The best album of 1967? from 'A Pop Revolution'
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pop-Revolution-Transatlantic-Music-Scene/dp/0956272533Are You Experienced
by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
peaked in the UK charts at No.2
peaked in the US charts at No.5
produced by Chas Chandler
released in May
James Hendrix was languishing in New York, going nowhere slowly, when ex-Animals’ guitarist Chas Chandler chanced upon him and correctly identified Hendrix as a prodigious talent who was wasting himself. Chandler persuaded the talented left-handed axeman to flee his native land and find fame in the UK. In the winter of 1966/7, word began to spread amongst the chattering classes of London town about this extraordinary guitarist. Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton were two such high-profile champions of Hendrix and it therefore came as little surprise when Jimi and his two excellent sidekicks, Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding, began a successful incursion of the airwaves in early 1967. During the course of this year, Hendrix and his Experience would offload two albums of startling sounds upon the British (and eventually American) public. ‘Axis: Bold As Love’ has its merits, but I believe ‘Are You Experienced’ lays a credible claim to being the best debut album ever. Herein however lay a problem for Hendrix. Had he peaked too soon? Could he maintain this formidable sound? Would he have to reinvent himself to stay ahead of the chasing pack? Whatever considerations played upon his drugged mind, 1967 was regrettably his creative peak, even if ‘Electric Ladyland’ possesses a handful of jaw-dropping tracks. As for the debut album, Hendrix and his very competent rhythm section proceed to unleash a series of raw power chords that no-one had been prepared for. Are You Experienced? The listener was not, though Cream, Jeff Beck, and the Who were also in the vanguard of laying the foundations for what has become known as ‘rock music’. Hendrix and his first album were certainly foremost in providing a heavy alternative to the lighter, easy listening sounds of pop music. Generation gaps were well and truly pronounced now as the youth tuned in to guitar feedback and their elders pined for the return of the Shadows. Popular music had clearly come a long way. Was it only two years earlier that groups adorning Moptops and suits, and aping the Mersey sound were in vogue? Not for nothing did Hendrix exclaim in ‘Third Stone From The Sun’ that “but then you’ll never hear surf music again”. This wasn’t strictly true but what Hendrix was suggesting was that he and his Experience were flying their freak flag and ushering new sounds which challenged the traditional teeny pop music which had run its course. If ever the popular music scene was undergoing a transformation, it was here on this vinyl. ‘Fire’ highlighted Jimi’s sense of humour whilst the title track underpinned the playfulness of a shy man who paradoxically had copious female conquests. Even an impressed Clapton felt obliged to grow his own Hendrix afro. For a while, Hendrix was the talk of the town. However, rock music is a dangerous pastime, and Jimi was out of the game permanently in September 1970.
The album’s best song?
Third Stone From The Sun
SPORT IN 1967
English Division One soccer champions: Manchester United
English FA Cup final: Tottenham Hotspur 2 Chelsea 1
English League Cup winners: Queen’s Park Rangers
Scottish Division One soccer champions: Glasgow Celtic
Scottish FA Cup final: Glasgow Celtic 2 Aberdeen 0
Scottish League Cup winners: Glasgow Celtic
Irish League soccer champions: Glentoran; Irish Cup winners: Crusaders
League Of Ireland soccer champions: Dundalk; cup winners: Shamrock Rovers
European Cup final: Glasgow Celtic 2 Inter Milan 1
European Cup-Winners’ Cup final: Bayern Munich 1 Glasgow Rangers 0
European Fairs’ Cup final: Dynamo Zagreb beat Leeds United 2-0 on aggregate
English county cricket champions: Yorkshire
Five Nations’ rugby union champions: France
Formula One world drivers’ champion: Denny Hulme
Gaelic football All-Ireland champions: Galway; hurling champions: Kilkenny
British Open golf champion: Roberto De Vicenzo
US Masters golf champion: Gay Brewer
US Open golf champion: Jack Nicklaus
USPGA golf champion: Don January
Rugby league Challenge Cup final: Featherstone Rovers 17 Barrow 12
Wimbledon men’s singles tennis champion: John Newcombe
Wimbledon ladies’ singles tennis champion: Billie Jean King
The Aintree Grand National steeplechase winner: Foinavon
The Epsom Derby winner: Royal Palace
The Ryder Cup: USA 23.5 Great Britain & Ireland 8.5
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