Is it just me, Jimi Hendrix albums are crap

[Grandturk]

I haven't listened to Jimi stuff in a while, but I don't remember being dissappointed by the production on his main albums... especially when compared to stuff like Cream and the Stones at the time - I always thought Jimi's stuff was very well produced and engineered.

And I thought the playing was pretty tight on the more poppy songs...

[Flatpicker]

I agree with the OP.
But then again I don't like extended jams like most of JH's work. I feel the same way with Santana, ABB, and the Dead. It's just too long and boring after awhile.
Granted, Jimi could play his ass of, but the structure of the song just wasn't there.
That's where I give Cream and Zep some credit, they COULD jam, but kept the studio work tighter. Same with SRV.

[Jayster]

I'd rather listen to the Jimi production value, then that steaming job done on death magnetic !

[Outlander]

I"m curious, if you feel that way about jimi's loose/tight sound and record production.What's your opinion of Cream or the later re-incarnation Blind Faith?
Also have you ever tried to play in that style and manner and keep it going for more than 32 bars or so without everything falling apart and turning to shit? It's very difficult, everybody has to have some pretty solid chops to pull it off.

[Trem]

it sounds like shit until you are on acid then it's the best sounding shit you ever heard

[Endrik]

funny when folks are picking on old classics because of their sound.... when I go to a record store... 9 out of 10 a new rock album sounds sterile, uninspiring, overcompressed crap

[nateb]

I cant agree with you more about some of hendrix stuff Most of his stuff drives me nuts. The guy though... he had some just magical moments where you just stood back in amazement.

Personally.... This pretty much sums up what I love about hendrix....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKaLqATmm3g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-4NuPDpvgc

-Nate

[hibby hippy]

Ive noticed that my CD versions of Hendrix studio albums sound really crap compared to the vinyl versions.Some of the tracks were also originally recorded in mono.The re-mastering process on the CDs is really bad,ive noticed this on a lot of pre-1980s stuff.On vinyl its a full warm rich sound but the cds sound tinny and badly mixed.

[Cygnus X1]

Ive noticed that my CD versions of Hendrix studio albums sound really crap compared to the vinyl versions.Some of the tracks were also originally recorded in mono.The re-mastering process on the CDs is really bad,ive noticed this on a lot of pre-1980s stuff.On vinyl its a full warm rich sound but the cds sound tinny and badly mixed.

Good point.
The multitracking in the 60's was kind of shaky sometimes, but the dynamic range was so much better! I sometimes spin my old LP's...Robin Trower, Cream, Hendrix (Axis: Bold), etc are so much better sounding than the CD's.

The Hendrix recordings were supposed to sound the way they did...they wanted to capture the live, loose jam. Then play with the tracks for some more interesting effects. I was very young at the time, but a big controversy was brewing over rock bands who could not duplicate their own studio work on the stage. Hendrix (Chas Chandler perhaps?) was very aware of that perception I think.

[Newc]

One of the issues with converting analog recordings to CD is that everyone's afraid of getting too close to the red zone on the Input meter, whereas analog recordings frequently tapped the edge of the red zone. Digital can't handle the minimal peaks as well as analog, so everyone keeps a limiter locked onto 0dB or -3dB (whatever's just below the red zone - varies by gear/software).

Another important factor is plastic speaker casings vs wood. If you're listening to a modern stereo with plastic speaker housings, it's going to sound horrible compared to wood cabinets, even if they're just presswood/particle board.


I have an older Sony stereo with 19" tall particle board speakers. My brother had a newer Aiwa system with detachable plastic-cased speakers. Stuff on his sounded boxey and flat, while on mine it sounded fuller, deeper, and better in general.

[Cygnus X1]

I'm toying with the idea of building a tube home stereo.
I've already built the wood cabinets!

[MartinBarre]

I"m curious, if you feel that way about jimi's loose/tight sound and record production.What's your opinion of Cream or the later re-incarnation Blind Faith?
Also have you ever tried to play in that style and manner and keep it going for more than 32 bars or so without everything falling apart and turning to shit? It's very difficult, everybody has to have some pretty solid chops to pull it off.

Honestly, I've never listened to either those bands. I've always been more of a metal fan, I just chanced on bands like the Doors or Beatles through friends and got into them.
Cream I never wanted to listen to since I'm not a Clapton fan and the song "Crossroads" bores me. Blind Faith I've never heard.
I agree with the poster who said Zep could jam but kept it tight in the studio - that's why I love Zep albums but fuggin' HATE listening to them spend half an hour farting around on "Dazed And Confused" live! What a way to ruin a great song. I remember being in a pub with some friends and Zep came on the TV. I told all my pals, "check this out, Zep are amazing!". They played the live Dazed and Confused, Page farting about with the violin bow and all that nonsense, and just sounded like shit really. Needless to say, none of my friends thought Zep were a good band on that evidence.

As I said before, and Newc reiterated - I'm not complaining or putting down Jimi's playing or chops. I just don't like the sound on his albums.

[nhspike]

Sure seems like this is all just subjective opinion, and there is no correct answer.

Root debate: "We don't all take our tea the same. Some, hate tea and would prefer coffee."

Thank god!

[Endrik]

Ive noticed that my CD versions of Hendrix studio albums sound really crap compared to the vinyl versions.Some of the tracks were also originally recorded in mono.The re-mastering process on the CDs is really bad,ive noticed this on a lot of pre-1980s stuff.On vinyl its a full warm rich sound but the cds sound tinny and badly mixed.

the bad sounding CD's have a vinyl mastering version, vinyl mastering and mix just don't work on CD's very well because of the big freq. range the vinyl's have. the great sound of vinyl's just don't work on the CDs

[MartinBarre]

Sure seems like this is all just subjective opinion, and there is no correct answer.

Root debate: "We don't all take our tea the same. Some, hate tea and would prefer coffee."

Thank god!

Well of course, every musical taste is based on subjective opinion. Even when someone's created a masterpiece they sometimes feel like it wasn't right so ruin it years later.
Anyone heard the "Rust in Peace" remaster?!