Jim Hendrix Experience – Hollywood Bowl, August 18th 1967 – Review

4th December 2023 0 By Jon Deaux

A newly discovered and unreleased soundboard recording of a 1967 Jimi Hendrix is always going to be an experience and this is no exception.

Of course, being over 50 years old and recorded on a 2-track system of course it’s going to have the odd flaw but they are very minimal and do not affect the enjoyment of this incredible concert in any way.

The classics are all present but it’s the opener of Sgt Pepper that stands out as it’s probably one of the 1st recorded covers of the epic Beatles track.

Hendrix is on fire as can be heard on the track Catfish Blues which also features a Mitch Mitchell drum solo. How a 3 piece band sounded this huge back in 1967 beggars belief.

The 12-track booklet included with the 150-gram audiophile-quality vinyl version is superb. Unseen photos and the essay are a beautiful touch.

Fire, Purple Haze, and the incredible (this may get loud) Wild Thing are stupendously good.

Despite only being 10 tracks, this is an important live document of The Jimi Hendrix Experience at the start of their success in the US as the debut album had just been released there. It’s not the best Hendrix show by all means as his voice leaves a lot to be desired but his guitar playing makes up for it. All in all it’s a good live record, worth a purchase, and released by the Jimi Hendrix Family

Score 7/10
Track List

Side One