Reviews (page 9 of 14)
it's hard to understand how impactful and new this sound really was because so much music was inspired after he tore the rule book up. He was a master at his craft and I only wish I heard this at its debut to fully enjoy it. 4.5 for me
Jimi Hendrix mastered psychedelic rock when everyone else was still mucking about trying to figure out how to make cool sounds with their gee-tars. Incredible that he was practically running laps around these fools. Don't need to genius to figure that out though.
Imagine hearing this when it first came out. It's slightly harder to wrap your mind around what that would have been like only because you've been hearing it and all the others inspired by it for so long, but it's still a mind bending experience to hear this for the first time in its entirety no matter the age or year.
Non c’è nulla da aggiungere
Le 5 stelle più facili del mondo.
Non ho vogliaaa
Right, so Purple Haze is great, but the rest wasn't that amazing. Third stone from the sun surprisingly good.
Another what can i say that hasn't been said album. It's place in history is set. And it's been on my rotation list heavily for awhile
1 million
Madre, stacked. Hey Joe is lights out.
Purely belter
The American release is way superior to the UK release. However, there's a few great tracks missing that were only on the UK release originally. Spotify has this covered with the extended American version that pretty much has everything in one place. It's a fantastic album from start to finish. Even though some of the songs here have been played to death, they still retain their original sparkle. It has to be a full five stars for this amazing debut.
Lyrics: 2/5 Music: 4/5 Production: 3/5 Cohesiveness: 3/5 Overall: 3/5 Stand out songs: Manic depression Can you see me Love or confusion
Absolutely hell yes
CLASSIC.
Imagine that you are in 1967 and the guitarists you are used to listening to are Eric Clapton, George Harrison, BB King... You turn on the radio and suddenly the first thing you hear are the first notes of Purple Haze... That changes everything! There was Rock Music before Hendrix and after Hendrix. Even today, if a kid decides to learn to play the guitar, he will come across Hendrix at some point in his learning. That's how great this guy was for music... And this album is the pinnacle of his work. An album that perfectly summarizes and presents him as an artist. 5 stars, of course.
iconic
This was exceptional. I am surprised because I didn’t really enjoy Electric Ladyland (which I think is more critically acclaimed). While this is less experimental, it’s more palatable, allowing me to fully appreciate the incredible guitar playing.
Final Jimi Hendrix album on this list. All 5 stars
Another 5 for Jimothy. Consistently great.
I appreciate this album so much. First of all, it's just so good. Second of all, I think so many of the bands I love that use a lot of fuzz, wah, and feedback pedals can be traced back to Jimi Hendrix and this album.
I love this record. No one really played guitar like Jimi Hendrix did. Its not the electric blues, its almost the fuzzy blues. Even beyond the effects on his guitar, its fuzzy. The lyrics are fuzzy and then just the style in which he plays is really fuzzy. It's certainly not linear. Its different from say, Jerry Garcia's take on the blues, where he's kind of playing inverted scales with slight key changes. Jimi is kind of playing traditional blues, soul, gospel, rock n' roll, but then you kind of get lost in it the longer that he goes. Maybe its the combo of bends, slides and wah that he's using, but it kind of just takes you on a journey where its very easy to get lost. Its brilliant. Maybe its that his band is really small, and there are no keys? Its so heavy on guitar, but he uses it for such a large sound that you don't really need anything else. His style doesn't really sound like anyone else. You can hear all of the influences but its more like ingredients that got mixed into something totally different. I think one of the biggest tragedies in modern music is that we lost Jimi Hendrix so young.
I've always encountered Jimi Hendrix in almost every context except his studio albums. Individual tracks, live performances (Monterey, Woodstock, namely) and even a posthumous release ("Valleys of Neptune"). Hell, I first heard "Spanish Castle Magic" in the original "Guitar Hero" as an instrumental and didn't know it had lyrics until later. But I've always loved Hendrix, and loved what I've heard. Some of my favorites of his are on this album, so I was excited. And he didn't disappoint. There isn't much new to say about Hendrix. He's one of those virtuosos that, especially since he died so young, has been talked about and dissected and analyzed and idolized in the 50-plus years since his death that, not unlike the Beatles, there's hardly anything original left to say. He's iconic, he's one of the best to ever pick up a guitar, and he's unforgettable. I would like to note here, though, that his stylistic range here both as a vocalist and a guitarist is amazing to witness. He can shred through something as wild and fun as "Fire," playing fast and with such incredible energy and conveying excitement with his voice in a way that is simply infectious. Then, on the same record and with just as much ease, he can play something as tender and soulful as "The Wind Cries Mary" with just as much passion and expertise. More still, he can absolutely demolish an audience with something as hard and unforgiving as "Purple Haze." The thread tying all these songs together, regardless of genre, feel, style, or tone, is precision. He plays everything with such precise intent to the point where you could tell me he could make a guitar quack like a duck and I'd believe you. Truly one of a kind. It's also more than worth calling out his band. In Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell, Hendrix had a band that was almost on his level. I say almost because, well, Hendrix is talked about as a legend and, while the other two are certainly masters of their instruments, are not remembered quite the same way. Nevertheless, the energy they bring does match that of Hendrix and is vital to the success of the their sound. You need only listen to "Fire" for proof of this. The bass line on that song really drives everything underneath the guitar. The drums are absolutely manic and provide the kind of agile energy needed for a song titled "Fire" and with as quick a riff as it has. It's perfection. I couldn't have been happier with my 300th album for this project. I don't know what else to say. Five stars. Standout Tracks: Manic Depression, Hey Joe, Love or Confusion, The Wind Cries Mary, Fire, Are You Experienced?
Pure genius from a true musical wizard
jimi is cool and talented but these songs don't do anything for me. the hits are the hits but I don't think anything of the album tracks
first listen some famous singles and an all around solid album
Not my type of music at all….
No Electric Ladyland but still great. Favourite Songs: Foxy Lady, May This Be Love, Fire, Are You Experienced. Least Favourite Songs: Can You See Me, Remember.
這張專輯聽起來並沒有特別的感覺，但節奏算是很喜歡，有搖滾也有抒情。
Awesome as always
Really good, the only real miss for me was Stone Free because of that maddening cowbell. The distortion, especially on on Third Stone From The Sun and Are You Experienced? is euphoric. I used to listen to this and Electric Ladyland while driving around the mountains to go skiing (great driving albums). One time I picked up a hitchhiker, I never had but for some reason I was inspired to, while listening to Electric Ladyland. He asked me if I was listening to Hendrix and then played the air drums and head banged for the next 15 minutes until I dropped him off in town. Music truly does bring people together.
loved listening to this front to back for the first time. i've always liked most hendrix i've heard but i've never had a phase of really seeking out his music. lots of familiar hits on this album. red house stuck out to me and was one i hadn't heard before
The highs are *high* (Purple Haze, Manic Depression, I Don’t Live Today, The Wind Cries Mary, Fire, Foxes Lady) and the lows honestly sound like B-sides from The Who which is still pretty good (Love or Confusion).
Jimi Hendrix can be overplayed but these songs are killer. May this be Love is a favorite and the Wind Cries Mary. You can really hear how he influenced punk rock later in the decade and guitar rock in general. good album.
Not disappointed to see this pop up. I know I rail on about being tired of this genre of music from this era...but this is Jimi, man! Starting out with Purple Haze is FIRE. Does it get worse after that? IT DOES NOT! The next two songs are Manic Depression and Hey Joe! Although it doesn't seem to get the same love as the other two, Manic Depression might be the best song on the album, for my money. But SURELY it falls off after that, right? Well, dear reader, do YOU consider songs like Love or Confusion, Fire, or Foxey Lady "falling off?" How about Are You Experienced or Highway Chile? This album spawns hit after hit after hit. If I were going to be nitpicky, I'd say the album doesn't *have* to be an hour and a quarter with 18 songs. So sure, there are a couple here that don't quite live up to the all-time greatness of the rest, but does that drop the totality of the album out of the 5 star stratosphere? Dear reader, it does not.
Wish I could give 6 stars. Mind blowing, timeless, forever changing electric guitar.
Welp. I listened to the UK version and I was going to A/B it to the US version I have... But no need... The UK is a five star banger anyway and no real need to campare fivers. I probably slightly prefer the US, maybe because it has more of the well known material or that I'm just used to that version. But quite frankly, my least favorite track on the set is on both versions "Love or Confusion" and it's not a dog by any means anyway. Not my topper most, but way up there (10) ★★★★★
I have always thought the production sounds a bit muddy, but the performances are great, and I especially dig the drumming of Mitch Mitchel. 4.5 stars
This is an all time favorite for me. I got into Hendrix when I was in my teens -- probably like 15-ish. I bought a cassette that had Are You Experienced? on one side and Axis: Bold as Love on the other. I used to listen to it on my Walkman while mowing my grandma's lawn. In retrospect, it helped shape a lot of my musical tastes -- notably my appreciation of fuzz guitar, but also really got me into more music from the 60s as well as more blues based stuff. For being lumped into the blues rock scene, this is a surprisingly diverse album. Personal favorite track is "I Don't Live Today". 5 stars.
Hey man, this Hendrix chap is pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty,, pretty, pretty, pretty good. UK version with bonus tracks for the best sequencing.
Purple Haze Manic Depression Hey Joe I Don't Live Today The Wind Cries Mary Fire 3rd Stone from the Sun Foxy Lady Are You Experienced? Stone Free
It seems to me that this could easily be a greatest hits album. This guy was just in the zone creatively and fun to listen to track to track all the way to the end.
The best 60s psych album by miles. It combines deep roots in American electric blues & RnB, British flower-power aesthetics, genius pop rock songwriting, casually revolutionary guitar playing, high energy fuzz, trippy studio recording effects, and a dangerous dose of pure charisma.
Oozing with creativity and packed with virtuosic guitar playing, this album ushered in the psychedelic era more than any other. Hendrix’s career wasn’t long but it was impactful, and this is probably his most impactful release. Best song: Third Stone from the Sun
One of the most influential albums, and it still holds up.
Are You Experienced is Jimi Hendrix's debut album. It is one of the defining albums of the psychedelic era, and regarded as one of the very best albums of all time. Hendrix was one of the true guitar virtuosos in rock music; his skillful playing style and extensive use of effects expanded the range of sounds made by the electric guitar. In addition, Hendrix was a gifted songwriter, whose work became a central part of psychedelic rock. Are You Experienced includes a few of Jimi's early hits, like the "Purple Haze," "Hey Joe," and "The Wind Cries Mary." Jimi's intense, expressive guitar work would make any songs well known. The incredible songwriting has made these - and the rest of the tracks on this album - into among the most famous songs in popular music.
Literally more than half the album and classic rock radio staples. It’s amazing. And not just the guitar heroics - the range of music is remarkable.
Few debut albums have changed rock music the way Are You Experienced did. Jimi Hendrix didn’t just play guitar, he completely redefined it. His playing on this album is unbelievable, bringing an energy and sound that was groundbreaking at the time and still feels fresh today. From the explosive ‘Purple Haze’ to the dreamy ‘The Wind Cries Mary,’ the album is packed with incredible moments. Songs like ‘Hey Joe’ and ‘Fire’ show his raw power, while ‘Are You Experienced?’ closes the album on a strange, almost otherworldly note. His lyrics are also original and creative, adding even more personality to the music. This album didn’t just set a new standard, it changed rock forever. A legendary debut that still stands as one of the greatest. 9.3/10
This is the one album that everyone should hear before they die.
Has any artist ever produced a better maiden voyage than Jimi Hendrix? https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-are-you-experienced?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
It’s better than Electric Ladyland, but I’m learning that I’m not as excited by Hendrix as I once was. I recall being in awe of him as a teen, but after completing the second of his albums via this project, his music just doesn’t speak to me any more. I’m can’t quite put my finger on the reason why.
Fabulous. Welcome to the guitar solo...
I wore that record out! One of the few in my collection on Discogs rated in Fair condition!
One of the biggest challenges to learning the guitar (or any instrument) is to play with *feeling*. Rather than just hitting the right notes at the right times, you let your emotions, your life experiences, whatever is calling you to play these notes in this moment flow from your heart down your arm through your fingertips and into the instrument. Jimi Hendrix is second to none in playing with feeling. The soulfulness in each guitar lick, the endearing timbre of his talk-singing style, the stripped-back percussion that embraces the guitar without overpowering, all cultivate a liveliness, genuineness, and intimacy that one finds all too rarely in music. It feels like Jimi is here in the room, singing and shredding for me and me alone.
There are some absolute classics on here for sure but this isn’t something I would choose to listen to as a whole
Very interesting and a staple, but I wouldn’t go back to it unless very high, so enjoyed it less but amazing piece ! Also very long ! But some great standouts. Can’t criticise Hendrix
As a 1-year-old, I remember rocking out to this on my Playschool record player...Ok. Not really. I'm most familiar with this album amongst Hendrix albums and coincidentally, its my favorite. Classic riffs (not that I really know what a riff is by definition) and a definitive groove persists through each song.
Nobody else has ever sounded like they can conjure an earthquake at a whim like Hendrix does.
My contrarian nature makes me reluctant to give a Classic Rock Classic full grades. But I have to speak my Guitar Guy truth. Nobody does it like Hendrix, to the point that I’m not sure I even consider him Influential in the way that we like to call some guys Influential. Has anyone ever really figured out how he did what he was doing and built on it? I don’t think so. It’s hard to imagine hearing this when it first came out. But it’s even kinda hard to imagine hearing it for the first time now, ya know?
Brilliant album. Bought it back soon after it came out.
The first band t-shirt I ever owned was a Jimi Hendrix one. Not sure why exactly. I really only knew the hits when I bought it and I was much more into Dinosaur Jr and the Pixies and Happy Mondays at the time anyway. This may be the first ever I have listened to one of his albums back to front. It's nice. It's got some of the hits I did know back then and some other stuff that is a bit trippier. The psychedelic side occasionally seems more important than the writing of actually catchy songs but those hits are indeed really really good.
I am experienced. No one has ever been able to catch the sound these 3 had. It’s Made unique not just by Jimi’s electric and idiosyncratic guitar style but also by the thunderous and cloudy backdrop of the rhythm section. It was a sound so just represented by these 3 musicians that anybody making music or playing guitar in a similar way is immediately identified as a copy.
Great stuff man! Good stuff!
I'm not a big Hendrix fan but it was good listening
I am happy to have this experience, the tracks are each well-crafted musically. Hendrix earns his position as one of the greats. Favorite track: "Purple Haze"
you might be cool, but you'll never be Are You Experienced cool
This may be too bold to say, but Jimi is decent at playing the guitar. Possibly underrated!
This sucked sorry
I wanted to like this. Vocals weren’t doing much for me, guitar sounded technical and hard to play but not necessarily fun to listen to. Overall pretty meh, I get that it was probably historically important though. Favorite songs were: 1. Purple Haze 3. Hey Joe 4/10
I probably need to listen to this again more locked in since it was more in the background while I worked.
This is my first time listening to a Jimi Hendrix record. I like the song "Hey Joe". The focus of the record is absolutely shredding on the guitar, and I don't love that too much. "Love Or Confusion" is a good example. I can tell that the guitar part is sick, but I don't really enjoy the guitar being center stage in every song. I also don't play the guitar, so to me it all kind of blends together into "guy shredding noises", and I can't really pick out the impressive individual parts. "May This Be Love" is a nice song. I like the percussion and the subtler guitar parts. "Fire" is fun. It sounds a little brit-punky, and I dig that. "Foxey Lady" is the first song I've heard before. "Stone Free" is the best song so far for me. I like this one a lot. More awesome percussion. "Remember" is also a lot of fun. I enjoyed this album. Jimi has a very iconic sound, and I liked the songs that strayed from that sound the most. I just may not be a Jimi guy. 7/10
Muy bueno pero no llega al nivel de Electric Ladyland. 4 alto.
no
I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a Hendrix album in full. Of course I know of him but I don’t think I’ve ever sought out a song of his and listened from start to finish. There’s no doubt of recognizing his incredible talent and immense influence. Something I hate to admit is that I didn’t obsess over the album as much as I might have. I don’t think it clicked with me as I thought it would have, but in no way am I discrediting him.
And so it seems that The Hendrix Experience finally clicked with me *today* - after just 45+ years of digesting and playing rock music.... I grew up on guitar-based music, have played professionally for decades, etc, I just never got into JHE songs at all. I honestly do think my dislike was heavily based around the lousy mix and the hits I know all too well immediately sound so much goddamn better than they ever did on ~Rock101 back in 1982 - holy hell. With this album having been remixed/remastered (which is too-often nothing at best and a shitty overly-compressed money grab at worst) it feels like I'm hearing it all for the first time, even though 5 or 6 of these songs have been big hits since before I was born. Not much else to say - it's awesome, the *band* were great, and there really was nothing like this before 1967 to prepare the world. It's not my favourite music of all-time but my all-time favourite music would not have been made without this. Ergo it has to be a 5... 9/10 5 stars.
Great album with lots of hits. Also discovered May This Be Love, which was a fave of mine. Loved the variety of songs too.
Definitely an experience
What a debut, pure power and ferocity. Weird to say, but the drumming sort of makes the record and one realizes Hendrix is a distinct and pretty underrated vocalist. All the hits are fine, if a bit overexposed at this late date, but the secondary songs (e.g., "Remember," "Third Stone from the Sun") move this into the top class and the coolness factor puts Clapton to shame. The ancillary/additional cuts on the reissues, which include several gems (e.g., "Highway Chile"), make it all the more impressive.
Jimi Hendrix Experience. This has so many versions Original UK track listing and US. With most copies now including tracks that weren’t on each other. I think most people listen to the 17 track version now and really it’s the way to go. This is Hendrix at his simplest songs in a way everything is tight and even with 17 tracks on the newer editions it’s doesn’t clock over the hour mark. These songs pack a punch and has a different psychedelic edge that only Hendrix can provide 4/5
nice guitar for ambiance but not for me
Soo much more that the greatest hits packages. This justifies the legend, so much more nuances.
¿El mejor debut de la historia? Posiblemente. ¿La mejor banda de la historia? Seguramente. ¿El mejor guitarrista de la historia? Sin duda. ¿El mejor disco de Hendrix? En absoluto, ese puesto se lo dejo a Electric Ladyland aunque este Are you experienced está a grandísima altura. Are you experienced presenta a Hendrix en estudio, en directo ya había causado estragos (que se lo digan a Eric Clapton, encerrado en el aseo con ataque de pánico al verle en tocar vivo). La lista de temas es impresionante: Hey Joe, el comienzo de todo (una canción ajena que ha tenido cientos de versiones desde Love a The Byrds pero esta de la JHE es la mejor, sin duda) Purple Haze es una obra de arte, con esa distorsión deliberada que tuvieron que proteger para que no se la borraran en la masterización. The wind cries Mary, en una sola toma, es otra maravilla. Thrid stone from the sun es una alucinante viaje... Are you experienced otro aún mayor. Foxy Lady, Manic Depresson, Fire... cualquier tema por simple que parezca (May this be love es una joya) está a años luz de la mayoría de temas de cualquier disco. La producción de Chandler y sobre todo de Kramer convierte el disco en una referencia de la época uq esigue plenamente vigente aún. La única pega es que se quedara fuera la versión de Like a Rolling Stone, por problemas de encaje en la banda. Stone free figura en algunas ediciones, la versión británica de Are You Experienced se compone íntegramente de canciones originales de Hendrix, la que suena en la lista de Spotify es la americana. Aún tuvieron tiempo de publicar en ese mismo año el fundamental Axis: bold as love. Otros excelentes debuts de ese mismo año fueron los de The Doors, Experience, Scott Walker, Pink Floyd, The Velvet Underground, y también aunque menores los de Van Morrison, Janis Joplin, Bowie, Nico, Electric Prunes o First Edition. Otras obras enormes editadas ese mismo año 1967: Sgt. Peppers y Magical Mistery Tour, Forever Changes y Da Capo, The Velvet Underground y White light/White head, Surrealistic Pillow,The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, The Who Sell Out, Days of Future Passed, Disraelí Gears, Bee Gees´ First, Younger Than Yesterday, Evolution y Butterfly, Safe as milk, I never loved a man the way i love you y Arrives, Something Else, Scott, Bee Gees´ First (en realidad el segundo), Wild Honey, Sunshine Superman o Happy Together...
Quite certain I can't say anything that hasn't already been said about this album. I don't think I've ever listened all the way through until today, and it is remarkable. My standouts: Manic Depression, May This Be Love, The Wind Cries Mary
Genius - great singing, great playing, wonderful songs, and massively inventive in terms of sound. Still a thrilling listen
You had to be there
A masterpiecee. A revolution. And it’s still my 3rd favorite Jimi record. After listening through for the first time in ages it may move back into second favorite just for Manic Depression and the title track. One of the things Jimi never got enough credit for was his songwriting and overall contribution beyond his guitar playing. That man wrote some incredible songs.
an album that makes you feel like a bad B
Yeah baby, instant feels of groooove!
Great! Want to listen again
(this review is for the original UK tracklist.) this solves a lot of the issues I had with Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs a couple days ago. in that review, I mentioned my burnout when it comes to the classic blues rock sound, but I mean, Hendrix is Hendrix! if you need ME to tell you he's in a league of his own, you should probably get out more! whereas Layla felt, to my ears, fairly reserved and polite, this is fully in-your-face. for as much as Derek and The Dominos pulled out all the stops in terms of their production and instrumentation, there's just no competing with a trio in the raw, especially one with Jimi Hendrix at the helm. the interplay between Hendrix, Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell is undeniable; the kinship they all felt with boundary-pushing small groups in the jazz world at the time, particularly the mid-sixties John Coltrane Quartet, is deeply felt throughout this tracklist. Mitchell's drumming in particular is show-stopping, to the point that I sometimes find myself focusing on him more than Hendrix! i also appreciate the very rough production and mix, which perfectly matches the Experience's unfiltered approach. Hendrix's blown-out guitar tone and experimentation with distortion and feedback point in the direction of future trends in guitar music like heavy metal, noise rock, totalism and a whole lot more. it wouldn't surprise me if Hendrix emboldened later avant-garde and fusion guitar icons like Sonny Sharrock and John McLaughlin to keep pumping up the volume! to this day, he's revered as one of the finest guitar soloists of all time (for good reason!), but his abilities as a writer of riffs and songs were also incredibly strong. you've got heavy, bluesy earworms ("Foxy Lady", "Manic Depression", "Fire", "Remember"), mind-altering slabs of psychedelia ("I Don't Live Today", "Third Stone From the Sun", the title track), and even a tender ballad ("May This Be Love")! this definitely gave me the itch to return to Axis and Electric Ladyland soon. maybe some of the live records too. strong 8/10.
Modern rock and roll as we know it would Not exist without Joni Hendrix
This may not quite hit perfect for me on a continuity and vision side. But damn if it isn't perfect for influence. Jiminy went solo, with this debut and changed the guitar. This sound in '67 blew everyone apart then and for generations going forward. Entire genres were formed because ears heard these sounds. Name one guitarist after this that wasn't influence. Jimi was a force unto himself and made everyone experience this one.
Ok sorry I can see the technical excellence of this and the historical importance its just so damn long and a bit repetitive
Заглавный трек крутой
Great album. Lots of timeless hits on here as well.
Legendary
It would be a shame to say I'm a psychedelia/acid fan. And the first time I heard this album I didn't connect a ton with it. But today I think I must be in a different headspace because it's better now. The mix is a bit weird though, or maybe that's just the version on Spotify, there's a lot of stuff only happening in the right channel. I still don't think I fully get entirely what the fuss is about with Jimmy Hendrix Standouts Love Or Confusion The Wind Cries Mary Third Stone From The Sun 4/5
This is probably a 4 for pure enjoyment, but its significance and influence (and being a debut!) give it at least 1 bonus star.
This album not only broke new ground in exploring the sounds that it was possible to get out of an electric guitar, it pushed the boundaries of rock music genre mashups with the highlight being the sci-fi epic Third Stone From the Sun which veers wildly from acid rock to free jazz noodling to total freak out. Legend has it that Jimi liked to play so loudly in the studio that the neighbours complained about the noise. Another artist who died far too young.
I am experienced, indeed.
absolute banger of an album that i sort of zoned out on, but i loved the vibes.
A personal favorite.
Really good overall, the quality never really falls off. Impressive instrumental work with an inspired vocal performance that really seals the package. Complete. Best song: Purple Haze Worst song: Can You See Me
Apparently there are two versions of the album, an US and UK version. The Spotify album includes both versions' songs, while also adding three tracks not originally on any of the versions. The US version was better, and the review will focus on the original US version. This was my first time listening to Hendrix, and I've heard so much about his legendary guitar skills. I was blown away, and the psychedelic fused composition was perfect. His themes are both cosmic and very grounded, with great introspection and the use of clever metaphores. Best song: The Wind Cries Mary Worst song: Third Stone From The Sun
I've heard these songs so many times. Still takes me by surprise that is an album, not a compilation. It must have truly blown minds in 1967. The playing is off the scale. I'm listening to the UK version. May This Be Love stands out on this listen. Truly excellent.
Now this is the type of album this list was made for.
I was nervous going into this album because I was afraid it would fail to live up to the legend and even my memory of listening to it with my dad. I should not have feared. It’s brilliant. It was brilliant, and it still is. It’s raw, but precise. It sounds perfectly done without feeling overproduced. It is rock and psychedelic and real blues. I loved every minute.
1. Is it tomorrow or just the end of time? 2. I know what I want but I just don’t know 3. Where you’re gonna run to now? 4. My heart burns with feeling 5. Don’t ever change your ways, fall with we for a million days 6. Feel like I’m livin’ at the bottom of a grave 7. Will the wind ever remember the names it has blown in the past? 8. Let me stand next to your fire 9. Your people I do not understand 10. You make me wanna get up and scream 12. Not necessarily stoned but beautiful 13. Stone free to ride the breeze 14. You must be losing you sweet little mind 15. In love or war you can lose your glory 16. You better come home like you supposed to do 17. Kiss you for my supper
Hits right in that sweet spot between blues rock and psychedelic. Are you experienced? You will be after this. I recommend going for the UK track listing rather than the US, feels more cohesive to me but YMMV. Both digital versions contain the same tracks regardless.
All time classic with banger after banger. Great album!
This mixing is all over the place. I can't tell if the album would benefit from a complete technical overall, with more of a studio sound and a mixing pattern that doesn't slam certain instruments in completely different sonic pockets, or if it benefits from everything sounding like its orbiting around some kind of celestial cavernous megachurch. Was it always intended to be overheard playing on Peter Quills' walkman? A distant memory of humanity trying to reconnect with a possible way to experience itself. It's also perplexing why the lifestyle was celebrated. Jimi doesn't really sound like he's having fun. I imagine what this is going to be what it's like for future generations to listen to Future.
Of course I’m experienced ! (I say as a LIE 😈)
I’ve had some longstanding beliefs towards Jimi Hendrix, and I tried to put them aside for my listening of “are you experienced”. I’ve always thought he was a brilliant guitar player for his era, certainly ahead of the times stylistically. There’s legends that his guitar playing live was so incredible that it through Eric Clapton into a rage, which is a hilarious mental image. Beyond that I’ve always found his vocal style to be incredibly stale and one dimensional. His lyricism is on par for the genre and time period, no more, no less, in my opinion. Certainly nothing mind blowing or universe shattering. Upon completion of this album, I really struggle to change a single one of those beliefs. It’s fine. It’s groovy, it’s psychedelic, and the musical style was inarguably influential on thousands of artists. But to me it’s just.. kinda boring. I think the flat vocals are really what bury my interest. “The Wind Cries Mary” would be my favourite track from the record if I was forced to pick, but I can’t see myself listening to any part of this album again if I can help it. I recognize the contributions to rock n roll, I recognize the talent of Hendrix. At the same time, I recognize that this is not for me. 3*
Jimi Hendrix is obviously a virtuosic guitar player and overall, this is a strong debut album. I think it could be a little shorter, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would considering my general feelings about 60s psychedelic rock. I think the way Hendrix incorporates blues into his rock n roll is both more creative and more genuine than most of his peers, which I appreciate. I also liked the more subdued numbers on this album, specifically “May This Be Love” and his rendition of “The Wind Cries Mary”. The favorite track by far was “Third Stone From the Sun” - it’s a bit jammy, quite jazzy, and the recurring melody is beautiful. The mixing on this album was frustrating throughout… it sounded almost like a live album and the vocal track sounded a bit muddy or just didn’t stand up to the instrumentals very well. I think there’s also just a couple duds. “Foxey Lady”, for instance, is a track I think could’ve been cut at no loss to the album. Overall, this is a cut above the standard for 60s psychedelia in my opinion with some small, interesting creative choices throughout. I waffled between 3 and 4 ⭐️ here, but considering “Third Stone From the Sun” is the only track I’d really seek out again, I gotta go with 3 ⭐️. 7/10
I get why it was good at the time. But too 60s to be enjoyable now
Easily the group's best album. Every song is phenomenal, Hendrix has ample space to showcase his incredible guitar playing and his songwriting abilities.
Goat 🎸🤘🐐
It's Jimi.
I have heard a the best songs on this album already on THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE There were no surprises, solid album.
Wonderful artist I'm glad to be able to hear his work, he spoke the language of the guitar
So cool. An obvious visionary.
It's a classic what can you say
You know, I’ve not traditionally been a Jimi guy - nothing against him, he just wasn’t regularly in my rotation - but I’ve really enjoyed both the albums I’ve got from him so far! Obviously he’s an innovator and virtuoso on the guitar, but I think I’ve learned that people also aren’t talking enough about how his music is FUN. These songs are just fun and catchy! It’s good pop music! I loved this album, I listened to it twice yesterday.
Wonderful 👍
Kuuntelussa alkuperäinen brittijulkaisu. Tiedostan ja tunnustan kitaravirtuoosin lahjakkuuden, haluaisin tykätä, mutta kun ei lähde niin ei lähde. 2.5⭐
All time great greatest hits, but album to album i bounce off a lot of songs.
I have to be very picky or everything is getting a 5 - this is unbelievable but it doesn't have most of my favourite Hendrix tracks, so scored against his own catalogue it gets a 4.
One of the best albums ever? Yeah probably
It's fun, a bit noodle-y, probably more impactful in it's time
no es de mi corte
Too much for me.
I like the energy, but a little manic for my tastes.
One of the great guitar albums of all time, and well-structured melodies featuring very few musicians but lots of layers.
Overall solid album, groundbreaking guitar work, innovative use of stereo mixing
One of the best rock albums of the 60s. Jimi, Noel, and Mitch do Ana amazing job ob their debut. Although it is no Electric Lady land, this is still great and a classic for a reason. RIP Jimi, Noel, and Mitch.
10/10
could i write poetry to this? n
Two Hendrix albums in a week? Not much else to add since it's all great. I like this album slightly more than "Electric Ladyland", so I'll give it a half-star over that one. Twenty-eight stars.
Days after I gave a shockingly low 2 star rating to Electric Ladyland, this album shows up to set the record straight. This one is a genuine 5 star effort.
Local Seattle artist! Jimi Hendrix is always a fun listen. Obviously, great guitar work. First three songs hit hard right off. May This be Love is a nice slower jam, with some great riffs. Rest of the album is solid, ending with the wonderful Red House. Best Song: May This be Love
Okay, I don't know anymore which album in Hendrix' discography is my favourite. What's important, is that Jimi is one of the best artists from that era. I'm not planning to listen to his records on a daily basis anymore, but he still holds a special place in my heart. Great album, top 10 on this list.
Nein. Immer noch nicht meine Musik.
This is way better than the last Jimi Hendrix album I got. So fun to listen to! I definitely want to revisit it.
experimental in an era where psychedelics were the rage and to be able to stand out makes Jimi one of the best to ever do it with the backwards guitar.
This is THE album you must hear before you die. I have been experienced, and I believe everyone should be experienced, and I want to be experienced for the first time again.
I like Jimi Hendrix. Most of the songs on here were great, but a couple songs missed for me. Like the directional audio though, which is a theme of my tastes
Hendrix is classic rock guitar, and an almost whimsical vocal style that was pretty cool to listen to. He died too young.
Classic and still good. Though, with headphones, quite unsettling. Wasn't aware, to what extent he experimented with then pan knob.
This would have been a perfect album if Spotify hadn’t added 6 songs to the end. 6 songs too long and those six songs clearly stand out as more boring than the original track list.
One of the greatest to ever do it. I wish we got more. I love the distortion on here.
Great album
Not bad
Three bushy haired men in psychedelic clothing staring through a fish eye lens, blending through a eye catching combination of yellow and purple. Most people's first impressions of The Jimi Hendrix Experience are of this blasting on record shelves amidst all the other colorful album covers of the period it was released, that fabled year of 1967. And I cannot help but wonder what it was like when the needle hit the groove for the first time as the riff of Purple Haze burst out of the speakers. And everything else that followed tumbled outwards. And onto history. Are You Experienced?, perhaps without complaints, could very well lay claim to being the greatest debut album in rock history in large part due to the magnitude of its aftermath, where the world bore witness to the full fledged bombast of a guitarist who wound up changing everyone's game plan. Alongside the equally important (and game) bassist and drummer in Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell, respectively, an unforgettable experience in discovering, forming, playing and globe-trotting still reels in the cultural consciousness nearly sixty years on. Are you experienced? Well, I am.
Half the tracks on this are amazing, the rest are just really great. Jimi is one of my favourites, but I’ve never seen the albums themselves as flawless. Still gotta give it a 5
Good
Interesante, es definitivamente un clásico del rock y tiene sentido el nivel de reverencia pero no me resulta interesante más allá
Half the songs on this are legendary, maybe more than half. There was a time I found this amazing, but I just rarely find myself wanting to listen to it now. In part, I think it's the sound quality. I dunno man.
One of my favourite throw-away bits by comedian Bill Hicks was about Jimi Hendrix. "My Man JIMI!" *Guitar noises* "YEAAAHHH!" *More guitar noises* "YEAAAHH!!" *More guitar noises* "Man he was a f****** alien, man. No doubt about it, man. UFO dropped him off, said 'Jimi show us it's done, we'll pick you up in 28 years, alright?'" The man was a guitar god, and this album is nothing but absolute bangers. Addictive guitar riffs, effortless guitar solos, and just cool ass songs throughout the whole tracklist; and thankfully Apple Music has the US edition because I think it's a much stronger than the UK/international one. Hendrix is one those artists that I feel is universally loved, or at least liked, and it is entirely well deserved. 'Are You Experienced' is probably him at his absolute best commercially. This is teetering between a 4 and a 5 rating, but I ultimately decided on a high 4/5. The reason being is that I would argue his follow up albums 'Axis' and 'Electric Ladyland' are tied for his best from a more musical perspective as he evolved as an artist. But this LP is still super fun, trippy, and all round brilliant. I feel like even if you're the kind of person to scoff at classic rock in general, this just might be the kind of album to turn you around on it. Personal highlights: ‘Purple Haze’, ‘Hey Joe’, ‘I Don’t Live Today’, ‘The Wind Cries Mary’, ‘Fire’, and ‘Third Stone From The Sun’.
thank GOD for my several-months-ago experiences with axis bold as love, granting me some clarity about Ultra Popular And Beloved Guitar Player Jimi Hendrix Who Should Be Intuitive To Pretty Much Everyone But Eluded Me For Years Somehow. in that way i have to give him some credit for genuinely being so distinct that my expectations from the likes of jazz and prog didnt help me much, and were maybe even a bit counter-intuitive! my moment of clarity with axis and its psychedelic tapestry was that the cadence of sound coaxed from jimi's guitar matters often more then the individual notes he's playing...and i think even here on a more sonically conservative album (strictly compared to axis, goes without saying this was even more insane for the time), where his playing has a slightly more lyrical quality , its the stubborn part of my ears that is finally fixed. this isnt one of my fave albums or anything, i dont prefer it to axis i dont think, but it finally all sounds colorful and firey and In Place to me. electric ladyland might kick my head in if i revisit it idk
Perfect pedicure soundtrack today, although it was hard to keep myself from dancing. Can you imagine this being your debut album? Insane.
Rock. Truly a classic. I love these albums that are essentially a “greatest hits” collection, just so many good songs from beginning to end. Even the songs I hadn’t heard before sounded stellar. Just perfect.
Classic. Enjoy most of the songs.
He’s a genius. 4
I listened to the whole record with such ease as I was doing other things on my laptop but found myself constantly going back to replay some songs from the start as I really enjoyed them. The guitar playing from Jimi is incredible. Brilliant album!
Jimi's album of exclusively bangers. Spotify has the US version, whereas I am more used to the UK running order. Got to say the US one works so much better. Red House, Remember and Can You See Me are by no means bad songs, but well, Purple Haze, Hey Joe and the Wind Cries Mary. I mean need I say more. Not just that but it simply flows, waxing and waning at the right time. The UK version has one too many noodley-woodley songs in a row instead of interspersing them with punchy snatches of rock, which has the effect of elevating both. The US cover art is miles better also. Sequencing is important!
Not sure if it's a coincidence to get this one on the anniversary of his death. Incredible album he really is in a totally different level. Purple haze still hits so strongly, as for deep cuts I loved the Wind Cries Mary. Even when the songs blur together it's a really incredible record
Some good tunes, many familiar already
My mind is in a Purple Haze after that Experience. It was Fire.
+3
Hot take: "Manic Depression" is the greatest waltz of all time.
Come on man. Giving this anything other than a 5 would be insane. Still not sure if it’s better than electric ladyland (they’re both amazing), but nonetheless it is a GREAT album. Where else can you get such terrific songwriting, guitar playing, and lyrics from one person at such a time? George Harrison, although great himself, could never be on the same level, both guitar-wise and (arguably) lyrically as Hendrix. Eric Clapton did have the guitar prowess but not the same emotional capability of Hendrix. Jimi Hendrix was a huge inspiration to so many and a well respected artist, but still took the time to give a story in every album. Every song. It was personal, and it was inspirational. He took the medium in places few saw possible and ways aspired to be replicated for decades. He was open about drug problems and personal issues up until his death, may he rest in peace. This record specifically is classified as one of the best of all time for a reason. Not a single miss here, though The Wind Cries Mary and Highway Chile are personal favorites. And this album was such a splash in the rock landscape at the time, though psychedelic rock wasn’t unheard of. The likes of the Beatles and Pink Floyd had already played around with it before Hendrix debuted. But there’s a difference: Hendrix kept it alive and fresh. He wasn’t doing it for the sake of something cool, he wanted to challenge the norms of classic rock and make defining statements in music history to be written. The psychedelic rock genre today would be nowhere without Hendrix’s willingness to shape culture in an expertly done way. And that’s what it all comes back to. Sure he changed rock. Sure he checked the artists around him. Sure he made award winning albums. But what it all comes down to is how he did it. Not boastfully, but with the technical mastery and patient skill of a band front runner musicians across all genres and decades would only expect from hundreds of years of experience. So in that sense I guess, Hendrix answered his own question. Are You Experienced? Hell yeah, more experienced than a life time could give.
My fav so far 💦💦💦💦💦
Great album - includes classics like Foxey Lady and Purple Haze. Amazing guitar, lyrics, and beats throughout.
whew that guitar is HAWTT
I'm certainly experienced now...
This album rocks. Classic albums can be overrated but this hits.
It was definitely not what I expected. Pretty sweet
Its interesting that for as huge of a cultural icon that Jimi is, I didn't really know many of his songs. It was nice to experience them for the first time. The album has the personality and power I wanted from some of the other albums on this list. May This Be Love is a standout for me. Its gentle in a beautiful way. Probably a hot take though - the second half has some forgettable songs (Tracks 9-13). Album feels too long.
What a first studio album this is!! It could easily be a greatest hits album. You won’t see a better opening than purple haze, manic depression and Hey Joe. Just brilliant. So many hits that remind me of going out when I was 18-21 and are the reasons, I love music. Stone Free being the biggest. I love it. Its a 5/5 easily Favourite song: Manic depression, Stone free Least favourite: None, all songs are fantastic Album artwork: Perfect album cover
How can you give this anything but 5 stars? It’s an iconic album, and top to bottom filled with great songs. As a Seattle Mariners fan, “Fire” will always make me smile since it’s played after every home win. But “Purple Haze” and “Hey Joe” are also fantastic, plus “Are You Experienced?” ends the album on such a different note, while possibly being the most brilliant song on the entire album. I could go on and on, but I’ll stop now and give it 5 stars.
I wanted to like this one more.
My least favorite of the Jimi studio albums is still a gem
So many hits on this album, how could it not be a 5?
his best album 8/10
A landmark album...
I do really like this album be it has a few too many dud moments to make it a full five stars, but great nonetheless 4.5*
I am experienced, Jimi! There's nothing I can say about this album that it can't say for itself, though I would remind people that he was 23 when this album was written and 24 when it was released. Unrivaled.
I knew sweet FA about Jimi besides Purple Haze and Along The Watchtower, and I'm glad I sat down with this one. Great lyricism and the band as a whole works great while Jim shreds, I Dont Live Today stuck out to me as an album favorite.
Look this album rocks and was all over the Waynes World OST but Jimmy Hendrix is real bad vibes. He’s super talented but his songs really bum me out based on his musical choices, lyrical subject matter and special effects. It just clicked on this listen. I found myself enjoying the drumming this go around. Especially on Manic Depression
Excellent album. Banger after banger. What a great listen. This is undoubtedly a 5.
7/10. Would listen again.
Some really classic songs on this album.
Who do you think I am to say something about this album?
I've always meant to listen to Jimi Hendrix but never got around to it. I now know that was a huge mistake because this album is so good! The drumming is incredible, the bass is great, but the guitar is out of this world. Truly an experience I need to go back to.
One of my hot takes about popular music is that both the UK and the US editions of Are You Experienced are better albums to listen to than the weird, unstructured mix of the two that most people listen to nowadays because of the CD. Listening to the CD track listing takes a little away from the experience of the tightness of the originals, despite it meaning yo get all of what was eventually released as Are You Experienced. That being said, this all still absolutely fucks whatever configuration it’s in
good classics
Eszméletlen jó volt, meg kell még érnem hozzá, biztos, hogy újra fogom még hallgatni. A szuper széles sztereó tér pláne lenyűgözött, főleg ennyire korai albumtól.
Absolute classic
Favs: Purple Haze, Manic Depression, Hey Joe, Love or Confusion, Foxey Lady Least Fav: Third Stone from the Sun
I’m gonna be honest with you here. I’ve always been a fan of Jimi Hendrix and have always appreciated how culturally significant he was to music period, let alone rock music. In fact, as a drummer I’ve learnt a lot from some of Mitch Mitchell’s grooves on the ‘Axis: Bold As Love’ album. Having been sampled by A Tribe Called Quest on ‘Scenario’ and Joey Bada$$ on No.99, ‘Little Miss Lover’ was one of the first of many rhythms or hip-hop drum breaks that I learnt on the kit. Later on down the line when I was trying to get into more jazz playing and technique, ‘Up From The Skies’ taught me how to play with brushes and comp with independence on the hi-hat. Nevertheless, I’d NEVER gone out of my way to listen to a Jimi Hendrix LP in full! I don’t think I could’ve had a better introduction to his discography than ‘Are You Experienced.’ A few of the songs such as ‘Purple Haze’ and ‘Foxey Lady’ I’m familiar with, but the whole album in general I thought was exceptional. Definitely delving into his discography more in full depth. Guess you could say I’m NOW experienced…!
I wanted to love this. The guitar was great, but it didn't have any songs I wanted to listen to again. Would put on for background rock n roll.
I would not drive around blasting this, but there are some tracks here that are musical masterpieces and phenomenal songs.
More bluesy than I thought.
Listened to this one on vinyl. What an amazing album. So crunchy. So ahead of the time. Hendrix sure knew how to make the guitar sing.
Dang, this album is still so good despite many of its songs being played to death. Crazy strong album overall. Listening to it this time I happened to focus more on the drums for some reason, and the drums sounded a lot more jazzier than I remember. That is not a criticism, the drums sound great and work well with everything that’s happening.
And yet another obvious and entirely worthy classic rock choice. I was just looking at the Rolling Stone list of best guitarists and while there are some that I disagree with and lots of discourse about who was included, Hendrix at number one is just a given. And the guy is a great lyricist as well!
I was familiar with the big songs on this, but not the rest. I didn’t expect I’d give this a 5, but here we are. I’m not sure how I could not after hearing that.
Are You Experienced is a powerful debut and a thrilling introduction to Jimi Hendrix's groundbreaking sound. Even after 60 years, his guitar playing remains utterly compelling, with tracks like "Purple Haze," "Hey Joe," "Highway Chile," "Fire," and the iconic "Foxey Lady" still shining bright. The musicianship from all three band members is outstanding, but it's Hendrix's charisma that truly bursts out of the speakers. However, the album can feel a bit disjointed, especially in the extended remaster versions available on DSPs. While the experimental tracks may have been revolutionary at the time, some may now come across as meandering, affecting the album's pacing and making it feel slightly on the long side.
One of the ultimate musical experiences. Hendrix rightly gets the majority of credit since this is his band, but the bass and drums are their own peak performances as well. A masterpiece of an album with no filler or skippable tracks. Excellence in a word
So many songs I knew but didn't know they were all from the same album
This album changed the history of music and high school me's life. Hey Joe's lyrics have always made me uncomfortable though. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5
There's some iconic songs on this album, but that's about what it has going for it.
gran disco, pero justo en esta época no estoy en esa onda
Funky, raw, and not as great sober. If I were tripped out on drugs this would probably be epic. Still very good but not my go to.
Just some great fuzz and solos. i wish the version differences were more clear. make sure to at least listen to a version including the singles.
strong album from a rock legend
A classic. Nobody else plays quite like Hendrix
Quintessential psychedelic rock album. It’s no acid bold as love but pretty damn good
One of the best albums recorded. Pure drifting waves of soaring guitar, crunchy street corners, and sonically enhanced blues melded into one release.
move over rover......and let jimi take over!!!!!!!!!! i mean what is there to say about hendrix that hasn't already been said...i feel like it's impossible to really talk about this record objectively because his influence is so ubiquitous. that being said i probably hadn't listened to this album in full since i was a teenager so it was nice to revisit it as a complete item. i wish i knew more about guitar to i could understand just how talented he really was! all i know is that it sounds damn good. also mitch mitchell's drumming is great. fav tracks: may this be love; fire; third stone from the sun; are you experienced?
I love when someone that's been built up as such a legend actually lives up to the hype. This album had a lot more variety among the songs than I remembered and I really enjoyed the whole thing. I can't imagine what it would've been like to hear music like this when the record came out. Favorite tracks: Fire, May This Be Love, Stone Free
Favourite songs: Purple Haze, Hey Joe, The Wind Cries Mary, Stone Free, Foxey Lady, Manic Depression, Red House Least favourite songs: Third Stone From the Sun 4/5
god, i want to re-watch wayne's world...
Pretty much every song on this album is so iconic that’s it’s easy to forget this was a debut album (!!!) and not a greatest hits compilation. Jimi was the king and was gone far too soon. Damn near perfect album. What else is there to say? 5/5
I don't live today is my fav on this
One of those albums that just sounds better louder. Jimi is a beast, the sounds he gets out of his guitar are just mindblowing. I also love that it's just a three piece - each instrument gets to shine - and they all do. It's a potent mix.
A pretty incredible album. Tons of bangers on this one. I prefer it to the other Jimi album, as it's less noisy. It's still not my favorite type of classic rock in terms of sonorousness, but it really holds up.
what can you say? pure genius.
Is this the best album of the 60s? Maybe. Absolutely transformational as far as it's effect on pretty much all music that came after. Hendrix's best album to my ears. It's kind of stereotypical to say that Hendrix was the best guitar player ever, but it's not really a stereotype if it's true. I am astonished every time I hear him. I would love to be able to hear this album for the first time again. Or be able to hear Hendrix for the first time again. I feel like that's one of those experiences that's wasted because you're too young to appreciate it. Nothing else to say about this album that hasn't already been said. 5/5
Decent.
What ever it is, that [album] put a spell on me
I refuse to believe people actually find this good. It Was supposedly banned from my region on Apple Music so I had to listen to the entire album on YouTube where the comments hyped it up. Clearly in the minority? It’s not good
Amazing, exceptional, a masterpiece
I mean, come on.
Feeling, sweet feeling, drops from my Fender’s fingers.
Rad
One hit at track one and then some ok songs
Opening song being “foxy lady” was my favourite added it was in THAT scene in Wayne’s World. However the rest of the songs started to sound the same, but some bright spots being “Fire” and “Purple Haze” as they were faster tempo and shorter than the others. Wasn’t a fan of “Are you experienced?” as the last few minutes it just sounded like a lot of unorganised noice which I know Hendrix is known for that but it is always for me.
This got so boring so quickly. Each song felt near indistinguishable from the last and the rambling guitar playing did not enamour me. Either a 2 or a 3 I’ll see how im feeling when it comes to rating
Pretty good although i agree some parts were pretty noodly. Tracks like purple haze and stone free are really good though
Mitch. Jimi. An incredible phenomenon. Yes. A must listen. Hendrix is one of the few acts where all the studio recordings are must listen.
Magnificent, but..... I've always found his genius is best in very small doses. Virtuosity, yes. Original, self taught and much imitated, and I've owned the album for 30 years, but it's too cataclysmic for "listening" . It demands a lot of the listener. In the end very hard to rate. Essential listening or viewing yes. It belongs here, but I tasted only a few tracks before putting it away again.
I turned 18 in 1968. I discovered girls & had the hots for Christine Jones, an Auburn lass. But a big part of the attraction of visiting her was her older brother - David Jones, I kid you not. He had 2 locally-released vinyl Hendrix e.p’s & I soon acquired them myself & to this day I still believe I never saw better value for e.p’s than these. The one released in 1967 contained the beautiful The Wind Cries Mary; his signature tune at the time, Purple Haze (Excuse me while I kiss this guy); his first hit single, Hey Joe (the only track on the album that wasn’t written by Jimi, it’s a nasty domestic violence ditty, although not a patch on Johnny Cash’s Delia’s Gone); & 51st Anniversary. The one released in January 1968 contained Stone Free; Foxy Lady; Fire, a personal fave at the time; & the great Manic Depression (always one of the highlights of the dear departed Jackie Orszáczky’s live sets).So, between the two, I had seven of the eleven tracks on Are You Experienced, & it was quite a few years before I owned the album. Of the other four tracks on the Australian release, I love May This Be Love, which foreshadows the grandeur of Little Wing; who had ever heard anything like the totally experimental Third Stone From The Sun & the title track before? The fact was, you had never heard anything like Jimi Hendrix before. I’m with Rolling Stone magazine : "Every idea we have of the guitarist as groundbreaking individual artist comes from this record."
Peter Prichard, co-owner of Scratches Records, shared his love of Jimi Hendrix with me when I was an impressionable teenager. When I was a penniless student, he let me tape a bunch of his Hendrix LPs, that I listened to obsessively (favourite record of that bunch: Jimi Plays Monterey - especially the way they tear through Killing Floor). The first Hendrix album I bought with my own money was a UK version of Are You Experienced?, which was a great place to start. And then when I started collecting records in earnest in the late 80s, there were lots of relatively inexpensive secondhand Hendrix vinyl around, so I bought a ton. All the studio albums, posthumous releases, live albums, pre-fame appearances on other people's records, BBC radio sessions, a whole bunch of things. These days, I mostly stick to the (later) studio releases and a handful of notable live albums (Band of Gypsys, Monterey). Truth be told, it's a been a minute since I span a lot when I was young, and became so ingrained I didn't feel the need to listen any more. I have a similar relationship with Beatles records. So, it was a great pleasure to spin this again. I was debating whether to play the US or UK versions, but then, when I checked on spotify, it looks like the current state of the release is a 17 track combined version with all tracks from both versions, which includes the A and B sides of all the singles (which didn't feature on the original UK version). Well, ain't that a terrific listen! I was all prepared to get into a deep discussion about the merits of the two versions, but no longer necessary! This combined version is absolutely 1000% one of the greatest rock releases of all time. Playing through, every track came back to me. I could sing all to all the words, and even many of the solos. While Jimi was clearly basing his concept on Cream (power trio format, over-zealous jazz trained drummer, busy bass player, Chicago blues inspired guitar. with a heavy psychedelic tone), he really takes it to another level. The thing that I think really makes a difference is his phrasing (both guitar and vocals); his looseness around timing and phrasing is markedly different from the far more rigid English blues players. You can hear his influence on the whole generation of players (especially English players) that come after him, including the way his playing transformed the approach of some of the guitar heroes who were already on the scene when Hendrix turned up in London (Clapton, Beck, Townshend). I was talking about this with my friend Dave the other day, and commented that Brian May (for example), who is a very tight and precise player, should by all rights be much rigid in his timing. He's a uptight British guy, right? So you would expect a bit more straightforward timing, but I think his more fluid lead playing is (partially) indebted to Hendrix. And certainly the studio arrangements are something Hendrix really pioneered. There is not a lot of perfectionism and studio craft on this record, which were later hallmarks of Hendrix's studio output. I mean, there's some, and I find the rough-and-ready quick live recording to tape really charming. There is a real energy here. Jimi is confident and funny and a bit snarky and banging it out because he knows it's great. He only had a handful of songwriting credits before this album, which is nearly all originals. I suspect that Chas Chandler signed him largely on the basis of his guitar playing, so the songwriting and studio prowess was a bonus. Who knew the cat was so talented? There are some really cracking tunes on here, even beyond the big singles. I often grumble and moan about Dimery's list. there are lots of records that you wonder "why are they here?". but not Are You Experienced? Eleventy million out of five.
The well known songs were absolute bangers, but I just couldn't get the rest of the album. It wasn't bad at all - just had no spark like the singles did Was a bit let down to be honest 3 ⭐️
Everyone knows this is a stellar album. Jimi brought guitar distortion to the masses. He's one of the greats.
Solid. Listened to the UK version. Was great.
It's Hendrix. Far ahead of his time, and legendary.
heel veel debuut albums in deze lijst... ook deze is onontbeerlijk
This album is full classics from his too short career, so comes over more like a best of than an actual album. And includes both of my favourite tracks, Highway Chile, and Manic Depression. And also some superb new to me tracks like May This Be Love. A sort of Hendrix plays Green song. Over all a really good album, but is it worth a 5, no not quite. A really high 4 though
Superb stuff.
Great album by a legend who died far too young. Don't do drugs kids, but if you do, then not so much you end up choking on your own vomit, It's not a good look. Musically, it goes from straight heavy blues, to some experimental guitar and production work with 'Are You Experienced?' The whole thing is good from start to finish. Purple Haze is such a great opener. 'Third Stone From The Sun' is immense and rambling. Excellent stuff.
Beið og beið eftir að þessi klaraðist sorry
Epic, innovative, creative, psychedelic. I am now experienced :)
I'm very familiar with these songs and I guess this album. It's much, much more interesting than Bold as Love. I don't play guitar so I don't jizz my pants over the mere mention of Hendrix. All in all it's good, I just can't get myself to care.
This was insaane. The way he makes the guitar sing wow
Amazing!
Amazing!
Listening to this through a decent pair of headphones made for a brilliant journey through this classic album. There are some storming songs on here - how ahead of his time (musically, artistic, visually) was Jimi Hendrix? When you have Lemmy as a roadie, you’re the man…
Brings back some memories
9/10. Near 10 level. Kept getting better as the album went. Expected the great guitar playing, but the smooth delivery was unexpected and I loved mostly every song. (Just a few misses for me).
slayed.
Great album, not perfect in my opinion though.
The Goat of Guitar Goats, dude saw music as color and this was a rainbow of epicness
Fantastic, this is just full of great songs. Although Hendrix is obviously a (the) legendary guitarist I rate his songwriting and vocals as well. One of those albums that captured the essence of the day perfectly, i.e. the late 60s Woodstock / psych rock, but also iconic and timeless at the same time. Also I think it's technically a bonus track but Highway Chile is one of the highlights! Great song
5 out of 5, certified rock classic, nothing else to say that hasn't already. Also love that Stone Free and Purple Haze, JoJo references, are included on this album. Favorite song: Hey Joe
never can go wrong with Jimi
Pretty much easy 5... so many amazing songs. Should this be on the list? 100%
This man was so talented. It’s a shame that I’m only discovering that in the last few years. This is like my third time hearing this album and it never gets old. Long Live Jimi Hendrix!
pretty great, bummer about all the drugs though
This is awesome. I've heard it before, but didn't listen very carefully. It's clear why Hendrix's guitar sound is so iconic, and the place he has in music history is fully deserved.
No need to repeat the orthodoxy of Hendrix changing the guitar forever, but his albums were not amazing works in themselves. This one is a good debut album in the traditional sense, though the original UK version did not have 'Purple Haze' and 'Hey Joe' on it. His "yeah baby I'm groovy" schtick is pretty laughable and quite a few songs are fairly plain. 'I don't live today' is a particular low-light. Listening to it again with fresh ears 'Love or confusion' is a standout. Other tracks ar clearly much more influential. A good start from a world changing, history making artist, but maybe not such an amazing album.
Yeah, good enough.
I remember buying this at Laserland. I think I still have it.
This album must've been magical in the 60s. It hasn't lost any of that charm. The songs are brilliant and innovative. Music just wouldn't be the same as it is today if it weren't for Hendrix. It's hard to pick a favourite track. I'll give "Are You Experienced?" 5 stars.
This is a great album, and Jimi Hendrix is an amazing guitarist, however I'm not sure why some artists have multiple albums in this challenge that seem very similar to the last one I reviewed. Its NOT 1001 artists to listen to before you die!
My love of this album is heavily influenced by nostalgia - this was an album I listened to heaps in high school and its my favourite Hendrix album (except for the title track which is pretty ordinary!) and even though psychedelic rock is waaaay over represented on this list - this is a keeper! Hey Joe was a particular favourite, a regular on the bass jamming with friends. Once someone tried to woo me to Foxey Lady, which was pretty embarrassing but funny 😂
Outrageous in its influence. It's not higher only because Electric Ladyland exists.
This album ticks off so many boxes It's iconic and a landmark for the decade It's historically significant It's full of hits It's influencial to generations For me personally i was inspired to learn the guitar when hearing Hendrix. Is it perfect, No. But it is one of those albums you would expect on this list and i would probably say it is in the top 10.
fun piece of influential rock history
It is what it is. Jimi being crazy good, even though nowadays you learn his moves in Guitar 102.
Great album
Of course the singles here are very famous, but every album track is just as good, too. This is the hardest groove that has driven rock music for almost 60 years, and it’s easy to see why. Brilliant shifts in energy, mood, tempo.
One of the best, doing some of his best. The Wind Cries Mary is my personal favorite from this album. It does drag a bit in the latter half, but this is still a 9/10 in my book.
Ji-mi! Ji-mi! Ji-mi! 🎸🔥
Masterpiece
can't go wrong with Jimi
Epic. I will note that one should probably be "actively experienced" in order to appreciate the title song, while other songs don't have those conditions. Party on Wayne, party on Garth.
Wow, what a powerhouse. Each song stands on its own as a tremendous example of the times, the band, and the creativity flowing from Jimi. Heavyweight album.
Boomer jams. This is your dad's favorite guitar player, but for a good reason.
Easily one of the greatest and most important albums of all time. Guitar was never the same after this…or music at all, really. Blues is brought perfectly into the psychedelic age on this. This is how psychedelic rock is supposed to sound, not that garbage that literally every other band of this genre I’ve heard on this list did it. Really, there’s just no denying the gravity of Are You Experienced?
Didn’t mind it but didn’t love it 5/10
El icónico álbum del trio de Hendrix , Psicodelico y Ácido. Hey Joe es mi preferida, esas vibes melancólicas que transmiten con esa ambientación Psicodelica.
☮️✌️
Great classic vinyl.
I can’t remember the first Hendrix song I heard. While most kids had Big Bird and Barney, I had Jimi, Jim and Grace. It might have been Purple Haze. Maybe Watchtower. The first song I really remember sitting back and going, “wow!” was Red House. It was blues but with a rock edge, and guitar playing that emoted pain. This album has a lot of that, from the fun Foxy Lady. To One of my favorites on this album Fire, to the riff-heavy Manic Depression. It always annoyed me that the English and American releases had different tracks but that was common to get people to buy both. Honestly, I would have and still might. This album was incendiary.
Oh, I am experienced. It's been quite some time since I listened to this one straight through. I've been missing out. This is an absolute classic!!! This album transformed music and I think you can hear Jimi in all rock music after. I can't think of anything rock music doesn't have owe some influence to Hendrix. So many instant classics ("Purple Haze", "Fire", "Foxey Lady") but it was some of the others that I haven't listened to enough that jumped out at me on this listening ("The Wind Cries Mary" "Highway Chile" "Stone Free"). Honestly, I don't think there is a bad track on this album. In terms of still listenable, influence, and excellence, this is an absolute gem among gems.
So much fun to listen to.
Loved it
A great listen with some of his best tracks