Jimi Hendrix’s contributions to the world of guitar players is unparalleled– as perhaps the most celebrated guitarist in the history of rock and roll, he pioneered the use of overdriven high-gain amplifiers, used guitar feedback as a tool (not an undesired element), and altered his tone with fuzz distortion, Uni-Vibe, and wah-wah pedals. These contributions effectively changed the game for every single guitarist who followed in his footsteps, setting the stage for a massive shift in sound that would carry on in the years that followed and would play a huge role in genres that were unaffiliated with Hendrix’s blend of rock and blues. Put another way, if you’ve ever heard a guitarist use any sort of effect outside of a bright and shimmery tremelo, you can directly trace that lineage back to Jimi. And the fact that he accomplished all of that in a mere four years before his untimely death at the age of 27 is frankly astounding. He’s the Wayne Gretzky meets Lebron James meets Tom Brady of guitar tone and ingenuity, with a legacy that will never be matched.
Axis: Bold As Love is his second studio album, and my personal favorite. I’ve spoken about my childhood trips to Fry’s Electronics with my parents in the past, and this album was one of those that my father picked out one of those weekend afternoons. I remember seeing the cover art for the first time like it was yesterday (it remains an iconic cover) and listening to these songs for the first time completely floored at what I was hearing. This was experimental and spacey blues rock with a real zest for life, featuring Hendrix’s wailing guitar and soulful voice, and it felt like the album took you on a journey every time it would come on. And when Hendrix combined with the punchy drums of Mitch Mitchell alongside the absolutely stellar bass playing of Noel Redding (which is every bit a match for Hendrix’s brilliance), it was clear from Day One that I’d forever be a fan.
Standout Songs: “Spanish Castle Magic”, “Wait Until Tomorrow”, “Little Wing”, “Castles Made of Sand”, “Bold As Love”
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