Jimi Hendrix Are You Experienced? CD

This 1997 reissue of ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? is a remastered version that restores the original LP's track order and album artwork. ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? was previously reissued in 1993 (MCA 10893) with new cover art and a new 17-track running order that included all the songs on either the U.S. or U.K. versions of the original LP. That version is now out of print, and has been replaced by this one, on the Experience Hendrix label, which features remastered versions of the same 17 songs, this time in the order they appeared on the original American LP, with the extra tracks added to the end (a separate version was simultaneously released in the U.K., featuring the same songs but in the original British track order). The Experience Hendrix label is controlled by Hendrix's family.
The 1997 reissue also adds a 24-page booklet with previously-unpublished photos, the original LP liner notes and song lyrics.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Jimi Hendrix (vocals, electric guitar); Noel Redding (bass, background vocals); Mitch Mitchell (drums, background vocals).
Recorded in late 1966 and early 1967 at Olympic Studios, London, England.
Originally released on Reprise.
Includes liner notes by Dave Marsh.
One of the most stunning debuts in rock history, and one of the definitive albums of the psychedelic era. On Are You Experienced?, Jimi Hendrix synthesized various elements of the cutting edge of 1967 rock into music that sounded both futuristic and rooted in the best traditions of rock, blues, pop, and soul. It was his mind-boggling guitar work, of course, that got most of the ink, building upon the experiments of British innovators like Jeff Beck and Pete Townshend to chart new sonic territories in feedback, distortion, and sheer volume. It wouldn't have meant much, however, without his excellent material, whether psychedelic frenzy ("Foxey Lady," "Manic Depression," "Purple Haze"), instrumental freak-out jams ("Third Stone From the Sun"), blues ("Red House," "Hey Joe"), or tender, poetic compositions ("The Wind Cries Mary") that demonstrated the breadth of his songwriting talents. Not to be underestimated were the contributions of drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding, who gave the music a rhythmic pulse that fused parts of rock and improvised jazz. Many of these songs are among Hendrix's very finest; it may be true that he would continue to develop at a rapid pace throughout the rest of his brief career, but he would never surpass his first LP in terms of consistently high quality. The British and American versions of the album differed substantially when they were initially released in 1967; MCA's 17-song CD reissue does everyone a favor by gathering all of the material from the two records in one place, adding a few B-sides from early singles as well. ~ Richie Unterberger
One of the most stunning debuts in rock history, and one of the definitive albums of the psychedelic era. On Are You Experienced?, Jimi Hendrix synthesized various elements of the cutting edge of 1967 rock into music that sounded both futuristic and rooted in the best traditions of rock, blues, pop, and soul. It was his mind-boggling guitar work, of course, that got most of the ink, building upon the experiments of British innovators like Jeff Beck and Pete Townshend to chart new sonic territories in feedback, distortion, and sheer volume. It wouldn't have meant much, however, without his excellent material, whether psychedelic frenzy ("Foxey Lady," "Manic Depression," "Purple Haze"), instrumental freak-out jams ("Third Stone From the Sun"), blues ("Red House," "Hey Joe"), or tender, poetic compositions ("The Wind Cries Mary") that demonstrated the breadth of his songwriting talents. Not to be underestimated were the contributions of drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding, who gave the music a rhythmic pulse that fused parts of rock and improvised jazz. Many of these songs are among Hendrix's very finest; it may be true that he wouRolling Stone (12/11/03, p.96) - Ranked #15 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "...The incendiary poetry of Hendrix's guitar was historic in itself..."
Q (12/93, p.136) - 5 Stars (out of 5) - "...ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? becomes the complete showcase for massive, never-matched earthquaking guitar sounds in improbably balanced dialogue with the laconic voice of a man who genuinely believed he couldn't sing..."
Down Beat (8/97, p.61) - 5 stars (out of 5) - "...pile-driving rhythms...deep blues...as well as Hendrix's amazing guitar/vocal display..."
Vibe (12/99, p.156) - Included in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century
Vibe (2/94, p.103) - "...for folks who've never heard Jimi on vinyl, the rainbow fantasia world of Hendrix awaits you in all its polyphonic peacock glory...."
NME (Magazine) (10/2/93, p.29) - Ranked #29 in NME's list of the "Greatest Albums Of All Time."