Whether you're new to Hendrix or familiar, this cd satisfies. It may leave you wanting more, but personally, I feel all his best songs are accounted for. The only other cd I would strongly suggest buying would be Band of Gypsys which displays Jimi's tremendous talents in concert.

If you haven't agreed with anything I've said thus far, you can't deny that Hendrix was a true innovator of music and in the short 4 years that he recorded music, he accomplished more than most artists do in a lifetime. The Ultimate Experience is proof of that fact.


The ultimate experienced CD right here!   March 15, 2000
Jason Ross (Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada!)
70 out of 76 found this review helpful

As a single-disc compilation, Experience Hendrix: The Best Of is an easy not so hard to beat thing. Drawing from all the original digitally remastered reissue MCA albums. This 20-track collection contain his hits of all the major highpoints in Hendrix's career songs like "Purple Haze", "Foxey Lady", "All Along The Watchtower", "Little Wing", "Red House", "The Wind Cries Mary", "Manic Depression" a live version from Woodstock of "Star Spangled Banner" and "Angel". It gives an accurate impression of why Jimi Hendrix was so revolutionary and influential in rock music history itself. All of his completed studio recordings are mandatory listening. As it is for a terrific guide introduction to this legendary guitarists own groundbreaking work!


DOESN'T ANYONE UNDERSTAND THIS IS JUST JIMI'S POP MUSIC?   August 12, 1999
37 out of 60 found this review helpful

Well, if you are considering buying a Hendrix album- THIS IS NOT THE ONE. And I'll tell you why... Jimi never liked the idea of mass-marketing music singles- songs that are thrashed on radio airplay due to their catchy lyrics that eventually end up leaving the artist as a teen idol. As far as the Experience tracks go, Jimi's personal favourite was Burning of the Midnight Lamp , but because it was produced by the inept and profit-focused Chas Chandler, Jimi felt that the final version came out "kind of bassy" and most of the people in the industry hated it- yet this song was perhaps the start of some true self-expression by Hendrix (we're talking around August '67 here).

I notice many reviewers saying, "if there's one Hendrix album to buy -this is it."

To these people I must ask if they have heard Electric Ladyland or the recently released First Rays Of The New Rising Sun- albums that make this 'Best Of' collection look like a few tunes aimed at little girls.

Too few people realise that Jimi's later work offered so much more- if you have ever heard his live recording at the Isle of Wight in August 1970 you will understand where I'm coming from. Not the perfomance of commercial music (Hey Joe, Fire, etc) but music of true expression. After a effort of Land of the New Rising Sun that brings you to tears, Jimi finished the set with In From The Storm- to boos and jeers from the crowd for not playing his pop songs.

He left the stage by saying, "Thank you for being so patient, and maybe one of these days we can all join together- I really hope so...allright, peace and happiness and all the other bullshit."

What he meant by this was if the crowd were all dressed up in their hippy threads and rapping about peace and love, why couldn't they just enjoy the music that he had to play? Reviewers of the concert claimed Jimi didn't do enough theatrics and "introduced too much new material". This implies that Hendrix OWED the crowd their pop hits, and that he performed badly because he played some fresh songs.

It's also interesting to note other reviewers urging potential buyers to buy "his first three albums as well". What about the Band of Gypsys jam album? I mean, we're talking THE original funk album here. A period that was the catalyst for a completely different Jimi- playing with a group a musicians that he didn't have to tell what to play, people that could think for themselves.

Anyways, enough of my ramblings. I'd just like to conclude that Jimi Hendrix' true contribution and influence over western society will never be recognized. His exploitation from his management probably killed him more than the nine sleeping pills that he took that night in September.

To judge him on the work of a few singles and call it "The Best Of" is a disgrace.

If it were not for Voodoo Chile (slight return) this album would be a farce.


Musical Genius, not to mention a GOD   January 15, 2002
22 out of 26 found this review helpful

Jimi Hendrix lived a short life, but if that can be resolved in anyway, it's that he produced some of the best music I have heard in my young life. People always seem amazed that me, a teenage girl, would listen to this kind of music. I myslef don't know why I love it, I just do. My parents never listened to Jimi, saying he's too loud and repetitive, but they obviously never listened for more than a song and a half. I just recently got into Jimi Hendrix, and I can say that this has probably been one of the most inspiring choices I've ever made. Jimi's music has opened my eyes, not only towards the world itself, but also the world of music. His song "Castles Made Of Sand" inspired me to start playing guitar, and now I can play that and "Purple Haze". This album itself is great, with many of my favourite songs, including "Voodoo Child" (I hate it when people call it Voodoo Chile!) and "Crosstown Traffic", and of course that Hendrix classic "All Along The Watchtower". It disappoints me that there is only one "best of" album, for he had many more good songs. But by far the most disappointing thing, (which has nothing to do with quality), is that not enough people are listening to this lyrical genius. People are too stuck up in the pop music and rap images to even care about quality. Half the people in my school have never even heard of AC/DC, let alone Jimi Hendrix! I just want to say that this cd is great, and that everyone should at least try Jimi Hendrix once, just once. Try him, you might love it, just like I did. And remember, Jimi Hendrix was and always WILL be a God, in his own right.


great, it's Jimi for god's sake   July 30, 2000
20 out of 22 found this review helpful

Jimi Hendrix is the greatest guitarest of all time. In every way.

The music on this CD is all amazing and his virtuosity is evident from the first track. I'm particularly partial to "Voodoo Child" and "Little Wing," but then, what am I saying, they're all fantastic. In fact "All Along the Watchtower" might be the best of them all. Jimi played guitar as if it were the song instead of separate from the song to show off as many noted guitarists did. He became the song.

The reason I gave this only four stars? You are doing yourself a horrible disservice if you don't listen to Jimi live. It is spellbinding. I (naively) considered Paige the best guitarist before I heard Jimi on the Woodstock CD. Him being himself and playing from the soul is incredible. Each note is so spontaneous and so powerful.

Buy this album, but also buy a live one. Both are essential to understand the genius of Hendrix.

{{{milo}}}