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Smash Hits (The Jimi Hendrix Experience album)

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Smash Hits
Album cover
Album by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Released April 1968 (UK) July 1969 (US)
Recorded October 1966-July 1967 (UK), October 1966-May 1968 (US)
Genre Psychedelic Rock
Length 40 min 24 sec
Label MCA
Producer Chas Chandler (UK), Chas Chandler and Jimi Hendrix (US)
Professional reviews
AMG File:4hv out of 5.png link
Jimi Hendrix Chronology
Axis: Bold as Love
(1967) 		Smash Hits
(1968) 		Electric Ladyland
(1968)

Smash Hits was the first compilation album released by The Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1968 in the UK and 1969 in the US. Containing nothing but the band's biggest successes, both editions of the albums have proven to be long and popular sellers.

The UK version first appeared in April 1968, only 4 months after the band's second studio album, Axis: Bold as Love, and while they were working on their third. Containing their first 4 UK singles (and their respective B-sides) in addition to 4 standout tracks from Are You Experienced, Smash Hits became exactly that - a #5 album in the UK and one that had a long chart life. It also marked the first appearance on album of "Burning of the Midnight Lamp", 5 months ahead of its placement on Electric Ladyland.

In the US, however, things were done a little differently. Jimi's then-record label, Reprise Records, felt that a greatest hits collection was far too premature and waited until mid-1969 (and, coincidentally, the break-up of the band once Noel Redding suddenly quit) to issue a different version of the same album. Now with Electric Ladyland in the mix, there was more to choose from. There were also tracks that had been elbowed off of the UK edition of Are You Experienced in 1967 to make way for "Hey Joe", "Purple Haze" and "The Wind Cries Mary". As a result, the US version of Smash Hits - which reached #6 in its territory - is more balanced and more representative of the band's career. However, the UK edition is the only Hendrix album where you can find the mono mix of the rare 1967 B-Side "Stars That Play With Laughing Sam's Dice".

In 1997, Hendrix's family compiled and issued Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix, which currently stands as the definite Hendric compilation.


Track listing

All songs by Jimi Hendrix, except where noted.

UK Version (April 1968)

  1. "Purple Haze" - 2:52
  2. "Fire" - 2:45
  3. "The Wind Cries Mary" - 3:20
  4. "Can You See Me" - 2:33
  5. "51st Anniversary" - 3:16
  6. "Hey Joe" (Roberts) - 3:30
  7. "Stone Free" - 3:36
  8. "Stars That Play With Laughing Sam's Dice" - 4:21
  9. "Manic Depression" - 3:42
  10. "Highway Chile" - 3:32
  11. "Burning of the Midnight Lamp" - 3:39
  12. "Foxy Lady" - 3:18


US Version (July 1969)

  1. "Purple Haze" - 2:52
  2. "Fire" - 2:45
  3. "The Wind Cries Mary" - 3:20
  4. "Can You See Me" - 2:33
  5. "Hey Joe" (Roberts) - 3:30
  6. "All Along the Watchtower" (Dylan) - 4:00
  7. "Stone Free" - 3:36
  8. "Crosstown Traffic" - 2:19
  9. "Manic Depression" - 3:42
  10. "Remember" - 2:48
  11. "Red House" - 3:50
  12. "Foxy Lady" - 3:19
  • The version of "Red House" found here derives from a different take than the one found on the UK edition of Are You Experienced.

Personnel

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