Manic depression is touching my soul

I know what I want but I just don’t know

How to go about gettin’ it

Feeling sweet feeling 

Drops from my fingers, fingers

Manic depression is catching my soul

How do you explain Jimi Hendrix? I think the above lyrics sum up just how special the best guitarist of all-time IMHO was. He was definitely ahead of his time. To even contemplate what he accomplished in such a short span before his mysterious death at the ripe age of only 27.

How do you change the dynamic of electric guitar playing and put together as many big albums and still played timeless hits as he did before passing away under odd circumstances. Sure. We know he choked on his own vomit presumably from too many sleeping pills or drugs. But it’s never fully been explained how.

I guess it will just be one of those unsolved mysteries much like the JFK Assassination. Well, come on. That one’s pretty obvious as well. Damn government.

When I listed the above lyrics from the notable “Manic Depression,” it’s very easy for me to hear Jimi playing that guitar and belting out the words in such a smooth fashion. He might’ve played that guitar like an animal sometimes biting it and playing it behind his back, etc. but he was pretty smooth at the mic when he wanted to be.

I can only imagine what it must’ve been like to catch the Jimi Hendrix Experience live as my father and many others did up at the original Woodstock and other venues.

So, what makes him the best? His style was just ferocious as he went on to create a distinct sound on overdriven amps while hitting every high note. You want epic solos. You can cite whoever you want (Page, Clapton who was unreal last week, Vaughn, Eddie Van Halen, etc.) but when it’s all said and done, I’m taking Jimi over anyone.

This isn’t a knock on those other great guitar players who are all amazing in their own God given right. I just feel what Jimi did made him the best. Who knows what else he might’ve done had he stayed around longer. That’s rock n’ roll for ya.

As someone who grew up playing guitar, Jimi was the man. Whether it was “Foxey Lady,” “Fire,” “Crosstown Traffic” which was played on the radio yesterday as I came home from work or the everpopular “Voodoo Child,” “Purple Haze” and “Stone Free,” there was so much to admire.

That Star Spangled Banner into Purple Haze is the best rendition I’ve heard to this day. I’m sure many of you have seen footage of that epic Woodstock performance. It pretty much speaks for itself.

I could probably go on and on about Jimi’s music because it’s just that memorable. What kind of gets lost is that the rest of the Experience featured quality musicians including Noel Redding, Chris Chandler and Mitch Mitchell.

I feel what’s most impressive is that of the many covers they did, most were very good. Jimi’s version of Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone” is a must listen. So is his Beatles’ cover of “Day Tripper.” And the much covered “Wild Thing” is classic Jimi.

It’s never a requirement to do covers but if a band or artist so chooses to do so, it better sound good. The original Guns N’ Roses is another example of that with solid covers of The Beatles’ “Live and Let Die” and Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.”

It’s so easy to cite the big hits as I’ve already done but there’s plenty of under the radar material on albums such as Electric Ladyland, Voodoo Soup, The Experience, etc.

It’s video time. So I’m going to select a diverse amount just to give our audience a taste of my all-time favorite musician.

Jimi Hendrix: “Johnny B. Goode“ 

a fantastic cover of the great Chuck Berry hit which shows off Jimi’s unique talents. He played with such emotion!

Jimi Hendrix: “Voodoo Chile“ 

really dig the footage here. Very rare indeed and in classic black and white with Jimi multitasking and not missing a beat. Great sound quality.

Jimi Hendrix: “Hey Joe”

Another great song. I also love Crosstown Traffic. There’s some really strong lyrics in it. From memory:

Darling can’t you see my signals turn from green to red

And with you I can see a traffic jam straight up ahead

Dodododododododo

You’re just like Crosstown Traffic

So hard to get through to you

Dodododododo

Crosstown Traffic

All I need is to run over you

All you do is slooooooww me down

When I’ve got to get on the other side of town

Jimi Hendrix Goofing Around 

I happened to like the footage of Jimi toying around with a violin. Comical stuff.

Jimi Hendrix: “All Along The Watchtower“-Isle of Light

This really is priceless stuff. Oh. And it happens to be one of his best. The solos are just kickin’ and he just sounds tip top!

There are many among us

Who feel that life is but a joke

The Jimi Hendrix Experience: “She’s So Fine”

this is pretty different with Jimi not even singing but the drums are killer and it sounds very good. Love the end!

The Jimi Hendrix Experience: “Wait Until Tomorrow”

a very underrated song with excellent words and perfect chemistry. The drums are fairly overlooked in many of The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s tracks but are very prevalent here. 

The Jimi Hendrix Experience: “Purple Haze”

Purple Haze all around

Don’t know if I’m coming up or down

Am I happy or in misery

Whatever it is that girl put a spell on me

Help me

Help me

Oh, no, no

<ridiculous guitar solo>

I think I’m going to turn this into two parts as there’s so much more to cover. So, we’ll just leave off here and continue at some point this weekend.

Hope ya’ll enjoyed the first part.