The story of how the Jimi Hendrix Experience's first album, Are You Experienced, was made is even more astonishing than the record itself, and this book tells it all. With its finely crafted songwriting, breathtaking guitar playing, and the sheer power of the group, Are You Experienced was unlike anything heard before and paved the way for generations of rock to come. But rather than the result of a concentrated period of hard work, the album was recorded in short sessions between gigs, in radically different studios; moreover, Hendrix first showed most of the songs to the other band members on the day of recording, with no prior rehearsals. Here is the whole story, based on extensive interviews, along with accounts of all the album's influences-Jimi's love affair with Kathy Etchingham, the band's perennially penniless state, the gigs they had to perform to keep themselves afloat, and the growing awareness among British musicians that Jimi Hendrix was perhaps rock's greatest guitarist.
A freelance journalist, author and editor who writes about arts and entertainment (music, film, TV, comics and literature), social history (20th and 21st centuries) and sport (soccer and tennis history).
I liked the idea of a somewhat expanded 33 1/3 type of book that delves into one specific example, plus I've been on a real Jimi kick in recent weeks. And for most of this book, I was pretty well enjoying things. I thought Egan did a really nice job of delving into the recording of the Experience's debut album, as well as setting up Jimi's career to that point and how it came to be. That said, it's been a long time since the final chapters of a non-fiction book completely undid the work of the rest of the book like this. Egan's odd insistence that Jimi's career was a consistent downslide after this album was a weird enough thread throughout, but when he doubled down at the end it cut away a lot of credibility. His opinion is one thing, but when he started dismissing other writers' opinions in a rather childish manner it pulled me out of the book. Then when he insisted how terrible Band of Gypsys was and completely insulted the idea of the entire genre of blues, it got even worse. Finally, the end section where he talked about each song individually made me wonder if he even liked the album at all considering his harsh criticism. The first two-thirds of this is really good, but the latter parts just brought my enjoyment way down.
This book by Sean Egan is about Jimmie Hendrix’s early life and how he became into making music, and how exactly he came up with each song for his album are you experienced. Personally the book wasn’t bad it’s just that I’m not the biggest Hendrix fan so I didn’t care to learn about songs I didn’t know/like.
Jimi Hendrix and the Making of Are You Experienced by Sean Egan reviewed Jimi Hendrix and his riveting life. It consisted of recording with tons of different bands and becoming rocks best know guitar player of all time. It also explained his challenges with drugs. I would recommend this book because it shows the life of a real person and his journey through music.
I thought this book was a very good book because of how good it explains and shows the making of Jimi Hendrix first album and how it talked about his recording sessions in the studio and how he and his studio came up with basically a new type of sound. I would recommend reading this book if your remotely interested with Jimi Hendrix or how he made his music
This story of how the rock legend, Jimi Hendrix came to producing his first album. This book goes beyond common knowledge of Hendrix. The author, Sean Egan explained from early in Jimi's life, all the way back to his first guitar (a tattered old acoustic his dad got him at a yard sale). He tells how Jimi was found by professionals like Mitch Mitchel,Jhonny Halladay and Chas Chandler. He continues on to when Jimi was pulled from the U.S. by Chas Chandler to pursue bigger opportunities. Overall, this book gives a very detailed understanding of the making of a historical Album.
A well-researched look at the album that introduced Jimi Hendrix to the world.
Nonfiction Review:Jimi Hendrix and the Making of Are You Experienced is just what it says on the tin. A nutshell biography of the Sixties' guitarist and a sharp description of the piecemeal and intermittent recording of an album that still hangs together like a single song. As with authors, when I find a performer I enjoy I try to get a full picture of their work. Jimi Hendrix is a timeless musician who, even today 53 years after his first LP, still sounds contemporary and fresh. An artist who crossed divides, reached new audiences, and created templates still being followed decades later. From the devil's interval of "Purple Haze" to the balladic beauty of "The Wind Cries Mary" and the spaceship blues of "Red House," Are You Experienced (1967) is a seamless web of brilliant sounds. As Sean Egan notes, the record is striking not just for the unheard-of and revolutionary guitar work, but for the group creation of a new music. He notes that despite primitive and rudimentary recording techniques (this was 1966, after all) a full, rich sound was created. Egan has written a book with just enough rock'n'roll attitude to keep it fresh. He's a bit British-centric but not obnoxiously so (the British LP may've been better than the American release -- curse those record companies!), and seems obsessed with "getting it right," which is an excellent quality in a historian. The Making of Are You Experienced is filled with inside information and a world of stories I didn't know. Jimi Hendrix is one of the greatest rock guitarists, unfortunately a member of the 27 Club, and one of the most tantalizing might-have-been meditations ever. What would Plath, Keats, or Emily Bronte have written? I like to think that Hendrix would've got his act together and played 21st Century blues for the rest of time, that he'd've found that rock, blues, jazz, soul, lyric synthesis he was seeking. Being an amateur rock historian myself (meaning I like to read books about old-time rock musicians), I tip my hat to a job well done by a professional rock historian. The Making of Are You Experienced is necessary for anyone with an interest in or curiosity about Jimi Hendrix. [4★]
This is a very solid book, extremely well written by a serious author - and rock critic. Egan has a sharp silver tongue that does not come off as nasty and made me laugh on several occasions. Egan has no patience for fools or embellishment. He makes a point to call out exaggerations and fabrications - and just simple crap. - I loved it. I listened to the album during the read, which was a cool experience (pun intended). Hendrix himself is described as a man not able to breakthrough on his own until he arrived in London via Chas Chandler (of the Animals), where Jimi quickly became a local legend and admired by the biggest (British) stars of the day. Most of the songs on the album were never rehearsed and put down after only a few session takes after Hendrix introduced them to his 2 bandmates, Redding (bass) and Mitchell (drums) - and in between a relentless live gig schedule where the band undoubtedly honed their craft. Hendrix had no prior relationship with his bandmates - they were sort of good enough and they all worked well together for the album. But, Egan gives Redding and Mitchell their due, though, as excellent musicians in their own right who were much more than session participants for the album.
A decent read but maybe one only truly enjoyed if you either care for the artist or know the album...for me I have various Hendrix bits and although don't consider myself a massive fan I do enjoy certain songs and there are times when the album's become a soundtrack to a specific time. Anyhow I have 'are you experienced ' on a CD reissue and the book has made me want to delve back in which is precisely what a book of this type should do...it should be written with enough passion to draw you into the authors obsession over a certain key time. This isn't a biography of Hendrix although of course it contains much biographical detail much...unsuprisingly...referring to the period this album was recorded in. A decent read which unlike some books written about a star that's passed doesn't big itself down with too many 'what ifs'. All in all a short (being 200 pages) and fairly swift introduction of addition in regard to the making of a esteemed album..
A credible case is made for Hendrix's debut to be considered one of the best albums ever.
Supported by detail from the time about recording sessions and gigs played, this provides a useful companion read to the album which still sounds superb over fifty years on.
A must read for any Hendrix fan. Egan explores the people, times and process by which this monumental album was created. As you read the background of how it happened the recording of this album is even more incredible.
An interesting review of the making of Are You Experienced, with plenty of background information of what was happening in his life while it was being made.
Surprisingly interesting detail of the making of his first album. I was really into music when I read this, so I don't know if it's really THAT good or if I'd like it as much if I re-read it, but boy did this keep me turning the pages.
A good overview of the time and I learned how important the technology was for Jimi Hendrix's sound. I need to try turning the amp up to 11 and putting the guitar on low.