Hendrix: Classic or Dud?

I don't see this as the case, though. Opinions on music are indeed, as I see them, inherently valid for each person as they possess them. But that doesn't then mean that said opinions can't rub up against each other, that interchange and exchange can't happen. I admit I find the insistence otherwise a bit strange, so that's perhaps why I'm so puzzled here. Why does the lack of an objective center prevent discussion of ideas?

A fine criteria in this case, since indeed I know ML and think him a grand feller. :-) But this is something you and he grew into, a relationship and friendship where you realized over time that there was a fine balance and exchange. It wasn't immediate, it was tested through time, if you like -- maybe an initial risk that you yourself trusted his judgment, a matching of, if you like, subjective but similar standards.

For myself, I admit I'd trust ML down the line with my money. I would be very surprised he wanted to trust me with his (I'd be flattered, though!).

The converse of this, is that overstating that each message here is just one person's opinion gets kinda weak.

Now this is more than fair -- but, as Tim, Tracer, Sean and others were saying, there is a sense, unavoidable in many cases and sensed maybe more in tone or in context, that the IMHO is often absent. If pressed, you and I and all of us here on this thread, I'd hope, would say, "Well, it's my opinion at base," or ultimately don't need to say it. But how many people, critical voices, installations (yer Rock and Roll Hall of Fames, yer Billboard rankings, yer Rolling Stone encyclopedias, whatever) take a far more dogmatic vision? I've encountered plenty of them, surely we all have. So again, I think there's a question of tone and context here, a strong one. "IMHO" may seem like a cop-out, but personally I see it as a powerful validation given how music is interpreted, discussed, enjoyed, received. It may be overemphasized but it IS important.

some of them have no meaning and some of them have too many meanings and all of them divert arguments down into bad gulleys

Hmm, no, definately not. If that was the case my only 'interesting' political discussions would be with Daily Telegraph readers, my only interesting discussion on gender issues with be with bigots. I don't find it all that interesting to talk to rabid homophobes for instance. I don't need to really understand them to appreciate my own opinions (whats to understand? I'll still just think of them as wankers). When I read vile hate websites like godhatesfags.com I feel nothing but revulsion - its certainly non- pleasing, its just not interesting. These people may be worth watching, but not because they have insights I need to constantly try to appreciate.

Obviously Im not suggesting there is a direct relationship between extreme bigots and people who aren't keen on Hendrix...(an extemem bigot may have their good points too - thats a joke ffs), but its a similar situation of probability of saying something interesting.

I think the interesting stuff comes from pleasing discussions with people who can offer contrasting opinions on specific things - but share enough of your values to allow you access to the things they value.

Having listened carefully to all the interesting debate following an earlier post I made, I would like to now state for the record that I think Hendrix is for shit and isn't really up to it after all.

Does this mean another 700 posts will follow?

Hmm, no, definately not. If that was the case my only 'interesting' political discussions would be with Daily Telegraph readers.

I think the interesting stuff comes from pleasing discussions with people who can offer contrasting opinions on specific things - but share enough of your values to allow you an access point to the things they value.

Gareth, this has nothing to do with the arguments that were made. Using the names Mr. Iconoclast and Mr. Canonical was meant as an alternative to using some more generic designation such as "Mr. X" and "Mr. Y." (It was meant to be slightly funny, but it probably failed to be funny at all.) The names are completely irrelevant to the point I was trying to make. Incidentally, I don't own any Hendrix albums.

i thought he was cool on the lulu show, i thought he had coolhair, i like his voice and the fact that he made it in london town but this is nearly all icon stuff - as for his music well heard a load of it - own none of it

Honestly, I do not think that the only reason someone would not like Hendrix is because they were trying to prove something, or were intetionally going out of their way to flaunt convention.

Holy shit "Crosstown Traffic" is great

Does Gareth still hate Hendrix I wonder?

Just because someone can play the guitar well, or even with their teeth, does not mean they have a talent for making good music, does it?

Not neccessarily, but unless they stay away from extreme metal they usually do. And, yes, this goes for Joe Satriani as well.

how can anyone say hendrix couldnt write songs? maybe this holds true for all the stuff that came out after he died, but only partially so. the cry of love material might not be his strongest or as brilliant as the first 3 albums, but its still solid. the unfinished stuff that came after, obviously a lot of that is a bit unfocused, but its unfair to include that.

Holy shit "Crosstown Traffic" is great

it is the Hendrix gateway drug

classic. so glad First Rays Of The Rising Sun is finally completed, it makes an amazing posthumous album.

Holy shit "Crosstown Traffic" is great

-- Dom Passantino, Thursday, December 20, 2007 5:44 AM (3 hours ago) Bookmark Link

yeah this is so true

If I recall my Hendrix lore correctly, Jimi didn't want Crosstown Traffic on the album, as he felt it sounded too much like "early" Experience. Chas Chandler (for whom this was the only production credit on the record) won the argument to our eternal benefit.

Classic.

Agreed, even if just for Band of Gypsys alone. I love that.

Hell, yeah. That shit blew me AWAY when I first heard it. I thought I liked Hendrix before I heard it. No concept.

this morning i was playing Band of Gypsys and wifee asked me if i was playing Pearl Jam.

we're getting divorced tomorrow

I can't even imagine which track might have sounded similar.

i think it was "Who Knows". don't think there was any singing at the time.

christgau once called hendrix "a psychedelic uncle tom"

¯\(°_o)/¯

ugh

Ugh for real...

Been seeing the 40th Anniversary edition of Electric Ladyland around, anyone know what the deal is with that thing?

Is Xgau Dying?

3 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

***** 40th Anniversary Release of Electric Ladyland
31 Dec 2008

By The Bass Man "Thebassman" (Hayling Island) - See all my reviews

Excellant release under the control of Authentic Hendrix, the Hendrix family business that controls all releases for the great man and a superb job they do too and this release is no exception.

The quality of releases just gets better and better,

I would recommend avoiding any retail material that is not released by Authentic Hendrix and most serious collectors of Hendrix material know this and all should report any dodgy recordings and releases to Authentic Hendrix where they can take the appropriate action.

You won't go wrong with this 40th Anniversary set.

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The Bass Man u r a feeb and a snitch

"the Hendrix family business that controls all releases for the great man and a superb job they do too and this release is no exception."

not so superb artwork though (outside of the original albums).