Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970) was an American musician who recorded over 170 different songs during his career from 1966 to 1970. Often considered one of the most accomplished and influential electric guitarists, Hendrix wrote most of his own material in a variety of styles.[1] Some show his blues and R&B roots and others incorporate jazz and early funk influences.[2] Some songs, such as "Purple Haze", "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", and "Machine Gun", feature his guitar-dominated hard and psychedelic rock sound, while others including "The Wind Cries Mary" and "Little Wing" take a slower, more melodic approach.[2] Two of his best-known single releases were written by others: "Hey Joe" by Billy Roberts and "All Along the Watchtower" by Bob Dylan. Hendrix supplied his own interpretations, however, which gave them a much different character than the originals.[3]
Hendrix was known for his live performances.[2] While he often played the numbers from his studio albums, several released songs exist only in live recordings. His radical interpretation of "The Star-Spangled Banner", which he performed at the 1969 Woodstock music festival, was a highlight of the event's 1970 documentary film, becoming "part of the sixties Zeitgeist."[4] The live "Machine Gun" is often lauded as Hendrix's greatest achievement, in which he used the guitar to create sounds of a battlefield and noises similar to explosions, bombs dropping, and machine guns.[5] Other songs only performed in concert show his interest in different styles of music.[2] These include interpretations of blues songs by artists such as Howlin' Wolf ("Killing Floor"), B.B. King ("Rock Me Baby"), and Muddy Waters ("Catfish Blues"); the early rock and roll numbers "Johnny B. Goode" and "Blue Suede Shoes"; as well as the more contemporary rock "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Dear Mr. Fantasy".[6]
At the time of his death, Hendrix was writing and recording for a planned fourth studio album.[7] Songs such as "Freedom" and "Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)" signaled a new direction in Hendrix's music, which included a more integrated mix of hard rock with elements of R&B and multiple guitar parts.[8] He also left behind a large number of partially completed songs, demos, and jams in a variety of styles, which continue to be issued.[1] Although he toured and mostly recorded as a three-piece,[a] several Hendrix songs featured additional musicians, such as background vocalists, percussionists, and keyboardists. The long studio jam "Voodoo Chile", which Hendrix developed into "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", was recorded with organist Steve Winwood and bassist Jack Casady.[9] Jamming was integral to his songwriting process[10] and several posthumous post-1980 albums contain songs that are largely studio jams with various players.[11][12][13] How much of this material Hendrix would have completed or released is unknown, but nonetheless has become part of his recording legacy.[14]
In his writings, performances, and in the recording studio, Hendrix often referred to songs using alternate titles.[15][b] Record companies in the US and UK sometimes issued his songs with differences in the spelling; Track Records (UK) used "Foxy Lady", while Reprise Records (US) spelled it "Foxey Lady".[19] Later album producers changed some titles or supplied their own, when a formal name had not been identified.[c]
Main songs (1966–1970)
Sixty songs were issued during Hendrix's lifetime, principally on the first three studio albums, a compilation, and a split live album under the Jimi Hendrix Experience name:[21][22]
- Are You Experienced (1967)
- Axis: Bold as Love (1967)
- Smash Hits (1968)
- Electric Ladyland (1968)
- Historic Performances Recorded at the Monterey International Pop Festival (1970)
Additional songs recorded live were issued on Band of Gypsys (1970) and the various artists release Woodstock: Music from the Original Soundtrack and More (1970).[23] Two songs recorded with the Band of Gypsys lineup were issued as a single in 1970.[24]
| † | Indicates song released on a single |
|---|---|
| # | Indicates song released as a live recording |
Songs released posthumously (1971–present)
At the time of his death, Hendrix had a large number of songs in various stages of recording.[7] Some were for a planned fourth studio album; 15 songs from his proposed track listings were released on the first three posthumous Hendrix albums produced by longtime associates recording engineer Eddie Kramer and drummer Mitch Mitchell:[53]
- The Cry of Love (1971)
- Rainbow Bridge (1971)
- War Heroes (1972)
Beginning in 1975, more unfinished songs were released on albums produced by Alan Douglas.[1] Most of the original recordings were edited and often had overdubs by musicians who had never played with Hendrix.[1] In 1997, Experience Hendrix, a family company, took control of his recording legacy. Its first release, First Rays of the New Rising Sun (1997), combined songs from the 1971–1972 albums in the most complete attempt at presenting his unfinished fourth studio album.[1] Experience Hendrix continues to issue additional unfinished songs, alternate takes, demos, and jams (including restored recordings from the Douglas era).[1][14] All songs listed are from official releases.[54][55]
| Contents |
|---|
| A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W · Y |
| † | Indicates song released on a single |
|---|---|
| # | Indicates song released as a live recording |
See also
Notes
References
Sources
- Belmo; Loveless, Steve (1998). "Song Index". Jimi Hendrix: Experience the Music. Burlington, Ontario: Collector's Guide Publishing. ISBN 1-896522-45-9.
- Cross, Charles R. (2005). Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix (1st. Trade Paperback ed.). New York City: Hyperion Books. ISBN 0-7868-8841-5.
- Geldeart, Gary; Rodham, Steve (2007). "Alphabetical track listing". Jimi Hendrix: The Studio Log. Cheshire, England: Jimpress. ISBN 978-0-9527686-4-7.
- McDermott, John (2018). Electric Ladyland (Box set booklet). Jimi Hendrix (50th Anniversary ed.). New York City: Experience Hendrix/Legacy Recordings. 19075859022.
- McDermott, John; Kramer, Eddie (1992). Hendrix: Setting the Record Straight. New York City: Warner Books. ISBN 0-446-39431-9.
- McDermott, John; Kramer, Eddie; Cox, Billy (2009). Ultimate Hendrix. New York City: Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0-87930-938-1.
- Moskowitz, David (2010). The Words and Music of Jimi Hendrix. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-313-37592-7.
- Shadwick, Keith (2003). Jimi Hendrix: Musician. San Francisco: Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0879307646.
- Shapiro, Harry; Glebbeek, Cesar (1990). "Appendix 1 – Music, Sweet Music: The Discography". Jimi Hendrix: Electric Gypsy (1st. U.S. ed.). New York City: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-05861-6.
- Unterberger, Richie (2009). The Rough Guide to Jimi Hendrix. London: Rough Guides. ISBN 978-1-84836-002-0.
External links
- "Jimi Hendrix: All Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved June 25, 2016.