Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix

by The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Overview

This compilation just misses being the perfect single-CD Jimi Hendrix anthology, and it's a crying shame because it comes so close. Its main virtue is that, in contrast to Smash Hits -- the only compilation of Hendrix's work approved by the artist -- it extends its reach past 1968. The last of the tracks come from the abortive First Rays of the New Rising Sun album, left unfinished at the time of his death, and show off a more R&B and soul-oriented sound than Hendrix was generally known for -- and are worth the price of the disc by themselves. In fact, some of these cuts recall Hendrix's history with the Isley Brothers, but done his way, with the range of sounds that he was generating in 1970. The disc concludes with the obligatory live version of "The Star Spangled Banner" from Woodstock, which is of massive historical and cultural importance. Where it falls short is by leaving out "Can You See Me" and "Remember," which are on Smash Hits -- it's a pity because the presence of two of those cuts (which, in fairness, can be found on Are You Experienced?) would make this compilation perfect in most respects.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/29/2010
Label:	Sony Legacy
UPC:	0886976215729
catalogNumber:	762157
Rank:	2683

Tracks

1. Purple Haze
2. Fire
3. The Wind Cries Mary
4. Hey Joe
5. All Along the Watchtower
6. Stone Free
7. Crosstown Traffic
8. Manic Depression
9. Little Wing
10. If 6 Was 9
11. Foxey Lady
12. Bold As Love
13. Castles Made of Sand
14. Red House
15. Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
16. Freedom
17. Night Bird Flying
18. Angel
19. Dolly Dagger
20. Star Spangled Banner

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Jimi Hendrix Experience   Primary Artist
Dave Mason   Acoustic Guitar,Background Vocals
Larry Lee   Rhythm Guitar
Noel Redding   Bass,Background Vocals
Billy Cox   Bass
Jimi Hendrix   Bass,Flute,Guitar,Piano,Glockenspiel,Harpsichord,Kazoo,Vocals
Juma Sultan   Percussion
Arthur Allen   Background Vocals
Barbara Moore   Background Vocals
Jerry Velez   Percussion
Gloria George   Background Vocals
Maggie Stredder   Background Vocals
Albert Allen   Background Vocals

Technical Credits

Bob Dylan   Composer
Chas Chandler   Producer
Jimi Hendrix   Composer,Producer
John Jansen   Producer
Eddie Kramer   Producer,Engineer
Dave Siddle   Engineer
Jean-Pierre Leloir   Cover Photo
Billy Roberts   Composer