James Marshall Hendrix, more popularly known as Jimi, has always been a hero of mine. He is for sure one of the most revolutionary musicians that I have ever listened to. Decades before Weezy was a Martian, Jimi was the original Alien. From Hey Joe to Purple Haze his commercial success is unquestionable. His debut album "Are You Experienced?" has to be the most popularized album in Jimi's all too short repertoire. A must have, no doubt, "Are You Experienced?" sometimes casts a shadow over the other two Jimi Hendrix Experience studio albums and sometimes fans overlook "Axis Bold as Love" and "Electric Lady Land".
"Electric Lady Land" was released on October 25, 1968 in the UK and on September 16 in the US. It is The Experience's third and final album together. Clocking in at 75 minutes and 47 seconds "Electric Lady Land" lives up to its name, and takes you on a Alice in Wonderland-esque journey through Jimi's drug induced imagination. The album kicks off with an epic intro called "... And the God's Made Love". With Jimi's before his time utilization of feedback and effects pedals, mixed in with playing back vocal tracks backwards, The Experience is able to paint an eerie image of gods, aliens, and whatever else you would like to imagine in the 1:23 long intro. That track is followed up with a song called "Have You Ever Been (To Electric Lady Land)" where Jimi asks the listener if they have ever been to Electric Lady Land "The Magic Carpet Place" (whatever that means). All I know is that this is some sort of metaphor for sex or something, but it's a good song and if you haven't been to Electric Lady Land you should definitely check it out, this album is epic.
After both of these songs, which I both consider to be the intros, the album kicks off at full speed with "Crosstown Traffic". Not to be over looked, drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding kill it on this album as well.
Notable Tracks: I mean it is pretty hard to narrow it down but I will pick my 5 favorites, in order--
1. Voodoo Child (Slight Return) - Has to be number 1, it is the most bad ass guitar riff possibly of all time. I mean according to the lyrics, Jimi's gonna be chopping down mountains with the side of his hand, pretty ridiculous.
2. All Along The Watch Tower - This classic Dylan cover is arguably Jimi's best song.
3. Crosstown Traffic - This song is upbeat with a funky riff (and do i hear a kazoo at the beginning? nah it couldn't be, could it?). Anyway this song is pretty much a big metaphor comparing Jimi's sexual escapades to driving a car, really awesome song. It's the "Fire'" of "E.L.L.".
4. Burning of the Midnight Lamp - This track is what fantasy sports enthusiasts like to "a sleeper". Overshadowed by The Experience's numerous hits, "Burning of the Midnight Lamp" should not be overlooked as a great and epic song". Warning heavy use of the "wah wah effect".
5. Voodoo Chile - This 15 minute 1 second blues is just a great song for any fan of the genre. With Steve Winwood on the keys this song is EPIC. Interesting Sidenote: This song is the introduction to Stacy Peralta's "Lords of Dogtown" (great movie, just watched it last night).
Honorable Mention - 1983 (A Mermaid I should be) is a trip, that is one of the songs that gives the album such a fantastical feel.
PS - The whole album is worth checking out, it is great from back to front and has something for everyone.
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