Axis: Bold As Love

Nice. I listened to this while insanely drunk and it enhanced my experience. I'm still not sober, so I don't even know what I'm writing right now. Man's got a lot of arms. They should call him Slimmy Jimi. I don't remember it that well, but I don't think it's exactly the album's fault.

Hot, sexy, soulful, groovy and trippy improv from the late great! No doubt other trios like Nirvana followed closely into the age of complex songs with minimalistic instrumentation. Back-to-back Little Wing & If 6 Was 9 is killer example of the diversity this record expresses. You Got Me Floatin’ & Castles Made Of Sand is another 1-2 punch of heavy lyrics and grooves. Really diggin’ in the hot tub. Thought of tipping some Hennessy into my coffee out here. Cannabis is probably too much before work. Shiiiiiit....Jimi, much obliged.

Never got Hendrix, never will. Fantastically skilled music and but just not my taste

5.0 + What a gift - one of the few records that realizes a fully psychedelic vision, in true technicolor fluorescence. Jimi is a science fiction superhero flying in swirls of brilliant pink, neon green and magenta.

it’s insane how good this music is

There are days when this is the best Jimi Hendrix record. Surely it has some of his best songs on it. The production and sound on this, for 1967, is HUGE. The stereo panning is a nice touch. It’s a succinct record that covers a lot of the sounds Hendrix was trying to make and isn’t as radio forward as his previous. This is a banger. Favorite song: all of em baby Least favorite song: none

It Jimi Hendrix how is it not 5 stars

To describe an album as being full of album cuts seems ungenerous (as well as illogical). But there we have it. Lots of noodles and doodling, some esoteric songwriting, but nothing of note, really.

I know this is like, blasphemous, or whatever. But I've always found Jimi Hendrix so incredibly boring. He's got skills, yes. He's got some hits, sure. But this album has nothing remotely interesting on it. This album is Hendrix at his worst, it's just so self-indulgent and obnoxious. The 39 minute runtime might as well be 39 years, it's just such a slog to get through.

This album features better songwriting than his debut and much more interesting arrangements. Songs like ‘little wing’ and ‘bold as love’ illustrate this well.

This guy was so far ahead of his time it's incredible. To think this album was released in 1967. Amazing. Little Wing is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. 4.5 stars, rounding up to 5.

Dunno if I should give this a 4 or a 5... On the one hand maybe not quite strong enough for a 5, but on the other, the stuff that's good is so good ...

You can't go wrong with Jimi Hendrix

Amazing. Mind-altering. His most conventional yet most subversive.

Trippy, groovy, fantastic. The noises hendrix squeals out of his guitar blow my mind

This album is a revelation. First some background I'm 60 years old and Hendrix was the music of my older siblings...at least Are You Experienced was, and I love that album. But I never heard anything else, other than Smash Hits and Band of Gypsys. Recently I've listened to Electric Ladyland but I haven't been able to connect with it. My conclusion; Hendrix is not for me. Today was the first time I ever listened to Axis Bold as Love and I love it. I think it's a stronger album than Are You Experienced. Where AYE has some filler in my opinion, while every song on ABL is substantial. The songwriting is very strong and shows off more variety...jazzy and funkier than AYE and Electric Ladyland it seems that the production is cleaner and you can here more interplay between the instruments. A 5 🌟 album without a doubt.

One of my favorite albums of all time.

I love this album. Just banger after banger

Fantastisch album

Amazing sounds, that guy was a genius

This album was a straight classic man, I fuckin loved it.

Great, consistent experience from start to finish. Hard not to get up and jam out. Highlights: Spanish Castle Magic, Castles Made of Sand, Bold as Love, Little Wing. Really the whole album

The talent is undeniable. The style is unique and identifiable. Love the heavy interplay between percussion and guitar as well as the vocal style of Hendrix

I remember exactly where I was when I first saw the recording of Jimi Hendrix at the Monterey Pop Festival, performing and then lighting his guitar on fire. My teenage brain exploded. I love this album, Jimi Hendrix can do no wrong. The only weak track was the Noel Redding one, it was such a break from the style of the rest of this masterpiece. Rock on, my dude. Rock on.

This might be the strangest Hendrix project. It grew on me over the many listens I gave it through the years, and some songs are truly among the best of his.

Pure psychedelic rock perfection from a true musical genius.

Flawless. Just ask the axis

''Axis: Bold As Love'', de middelste van een trilogie die tragisch genoeg ook het enige 'officiële' naslagwerk van Jimi Hendrix zou worden. Deze wordt gek genoeg vaak door critici en muziekliefhebbers gezien als zijn zwakste studio-album, but I beg to differ. Dit vind ik het album met de meeste balans, waarin je niet tomeloos wordt bekogeld met Jimi's ruige riffs en proto-metal geweld. Op deze plaat is ook ruimte voor wat meer akoestische rust, en zweverige space rock. Nummers als 'Little Wing', 'Castles Made of Sand' en delen van 'One Rainy Wish' zorgen ervoor dat de in vlammen opgaande vingers van Jimi - en daarbij ook onze oren - even tot afkoelen komen. Die drie zitten dan ook bij m'n favoriete songs van ''Axis'', en van Hendrix' kwaliteitsdiscografie in zijn geheel. Maar de liefhebber van de andere - bekendere - kant van dit fenomeen komt ook aan z'n trekken. Nummers als 'If 6 Was 9', 'Spanish Castle Magic' en 'Bold As Love' worden gekenmerkt door zijn signature psychedelische hard rock, die nog steeds bij vlagen smeriger is dan metal van tientallen jaren later. Die eerste is mogelijk mijn lievelingsnummer van Jimi, en bevat alle elementen die hem in mijn ogen zijn legendarische status opleverde. Lang niet alle nummers kunnen tippen aan de kwaliteit van de reedsgenoemde songs, en daardoor is het album wellicht niet zo consistent als zijn eerste en derde muziekstuk. Maar de variatie op deze plaat is second to none, en iets waar Jimi niet altijd de credits voor kreeg. Hij is meer dan die vlammende gitaar. 9/10 Highlights: Little Wing If 6 Was 9 Castles Made of Sand One Rainy Wish

While some, probably most, consider ‘Are You Experienced’ to be Hendrix’s best album (I mean it is among the top rated on this site) - I often found either this release or ‘Electric Ladyland’ to be the best of the trilogy of Hendrix albums; and it can honestly change between the two on any given day. ‘Are You Experienced’ was a very heavy record; just absolute firestorm rock music with Hendrix seemingly pushing his guitars to their absolute limit. It’s one hell of a fun LP. ‘Axis: Bold As Love’, however, sees Hendrix evolve and take some other avenues. It’s not nearly as full-on as its predecessor, with more varied tempos and Hendrix diving more into the sea of funk and psychedelic. But I do hold the opinion of ‘Axis’ being the better album all the more for it. ‘Wait Until Tomorrow’, ‘Little Wing’, the lengthy ‘If 6 Was 9’, the riff heavy ‘You Got Me Floatin’’, the legendary ‘Castles Made Of Sand’, the smoky ballad ‘One Rainy Wish’, and the absolutely addictive finisher ‘Bold As Love’. Sure, these are my particular highlights. But there isn’t a bad track on here; and the tracklist just flows so damn well. It’s over before you know it, but you leave it feeling so satisfied. While the musicality is little more restrained, it leads the way for Jimi Hendrix to really showcase his vocals; and on the more down tempo tracks you are treated to his more soulful side. So not only was this man an absolute monster when playing guitar, but he could also hang with some of the best vocalists out there. Jimi Hendrix was absolutely superhuman. It’s a fantastic LP in just about every aspect. The variation in styles, tempos, and production make up an absolutely phenomenal tracklist and, arguably, a collection of Hendrix’s best work. The man was ahead of his time, and there’s very few artists before or after his era that could match him; and ‘Axis: Bold As Love’ is a perfect showcase for that statement. 5/5

There is not enough praise for this masterpiece. This album is responsible for my lifelong enjoyment of psychedelic rock music. Hendrix is on the Mount Rushmore of guitar greats. Everything about this album is masterful. The guitar, the drums, the bass, the vocals, the songwriting, the production, all of it. One Rainy Wish is at the apex of heavy psych guitar playing for me. Desert island album.

Psychedelic blues at it's best, absolutely brilliant album.

It's surprising that I've never sat down and listened to this album from start to finish in a single setting. It still sounds fresh as it does almost 60 years later. There is a reason that Hendrix is held in such high regard.

I don’t consider myself a Hendrix fan, and then I listen to a record and am blown away every time. So maybe I am.

Great album. "Little Wing", "Castles Made of Sand" and "Bold As Love" my favourite songs on the album.

A much different vibe than 'Are You Experienced' or 'Electric Ladyland', often leaning towards a far more mellow, almost experimental sound, such as the more laid back groove of songs like 'Up From the Skies', 'Wait Until Tomorrow', and 'Little Wing', or the creative dynamics and transitions in 'If 6 Was 9'. The results are nothing short of incredible, particularly with 'Little Wing' - while only about 2 and a half minutes in length, Hendrix packs more soul and feeling into his guitar playing than many other artists can in a lifetime. On the other hand, songs like 'Spanish Castle Magic' or 'You Got Me Floatin'', you see the album mirroring the more frenetic energy of 'Are You Experienced', with Jimi's bombastic guitar virtuosity is put on full display as he oscillates seamlessly between rich, full rhythm playing and his technically marvelous solos. Additionally, it bears saying that, while Jimi Hendrix is always the one who gets the (well-deserved) recognition, Mitch Mitchell's drumming is incredible throughout. It's not easy to rhythmically complement Hendrix's guitar work, but Mitchell rises to the occasion. Moreover, I'm a huge fan of 'She's So Fine', where bassist Noel Redding took on vocal duties. The song has an infectious rhythm and energy, with Mitchell's ceaseless wholloping on the drums going hand in hand with Hendrix's drive. So yeah, there's a ton to enjoy here.

I'm glad I finally listened to one of his albums, the guy definitely did a lot for music. A great album to be sure.

Wow! Loved listening to this. Recorded in 1967, this is way ahead of its time. A glorious album that is truly experimental . The guitar is the star and I can hear how his inimitable style has influenced so much music after this. Great album.

Hendrix is amazing.

I've never actual sat and listened to one of Jimi's albums from front to back. It's always been collections, best ofs, soundtracks, etc. I don't think I had heard a single one of these songs before and yet, the album was incredible front to back.

A Masterpiece.

Absolutely brilliant!

Spanish castle is a favorite.

Good stuff. I listened to this a lot in 9th grade. Feels like floating.

Just brilliant. Never sat down to listen to his albums, just the ones still in common rotation today. This is brilliant all the way through.

Phenomenal, just phenomenal.

Amazing album that beats Electric Ladyland for me. Any track could be my favourite, but Exp and Little Wing are great. 9/10, nice

Beginning is strange with a kinda random allotment of sounds but the album grows, after Little Wing most songs are great. Hendrix has great guitar as always.

Next level Creativity + craftsmanship and musicianship of these 3 is worthy of praise

Soooo gooood.

Excelente

This was pretty sweet, another legend I’ve never really listened to and definitely should have before now.

One of the greats to me. Listened to this so many times but I'm still struck by the variety in a not particularly long album. Engaged from beginning to end.

very good

Un classique!

It's Hendrix it is great

A wild, loud, jazzy romp. They threw caution to the wind with this one and did everything they could to assault your ear drums, with care-free lyricism highlighting individuality shining through. A drug and alcohol filled smoky room personified. Almost nothing exists with more abandon.

It's nearly impossible to follow up an album like Are You Experienced, but this album does an admirable job. I enjoy the expanded sonic palate and some of the songs here are absolute rippers.

Dosta zanimljiva zavrzlama oko covera, nikad nisam išla za time. Oduvijek imam mixed feelings oko Hendrixa, iako sam, naravno, svjesna kolika je legenda. Mislim bez sumnje je ovo vrhunski, samo da, nekako nismo kliknuli, nezz. Kako bi Tiho rekao, "ne vlaži mi pizdu" 😂. Mislim da mi je najveći problem što mi on nimalo nema karizmu, a ni njegova glazba. Opet kažem, kužim ja koliko je ovo kvalitetno i važno glazbeno nasljeđe, samo jbg, kad ne sjeda ne sjeda. Uzevši sve u obzir, meni će ovo biti 4/10 ili 7/10.

So I was quite familiar with Jimi’s work while in middle school and high school via the great FM station in Cleveland at the time, WMMS 100.7 – but never owned a Hendrix album until I got to college in 1981… That was when I really dove in, and vividly remember listening debut album “Are You Experienced” all the way through the first time – and it absolutely blew my mind… I then worked through the next 2, and while there are amazing tracks on both “Axis: Bold As Love” & “Electric Ladyland”, neither could touch the start-to finish magic of “Are You Experienced” … Really enjoyed the album, and you could hear the progression in Jimi’s song-writing and musical compositions… As for me, the best tracks are listed below, along with my usual 7-star ratings scale – because you know that 5 isn’t quite enough, and 9 would just be silly… : ) “Spanish Castle Magic” – 5-stars out of 7… “Ain’t No Telling” – 5-stars out of 7… “Little Wing” – 7-stars out of 7… “If 6 Was 9” – 6-stars out of 7… “Castles Made Of Sand” – 5-stars out of 7… I will say that the album loses stream after “Castles Made Of Sand”, as those are several of the weaker tracks on the album – also have no idea why Noel the bass player sang “She’s So Fine” – probably his song, but would have been better if Jimi had sung it – but still the most forgettable track on the album… Since “Are You Experienced” is going to be a 5 for me, I’d probably have “Axis: Bold As Love” clock in at a 4.25, so will round it down to an “exceptional” 4 in my book…

Nr. 141/1001 Exp NR Up From The Skies 3/5 Spanish Castle Magic 3/5 Wait Until Tomorrow 4/5 Ain't No Telling 3/5 Little Wing 5/5 If 6 Was 9 2/5 You Got Me Floatin' 4/5 Castles Made of Sand 4/5 She's So Fine 4/5 One Rainy Wish 4/5 Little Miss Lover 3/5 Bold As Love 3/5 Average: 3,5 Unquestionably a incredibly talented guitar player. Still I sometimes struggle with his songwriting. Like A Bird is a classics though.

Actually very good. It’s the first Jimi Hendrix album I’ve ever listened to

Dull, jammy, underdeveloped

Classic. Enough said.

4.5

Always enjoyed Jimi's music, just never felt i loved him the way many people do, but definitely respected him. Can't deny this was a great listen from start to finish though, he was killing it.

Beautiful and innovative songs with so much texture

feel like every song has something else to enjoy and unpack over multiple listens very good

Glad it didn't disappoint. Very solid first Hendrix listen.

Incredible album. Stories with strong summer of love themes. Favorites: - Little Wing - If 6 Was 9 - You Got Me Floatin’ - One Rainy Wish - Bold as Love

This is soooooo good. As far as I'm concerned, the more psychedelic Jimi is, the better! Liked Songs Added: Spanish Castle Music Little Wing Castles Made Of Sand One Rainy Wish Little Miss Lover Bold As Love

One Rainy Wish will forever be in my head. Jimi was good at arranging a song and making it an experience for those who chose to listen. His artistry is just unmatched to me, one of the rare artists I can just throw on at any time while in any mood. Love this album!

One of the great albums by Jimi Hendrix. Nothing more to say about that.

This album turned my brain inside out when I first heard it as an 8th grader in the late 60s. Some of it sounds a bit dated now - BUT - the entire album gets a boost to the top rating simply based on the fantastic track "Spanish Castle Magic" - it sounded amazing all those years ago and still sounds as fresh and energetic today.

A realização máxima do rock psicodélico

Near when we started this project I listened to a playlist called Electric Ladyland, and thought "wow none of this singing sounds like Hendrix, and the recordings sound very modern". I gave an album of Jimi Hendrix covers 4 stars and thought there were enough interesting & weird songs that I might revisit and call it a 5. That's hilarious. I haven't heard very much of this one before and it was real cool. Album cover is outrageous and cool, like the sort of brag that would look pathetic from anybody not at mythological status. Jimi could have straight up said "I am clearly a deity from outer space", and you'd have to go "well.. he's got a point there."

Anyone who says he’s not the greatest guitarist is either severely over- or under-thinking it.

Anything Hendrix is instant five stars for me. This album also got what might be the prettiest song ever - Little Wing. It's hardly a unique take to say Hendrix was the greatest guitarist ever. For me it's for this unique blend he had - he had a modern and interesting approach to the instrument, really taking its expressive powers forwards, while being extremely rooted in blues traditions. He had unique arrangements, effortless technique, while still creating popular songs that a lot of people could enjoy. He's super influential, but nobody can ever sound quite like him. In a sense, he also shaped the image of the guitar hero, the lead guitar legend as the main instrument in a rock band. By the way, Hendrix was also a tremendous rock-blues singer, full of expression. The band does so many different things, funky songs, psychedelic swing, it’s all extremely original, inventive and fun.

Joni changed the landscape of guitar, but he also wrote some fantastic songs. Every song on here is incredible (with the exception of the trippy first track). It must also be noted that this isn’t just a Jimi Hendrix album, it’s the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding do not get enough credit. I’m especially enamored by Mitchell’s drums. He makes If 6 Was 9 work. Maybe another drummer could have done it, but in my ears he managed to stand out even playing next to the legend that was Hendrix, and that should be noted.

pretty good, I'll have to come back and listen to it again

Ah, my good old friend Mr. Paul Caruso, being spooky and awesome for almost 60 years running. Time was, in the old days, the heads wouldn’t even consider listening to your opinions about music until you had consumed this one thoroughly.

Such an underrated Jimi album. Not much in the way of singles that get airplay on the one for some reason, but that means you can jump in and almost hear it like new if you not familiar with it.

This is good - slightly insane but good.

Jimi.

Day 16: Axis: Bold as Love - The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The name "The Jimi Hendrix Experience" is not an arrogant label; they were quite the experience. Jimi Hendrix was one of the most influential guitarists of all time. He has inspired many individuals to pick up a guitar, as well as many guitarists to put down their guitars upon realization that they cannot play guitar quite like Jimi Hendrix. The psychedelia in the music is so intense that somebody like me, who has never done actual psychedelics, can still feel the effects of this album. To add onto that, I was playing Minecraft while listening to this album (perhaps I should've put it aside during the listen instead), and it really made the experience much cooler. During Hendrix's brief four-year career, he changed the world of music for the better, and the effects of his impact can still be felt today. The Jimi Hendrix Experience may only have three studio albums, but there is always a lot to discover inside of them. Personal Enjoyment: 5/5. How Much It Belongs Here: 5/5.

The spirit of the psychadelic era. Such a great sound. Hendrix's 'lazy' vocals are as much a part of that sound as his fabulous guitar work.

Boaah, Woa, quieek Es ist einfach bewunderswert, was man aus einer Gitarre alles rausholen kann.

Amazing album. This is the first album I've listened to so far that really feels like an album rather than just 10 or 12 songs. Although I wouldn't say there's a bad track on the album, some songs stood out more than others, like Little Wing, Spanish Castle Magic, and Castles made of sand are really outstanding.

Own

Legendary Jimi Hendrix. Amazing stuff, but not so magical as his (their) debut album

I love this little bit softer Jimi. Thoroughly enjoyable!

I love this album.

Easy 10

4.5/5

I think Hendrix builds on what made his debut great, plus introduces some new ideas. Highlights include "Spanish Castle Magic", "Little Wing", "Bold as Love", "Castles Made of Sand", "One Rainy Wish", "Up From the Skies". The only blight on it is the non-Hendrix sung "She's So Fine". Still 5 Stars though.

Possibly my less favourite of their 3 studio albums but still pretty phenomenal with toppity top tracks such as Spanish Castle Magic, Wait Until Tomorrow, If 6 Was 9, Little Wing and Bold As Love. Tracklist is very snappy, tight-knit and incredibly well sequenced and does stand up as a true classic of the decade. Magnificent blend of blistering metal, soft as silk balladeering and powerhouse psychedelia.

This is an album that should be listened to. I think a lot of guitar players from the 70's were trying to sound like Hendrix. 5 stars or A-.

December 9, 2024 (but also October 17, I peeked inside the present after getting Electric Ladyland🎁) The first listen was pretty absent-minded, as I knew I'd get a day down the line to focus on this album more. Today, I'm more impressed. Maybe it's bc I have headphones in, so I can better appreciate the wacky shit they were accomplishing with stereo panning and phasing The weird "If 6 Was 9", the poppy "She's So Fine" and "Wait Till Tomorrow", and the beautiful "Little Wing" and "One Rainy Wish" contribute to this rating. Perhaps my favourite Hendrix of the 3, although I certainly didn't feel that way two months ago... HL: "One Rainy Wish", "Little Wing", "Wait Till Tomorrow", "If 6 Was 9", "Castles Made of Sand", "Bold As Love"

a experience.

Little Wing is such a fantastic song, it’s almost a tease running at only 2 and a half minutes long. It got me thinking, this has to be up there as one of the best tracks at under 2 and a half minutes. White Stripes- Fell in Love With a Girl, The Smiths-Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want, Van Halen-Eruption. Anyways, this album is fantastic. The production of this album is excellent. Jimi is obviously magnificent, serving us up fuzzy, hazy riffs throughout. The band tight throughout. Castles Made of Sand is another classic and they finish strong with such a great closer with the title track. Great stuff 5 stars

A classic for a reason, Jimi Hendrix is a national treasure.