Uneven sonics on "Electric Ladyland"

[Light Dependant Resistor]

I've never thought any of the original Hendrix LPs were that well recorded. Of those I prefer 'Axis ... ' over the others, but my favourite (on CD) is 'Blue'. And for live recordings, by far my favourite is a recording made of his appearance at the London Royal Albert Hall and released as a "freebie" by the Sunday Times. The atmosphere and sheer virtuosity of his guitar playing is amazing - I wish I had been there!

As to who is the best guitarist ever? Well that's as pointless and unanswerable a question as asking who is the greatest drummer, bassist, pianist, violinist, cellist, saxophonist, trumpet player, ...... .

Live at the Albert hall is a subject to itself as there is still legal argument ongoing in 2017 some 48 years later
https://www.courthousenews.com/jimi-...tay-wraps-now/

But the shorter story is there were two recordings done. The album "In the West" ( Polydor) track Voodoo Chile and Little Wing is from the better recording done at Albert Hall, not to be confused with the Hendrix Estate version of "In the West" which presents these same songs from instead San Diego Sports arena. The other recordings released from Albert Hall were from a second lesser quality recording done. The "Concerts" recording of Stone free also is from this lesser quality recording, despite its essential listening - mind blowing good playing by Jimi Mitch and Noel

[magiccarpetride]

I've always thought 'Landlady' was a bit self-indulgent compared to 'Are You Experienced' and 'Axis'. Rainbow Bridge = disappointing.

Live albums 'In The West' and 'The Jimi Hendrix Concerts' are my most usual plays though.

The only thing I don't like about Ladyland is side B. For some reason, does not match the majesty of the other three sides.

[magiccarpetride]

I know a guy who played with Hendrix when he was in the UK. (He owns my local guitar shop) I spoke to him at length about this very subject a few years ago. His take on it was that they just couldn't find the best way to record him. Some tracks were easier than other and often sounded better but often he'd change the volume of his guitar during a track (as he did live) to attain certain sounds like dive bombs and it would throw the whole recording into a EQ nightmare. The second problem was, he just wasnt that "big" at the tine which also meant he didn't get the amount of attention to detail on his record mixes as say the Beatles or the stones.

That's his take. Sounds like he's right to me.

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Those brutal volume swells have actually been excellently captured on the double LP. The dynamics on that record are insane, and that's part of the listening magic.

Where some tracks fall short is in the lack of clarity when there are a lot of overlaying and overdubs -- the sound sometimes turns into mud.

[magiccarpetride]

Certainly, that's an argument that could be had, but it seems way too simplistic an argument in my opinion. I'm sure the power and excitement of his playing were astonishing to audiences at the time but "best electric guitar player"? For example, Charlie Christian, Joe Pass etc. played electric guitar too, but how could you make meaningful comparisons when the musical styles were so far apart?

Personally, I've long-since abandoned any ideas about who is "the best" at anything musical. There's stuff I like and stuff I don't. I leave ideas about being "the best" to those blokes (and women) running round tracks and throwing things. A stop-watch or a tape measure easily proves who's best in those areas of endeavour.

Good points. I would now like to revise my statement and say that arguably Hendrix is better than any guitar player I've ever heard. That's not saying he's the best, just that he's better than anyone else.

As for genres, you're right; I will revise my statement once again and say that Hendrix is better than any other electric rock guitar player. How's that?

[struth]

]Hendrix wasn't a guitar player. He was the guitar.[/B] And the guitar was him.

A few players have got close to his fluency, I don't think anyone has equalled him. Not just for the skill of the playing but for his innovation. All the greats could innovate.

Grant a lump of concrete coming your way (no bricks to hand)

bollocks

[magiccarpetride]

He was a great all round musician; that's what he excelled at. could do everything well, and some of it the best, but because he could do it all among the very best he was the top man. His lead guitar work was maybe his weakest point actually (imo). Writer, arranger, producer, probably hard to better him to this day. Surprisingly his rhythm guitar was maybe what he was best at when he wanted to do it.
Still, although not so far up my list as he once was I still class him a musical God.personally I prefer Beck and as a lead he is imo the top man.(although he doe have off days)

No flinging bricks please

Jeff Beck is an acquired taste. I personally cannot stand his slinky, slippery playing. Makes me nauseous. But now we're getting into the personal tastes territory, where arguing is pointless.

[Macca]

Jeff Beck is an acquired taste. I personally cannot stand his slinky, slippery playing. Makes me nauseous. But now we're getting into the personal tastes territory, where arguing is pointless.

Sort of agree about JB even though I've got a fair few of his records. But he's doing a completely different shtick to Hendrix. More technical and planned out whilst Hendrix played from the gut.

[Light Dependant Resistor]

bollocks

Hendrix or the concrete?

[magiccarpetride]

Sort of agree about JB even though I've got a fair few of his records. But he's doing a completely different shtick to Hendrix. More technical and planned out whilst Hendrix played from the gut.

Hendrix transcended electric guitar. That's what separates him from any other electric guitar player I've ever heard. All other players sound completely boxed-in when compared to Hendrix. Even amazing guys and guitar innovators like Allan Holdsworth and John McLaughlin could never get to even 1% of Hendrix's magic.

[Bigman80]

Hendrix didn't play guitar like anyone else. This is equally true in terms of the technique he used. He played almost exclusively with open chords with altering fingering arrangements. His technique gave him the ability for additional hammer-ons and pull-off in chords which gave him endless possibilities. I play guitar, I'm very good, I know how Hendrix played but yet there is a dimension in which I just cannot compete. I play Beck, Clapton etc with aplomb but Hendrix wasn't standard. Say what you will, to me, he is the greatest of all time.

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