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Sunday Music: Experience Hendrix
Sep. 22nd, 2013 06:57 pmAlbum Title: Experience Hendrix
Why I Bought It: Blame Battlestar Galactica. I'd been hesitant about buying any Hendrix, despite his iconic status, because the only song of his I knew (in the knowledge that it was his) was his Woodstock performance of the Star-Spangled Banner, which I really don't like. The appearance of "All Along the Watchtower" on BSG persuaded me to give him a try.
What I Like (Magnetic): "All Along the Watchtower". This one reels me in right from the twanging/percussive lead-in. The imagery is evocative, and the rapid build-up at the end of each verse ("the hour is getting late!") is driving. The extended instrumental bridge midsong is also great. I'm not that fond of Jimi's voice as such, but it's tailor-made for this song.
What I Like (Insistent): "Freedom". Freedom! (give it to me!) - the eternal cry. The imagery is violent, but how often is freedom granted peacefully? (It's not entirely clear what he's demanding freedom from, I'll admit.)
What I Like (Lyric): "Angel". One of the few Hendrix songs I can call beautiful.
What I Don't Like (Cacophony): "Star-Spangled Banner". I'm sure that the performance at Woodstock was electric, but I get nothing from this but a headache.
Overall: Another mixed bag. There are quite a few songs here that I like: "Fire", "The Wind Cries Mary", "Foxey Lady", maybe "Voodoo Child" and "Stone Free"; but "Hey Joe", "Dolly Dagger", and "If 6 Was 9" do nothing for me. I'm ambivalent about "Manic Depression", "Crosstown Traffic", and "Castles Made of Sand". I'm glad I have the album, but as a whole it's not one of my favorites.
Why I Bought It: Blame Battlestar Galactica. I'd been hesitant about buying any Hendrix, despite his iconic status, because the only song of his I knew (in the knowledge that it was his) was his Woodstock performance of the Star-Spangled Banner, which I really don't like. The appearance of "All Along the Watchtower" on BSG persuaded me to give him a try.
What I Like (Magnetic): "All Along the Watchtower". This one reels me in right from the twanging/percussive lead-in. The imagery is evocative, and the rapid build-up at the end of each verse ("the hour is getting late!") is driving. The extended instrumental bridge midsong is also great. I'm not that fond of Jimi's voice as such, but it's tailor-made for this song.
What I Like (Insistent): "Freedom". Freedom! (give it to me!) - the eternal cry. The imagery is violent, but how often is freedom granted peacefully? (It's not entirely clear what he's demanding freedom from, I'll admit.)
What I Like (Lyric): "Angel". One of the few Hendrix songs I can call beautiful.
What I Don't Like (Cacophony): "Star-Spangled Banner". I'm sure that the performance at Woodstock was electric, but I get nothing from this but a headache.
Overall: Another mixed bag. There are quite a few songs here that I like: "Fire", "The Wind Cries Mary", "Foxey Lady", maybe "Voodoo Child" and "Stone Free"; but "Hey Joe", "Dolly Dagger", and "If 6 Was 9" do nothing for me. I'm ambivalent about "Manic Depression", "Crosstown Traffic", and "Castles Made of Sand". I'm glad I have the album, but as a whole it's not one of my favorites.
