky.

I should also add that it's the only one I've actually heard.

[atari 2600]

A case can certainly be made for any of the first three.

In my mind, Hendrix's recorded output suffered almost invariably from the artistic sabotage of his financiers. And even after he was able to have Electric Ladyland studios, his own self-destructive tendencies were by then in full swing and tended to work against him.

Hendrix at his electrifying best, and there is no better guitar artist, can therefore be heard on the live material.

One of the first to appear was the officially released compilation, The Jimi Hendrix Concerts, and it's a great one.

In my opinion, however, the most amazing performance is the 4/26/69 The Jimi Hendrix Experience show from the L.A. Forum in Inglewood.

HENDRIX, JIMI Title:The LA Forum Concert Label:RADIOACTIVE RECORDS (UK)Format:CD Price:$16.00 Catalog #:RR 052CD
Recorded 4/26/69
LA Forum
Inglewood, CA

"If a live album had been released before his death, this is the one that Jimi Hendrix would have chosen ahead of all the others. In fact, Hendrix and Eddie Kramer actually prepared mixes of the show, but unfortunately their efforts never saw the light of day in their entirety until now. So here it is. Just two months after the legendary Albert Hall concert in London, Hendrix and the band hit LA six dates into what was to be The Experience's last tour of America. And what a concert it was. Against a backdrop of a belligerent audience doing their best to provoke the police, we are privileged to hear Jimi deliver one of the finest live performances of his career. His dry musical and verbal wit are a delight (''scuse me while I kiss that policeman' he sings during Purple Haze), his timing impeccable, and his tone and control simply sensational. Each song is a tour de force with Hendrix, Redding and Mitchell unreservedly giving their all to produce a truly memorable performance. "

One used to be able to order it at forced exposure.
I checked, and there's a somewhat recent torrent. Do not delay!
http://www.bitdig.com/torrent/music/...l-26-1969.html

(posted previously to http://www.sonicyouth.com/gossip/showthread.php?t=7221)

[batreleaser]

band of gypsies BY FAR

[Everyneurotic]

band of gypsys because it has less flower power bullshit.

[pbradley]

Band Of Gypsys is the only Hendrix album I own.

[Dr. Eugene Felikson]

Perhaps I'm substantially lame or something, but I'm going to have to say Blues is my favorite.

[Florya]

I've chosen 'Electric Ladyland' from your list. But I also really like the 'Radio One' compilation.

[gmku]

Are You Experienced is genius. Pure, concise, well-crafted pop rock. The others have their charms but become too sprawling for me.

[batreleaser]

i fucking love 'band of gypsies', its like funk, but the heaviest most intense funk ever. hendrix had to be experiences live, his guitar playing doesnt com through as well in the studio me thinks.

[Toilet & Bowels]

i wouldn't compare band of gypsys to funk at all, the rhythm section is not like a funk rhythm section for a start. it's much closer to jazz than to funk.

[Everyneurotic]

i agree with t&b, it's more like a very stripped jazz playing a kind of slow blues.

[Rob Instigator]

Are You Experienced?

I can listen to it over and over and over and over again, the bass playing is amazingly fluid and melodic, (I am learning manic depresion on bass)
and the guitar is just fucking mindblowing amazing, and the drums are forcceful and driving and just slightly syncopated all weird. LOVE IT!

They are all good though, and the Blues one is excellent shit too.

[MellySingsDoom]

One serious minus on the Band of Gypsys LP is Buddy Miles' "singing" - he scatting on "Who Knows" sounds like a chicken being throttled, and there's plenty more where that came from. My fave overall album would be "Axis: Bold As Love" - groovy as hell.

[PAULYBEE2656]

i dont own one single hendrix song.. let alone album and i am not sorry for it.

[Cantankerous]

it's a tie between are you experienced and electric ladyland