Throwback Thursday: Are You Experienced?, by The Jimi Hendrix Experience

In 1967 the way rock n' roll was made changed forever when a man from Seattle, WA released his debut album. This man was none other than Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix had been struggling to get by on the R&B circuit as a backing guitarist when Linda Keith (at the time girlfriend of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards) hooked him up with ex-Animals manager Michael Jeffery; who brought him to London to sign a recording contract. From there Hendrix bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell and thus the Jimi Hendrix Experience was born; releasing their debut album Are You Experienced? not long after.

Are You Experienced? is one hell of an explosive debut album. It contained many of Hendrix's biggest hits: Foxy Lady, Red House,  Purple Haze, and more. Besides those it contains a number of other songs that showcase Hendrix's intense psychedelic bluesy song writing and style of face melting guitar soloing that would forever influence the way guitar players think of what one is to do on an electric guitar. Many consider Are You Experienced? to be where hard rock/heavy metal truly began.

Hey Joe is a cover of a Billy Roberts song. However, it's Hendrix's version that most people who are familiar with. It is pretty much a blues/rock standard by this point and a great way for a guitarist to showcase their bluesy soloing chops. It is a fairly simplistic mid-tempo kind of tune that is about a man wanting to shoot his woman after she was messing around on him behind his back. You know, a typical blues song. However, Hendrix's innovative approach to the song really does take it to a whole other level.

The Wind Cries Mary is a more relaxed song, but features some absolutely delightful blues chords in it. The main riff is iconic in the way it uses them. There are so many intricacies laced into the song that it would be quite an accomplishment to be able to play the song note for note. The guitar solos may not be as intense as they are in many of Hendrix's other songs, but they contain the same amount of intricacy and delightful vibes as the rest of the song. It just goes to show you don't have to shred to be great; even if you're Jimi Hendrix.

It is no surprise that Are You Experienced? was a massive immediate success. Hendrix was truly ahead of his time when he wrote and recorded these songs. It truly is a shame that he is part of the 27 club. A guitar player with an interest in rock, blues, or even metal could learn a lot just by putting on this album and learning the riffs and solos. Hendrix took basic blues technique and blasted it into outer space. Even if you aren't a guitar player, there are so many classic tracks and hidden gems for you to discover. Get this album NOW.

Are You Experienced, by Jimi Hendrix receives 5 out of 5 stars.

Track List:

1. Purple Haze
2. Manic Depression
3. Hey Joe
4. Love or Confusion
5. May This Be Love
6. I Don't Live Today
7. The Wind Cries Mary
8. Fire
9. Third Stone From the Sun
10. Foxy Lady
11. Are You Experienced?

Buy the album on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Are-Experienced-Jimi-Experience-Hendrix/dp/B00FEDP65W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436499078&sr=8-1&keywords=Are+You+Experienced