Are You Experienced? [Vinyl]

Two LP set of the 1966 recording for The Jimi Hendrix Experience's debut album. This album begins in London, before the group has a record contract. Are You Experienced makes its U.S debut in August of 1967. The album lands in Billboard's Top 10 and spends 106 weeks in the magazine's album charts, including 77 weeks in the Top 40. The Jimi Hendrix Experience play their first US concert on June 18, 1967 at the Monterey Pop Festival. Audiences are astounded when Hendrix concludes his performance by setting his guitar on fire and smashing it against his amps. Includes the legendary Hendrix favourites, 'Purple Haze', 'Hey Joe', 'Manic Depression' and more. A must have for all music fans!

As emblematic of its time as of its sorcerer-like creator, 1967's Are You Experienced unleashed Jimi Hendrix onto a world in the midst of such cultural and musical shakeups that it really didn't seem as "far out" as it actually was. It wasn't just Hendrix's virtuosic skill as a pure player that was so impressive; it was, even more, the range and scope of sheer sound that he coaxed, cajoled, and ripped out of his instrument. "Purple Haze," "Manic Depression," and "I Don't Live Today" filled ears with indelible sonic images, and songs like "Foxey Lady" and "Fire" pointed the way toward a new brand of rock-charged soul music. And how about a hand for drummer Mitch Mitchell? --Billy Altman