I almost feel dirty for typing this… but… I just don’t like Jimi Hendrix as much as I’m supposed to. At least, the Jimi Hendrix that everyone else loves. Now, that’s not to say Mr Hendrix isn’t without merit. Far from it. Jimi was a trailblazer. A black man making it in whitey’s world, mixing up soul with rock and playing a guitar like no other before him… or since. He looked the part, he strutted cool as a peacock and, let’s be honest, he was devilishly good-looking.
However, there’s something that doesn’t float my boat when Jimi is represented by the annals of rock. Getting stuck into a Jimi Hendrix LP is no easy thing. They’re often sprawling messes that are littered with too many long, noodly guitar solos and dippy lyrics about Aquarius and throwaway mysticism.

That said, the boy could rock. For me, Jimi was best when short and sweet or tight and soulful. Tracks like ‘Fire’ are perfect Hendrix - in and out, bang, game over. The Band of Gypsies LP, often overlooked as a piece of live crap, is a soulful rocker that, at its height, is Jimi at his best.
However, every time I go to Jimi’s big tunes, I just don’t feel it. Maybe it’s thanks to overplay by just about every man and his blues-appreciating dog, but there’s something missing in the translation. I’ve got loads of friends who bubble at the nose when they hear the legendary Woodstock set from Jimi. Me? I just think he needed to get on with playin’ some tunes instead of 15 minute wig-outs.
Like I said, Jimi is brilliant and deserved of his place in the pantheon of rock ‘n’ roll, but how many of you actually own a Jimi Hendrix LP? No, Best-ofs don’t count. See? Hardly anyone buys his long-players because there’s just too much. Maybe that’s where my problem is: he’s just too much to take. He’s still so far ahead of the game that my head can’t keep up. However, even though ‘If 6 Was 9′ leaves me cold, I’m still bloody glad it exists.

Possibly related:

1. Classic Performances - Jimi Hendrix @ Monterey Pop Festival

2. Under The Covers: Jimi Hendrix Experience rip up ‘Sunshine of Your Love’

3. I Don’t Like Them As Much As I’m Supposed To - Muse

4. I Don’t Like Them As Much As I’m Supposed To: Joy Division

5. I Don’t Like Them As Much As I’m Supposed To: David Bowie

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Posted by mofgimmers on Wednesday March 26th, 2008 at 1:33 pm