Keepin' It Alive

Three Hundred Four

Artist - Jimi Hendrix
Album - The Cry of Love
Released - 1971
Label - Reprise
Genre - Psychedelic Rock

Tracks:
Side One
Freedom
Drifting
Ezy Ryder
Night Bird Flying
My Friend
Side Two
Straight Ahead
Astro Man
Angel
In From The Storm
Belly Button Window

I was on the hunt for this record because it has the song Angel on it.  Maybe it was in the section where all the other Jimi Hendrix records were and I just missed it, but I found it.  I came home, played it and instantly became happy.  When I brought this home, there was a message on the back, so here it is:

Hello my friend

so happy to see you again

I'm so alone

All by myself

Just couldn't make it.

Have you heard Baby

What the winds blowing down

Have you heard baby

A lot of peoples coming right on down.

Communication is coming on strong

It don't give a damn Baby

If your hair is short or long

I said get out of your grave

Everybody is dancing in the street

Do what you know don't be slow

You gotta practice what you preach

Cause it's time for you and me

come to face reality.

Forget about the past Baby
Things aint what they use to be
Keep on Straight Ahead.

We got to stand side by side
We got to stand together and organize
They say power to the people
that's what they're screamin'
Freedom of the soul
Pass it on, Pass it on to the young and old.

You got to tell the children the truth
they don't need a whole lot of lies
Cause one of these days Baby
They'll be running things.

So when you give them love
You better give it right
Woman-Child-Man and Wife
the best love to have is the Love of Life.

Hello my friend
So good to see you again
Been all by myself
I don't think I can make it alone
Keep Pushing Ahead.

-Jimi Hendrix

August 1970

Are YOU Experienced?

I bring you my fifty-first pick:

Artist - The Jimi Hendrix
Album - Are You Experienced
Released - 1967
Label - Reprise Records
Genre - Psychedelic Rock


Tracks:
SIDE ONE
Purple Haze
Manic Depression
Hey Joe
Love or Confusion
May This Be Love
I Don't Live Today
SIDE TWO
The Wind Cries Mary
Fire
Third Stone from the Sun
Foxey Lady
Are You Experienced?

Album Disclaimer:
Be forewarned. Used to be an Experience meant making you a bit older.  This one makes you wider.  With the assistance of Mitch Mitchell (on drums) and Noel Redding (on guitar), Jimi Hendrix breaks the world into interesting fragments.  Then reassembles it.  You hear with new ears, after being Experienced.  Those who've only seen him perform know only part of This Experience.  They rave about a young man who plays a guitar in more positions than anybody before him.  Now, this debut album will put the hears of Hendrix' listeners into some novel positions.  Be forewarned.

This is the absolute truth and when you hear this record you will hear and listen to the breakdown and reorganization of each instrument that develops into the magic of psychedelic rock.  In college, I wrote a paper on Jimi Hendrix that earned me an A, but the majority of that had to do with my obsession with Seattle and all things Seattle.  My how things change!!

There is this one Jimi Hendrix song that I love, but it is not on this album.  Many of these songs made it into mainstream success, even to this day being on commercials.  As you know, Jimi Hendrix is part of the infamous 27 club with the other talented artist that died at the ripe age of 27.  I know I said it before and I will say it again, such talent gone to soon, but the music lives on.  Are You Experienced is considered one of the best rock albums of all time and with songs like Purple Haze, Hey Joe, The Wind Cries Mary, Fire and Foxey Lady, you will see why.  The progression of the guitar and just the way it flows with the music is undeniably perfect.

Enjoy!