I have been listening to this album for about a year now, and I still haven't found all the little subtleties and nuances, so I won't dive into those too deeply, but they're there, believe me. The opening cut, "And the Gods Made Love" shows that Jimi was a master studio technician as well, mixing odd sounds and backwards tapes to give us something that sounds like wind blowing at first listen, but subsequent listens reveal odd sounds that weren't quite noticeable before, and there is even a tape of Jimi's voice that is slowed down and played backwards (rumor has it that he is saying "Ok, one more time" or something to that effect). Next we move into the second intro track, "(Have You Ever Been) to Electric Ladyland", in which Jimi soothes us with his voice, preparing us for the mind-blowing journey that lays ahead, which all comes crashing down on us with the blues-pop jam "Crosstown Traffic."

From here on, this album takes many twists and turns. The 17-minute blues jam "Voodoo Chile" sits next to a nice Noel Redding piece, the psychedelic pop "Little Miss Strange," on which Noel even gets the lead vocal. "Gypsy Eyes" and "House Burning Down" show a more fiery Jimi, while the cool-jazz/blues hybrid "Rainy Day, Dream Away" shows Jimi once again stretching his famous blues chops.

Amidst all of these diverse types of songs, there are a few which really stand out as not only masterpieces in Jimi Hendrix's repetoire, but also posess a beautiful, ethereal quality which cannot be expressed in mere words. The most obvious example of this is "1983...A Merman I should Turn Out to Be" which opens with a guitar intro that is blissfully beautiful in quality. If Jimi had always been a bit "spacey" musically, he really outdid himself here. After its initial reading of the introductory verses, the song gives way to an open, expansive, 13-minute psychedelic jam which features little of Jimi's guitar histrionics, but makes up for that in terms of feel and overall quality. This is Hendrix at his best and a definite highlight of this album. Another highlight would have to be, of course, Jimi's famous reading of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower," which was the biggest hit from this album, and it's easy to see why since this is one of Jimi's best moments. When that guitar intro starts up, I always see a montage of Vietnam War footage in my head, as well as images of the counterculture that was going on on the homefront. Never before has a song so captured the element of its time and yet remained a timeless listen at the same time. Absolutely breathtaking. The final track, "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" is one of Jimi's best rockers and one of the best songs in his entire canon. Every time I hear this, I see images of Jimi performing this at his legendary Woodstock concert (if you haven't seen it, then you're missing out). "Burning of the Midnight Lamp" is another one of Hendrix's best songs; I can't tell if that's Jimi's guitar or a harpsichord from hell being used in that memorable intro. In fact, it's vaguely reminiscent of the intro to "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds," which was issued the previous year.

If you are a fan of classic rock, hard rock, art-rock, or great music in general and you don't already own this, then I pose the question "Why not?" This record has everything, great songs, great guitar work, great production effects and above all, a fantastic musical vision. So don't hesitate to pick this masterpiece of an album, an album which is a true testament to Jimi Hendrix as a musician, and as a creative force in the studio as well. This is one of my all time favorites now, and I'm willing to bet that it will be one of yours too if you give it some time and a few good listens.


Jimi's final epic studio album...   June 12, 2003
Danny (South Philly)
21 out of 23 found this review helpful

(Although some might say First Rays of the New Rising Sun is his final album, which is true to some extent, it was never fully completed).

Tired of listening to the mindless garbage that invades 80% of the radio airwaves these days, about a year ago I took a pretty big step in starting a little collection of "classic" albums by different artists from various decades. For some unexplained reason, "Electric Ladyland" happened to be my first selection. Some of you may laugh at this, but it was probably fate that brought me to this album, because Jimi Hendrix still remains my favorite artist and this album still remains my favorite CD to listen to (not just of his, but of any artist). Since then, I've gotten 10 other Hendrix CD's, all of which are immensely great, but I still find myself returning to this one the most. Biased since it was my first Hendrix album? Perhaps. But according to most, this was his crowning achievement in the studio. A solid masterpiece.

... And the Gods Made Love is a very cool, bassy, weird intro that sets you up for what follows.

Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland) is basically the first real song on the album. An R&B flavored electric lick of bluesy perfection.

Crosstown Traffic is one of the few radio friendly songs on Electric Ladyland, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's very catchy and the stereo effects during the chorus will spin your head in a whirl.

Voodoo Chile is one of my favorite Hendrix jams. A 14 minute blues session that oozes brilliance. When Hendrix's guitar coincides with that organ, watch out.

Little Miss Strange seems to be the only song that people are down on about this album since Hendrix's vocals are nowhere to be found, but it's a welcome break after the sweat-inducing finale of Voodoo Chile.

Long Hot Summer Night. I love this song. Very melodic and catchy.

Come On (Let the Good Times Roll) is one of those songs that makes your feet stomp the ground into oblivion. One of Hendrix's few "feel good" songs.

Gypsy Eyes is Hendrix's dedication to women. A fun, head-nodding song with terrific guitar riffs (as always).

Burning of the Midnight Lamp. WOW. Ever wondered what an electric guitar would sound like under water? Well, here's your chance to find out. This is another one of my favorite Hendrix songs. Amazing. The finale of this song will make you sweat.

Rainy Day, Dream Away starts out jazzy, then builds itself up into one of Hendrix's signature riffs. Outstanding.

1983... (A Merman I Should Turn To Be) is the second epic song on the album (after Voodoo Chile). Weird, mysterious, brooding, atmospheric and wonderful. If you feel nothing during this song, check your pulse. You might be dead.

Moon, Turn the Tides... gently gently away is a one minute windy track with no music whatsoever to, I guess, reflect on 1983 and prepare yourself for the next song.

Still Raining, Still Dreaming. BAM! After the relaxing sound effects of Moon, Turn the Tides, this song starts out full throttle with the guitar riff from Rainy Day, Dream Away. One of the few sequels that lives up to it's predecessor (heheh).

House Burning Down is slightly blues, slightly rock. Whatever the case, it's a great listen. Hendrix's guitar effects at the end of the song are simply amazing.

All Along the Watchtower is the cover of Bob Dylan's song of the same name that, unless you've been living under a rock for the past 30 years, everyone has heard by now. The first of the two final masterpieces that, unfortunately, brings Electric Ladyland to it's close.

Voodoo Child (Slight Return). Do I really have to say anything about this? Aside from Machine Gun, it's my absolute favorite Hendrix track. A brilliant, searing, remarkable, influential end to an album consisting of sheer brilliance and inspiration.

If Jimi Hendrix were still alive, or if he had been born late enough to break out into today's music scene, he wouldn't be very successful. You see, he actually made terrific music. And because he made terrific music, you think the kids of today would want to hear his stuff as opposed to Britney or Creed? Ah, well. So it goes. At least we have his extensive posthumous catalogue to remind ourselves what true musical genius is.


Voodoo Chile alone is worth the price   July 11, 2000
FairiesWearBoots8272 (USA)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Electric Ladyland is one of my top 5 rock and roll albums. It is simply the greatest work that Hendrix ever produced. It's sort of his "Sgt. Pepper", immensely experimental and creative. Electric Ladyland not only contains some of Jimi's best guitar work (Voodoo Child Slight Return, All Along The Watchtower, Come On Part 1, Voodoo Chile) but also contains some of his best songwriting. His lyrics on Are You Experienced were great, even better on Axis, but truly brilliant on Electric Ladyland. Check out Gypsy Eyes, Long Hot Summer Night, Burning of the Midnight Lamp, and 1983 to see what a great songwriter Jimi was. On top of all that, you get his electric blues opus, Voodoo Chile (track #4). This 15-minute jam features Steve Winwood on organ and Jack Casady on bass. On this song, Jimi produces some of the most mind-blowing guitar soloing you'll ever hear. This one track alone is worth buying the album for. Sadly, Electric Ladyland turned out to be Jimi's last completed studio album, but really it's hard to imagine him doing anything greater than this album.