Garage Sale Vinyl: Jimi Hendrix Experience
Smash Hits / Reprise / July 1969
by Christopher Long
By the time the ‘60s became psychedelic, the world music scene owned a menagerie of edgy pop heartthrob frontmen, a slew of soon-to-be blood-transfused guitarists with mystique, a bunch of brooding bassists, and even a couple of wildly whacked-out drummers. But in the truest definition, it can be argued that there weren’t any real rock stars, yet — until Jimi Hendrix crashed the party. Elvis was a pop star, BTW. Yeah, there’s a difference. And not to tip anybody’s “sacred cows,” but truth be told, Keith, Mick, and their cast of contemporaries only became genuine rock stars after Jimi Hendrix mapped out the blueprint and then gave them permission.
Dressed head to toe in beautiful crushed velvet, Hendrix was a branding genius, decades before that was a thing. Donning several evolving ‘dos, along with an impressive collection of groovy headbands and fabulous feathered boas, he slashed his way onto the international rock stage with shamelessly flamboyant abandon — upside down Fender Strat in-hand, and all against a backdrop of ear-splitting Marshall amps. In the process, he changed everything and influenced everybody.
Jimi Hendrix played guitar like no one else before (or since). His style was as brutal and sexual as it was musical. Ferocious feedback was his friend. But, so were sweet melodies. At the height of the “Peace and Love” era, he smashed his fair share of those prized Strats into piles of splintered kindling. Then, with his trusty can of lighter fluid always nearby, and his ever-faithful Zippo, he set it all on fire! Remember, TIMELINE IS EVERYTHING. It was the late ‘60s. The weekly Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was considered controversial television. And bowl cuts and skirts above knees were downright unacceptable to decent folks.
Even as a wide-eyed tween hearing Hendrix for the first time on my monster-sized headphones circa ‘75, I recognized that his music was unique. “Purple Haze” wasn’t “Smoke on the Water,” “Slow Ride,” or “Whole Lotta Love,” for that matter. I’d never heard such an honest and pure guitar tone. As a now less wide-eyed little old man, I’ve still not heard anything like Hendrix.
The first time I experimented with drugs (strawberry rolling papers with a DIY roach clip and a dab of black tar on a tiny piece of aluminum foil), Axis: Bold as Love was playing on my buddy’s turntable. Although in 1978 it already had been out for nearly a decade, the album sounded fresh, innovative, and exciting to me, despite being really stoned and the comparatively primitive production techniques back in those days. Even lyrically, Hendrix had his thumb placed firmly on the pulse of current and future pop culture perspectives.
I get such a kick out of watching TV music talent show contestants being showered with impulsive praise from celebrity judges who should know better — like that time the karaoke champ from Duluth skipped up to the mic and delivered a barely adequate rendition of a Journey staple. In short order, the kid was told by a platinum-selling popster judge that he was “the whole package.” Giddy with delight (and right on cue), the contestant then was complimented further by a different judge for being “an amazing artist” and “a gifted storyteller.” Why did I find all that so amusing? Because, in reality, Jimi Hendrix was “the whole package.” Jimi Hendrix was “an amazing artist.” Jimi Hendrix was “a gifted storyteller.” Funnier still, if Hendrix was to walk onto one of those shows today, he wouldn’t pass the audition process. And even if he did, he definitely wouldn’t get a “turn.” But I digress.
I’ve included only a couple of compilation titles in this series, as “Greatest Hits” collections typically feel like less-than-legit albums to me. However, when I found this surprisingly well-cared-for, two-dollar vinyl copy of Smash Hits buried at a rummage sale in 2022, it gave me a cause for pause, a reason for reflection, and inspiration to share.
While Jimi Hendrix was the renowned “rock star,” the album artist was credited as a band — the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Personally, I’m not so sure that bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell truly got their deserved credit for just how much they brought to the Hendrix musical “experience.” I’m certainly not a “guitar guy,” but I absolutely am a “drum guy.” And I’m more than qualified to comment without fear of contradiction, that Mr. Mitchell’s talent, his skill, and his rock-ribbed style made him as valuable an asset as Mr. Hendrix.
The UK version of Smash Hits was released in 1967. My copy is the modified US version that dropped in 1969. Despite being a sliced-up showcase for Hendrix’s most celebrated early work, the album remains a bold testament to his timeless artistry. In sum, Jimi Hendrix was “the whole package,” indeed. ◼
(5/5) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Smash Hits Track List
*All songs by Jimi Hendrix except where noted.
SIDE ONE
1. Purple Haze – 2:46
2. Fire – 2:34
3. The Wind Cries Mary – 3:21
4. Can You See Me – 2:31
5. Hey Joe (B. Roberts) – 3:23
6. All Along the Watchtower (B. Dylan) – 4:01
SIDE TWO
1. Stone Free – 3:33
2. Crosstown Traffic – 2:15
3. Manic Depression – 3:30
4. Remember – 2:47
5. Red House – 3:48
6. Foxey Lady – 3:15
