The Story Behind the Legendary Lyrics of Hendrix's Axis Bold as Love

With these words, the pseudo-interview between Paul Caruso (Jimi Hendrix) and the interviewer (Mitch Mitchell) on radio station EXP ends and this startling album begins, although a bit unusually. Recorded in 1967, and released first in England, Axis Bold As Love established Jimi Hendrix as the premier guitarist of his time. Jimi also wrote all the songs on the album, except for She's So Fine, which was penned by Noel Redding. The album was produced by Chas Chandler, the former Animals bass player, whose reputation as a producer was soon to become legendary.

The players and their contributions are as follows:

Jimi Hendrix, guitars, lead vocals
Noel Redding, bass, backing vocals, lead vocals on She's So Fine
Mitch Mitchell, drums, backing vocals

The songs, and a brief description of each, is like so:

1. EXP--Mitch Mitchell, interviewer for radio station EXP, interviews Paul Caruso (Jimi Hendrix) on the "dotty subject of are there or are there not flying saucers". What follows is almost one and one-half minutes of feedback and effects which simulate the blast off of a rocket ship, using both electric guitar and bass guitar. Sure one helluva way to start an album!

2. Up From The Skies--Jimi had jazz roots and this song is a perfect example of a loose jazz trio jamming away and improvising. All of the players contribute to the feel, but the central figure is Jimi with his Stratocaster and wah-wah pedal.

3. Spanish Castle Magic--You get there by "dragonfly", or "drag n' fly, a veiled reference to smoking marijuana. The drums and bass have a "ratta-tat-tat" rhythm which makes this song work. And of course, you have the killer electric guitar solo by Jimi to take the song home.

4. Wait Until Tomorrow--Jimi's trying to sneak his girlfriend, Dollie Mae, out of her house so he can elope with her. Her father objects and Dollie's suitor pays for it with his life. Jimi's guitar fills really define this tune--this song is very indicative of his style--a style that would repeat itself in Little Wing and Castles Made of Sand. Mitch Mitchell's drumming is amazing--his snare was his main drum, and it suited Jimi's style perfectly.

5. Ain't No Telling--Guitar, drums and bass are all perfectly synchronized in this syncopated jam. The background singers are a little stronger on this tune than elsewhere the album. Jimi's guitar once again carries the day.

6. Little Wing--Perhaps the most beautiful electric guitar performance in the history of rock music. The variations played off the block chords are pure Hendrix. The vocals are soulful and heartfelt. Stevie Ray Vaughn attempted this song years later, but his version pales in comparison to the original.

7. If 6 Was 9--The ultimate protest song, although by this time Jimi was "preaching to the choir"--we were all converted by then. The players are a little sloppy on this one, which may be what they were trying to project. The "wave my freak flag high" portion and the following instrumental is pure improvisation, and shows the talent of Jimi as well as his side men.

8. You Got Me Floatin'--A nasty guitar lick and a driving snare drum propel this tune. The guitar solo has those sustained notes and feedback that Jimi was noted for. The lead vocal is strongly delivered, but the background vocals are a little weak. Still, a good, pumpin' tune.

9. Castles Made Of Sand--More beautiful electric guitar work in the same style as Little Wing. This song is all about fragility, but it is presented in a way that is decidely not fragile. The lyrics are some of Jimi's best, and he tells three short stories in the context of this song. One of my all-time favorite Hendrix songs.

10. She's So Fine--This is Noel Redding's song, and his only lead vocal contribution to the album. I don't really know how to describe the tune, except that it sounds "English" to me. Structurally, the song is well put together, but Redding's vocal delivery is not particularly overwhelming. Probably the weakest cut on the album.

11. One Rainy Day Wish--The mood of this tune is dreamy and the lyrics create visual images. Jimi's guitar work contributes to the images, with the delay and other effects he uses. The rave-up at the end changes the feel of the song, but doesn't hurt it at all.

12. Little Miss Lover--A flat-out rocker, with a bluesy feel to it. Reportedly, this was one of Jimi's favorites. Mitch Mitchell starts the tune with a drum lick to set the tone and the bass and electric guitar with wah-wah give this song a push. This one doesn't have conventional chord changes, and has a key change or two to boot.

13. Axis Bold As Love--The title track. The lyrics will make you cry, they are just that beautiful. Jimi delivers his lines with passion, and the killer guitar solo in the middle with a lot of mid range hits you right in the gut. The end features some great licks by the group and the song closes with a speeded up version of the intrumental. A Hendrix signature song.

Well, there's my review of this fantastic album. I hope you enjoyed it, and any of your comments are appreciated.