Smash Hits (album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Smash Hits
Compilation album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience
Released	April 1968 (UK) July 1969 (U.S.)
Recorded	October 1966-July 1967 (UK) October 1966-May 1968 (U.S.)
Genre	Rock, hard rock
Length	44:31
Label	MCA
Producer	Chas Chandler (UK) Chas Chandler and Jimi Hendrix (U.S.)
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link Rolling Stone link
Jimi Hendrix chronology
Axis: Bold as Love (1967) Smash Hits (1968) Electric Ladyland (1968)

Smash Hits is the first compilation album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. It was released in 1968 in the UK and the following year in the United States. 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 four months after the band's second studio album, Axis: Bold as Love, and while they were working on their third. Containing their first four (hit) UK singles (and their respective B-sides) in addition to four standout tracks from their (hit) LP 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", five 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 (as he hadn't had any there yet) and waited until mid-1969 (and, coincidentally, the break-up of the original band once Noel Redding suddenly quit) to issue a different compilation with the same title. Now with Electric Ladyland in the mix, there was more to choose from (and also a "hit" single, his only one in US). There were also tracks that had been elbowed off 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 - although only including one "smash hit", is more balanced and more representative of the band's career, yet still failed to include any tracks from Axis: Bold As Love, and only two from Electric Ladyland. However, the UK (612004) and Japanese mono editions include the mono mix of the rare 1967 B-Side "Stars That Play With Laughing Sam's Dice". It is also available on CD on The Singles Album.

In 1997, Experience Hendrix Inc. compiled and issued Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix, which currently stands as the definitive Hendrix compilation. However, this compilation was reissued and remastered in 2001.

Neither the UK or US version contains tracks from the 1967 album Axis: Bold As Love.

[edit] Track listing

All songs by Jimi Hendrix, except where noted.

[edit] UK Version (April 1968)

Available in mono (612004), or 'mono enhanced for stereo' (fake stereo!) Polydor (613004) & genuine stereo (1972?) Polydor (Super 613004)

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

[edit] US Version (July 1969)

Different LP stereo only

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 (only US "Smash Hit")
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.

[edit] Personnel

• Jimi Hendrix – guitar, vocals, bass, piano
• Mitch Mitchell – drums
• Noel Redding – bass, vocals