Axis: Bold As Love is a very important album for The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The band is composed of Mitch Mitchell on drums, Noel Redding on bass, and Jimi Hendrix as the frontman. The album is much different from "Are You Experienced?" It is slower and has more meaningful lyrics. Although both albums are classics.
Track Summary
EXP- This track starts out with a slightly annoying voice interviewing Paul Curuso about U.F.O.s. Then Hendrix breaks in with what sounds like he has taken his input and is pressing it against the bridge while manipulating the feedback of his amplifier. The effect is that of the sound fading in, moving from left to right, then fading out. An interesting album starter.
UP FROM THE SKIES- Hendrix's guitar sort of sounds like reggae/ska upstrokes wired through a wah pedal. This is followed by two guitar solos.
SPANISH CASTLE MAGIC- This is where the album picks up a little speed. It has some good chord progression and a great guitar solo.
WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW- Very good lyrically. In this song, Noel Redding is a backup singer during the chorus.
AIN'T NO TELLING- This is kind of a throw in track. It is a bit fast and bluesy.
LITTLE WING- Jimi Hendrix was in Monterey when he wrote this masterpiece. He was inspired by all the things around him. He tried to take all the good things he saw, and make it into a girl. Little Wing is about this girl. In this song Hendrix prooves that a song does not have to be long to be a classic.
IF 6 WAS 9- This is a great song that is about how Hendrix wants to be his own person and live his life the way he wants. Great slow drum beat and guitar solo.
YOU GOT ME FLOATIN'- Great guitar/drum unison. Not as strong lyrically but still a great song with a guitar solo.
CASTLES MADE OF SAND- This is my personal favorite song on the album. It tells three stories that all end with unhappiness or death. It is lyrically very deep. It also has a great guitar arpeggiation.
SHE'S SO FINE- Noel Redding actually wrote this backstage on the TV show, "Top of The Pops." It's an okay song.
ONE RAINY WISH- Another great song. The verses are ingenious and the chorus stands out. Also contains a great guitar solo.
LITTLE MISS LOVER- This song has a funky guitar sound in the verses. Also the bass is great and so is the guitar solo.
BOLD AS LOVE- A perfect way to close the album. Smooth guitar sound, great drum beats, and a great bass line. The guitar solo fits perfectly, and just when you thought the song is over, a short drum solo brings you right back in to another great guitar solo, this time, accomponied by a keyboard.
This album is a musical masterpiece, start to finish. Jimi Hendrix was a master at guitar and he had a great drummer and bass player. Hendrix was like the Beethoven or Mozart of his day, perhaps even better.
PROS-
Strategic track order
Amazing guitar works
Lyrically ingenious
CONS-
None
STANDOUT TRACKS-
Up From The Skies
Spanish Castle Music
Little Wing
If 6 Was 9
Castles Made Of Sand
Bold As Love
