You ask anyone knowledgeable of the history of rock, "What are the ten greatest rock albums of all time", and "Are You Experienced?" has to be one of them. It's almost silly to write a review of this album, as anyone looking at its contents can identify at least six or seven all-time hits - "Hey Joe", "Foxy Lady", "Purple Haze", "The Wind Cries Mary", "Fire", etc. You ask me, "What's the greatest rock debut album of all time?", and I'm having trouble thinking of one that tops this one.

excellent hendrix. just the right amount of soul-close your eyes you can see them in concert. All the best songs plus a couple off the beaten track. turn off the lights, light a bunch of candles-let the purple haze envelop you.

I don't care if you've never even heard of Jimi Hendrix...Jimi's first album is a must have,so jump on this CD,today,right now,this minute!

This is the first of the triumvirate of Jimi's releases of 1967-68,the others being "Axis:Bold as Love" and "Electric Ladyland".These three albums basically tell the story of Jimi's albeit short,but brilliant studio work.

On "Experienced" all the early hits are here: "Hey Joe,Fire,Manic Depression,Purple Haze,Foxey Lady" and many more.I personally think this is the best album out of the three."Axis" was rushed due to his non-stop gigging and jamming,"Ladyland" is not technically proficient,but "Are You Experienced" has that feeling of excitement of doing something new for the first time.Although this was not Jimi's first foray into a studio,it was the first time where he was the star and all production revolved around him and his music.I would venture to say this is one of the top five rock albums of all time,although list's are subjective.

But do yourself a favor and jump on this CD immediately,as you're not just buying a great classic rock album/CD,you're buying a piece of history!

I love this CD its got an amazing track listing, and the quality of the songs is well done

I first heard this album when my older brother would play it over and over until I hated it. When it got re-released with extra songs, I found a new liking for it. There were the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and even Eric Clapton (Cream era), but there really was only one true solo guitar artist of this time. Jimi Hendrix just explodes on every track with hard core `rock and roll' ("Fire") or strong R & B ("Hey Joe"), but his classic FM songs were "Manic Depression" and "Purple Haze", the latter having one of the most replicated riffs in history outside of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven". Little mention was made in the sixties of his drummer Mitch Mitchell or his bassist Noel Redding, but here with this Remastered recording, you hear the sound as it was meant to be heard - perfectly balanced. The extra songs are a great additions well, especially the `bluer than blue', "Red House", which is in competition with anything B.B. King has done. I can't imagine what Hendrix would have produced had he survived a while longer.

Jimi Hendrix playing wild guitar solos playing behind his back and in the end lighting his guitar on fire and smashing it on the stage. That was the average Jimi Hendrix concert back than and this album proves it. Songs like, Purple Haze, Manic Depression, and Are You Experienced are truly new sounds that had never been heard before and were more heavier than most people new rock music was. All the songs on here are great and this is yet again another classic summer of love album. In 1967 Jimi Hendrix was probaly one of the most heaviest groups around besides the who(which rock). All in all this an album that should be owned by all
buy it today!!!
5/5 stars

One of the most stunning debuts in rock history, and one of the definitive albums of the psychedelic era. On Are You Experienced?, Jimi Hendrix synthesized various elements of the cutting edge of 1967 rock into music that sounded both futuristic and rooted in the best traditions of rock, blues, pop, and soul. It was his mind-boggling guitar work, of course, that got most of the ink, building upon the experiments of British innovators like Jeff Beck and Pete Townshend to chart new sonic territories in feedback, distortion, and sheer volume. It wouldn't have meant much, however, without his excellent material, whether psychedelic frenzy ("Foxey Lady," "Manic Depression," "Purple Haze"), instrumental freak-out jams ("Third Stone From the Sun"), blues ("Red House," "Hey Joe"), or tender, poetic compositions ("The Wind Cries Mary") that demonstrated the breadth of his songwriting talents. Not to be underestimated were the contributions of drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding, who gave the music a rhythmic pulse that fused parts of rock and improvised jazz. Many of these songs are among Hendrix's very finest; it may be true that he would continue to develop at a rapid pace throughout the rest of his brief career, but he would never surpass his first LP in terms of consistently high quality. The British and American versions of the album differed substantially when they were initially released in 1967; MCA's 17-song CD reissue does everyone a favor by gathering all of the material from the two records in one place, adding a few B-sides from early singles, as well.

Are You Experienced is classic Jimi Hendrix and am I experienced? Yes. Is Metallica experienced? Yes. Is even Joe Satriani experienced? Yes. All of them are experienced. He experienced a lot of guitarists. Just the other day I got this album on the original LP to frame and it was still in nice condition from over 40 years ago. These days, I've been loving this CD and singing Purple Haze along with the lyrics, by now I know all the words to Purple Haze and I can sing even better than him, I was going to record that song on a tape eventually. I also sang songs to The Wind Cries Mary, Fire, and Foxey Lady. Fire is a lot harder for me to sing though, it's faster lyrics. Hey Joe is a great song, but I don't like the lyrics, the lyrics contain a lot of violence and I don't sing that song but I like the beat and it is still really great. 3rd Stone From the Sun is almost a Jimi Hendrix instrumental which if you close your eyes, you can feel like your going out in space. If you are experienced, you must add this album to every collection, this and Electric Ladyland are excellent. This legendary guitarist is awesome and we all really loved him. Happy Easter, Hendrix!

Cr@$#!!! "Chris" CRADDOCK, the Honky Tonk Starbucks Realtor, says:
"1967 was quite a year for music, and no one had as much impact as guitar virtuoso and song writing genius, Jimi Hendrix. He was a super nova who would blaze across the sky, leaving much too soon, but leaving some wonderful music behind."

Electric Ladyland

Axis: Bold as Love

Band Of Gypsys

Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix - Signature Licks

Jimi Hendrix - Volume 2: A Step-by-Step Breakdown of His Guitar Styles and Techniques (Guitar Signature Licks)

Jimi Hendrix Experience - Smash Hits: Guitar Play-Along Volume 47 (Hal Leonard Guitar Play-Along)

Jimi Plays Berkeley

Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsys (Live at the Fillmore East)

Jimi Hendrix - Rainbow Bridge

Excuse me while I kiss the sky.

I hate people that say, "Hendrix wasn't a good guitar player, my friend can play his stuff." (Or something similar.) The thing was that JH was much more than a great guitar player, he was also an amazing song writer; and song writing and guitar playing are totally different. You can feel his emotions on this album without listening to the words being sung. It's like the music is playing him in a way. Most of my friends prefer "Electric Ladyland" to this album, but I think this has sort of a "heavier" sound to it, which is what I prefer. I would also recommend this if you are new to Hendrix. If you are a guitar player, they also sell the transcribed score book if you're up for a challenge and want to play along.

By far one of the greatest rock albums ever even made and i'll tell you why. Its one of those few albums that come with no bad songs or no songs that need something else too it. Are You Experiecned is also one of the few debut albums that came out with a lot of his most known songs for example, Purple Haze, Hey Joe, Foxey Lady, Fire, and The Wind Cries Mary. Therefore this album is great for beginning rock fans or people who want a good decent rock album worth the money,
1. Purple Haze, perhaps the most known song by Jimi Hendrix its one of the greatest on the whole album a song thats really about whatever you want it to be but Jimi Hendrix claimed that it was based of a dream he had when he walked under the sea. With a very heavy psychedelic kind of beat its a true gem way, 5/5 stars
2. Manic Depression, a great classic heavy song when Mitch Mitchell(Drummer) and Jimi Hendrix both are just playing a really heavy kind of fast beat too, and Noel Redding is keeping the beat possible. Its a great song, 5/5 stars
3. Hey Joe, the song that got Jimi Hendrix all started out when he went out to England because his producer Chas Chandler was there. Its actullay a tribute song but Jimi Hendrix really made the song his own. One of the more lighter songs on here it still is a great song and one of the all time classic Jimi Hendrix songs of all time, 5/5 stars
4. Love or Confusion, a more psychedelic song than the other three it still is a great song with a really good 60s beat to it, it may last only 2:35 but it still is a great Hendrix song, 5/5 stars
5. May This Be Love, a great beat on the tom tom drums on this song, Mitch Mitchell really keeps a steady good beat going and Jimi Hendrix is singing and playing the guitar and everything and Noel Redding just playing the bass, the guitars are the icing on the cake with this song. Another lighter song on this album it still is a great song and along with Love or Confusion its one of the less known songs but everyones heard these songs if they listened Are You Experienced. 5/5 stars
6. I Don't Live Today, a great song, cool drum beat to it and great vocals. It has a very classic sound to it its just a great all around song, 5/5 stars
7. The Wind Cries Mary, this is like the sister to Hey Joe anyways this one of the other more softer songs by Jimi Hendrix but it still is a classic song. It has a great upbeat beat to it and is really kind of soft a true classic song. To check out a really good version of this song check out live at monterey, that CD has a really great version of it, 5/5 stars
8. Fire, this song is a great classic Hendrix song. First off this shows how fast Mitch Mitchell was as a drummer and shows really fast crazy rudiment beats or whatever. The guitar is good but it dosent show any solos so you can say this song is more drums than guitar but the guitar is like the icing on the cake with this song, a true classic, 5/5 stars
9. Third Stone From The Sun, this song shows Jimi Hendrix's intrest in UFO's and space. A great jam song, it starts off with a really interstellar beat to it and than towards the last 2 minutes it goes into a part where the drums sound really cool and Jimi Hendrix is making these really cool weird noises with his guitar, probaly about the aliens in this song, and its the longest song on the album clocking in at 6 minutes and over, 5/5 stars
10. Foxey Lady, another hard rock song by the one and only Jimi Hendrix. This has a very heavy beat to it and has a great sound to the song with the cool guitar and the drums are good on this too. Great song theres nothing else to say, 5/5 stars
11. Are You Experienced, the most psychedelic song on the whole album this song is a very late 60s drug influenced type of song(hint:for more psychedelic hendrix check out electric ladyland) Anyways this song is a great song having weird guitar noises and a very steady beat on the drums. A great song though they only played it live a few times. A great classic 60s rock song way, this song is a great one a true classic you have to hear this song if you listen to jimi hendrix, 5/5 stars
All in all Are You Experienced is a must have for any rock fan alike wether you just have it on your iPod or just have it on a CD-R whatever it is it dosent matter as long as you have access to this album, and trust me you have to hear this stuff.
R.I.P. JIMI HENDRIX 1942-1970

I regret admitting that I'm of the same generation as those who wonder why Jimi's videos aren't on MTV and recommend Good Charlotte if one "wants to hear good guitar." Some recommend Avril Lavigne to those desiring "good muzik." One guy even said that he wanted to hear something heavy but all that this album had was some "blues tunes that went nowhere," noted that Jimi sounded like he was stoned, and that Limp Bizkit was way heavier. All I can say is...really? Don't order a light beer if you want taste and don't listen to Jimi if you want to see his vids on MTV, listen to the latest on the pop charts, or hear a 7-string guitar.

Kiddos, Jimi will play blues based songs. He won't be on MTV because he died more than a decade before the channel was conceived, not to mention that MTV has more or less ceased playing music videos. If you want a Godsmack song, listen to Godsmack. If you want someone who looks and sounds like he was born with a guitar in his hands, buy this album. Watch the "Isle of Wight" concert. You'll never see anyone make playing look more effortless.

Jimmy and Eddie might play more radical stuff...no one will ever deny how brilliant Page was/is or undersell Van Halen's virtuosity...but Jimi is Stevie Ray at his purest and always on point. What remains after removing all the hammer-ons, pull-offs and speed-picking is pure American, blues-based heaven. I think the sound on the remastered album is excellent. "Castles Made of Sand" gives me the chills: do yourself a favor and turn it up like like you did before your parents yelled at you to turn it down. "Hey Joe" was my favorite song back when I was in high school. "51st Anniversary" has gotten me out of several relationships when I "thought" I was in love. I ramble but, come on, folks, this is a young man pouring his heart out to advocate how much an album can mean to a person; even if that album was recorded nearly four decades ago. There are certainly talented folks making music today, but with please don't dishonor worthy legends of yesterday by comparing them to the latest (soon forgotten) fad.

You can get all of Jimi Hendrix Experience cd's for under 40 bucks, Amazing!!
Are you experienced? AXIS: bold as love, Electric Lady Land also First Rays of the New Rising Sun
The people reviewing them here are right on the money. Jimi Changed the guitar as it's known.
What a chance to bring some happiness into your loved ones life. Buy all four for someone you know. They will love you forever.

I'd call this an amazing debut, but this version (which seems to be the most widely available, these days) is really quite different from the actual debut from The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Are You Experienced?. It is, however, a very good album, from front to back.

NEVER, either before or since, have three guys conveyed a more astonishing, all-encompassing, Classic Rock sound.... NEVER!

Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding, and Mitch Mitchell sort of got 'thrown together' in a big hurry when Hendrix's brilliance and popularity in England first became an epiphany for his lucky manager. And never, anywhere, any time, has a more superlative Psychedelic Classic Rock team been assembled. The lack of a rhythm guitarist affected this group not one whit -- in fact, given Jimi's style, such an inclusion would have detracted from this great band's unique tri-power sound. And it's all right here on this great album.

When "Are You Experienced?" first came out all my pals and I were knocked out. We played it constantly (on 8-track tape-players mostly -- yikes!!!). Only God knows how many times I have heard "The Wind Cries Mary," one of the top hits on the album. This CD and "Electric Ladyland" are the two best albums that Hendrix ever produced and both are far superior to his later associations/productions with 'The Band of Gypsies' which was a more 'polished' sound, the brainchild of managerial morons.

I really don't need to say more -- this one was, and still is, the goods. Get it and savour it.

See my various "listmania lists" for more great Classic Rock music listings.

Powerful, innovative, stimulating, phenomenal, unbelievable, genius. Whatever word you use to describe Are You Experienced (1967), one thing will always be the same. There has never been anything else like it, and there never will be. The sensual, psychedelic, feedback-drenched masterwork is an untouchable tempest of furious guitar elegance and vocal passion.

Purple Haze, Foxy Lady, Fire, Hey Joe, The Wind Cries Mary, Manic Depression, and Are You Experienced? are all rock music classics. They're unmistakably Hendrix, and in a distinguished class of their own.The guitar-fueled blues of Red House, the instrumental psychedelia of Third Stone From The Sun, and the acid-rock swagger of Stone Free and I Don't Live Today are also very, very good. The hitchhiking loner saga, Highway Chile, is an underrated gem that definitely shouldn't be overlooked, either.

As intense as the blues on 10,000 hits of acid, the guitar work on this album is astonishing in it's magnitude, and other-worldly in it's passion. Fortunately, ultra-talented drummer Mitch Mitchell was able to provide a thunderous backdrop to complement Jimi's genius. Let the hypnotic and psychedelic feedback-blues-symphony of Are You Experienced? take you there.

Are you experienced?
Have you ever been experienced?
Not necessarily stoned, but beautiful.

Jimi Hendrix's debut brought the 60s to its chaotic apex, arriving on the scene in 1967 with a seismic bang that can still be felt to this very day. The sound- a hallucinogenic mixture of psychedelia, soul, folk, blues, funk, and rock- was both timely and completely out of time, a creative whirlwind that united American and British, black and white, experimental and accessible, Bob Dylan and James Brown, all of it under the otherworldly bellow of the Jimi Hendrix Experience's phenomenal skill. I mean, seriously, how many bands are this great? I mean, everybody knows that Hendrix can play his guitar like it's nobody's f***king business, but there's more to it than that: Mitch Mitchell is an amazing drummer, an understated virtuoso who can generate anything from a hypnotic pulse to an oceanic wash to pure free-jazz expressionism and beyond. Like his contemporary Keith Moon, Mitchell's unique style fits the songs like a glove, and reminds us that drummers are not nearly as expendable as a certain "documentary" revolving around a certain fictional hard rock band named after a certain medical procedure would have us believe. Meanwhile, Noel Redding's nimble bass lines hold the whole thing in place, preventing the other two from spiraling off into another dimension while still giving them plenty of room to move around. Oh, and Jimi's also a phenomenal songwriter, capable of constructing freeform psychedelic explorations and tightly crafted freak-funk jams with equal skill.

Which leaves us with a great debut. As was customary in those days, the versions of Are You Experienced released in the U.K. and the U.S. featured some substantial differences. The British version dumped "Hey Joe," "Purple Haze," and "The Wind Cries Mary" (as per the common practice of leaving singles off of U.K. albums) in favor of "Red House," "Remember," and "Can You See Me." The two albums were also sequenced differently. Thankfully, this disc includes all of the songs from each version, as well as "Stone Free," "51st Anniversary" and "Highway Chile," so you can enjoy each version in its complete glory. And really, with songs like these, enjoyment I pretty much a given- I mean, how can anybody resist the acid-rock anthem that is "Purple Haze," or the strange and unsettling beauty of "The Wind Cries Mary?" "Hey Joe" is a quiet masterpiece that sees the band slowly and steadily building tension, letting it come to a graceful and cathartic climax. "Foxey Lady" is raw, lopsided psychedelic funk, with a two-chord sledgehammer riff pounding out a hurricane haze of feedback. "Red House" is nerve-rattling blues with a great solo and damn fine lyrics, while "Can You See Me" is pure rocking soul. "Manic Depression" features some tsunami drumming and a howling melody, and the title track is a scorching freak anthem. "Third Stone From The Sun" is a comic burst of psych-jazz with a dreamy guitar line, and "Love Or Confusion" is hypnotic and soulful. Basically, it's one of rock's flat out masterpieces, and if you don't own it, get it right now.

Just for fun I clicked the 1 star reviews and read them...I laughed out loud when one of them compared Jimi to avril lavine, another to skid row and (gasp) great white! Hilarious! Another said they could'nt hear the lyrics to The wind cries Mary? wow! Get a new stereo! Quick! Seriously now, this is where the Legend of Hendrix begins. Every song, EVERY SONG is great. This is NOT heavy metal. This is not blues. This is not commercial. This is a music master piece that will not give you instant gratification. This is music that will grow on you and make you more selective in your musical choices. After this you will not like avril lavine, skid row or great white! Hahahahahahahahah

The time was 1967 and there was no equal to Jimi Hendrix. He played guitar like the devil made him do it to save his very soul. No one could squeeze the sounds out of an axe like Jimi and not many tried. The music is hard to describe if you are not familiar with "acid rock" for lack of a better phrase. While the music was based heavily in the blues the structure sometimes took a serious left hand turn into the blissful unknown and Jimi was driving. You need to set the mood for listening to this rare piece of Americana by setting the lights down low, prepare an adult beverage and relax. Let Jimi take you for a ride. Believe me, it's worth it. This belongs in a time capsule. When the aliens find it, the ones with ears and a CD player are going to S*&^T. - Ciao

ESSENTIAL ALBUM!!! This is one of the most essential rock albums ever recorded. It is without a doubt, & with little argument, maybe the greatest debut album by any artist, ever! The guitar playing is phenomenal & it would be ten years before another guitarist would arrive in the same echelon. I would even dare to say that Are You Experienced? should be considered one of the 10 greatest rock albums ever recorded.

With the bonus tracks made available in this disc, the buyer gets both versions of Are You Experienced?, U.S. & British, they were considerably different, the British version having a heavier inclusion of the more traditional type blues songs that Hendrix had written. The U.S. version had the first 11 tracks as they have them sequenced here. The British version excluded "Hey Joe", "Purple Haze" & "The Wind Cries Mary". In their place were the songs "Red House", "Can You See Me" & "Remember". The actual lineup songs looked like this:

U.S. version
"Purple Haze"
"Manic Depression"
"Hey Joe"
"Love or Confusion"
"May This Be Love"
"I Don't Live Today"
"The Wind Cries Mary"
"Fire"
"Third Stone From the Sun"
"Foxey Lady"
"Are You Experienced?"

British version
"Foxey Lady"
"Manic Depression"
"Red House"
Can You See Me"
"Love or Confusion"
"I Don't Live Today"
"May This Be Love"
"Fire"
"Third Stone From the Sun"
"Remember"
"Are You Experienced?"

Don't ask me why there was such a difference in the two versions. The only reason that I can think of is that the Brits enjoyed the blues more than the U.S. There isn't a single weak song on the U.S. version. It's hard to believe but Are You Experienced? peaked at only #5. The way we remember this album from 40 years ago would convince us that it had to be a #1 album. Only two (TWO?????, just TWO??????) songs were released as singles in the U.S.; "Purple Haze" peaking at #65 & "Foxey Lady" peaking at #67. When I look back over the hyears & think how many times I've heard these songs, played these songs on my stereo & performed some of these songs with rock bands that I was in, I am truly astounded! Of the 11 songs on the U.S. version, we performed six of them.

This is truly one incredible album. There is little argument about how truly great this album is. It has left a lifetime mark on the face of rock & roll, not only that, Jimi Hendrix left an indelible mark too. It's hard to believe that he was only in the big time for four years or so. I hesitate to think what we would've been hearing from this man if he had lived. This is only my own opinion, but I think Hendrix would've gone down the same road that Funkadelic did &, I enjoy them too, but he would've funked them to the ground.

This is a classic! A seminal piece of work by one of the greatest guitarists who ever lived.

What can I say about Jimi Hendrix that hasn't been said? I will start out by saying that I am very proud that we can claim him as our own in Seattle, Washington, where I reside. What's more, his brilliant musicianship is incomparable. There will always be guitar players, and, no doubt, many will aspire to develop their talent to the hilt that Jimi Hendrix possessed, but none will ever match him. Jimi really really came from another world. He wasn't like you or me. Hendrix was nothing short of brilliant. The moment you put on track one from ARE YOU EXPERIENCED, this is made evident immediately. "Purple Haze" invites us on board for a musical acid trip of a lifetime. Though, I have never done drugs in my life, I could swear I felt the room spinning! The innate sense of musicality that Hendrix possessed, alongside the brilliant collaboration of his bandmates creates the illusion of colors, shapes, textures and sensations that permeate your senses. That guitar just tears it up and you can't stop the album. You've got to proceed down that path, further into your trip. All the cuts everyone is perhaps most familiar with are here. They include "Hey Joe," "The Wind Cries Mary" and "Foxy Lady." It's mandatory that you add this to your record collection. This is how it all began.

Don't expect me to try to be different and say something bad about Are You Experienced?, 'cause you'll get no such thing out of me. However, I would like to write this review from the point of view of a Saul who has converted to a Paul - I must honestly say that when I first bought this album it really didn't appeal to me. I mean, I respected it immensely (can anyone with a proper sense of history NOT?), but I didn't really enjoy it, truth be told, because my basic musical predilections are towards melody (a la The Beatles) or ambient sounds (a la Eno and Bowie), neither of which this album has in abundance. Only after being floored by Electric Ladyland (my metaphorical road to Damascus) could I come back and appreciate the stripped-down fury of this album. Yes, I just described the album as "stripped-down," despite all the fancy effects and geegaws Hendrix puts on his guitar, because despite Hendrix's showy guitar, this music is as basic and unprententious as it gets, hippie lyrics aside. I'm sure it must have seemed quite the opposite to contemporary audiences: what on EARTH was the precedent for this in rock music? What even gave a hint of the music Hendrix would make prior to his arrival? The closest I think you can get is The Who on My Generation (yet not on A Quick One), but that's a pale shadow of AYE?'s impact. It must've been like dropping a 10-ton boulder into a lake: the immediate result was a tidal wave, the ripples were felt by everybody, and even after 30+ years, we're still catching the aftershocks.

But if the best case I could make for Are You Experienced? was a historical one, I would probably still hold it at the respectful distance I did when I first bought it. No, this album might be a historical document, but it's also a perfect rock 'n' roll record (and not "rock," but "rock 'n' roll," - I'd agree with Dylan that there's an important difference between the two, and the "roll" aspect of rock has sadly gone by the wayside in recent years in favor of dull plodding). I mean, it's amazing; I have something like 4000 CDs and 55 boxed sets, which means I try not to obsess on any one band too much at a time (because I want to listen to as much stuff as possible), and yet I find myself listening to this for 60 minutes, and immediately wanting to go back and hear it again. So many records I love have aged, become a little less exciting with repeated listenings (like Who's Next, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, or Bowie's Scary Monsters (And Supercreeps), to name but a few major ones) but this one doesn't get boring. And that's an achievement of the first order considering the fact that I'm not naturally disposed to Hendrix in the first place.

It's almost silly to review the individual songs, since every one is a stone cold classic. I'd just like to say that "Purple Haze" does nothing special for me whatsoever; I insist that the only reason it's held in higher regard than say, "Manic Depression" is because it was released first. Not to say that it ain't great, but that everything else here is just as good (bar perhaps "Remember," which is the ONE song that is noticeably less inspired than the others). Like "Love Or Confusion," for example. That's my personal favorite on the album. Can anybody give me one good reason why every rock fan hasn't commited this song to memory? It's just riff after riff of amazing music, powered by those drums. Speaking of drums, I'd also like to say that the secret weapon of Jimi Hendrix is Mitch Mitchell. I guarantee you that this album would not have been half as good as it is were it not for Mitch Mitchell's absolutely amazing work on the trapset. Noel Redding's a good anchor on bass, but Mitchell is absolutely spectacular, perhaps the best drummer of the Sixties after a certain Mr. Moon. Mitchell's drumming on this album deserved to win the Nobel Prize - in physics. A 10/10, of course, and there's so much more I could say.

In fact, here's one more thing: try to find the MCA remaster of this album rather than the Hendrix family version, not only because of the liner notes (which I mentioned above), but because of the much more logical (and faithful) track listing. This is the somewhat confusing story: way back in 1967, this album was released in the U.K. before it was in the U.S., chiefly because us Americans are racist [...]. Prior to its release, Hendrix released three singles, perhaps you've heard of them?: "Hey Joe"/"Stone Free" (released December 1966), "Purple Haze"/"51st Anniversary" (released March 1967), and "The Wind Cries Mary"/"Highway Chile" (released May 1967, concurrently with Are You Experienced?). Hard as it may be for some Americans to believe, these songs were NOT on the UK version of the album (they were put onto the US version, and "Red House, "Can You See Me?," and "Remember" were dropped), and the MCA remaster did right in placing the singles/B-sides at the front of the disc and then giving the album in its original, UK running order. Because let's put American snobbishness aside (unlike Dave Marsh in his liner notes for the new Hendrix Family version of the album) and admit that the UK version is the authentic one, just like the British Revolver or Rubber Soul are the authentic versions of those albums. If you want to set up your Hendrix Family disc to play in the original running order (I always do), here's how you program it (I've thrown so much useless information into this review, why not this too?): (singles/B-sides) 3, 12, 1, 13, 7, 14, (UK AYE? album) 10, 2, 17, 15, 4, 6, 5, 8, 9, 16, 11. Have fun.

Oh, and one final thing: after listening to "Hey Joe," I think we can all safely say we know where Jimmy Page REALLY stole the "Whole Lotta Love" riff from.

By far one of the greatest rock records of all time, but beyond that I think there are just so many great Hendrix gems that adorn this album. Wind Cries Mary, Purple Haze and heck just all of them are great. We had to wait for the family to get the rights to release some later material but in the meantime this album really held me over for that time. Just a remarkable pinnacle of guitars playing and songwriting.

This is probally the best JHE album ever relesed this is when they were at their prime its truly pure gold its a great classic album a true acid rock album that rocks! this album came out with some of jimi hendrixs best songs,

purple haze, hey joe, wind cries mary, fire etc. its a essential album if you do not have the whole album you need to get the full album now if you dont have it yet or inleast download it i mean c'mon. so if your new to the JHE then i suggest this album or the best of

listening to 'hey joe' for the first time was a major milestone in my decidely short-lived musical career. When I attended the Berklee college of music, I cited this as a huge contributing factor to the genesis of my passion for music and the audio genre. I still listen to this from time to time and and become giddy at the unashamed, unstoppable vision of a very special man. This is considered one of the greatest albums of all time for reason folks. get it. listen to the genius and the pure art.

This recording laid it down for Jimi Hendrix and in his short life in the spotlight, he never recorded a better album. I believe that he might have at least given this a run for the money down the road had he lived, but that's all speculation at this point.
The hits are here and there is surprisingly no filler. Even though it came out during the zenith of the psychedelic craze, it is far less trippy than Electric Ladyland two years later. The focus of this record is thoroughly blues, r'n'b, and rock based. Even Third Stone From The Sun has enough of a point and vibe to not succumb to the obvious psychedelic theme. The additional tracks mostly lifted from Smash Hits are a nice bonus, especially Red House, one of his greatest songs.
This is the definitive Hendrix album and one of the most important rock records because it introduced this phenomenal artist and his shocking and spectacular guitar brilliance which continues to provide inspiration for guitarists today. Without Hedrix, you can write off dozens of famous guitarists to come in his wake who tried to recreate just some of his magic. If there is one necessary Hendrix album (and there are only a few in total), this is it.

Today I was going through my dad's old LPs and Are You Experienced caught my eye, before this I had only heard the biggest cover songs(Purple Haze, Hey Joe, Fire etc.) When I brought it up to him and told him I had never heard it he gave a shocked expression, as our record player no longer works I had to go out and buy the C.D. Afterwards my dad went into a whole story on how he went to see The Experience at The Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco and afterwards he got to shake Mitch Mitchell's hand.( Our last name is Mitchell so that's kinda cool) Some of tthe best guitar riffs i've ever heard are on this album. I also enjoyed the balance of different music styles in the album, Hard Rock( Fire, Manic Depression, Foxey Lady, Purple Haze), Blues( Red House)and Ballads( The Wind Cries Mary). In conclusion I reccomend to anyone who appreciates REAL music not the new fake s*** they put on MTV.

Also reccomended: Band of Gypsys, later work of Hendrix if you don't have the means of finding the album at least download Machine Gun.

Cheers

This album was originally released in 1967, yet its still brimming with raw vitality and brilliance. This edition was released in 1997, and its still a shining example of how to do a re-issue.

First off, the music itself is timeless. Who hasn't heard "Foxy Lady," "Hey Joe" or "Purple Haze"? Tracks 1-11 represent the breadth of what was the original US LP version of the album. And man, is it great. There's variety galore in this. From the tender approach on "The Wind Cries Mary" to the psychedelic jazz-like excursion of "Third Stone From The Sun," there are plenty of avenues that this album embarks on. This ain't no blues rock plodfest. This is an experience in and of itself.

But wait, there's more!

Tracks 12-17 are the 1997 bonus tracks; some were originally on the UK but not US version of the album, while others stem from other sources. But, unlike some bonus tracks that only sully the content of the album, these go along quite well with the first 11 songs. Certain songs, like "Stone Free," are bursting with energy. Others have a bluesier vibe but its actually rather refreshing to hear that after the mindblowing nature of the album.

And the packaging itself is quite commendable. Long (albeit tremendously sycophantic) liner notes, lyrics and release dates for the songs. Well done!

Is there anything bad? Well, if psychedelic rock isn't your thing, you might not particularly like the album anyway.

Overall, this is a great example of a re-issue. They restore the album, add bonus material that compliments the original work and give us the best liner notes possible. Oh, and the CD itself has a groovy design as well.

A must-have!

This is a classic! If you want to "experience" an amazing guitarist listen to Hendrix!!! I highly recommend are you experienced!!! Some of my favorite tracks are:
-purple haze
-manic depression
-hey joe
-love or confusion
-I don't live today
-the wind cries Mary
-fire
-foxey lady
-are you experienced?
Go get it!!!

Desert Wanderer we are of one mind on this, 3rd Stone is Hendrix's greatest compositon.

You accurately describe the music; it also tells me a story. Initially the Experience play no particular melody in no particular time signature, and create a sonic environment in which we hear the exchange: "Starfleet to scout ship, what is your position. Over." "I am over the 3rd stone from the sun. Over." Etc.

The Visitor investigates, swoops downward on a smooth spiral; all is easy and airy. The jangling "60's guitar" is the Visitor's interest peaking, when he discovers Earth is inhabited. Extreme siesmographic disturbances result; what he sees shocks him! The final time through the riff the Visitor absolutely destroys planet Earth, blows it into fragments.

So it is in three movements: the exuberant jazzy intro, the evolving process of discovery, and the explosive final destruction. Our point of view narrows as we see first the cosmic perspective, then a place with appealing geographic detail but whose people he does not understand, and finally we are with Jimi as he leaves it in the dust and returns to space.

But what is going on at the very end? Is it a pile driver? An elevated train?

Edit Sept 2007:
I recently obtained The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) on DVD from the library. The plot goes, a visitor comes to planet earth and does not like what he sees. He threatens to blow up the world unless we reform, then leaves.

The film opens with title shots of the cosmos, then narrows down to the solar system; earth appears from behind the moon. Brilliant clouds part revealing the sea, then mountains. The craft lands and the fun begins.

We can be sure Jimi saw this movie. It was very popular and spawned many imitators. This was an "A" movie with multiple sets and locations, first-rate cast, heavy promotion and original score. The music is eerie, with two theremins poised fluttering high above the basses and percussion. There is no rhythm. This, too, spawned a sort of genre of space-music but it is nothing at all like 3rd Stone.

On his next album, "Axis: Bold As Love, Jimi starts right out on side one with "EXP" and "Up From The Skies" which continue the theme of the visitor to our planet.

Crash Landing opens with the line..."Meanwhile I can imagine up in the clouds UFOs chuckle to themselves, laughing they're saying, 'Those people so uptight they sure know how to make a mess.'"

So now we see that 3rd Stone is just the beginning of Jimi's apparently life-long useage of this theme. It sure plays nicely over the opening to "Day..." It is almost a video of the song; they enrich one another.

I remember going to visit my cousin Don in Texas when I was in about the eighth grade. He said "You've got to listen to this new guy. I've never heard anything like it." The guy was Jimi Hendrix and the record was Are You Experienced. Over the next 3-4 years Jimi Hendrix would rewrite the vocabulary of the electric guitar. Yet IMHO he would never be as revolutionary as he was on this record. He is both iconoclastic, yet commercial.

This remastered and expanded version of the Hendrix debut album is a revelation. The sound is great and the bonus tracks flow seamlessly. Essential listening

I think that I owe a thanks to the dumba** individual who goes by the name of "MTV Supporter". I needed a good laugh and your reviews (If you can call them that) had me laughing like there was no tomorrow. You'll notice that this guy has several accounts. It seems that his name for one of them is "You'll watch MTV if you know what is good for you. "I am a smart person... and you know it. Don't deny it. I know more than all of you. I watch MTV, which proves it."
- Holy f*** man, you have become a real sucker for the rubbish on MTV haven't you. I hate MTV all its doing to young people. This guy seems to think that all REAL music fans are dumb and fans of the commercialized crap they put on MTV are smart. Well MTV Supporter, I have to tell you that you are officially a complete idiot. You and all other MTV dumba**** outta be banned from watching MTV. You have paid out music legends like Jimi Hendrix, Tupac Shakur, Ray Charles and The Beatles and you are calling Jessica Simpson and Britney spears musical geniouses!!! That is just sad man, seriously. Your reviews are not appreciated. Look at all the hatemail and unhelpful votes you've got. Oh and yeah incase you didn't get my drift, the stuff on MTV isn't music, idiot.

This CD rocks. Real music will kick MTV's a** one day. Recommended for all real music fans. IF your an MTV fan than go listen to your unmusical garbage. If you have love for music than add this to your cart now!!!

So what's next? A deluxe 3 disc edition in 24 bit mono, stereo and remixed surround sound stereo. Actually, that sounds good!

But, this disc is just the (typical stereo) American version of "Are You Experienced." Jimi Hendrix on guitar and vocals, Noel Redding on bass and Mitch Mitchell on the drums. The Americans created a pretty good 40 minute debut album, and this remastered disc gives you six bonus tracks which push the disc up to an hour long. You also get a 22 page booklet including lyrics and many photos, but none of the band playing on stage, that stinks, and the lyrics are so hard to read, it's almost pointless.

What strikes me about this album is the brilliant guitar work, good energy and ideas, but sometimes the songs are a bit weak. Besides that, this is one of the great debuts of all time. As a kid listening to this album, along with Deep Purple's In Rock, I felt like these were the two greatest rock albums ever; and I still do!

There are a lot of classics on this disc, including Manic Depression, Foxy Lady & Fire. Of course, there were the big three U.K. A-sides added to strengthen their American debut, Purple Haze, The Wind Cries Mary and Hey Joe. It's funny to think that the American record company added these three great songs, only to bump three gems (Can You See Me, Remember and Red House) that ended up on "Smash Hits." So perhaps, the American debut could have been ever stronger.

The sound quality is a little better than the last remasterd disc, but not so much better that you need to replace your old disc. Final note, the album cover doesn't say STEREO at the top for this remastered edition? Why? The older re-mastered CD cover did. Sure sounds like stereo to me, so why erase the stereo symbol on the album cover?


Are You Experienced
~ The Jimi Hendrix Experience: 4 1/2 stars

In Rock
~ Deep Purple: 5 stars

THE BAND: Jimi Hendrix (guitars, vocals), Noel Redding (bass), Mitch Mitchell (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (1967) Originally 11 songs and approximately 40 minutes long, this digitally remastered edition (1997) gives you 6 bonus tracks and a total listen of just over 60 minutes. Included with the disc is a 22-page booklet containing song titles/credits, song lyrics, numerous photos, short bios on each band member, and a 4-page intro on the artist and the times. All words and music written by Jimi Hendrix except "Hey Joe" by Billy Roberts. Label - MCA Records.

COMMENTS: Hendrix only put out a handful of albums and it's a crapshoot as to which one is best. I'd have to rank Hendrix's top studio albums as follows: #1 "Are You Experienced", #2 "Electric Ladyland", and #3 "Axis: Bold As Love". As good as "Electric Ladyland" is/was, it was a double length album - so twice as many songs to choose from; not to mention Hendrix leaning away from just his power trio - using outside influences from members of Jefferson Airplane and Traffic. "Are You Experienced" though was his debut album (with the original 3 members only)... and his mark would forever be made. Distinct and brilliant guitar playing - full of energy and new ideas. Decades later, his abilities have rarely been matched... depending on who you talk, maybe they haven't. In comparing Hendrix's album to other legendary rock debuts - Led Zeppelin, Boston, Van Halen, The Doors, Chicago and Nirvana come to mind - I would say "Are You Experienced" is the mother of ALL debuts. Six huge hits are found here - "Purple Haze", "Manic Depression", "Hey Joe", "The Wind Cries Mary", "Foxey Lady", and "Fire". Deep album gems include the mellow "May This Be Love", "Love Or Confusion", the 6+ minute psychedelic "Third Stone From The Sun" and the anthem-like title track with its backwards Beatle-esque overtones. The bonus tracks are nice add-ons. "Highway Chile" is always good to listen to, but the real gem is the blues tune, "Red House". The sound is better than on the original disc/album, but still not up to today's standards due to this being recorded in 1967, and so many improvements in the recording industry over the years. Classic disc (5 stars).