Axis: Bold As Love

This album right here is the most overlooked out Jimi's three studio albums, but it is just as good as both "Are You Experienced" and "Electric Ladyland" despite what you may commonly hear. Once the first note is played on "Up from the Skies", not a minute is wasted on this intense and concise album. I think that both "Are You Experienced" and "Electric Ladyland" are nearly twice as long as this album. This album is so thoroughly good though that you're left wanting for nothing after listening to it (except perhaps another listen). This album is also the most fun album that The Experience ever recorded. The second song, "Spanish Castle Magic" is just high powered, high octane rock & roll with extremely crafty, thoughtful and creative lyrics. This is one of my favorite Jimi Hendrix songs of all time. The next song, "Wait Until Tomorrow" just has a really fun and energetic feel to it. The high energy continues with the next song, "Ain't No Telling". Listen out for the drummer on this song because he absolutely kills it. The drummer for The Experience doesn't get nearly enough credit but he is absolutely amazing in his own right. "Little Wing" is just a beautiful slice of dreamy guitar bliss with some of the most personal and intimate lyrics that Jimi has ever written. "If 6 was 9" is almost like a thematic continuation of "Stone Free" off of their first album. Jimi declares his independence and says that he is going to be himself no matter what people may think. "You Got Me Floatin" comes back full force with the fun, high octane, rock & roll. "Castles Made of Sand" is a mid-tempo song with visionary lyrics that are chocked full of practical wisdom. "She's So Fine" was penned by Noel Redding and it's actually one of the best songs on the album. It's fairly simple, but it's overflowing with fun energy. "One Rainy Wish" is absolutely the most lyrically impressive song on this album. The words and the music are just absolutely beautiful--a romantic, starry-eyed masterpiece. "Little Miss Lover" is just wickedly funky. The title track is in a similar vein as the magnificent "Little Wing". He takes us below the surface again on this one. I encourage you all to overlook the fact that this album often gets overlooked because you will be rewarded with a truly magnificent piece of music if you give it a chance.

My 30 year old daughter agrees with her old man. An absolute masterpiece

Album is flawless. Arrived really quickly and packaged very well. It came in a box inside of the box was a special record type of box. It wasn't warped or anything. Very happy with the purchase.

Thank you everyone who preserved and enhanced Jimi’s recordings. Have new sacd hybrid playing on oppo and homemade Jbl driver speakers.History: saw him and experience twice as teenager. I have bought into the sacd technology hoping and praying that great music would still be converted. Axis produced in 2019 sacd hybrid is proof I was not disappointed. Will immediately buy first and third albums when available. Big big fan - always had first three albums on vinyl. I prefer sacd sound even over vinyl. Still have vinyl. Straight cd music has always grounded on my nerves and made me feel like I had to torn it off to avoid headache. Super audio compact disc playing a DSD signal through a modern quality dac system is for me and my taste!Golden rose just started on replay of album. I’ve already played it at least ten times in a month of owning it. I can’t say it’s like never the music before but it is a STUNNING difference. Long live Jimi and the Experience memories! What’s man- how blessed to have him bare his soul to the world.Addendum: over fifty years I’ve been enjoying this album first on vinyl with Sherwood tube receiver and Witchita 12” 3 way speakers / migrated to dynaco 120 watt transistor amp and finally way too late Jbl L100 century speakers. The most amazing thing is sacd is the best sound ever overall. For one things unlike vinyl there is perfect stereo separation - jimis early specialty. Plus drums are free to move unlike vinyl where drums are trapped in center channel to keep needle from jumping out. Finally each individual instrument and wonderful nuances of Hendrix’s amazing voice stand alone. Young people could not understand what it meant to be an early Hendrix fan - if 6 was 9 is his life theme. It branded us all hippies which I am proud to claim today still. Thank you Jimi Hendrix you great great great great born in the USA Superman!

Every song's a winner on this album with the possible exception of "EXP" which is just a bunch of feedback with a silly introduction to let us know what the noise is all about...but the thing I like about this album is that all the tracks, save "If 6 was 9" (which is a great song!), are fairly short and have a lot of continuity. "She's so Fine" (think "Little Miss Strange") isn't all that, but it is still a decent song which features Noel Redding's abilities. But song for song, this is a very strong album and excluding some of Hendrix's most memorable cuts on his other albums, this one contains more quality on one album than the others.( with the possible exception of his first). I bought this vinyl when it was first released and remember marveling at Hendrix and, at that time, even loved "EXP". But after 38 years (and many years of sobriety!) this album still plays very well, even "EXP" conjures some memories. This album is definitely a favorite of mine and gets a lot of playing time. If, like me, you are re-collecting your favorites from the 60's and 70's this is a must. Lots of good stuff and some long forgotten songs that I had to just slap my forehead and wonder how I could have forgotten such classics. Truthfully, I've put off "rebuying" this album choosing to buy other Hendrix stuff ahead of it...but now that I have it, I'm not sure why I waited; maybe my early brain cell losses contained the memories from this album! But seriously, I agree with another person who reviewed this album: it should be the first or 2nd Hendrix album you buy--in the first three minimum.