Released 1997 (1997) Label Geffen Records | Length 73:32 Release date 16 September 1997 | |
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Recorded October 1966 – October 1970 Genres Blues rock, Psychedelic rock, Hard rock, Psychedelic soul Similar Jimi Hendrix albums, Psychedelic rock albums | ||
Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix is a compilation album of Jimi Hendrix songs released in 1997. The single compact disc collects 20 songs spanning his career from his first recordings with the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1966 to his last with Billy Cox and Mitch Mitchell in 1970.
Contents
It is the first comprehensive collection of Hendrix's songs overseen by Experience Hendrix, a family company that took over management of his recording legacy in 1997. Fifteen songs with the Experience are included and five with Hendrix's later groups, often referred to as Gypsy Suns and Rainbows and the Cry of Love touring band. No songs from the Band of Gypsys lineup with Buddy Miles are included.
Reception
In a review for AllMusic, Bruce Eder calls it the near "perfect single-CD Jimi Hendrix anthology". He notes that includes some of Hendrix's noteworthy later work, but lacks a couple of songs from his earlier Smash Hits compilation.
The album reached number 18 in the UK and number 133 in the US. In 2006, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it as "gold" for selling over 500,000 copies.
Track listing
The titles and running times are taken from the original Experience Hendrix CD release. Other releases may show different information.
All tracks written by Jimi Hendrix, except where noted.
Bonus disc The album was also released in a two-CD limited edition. The bonus disc contains eight tracks, taken from The Jimi Hendrix Experience box set (2000).
All tracks written by Jimi Hendrix except as noted.
Personnel
Photograph of front cover
Songs
1Purple Haze2:52
2Fire2:44
3The Wind Cries Mary3:21