Jimi Hendrix was one of the greatest rock guitar innovators. Forty-plus years after his untimely death, he is still held in high regard by every knowlegebale rock music fan and musician. When Jimi played guitar, it wasn't about how fast he could play but rather what he played and how he played it. He took basic blues scales and sounds and assembled them in a groovy new way. His band consisted of himself (guitar and vocals), Noel Redding (bass), and Mitch Mitchell (drums). All three guys had amazing talent.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live At Monterey
The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live At Monterey (2007) was recorded at the Moneterey International Pop Festival in 1967. At that time, Jimi Hendrix was largely unknown in the United States even though he was American. He gained a huge following in Great Britain prior to his arrival at Monterey.
The Live At Monterey album was originally released in LP format as Historic Performances Recorded at the Monterey International Pop Festival: Otis Redding / The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1970).
Otis Redding and The Jimi Hendrix Experience each had a full album side to display their amazing talents. Otis Redding wailed out rhythm and blues and soul with his powerful voice. Some of Redding's Monterey peformance was re-released on the Otis Redding: The Best: See & Hear CD/DVD. The Experience wailed out a completely new sound that would reverberate throughout music history for decades to come.
On the LP version, Otis Redding had five songs and the Experience had four songs. The Live At Monterey CD contains nine Experience songs, plus an Introduction by Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones).
The Jimi Hendrix Experience songs on the CD are:
- "Killing Floor"
- "Foxey Lady"
- "Like A Rolling Stone"
- "Rock Me Baby"
- "Hey Joe"
- "Can You See Me?"
- "The Wind Cries Mary"
- "Purple Haze"
- "Wild Thing"
Experience the Music for Yourself
As for The Jimi Hendrix Experience, their performance on Live At Monterey is nothing short of amazing and mindblowing. The American audience was witness to a new heavy psychedelic sound that was beyond the rainbows and butterflies imagery of the psychedelic pop sound on AM radio at the time.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience gave its listeners a completely new musical experience. Even though their sound was rooted in the blues, with some folk influences such as Bob Dylan, they took the music into uncharted cosmic realms. No one can explain Jimi Hendrix to you. His music has to be experienced to become aware of his form of delivery. After receiving the delivery, you may not fully understand the message; it may take a lifetime to decipher. This process is very much like a Buddhist monk in search of enlightenment and nirvana. When you decipher the message, you will be changed forever.
The Songs
The Jimi Hendrix Experience took the Howlin' Wolf blues song "Killing Floor" and sped it up to frantic paced mayhem. As Jimi says at the end of the song, "Yeah baby, dig that one."
"Foxey Lady," "Purple Haze," and "Hey Joe," are three of the required listening assignments for any blues and rock music fan or musician. The live versions bring these songs to life, more than any studio version could ever do.
"Rock Me Baby" was another blues song that Jimi and The Experience made into something completely new. They borrowed the song from B.B. King, tweaked it a bit and out came something wonderful.
On the disc, Jimi apologizes for tuning his guitar before ripping into "Can You See Me?" another frantic paced blues-based song with crazy mini-jams by the entire band.
On "The Wind Cries Mary," the band slows it down to a more traditional blues speed. But, they do not make it pedestrian in any sense. It's just a great psychedelic blues classic.
Jimi Hendrix had a way of taking other artists' songs and making them his own. He transforms Bob Dylan's folk anthem "Like A Rolling Stone" into a rock masterpiece. He turns the chord progressions and anti-establishment lyrics into a far-out power trip.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience plays The Troggs' rock standard "Wild Thing" and takes it on a wild ride to places where that "thing" has never been. It returns fully experienced. Listen to the intro dialogue to "Wild Thing" after "Purple Haze." Jimi was a groovy and happenin' cat.
During the Monterey show, Jimi apologizes to the audience several times for forgetting lyrics and techincal errors, which is rather unusual for a high-caliber musician. Jimi shows his personal side and that even great guitarists are capable of making mistakes and having guitar-tuning issues. I can't imagine any current performer making such self-critical claims onstage or otherwise.
One cool thing about hearing Jimi live is that he adds some speaking commentary and colorful remarks to his own performance. Jimi's commentary style may have influenced Ted Nugent to do the same thing in his live performances.
The Experience Takes You on a Journey with No Destination
When listening to the The Jimi Hendrix Experience, it is not so much about the destination but rather the journey and places that Jimi, Mitch, and Noel guide you through in your mind. You can check your bags and depart on the journey with just your senses. Music created by The Jimi Hendrix Experience does not need any additional resources to help you enjoy the trip.
While on the journey feel free to look around. Enjoy the scenery and remarkable places that you visit along the way. Once the journey begins, there is no turing back. Your knowledge of music will grow and your soul will awaken. Go forth and ask everyone, "Have you ever been Experienced?" I know, I have.
Sources
- Jimi Hendrix. Official Website. Accessed 11 MAY 2011
- Otis Redding - The Best: See + Hear. Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Accessed 11 MAY 2011
- The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live At Monterey. Liner Notes. United / MGM Entertainment. 2007
Mike Brandolino - Mike is a Research Biologist and Environmental Professional. His writing topic interests are wide and varied.
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