THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE: ELECTRIC LADYLAND

"Electric Ladyland" was a double album released back in 1968. For me this is a return to form as "Axis:Bold As Love" just didn't do a lot for me. And while this doesn't possess the power or monster tracks ("Foxy Lady" & "Purple Haze") that the debut "Are You Experienced" contained I do think this album is more consistant and is very strong overall. In fact the Gnosis site rates this higher than the debut. Hey you can't go wrong with either album and in fact should own both. It's cool to see the guests that helped out here from Winwood, Mason, Wood (TRAFFIC) to Casady (JEFFERSON AIRPLANE) to Buddy Miles and more.

"...And The Gods Made Love" is a short psychedelic and experimental piece. "Have You Ever Been" is like it's polar oposite.Very light and commercial sounding. "Crosstown Traffic" is more like it. Some attitiude here and I like the backing vocals too. "Voodoo Chile" is just a nasty track.Talk about attitude, it's all right here folks. Bluesy and I love the drumming. It was interesting reading a recent article with Nick Mason and how influenced he was by Mitch Mitchell having played on the same bill as the Jimi Hendrix Experience a couple of times back in 1967. Steve Winwood sounds great too here on organ. It really adds a lot to this track. Man this gets intense after 13 minutes.This is a live tune as well. "Little Miss Strange" is a Noel Redding composition and it's very 60's sounding. It's actually one of my favs. Noel also sings on this one. Catchy stuff. Al Kooper adds piano on "Long Hot Summer Night". "Come On (Let The Good Times Roll)" is a guitar / vocal led track.This is a cover of an Earl King track. Some ripping guitar before 1 1/2 minutes.

"Gypsy Eyes" has that prominant beat with guitar as vocals come and go. "Burning Of The Midnight Lamp" has such a great intro that will come and go in this one. "Rainy Day, Dream Away" opens with coughing and snorting as a beat with sax and guitar comes in. Spoken words then organ follows. Cool tune. "1983...(A Merman I Should Turn To Be)" is psychedelic with vocals. It reminds me of "Pipers..." a little. It settles down without vocals 5 1/2 minutes in then starts to pick up after 10 1/2 minutes. It settles and vocals are back a minute later. "Moon,Turn The Tides...Gently Gently Away" is a short spacey piece. "Still Raining, Still Dreaming" opens with the guitar talking then vocals join in. A great sounding track. "House Burning Down" is another one where Jimi lets his guitar light it up. He is a bad man. Amazing stuff ! "All Along The Watchtower" is a song i've claimed for years is the best cover tune I have ever heard. Jimi does Bob Dylan. How cool is this ! "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" is the perfect way to end it. Kicking ass !

Legendary music from a legend. Talk about going out on top.