Jimi Hendrix: Every Album Every Song

by Emma Stott

The legendary Jimi Hendrix has had all kinds of superlatives bestowed on him since his incendiary debut in 1966, but Lou Reed's pithy summation beats the ‘…he was such a bitching guitar player'. Jimi Hendrix On Track explores each thrilling song and album, drawing out exactly what made Hendrix not only a great guitarist but also a vocalist, arranger, interpreter, producer and songwriter of genius. Hendrix's revolutionary albums with The Experience and Band of Gypsys are discussed in detail, as are his posthumous releases from First Rays of the Rising Sun to Both Sides of the Sky. His early work as a session player for acts like The Isley Brothers, Little Richard and even Jayne Mansfield is considered, along with his later work as a guest star on albums by Stephen Stills, Robert Wyatt, and McGear and McGough; and not forgetting his blistering work as a producer for Eire Apparent. From psychedelic odysseys to progressive blues to proto-metal to funk-rock, Hendrix mastered them all. Jimi Hendrix On Track is an informative guide to some of the 20th century's most extraordinary recordings

Genres: Music

160 pages, Paperback

Published July 29, 2022

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is easily the best title in the 'On Track' series. And I say that as someone who has written (under a different name) two of them! I was reading this at the same time as the most recent bio of Jimi and I found Emma's book so much more interesting. She provides context - musical, historical, literary - for the songs instead of simply recycling the same old dull tales. Instead of endless ruminations about his guitar playing, his broader work - the arrangements, the production, the lyrics, and so on - gets some much-needed attention. Highly recommended for both fans and the curious.

[GLF (Seeing better than ever!) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every Track? Hendrix releases covered track by track?

Jimi Hendrix only released a handful of albums during his short career. Since his death there has been a torrent of releases of mixed interest and appeal.

This book tries to make sense of what has been released and what may be of interest to fans of Hendrix's music.

Some of what is written offers insight and is of interest, much of it offers little really new.

Interesting, but not essential. 3.5 stars at best.

[Ward Whipple · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heavy on hyperbole and supposition, with some glaring factual errors.