[improviduto]

Submission courtesy of pimp_vince

Band: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Album: Electric Ladyland



1968 (MCA)

Members:

Jimi Hendrix - All Guitars/Lead Vocal
Noel Redding - Bass Guitar/Backing Vocal
Mitch Mitchell - Drums and percussion


Notable Tracks:

-Voodoo Child
-Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)
-All Along The Watchtower
-Crosstown Traffic
-1983... (A Merman I Shall Become)

Aside from Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Second Helping', 'Electric Ladyland' is the only sophomore effort to supplant the level of kick-ass-ness provided by the debut (The Allmans 'Idlewild South' deserves honorable mention). Jimi really pulled out all the stops for this album. He brings just as much material to the table this time, but a better all around quality is apparent in the production, tightness of the band, and the songwriting/choice of covers. Jimi opted to go as high-tech as possible on this album, using the most modern production techniques of the era to foster his experimental needs. The result is the sprawling double album of blues, psychedelia, and hard rock. Personally i think this is the best experience album of the three on offer.

The Notable tracks i've listed above are the most popular (for the most part) songs in hendrix's catalogue. His most well known song, Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) is the first song everyone of us plays when we try out that Vox we've been eyeing for the past two months, it's the coolest wah-wah song i know of. And then there's All Along the Watchtower, the only cover i know of where the original artist (Bob Dylan in case you didn't know) liked it more than his version, and me for that matter. And Crosstown Traffic, 1983..., and Voodoo Child showcase Jimi's abilities on the guitar, and his songwriting skills. The material is so diverse (as are most double LPs) that it's impossible to really corner it into a certain genre. But in that same way, as soon as you hear that first note, you know that it's undoubtedly a Hendrix track.

With an album clocking in near 75 minutes, you might expect to see some filler, especially given it's his second album. But alas you won't find any filler here, it's all strong material, but perhaps some songs were less popular because we were still reeling from the blow delivered by his debut. In any case this album deserves 10 out of 10. I've really gotta stop being so generous, 10/10 has been my lowest rating thus far.

[carl's_jr]

Another great album I used to have, as an 8-track though, (i just gave away my age).
I loved it, it too was lsot in a fire.

[dorio]

The best Hendrix album, with the 2 best tracks recorded by him, as you so rightly
pointed out: voodoo chile (slight return) All Along The Watchtower. But what with
the cover... ?

[pimp_vince]

i couldn't find a pic of the original... sorry

[pooponabagel]

This is my new favorite hendrix album!

[dorio]

i couldn't find a pic of the original... sorry

Problem fixed, front and back cover.

[crappy_acoustic]

Aside from Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Second Helping', 'Electric Ladyland' is the only sophomore effort to supplant the level of kick-ass-ness provided by the debut

Sophomore effort? Electric Ladyland is Hendrix's third album.

[guitarfan19]

Aside from Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Second Helping', 'Electric Ladyland' is the only sophomore effort to supplant the level of kick-ass-ness provided by the debut

Sophomore effort? Electric Ladyland is Hendrix's third album.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

indeed.

this is my favourite Hendrix album. All Along the Watchtower is one of the few covers i like better than the original.

[lyra14]

I'm personally addicted to the song "House Burning Down" at this moment. The delay/phaser combo is awesome, especially in the intro and outro.

Andrew

[guitaroo]

I love Voodoo Chile and All Along the Watchtower. Great songs.

[pablo1.618]

This album is brilliant - can you think of a better way to end an album than with the songs he chooses here?! I won't mention those two tho as we all know they're classics but how abt come on (pt 1) and house burning down.

Has anyone heard the original earl king version of come on?? what's it like any good?? Also wierd to think that there are two covers (watchtower as well) on this album.

And house burning down - i love the rhythm he plays during the verse. What kind of style is that, a cha cha or fox trot perhaps??

Oh and best bit of the album for me is during "and a merman i shall turn to be" when after a period of quietness, noel's bass signals the triumphant re-entry of jimi storming back with his guitar as loud as ever.

[Anglophone]

And house burning down - i love the rhythm he plays during the verse. What kind of style is that, a cha cha or fox trot perhaps??

I would call that a tango.

[guitarguy33]

I love this album to bits. It is indeed his 3rd album. I just saw a documentary on it, fascinating stuff.

[zooloo]

this is my favourite Hendrix album. All Along the Watchtower is one of the few covers i like better than the original.

So does Bob Dylan - for real.

He thinks of it as "Hendrix's song". IRC

[rob295]

It was his best album. Summed up Jimi completely. Whole album was flawless.