Despite some song overlap, no two sound the same.Īt one point, Hendrix tells the crowd that he kept the volume down to protect listener’s ears.
Both versions of “Are You Experienced” feature lengthy, exasperated solos that carry the song to new heights while “Manic Depression,” “Voodoo Chile (Slight Return),” “Purple Haze” and “Spanish Castle Magic” shred the heavens. Pushed to the limits, songs are forceful, intense and driving, the one exception being the slow, beautiful magic of “Little Wing” – a complete wobbly octave-straining solo. “Wild Thing” never sounded heavier, “Hey Joe” is sinisterly stunning in execution and Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” adopts a punchy, soulful persona.īut Hendrix’s original compositions pack the most punch. Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor,” featuring the Jefferson Airplane’s Jack Casady on bass, is a searing romp, while “Sunshine of Your Love” pushes well beyond Cream’s original vision. 10, 11 and 12 of 1968, these four discs (which also boasts a Hendrix interview from Boston) find Jimi Hendrix, bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, running through 18 songs, including a number of covers. A week away from the release of Electric Ladyland and clearly at their peak, the Jimi Hendrix Experience settled into San Francisco’s Winterland for three nights of music.
