THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE: AXIS - BOLD AS LOVE

The second of the three classic Jimi Hendrix Experience albums is also the least interesting from the Proto-Prog view of reference. The album's production was rushed because of the band's contract obligation stating that they had to produce two albums in 1967, plus the pressure to follow up a successful debut album must have had a bearing on the matter as well. Still the band seemed playful enough in the studio and the short intro titled EXP is a good example of just that. It's great to see the members having a laugh although I can't really share their enthusiasm since what they offer can't be considered more than a novelty act that will always be overshadowed by the magnificent Purple Haze intro from the debut.

Axis: Bold As Love relies heavily on the blues rock sound with a few new sound effects and new instruments added into the mix which might justify the album's classic status to some. The few exception to the overall sound might give the impression of a much better release whenever any of them comes around. Still even the best moments like the hard rocking Spanish Castle Magic and the soft and melodic Little Wing can't match the tops that were reached on the other two Jimi Hendrix Experience albums.

The inner struggle within the band finally gave Noel Redding a chance to show his songwriting skills on She's So Fine. This only, once again, proves that the band was clutching at straws when compiling the material for this album. The only track that has received surprisingly little attention from the audience is the closing Bold As Love that starts off as another blues driven track but then completely changes direction towards the end with a melodic guitar outro that doesn't sound like anything that I've ever heard from Jimi Hendrix. If only the band could experiment more with this direction instead of filling the music with generic music of its time then I'm sure that Axis: Bold As Love would have been worth a few more stars on my part.

**** star songs: Spanish Castle Magic (3:03) Wait Until Tomorrow (3:03) Ain't No Telling (1:48) Little Wing (2:26) Castles Made Of Sand (2:49) One Rainy Wish (3:42) Bold As Love (4:11)

*** star songs: Up From The Skies (2:58) If 6 Was 9 (5:35) You Got Me Floatin' (2:48) She's So Fine (2:39) Little Miss Lover (2:21)

** star songs: EXP (1:55)