Description

Jimi Hendrixs debut recording was an instant classic, and is as startling today as when it first hit the streets in 1967. Are You Experienced is probably the most rockoriented of Hendrixs official studio releases, but its influences are incredibly diverse. Third Stone From the Sun recalls the supple octaves of Jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery the churning afrocuban polyrhythms of Manic Depression evoke John Coltrane and Elvin Jones I Dont Live Today employs ritualistic native American drumbeats and the title tune borrows the eastern airs of sitarist Ravi Shankar. The mix is dark and churning, a dense wall of sound. Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding blast away with a barely controlled fury, and theres a distorted metallic edge to Hendrixs guitar timbre that has made Are You Experienced a particular favourite among rock and heavymetal guitarists. Purple Haze and Foxey Lady helped define the powertrio format, thanks to Hendrixs fullbodied rhythm guitar and his soaring solos. Are You Experienced also established Hendrix as a singersongwriter. His Dylanesque vocals and spacey imagery make each tune a little gem, especially on gentle outings such as the ballad The Wind Cries Mary.