Jimi Hendrix, IMO, was the most talented muscian of his generation and had he lived till today would be generally regarded as so.

People go on about what a great guitarist he was (which he undoubtedly was-a true virtuoso) but disregard what an awesome songwriter and incredibly creative force he was. He produced more material in 4 years than most do in a lifetime.

You could only imagine what he'd be doing if still around. Collaborating, producing etc...

If only

..you're kidding right. It always surprises me how people praise Hendrix. I think if he didn't OD, he would probably be another forgotten musician faded in people's minds to be honest. Same goes with Kurt and nirvana...if he didn't blow his head off, no one would probably go nuts about him like they do now. Hendrix playing was also VERY sloppy. When people say the word Jimmy, no matter what the spelling, I think Page, not hendrix.
-matt

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'...And My Words Will Be Here When I'm Gone...'
www.myspace.com/scatteredlight
www.seetherville.com

Hendrix just gets so much praise cause he like started the whole guitar hero thing. I like much of what he did cause it was jsut so different from the rock music that came out then. And yes Jimmy Page was so much abetter player than Jimmy. But Jimi tripped a lot more than Page and when you look at how his shows were, you'd say today that they were really unprofessional. I think there are a lot of guitarists out there that came out just a few years after Hendrix that should get more praise than they are getting now, cause Hendrix just laid a foundation for what was to come.

And he influenced a lot of players. I mean if you can inspire Malmsteen and Satriani to just pick up the guitar, then you have to be something. But then again, he's just so overrated. Even Marty Friedman(yes the onbe and only) thinks he's overrated. He likes Brian May a lot more cause he's just so much more creative and tasteful when it comes to playing.

I agree with you Pablo, I think Hendrix was awesome and I really like his music.

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Life's escaping, don't pretend
Judgement comes, but who knows when

Erm...no, I'm not kidding.

I think to say he would just be another forgotten artist if he hadn't died is nonsense. He was the highest paid live act in the world at his peak (that includes the beatles and stones etc) and he was revered among his peers (Jagger, Clapton, McCartney etc) whilst producing 3 seminal albums in 18 months. Are You Experienced, Axis and Electric Ladyland all released 1967-68.

Ha ha....Jimi was sloppy!! I think you mistake loose and improvisational for sloppy. The difference between Hendrix and any other guitarist I have ever heard is that he NEVER played anything the same way twice. That takes special ability. I suggest you listen to 'Red House' at the Isle of Wight and the 'Woodstock Improvisation' if you don't believe me. Even better...watch him....frightening technique, especially on the woodstock improv. He's playing moving basslines with his thumb whilst playing the lead with his fingers.

 As for Page being better than Hendrix.....I nearly split my sides when I read that! Don't get me wrong I love Page, but better than Hendrix....no chance...not in the same league.

Spiritcrusher - There's a concept that you're missing.

 

There's such a thing as a soul-less guitarist.  I call them guitards.  Joe Satriani is one of them - a great teacher, but he himself is about as creative as my cat.  Malmsteen is a known joke among real musicians - he's all technique and no creativity.

 

Frank Zappa was sloppy.  Jimmy Page outside of the studio was sloppy.  Both were creative supernovas.  

Jimi Hendrix bridged the gap between psychedelic and blues.  He was absolutely incredible.  You may not have enough experience with Jimi Hendrix - don't limit yourself to a couple albums --- if you can, get your hands on one of the numerous Hendrix box-sets or "Blues" --- he was really an amazing guitarist.  He's not going to play "Flight of The Bumblebee" at 16X speed, but who wants to hear that ?

 

I am a huge jazz fan - Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Art Blakey, Cannonball Adderley, Elvin Jones etc.  An old jazz trumpet player once told me a story about one of his fellow musicians that became so wrapped up in writing the most avante-garde, complex and ground-breaking music that he lost sight of the real goal.  He excitedly told my friend about his new composition and how no one had ever come close to writing something so complex, tricky and "out there".  So my friend told him to play it.  When he was finished the man asked what he thought and my friend goes "I never want to hear anything like that again."  The man was shocked and insulted, but eventually realized what my friend meant.  Some musicians can get so wrapped up in technique, complexity, non-duplication etc. that they lose sight of what they're trying to do.

 

Create music that people like and want to listen to. 

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"Fanaticism is always a sign of repressed doubt"

hell yea, jimi's the man, nobody in that time was doin stuff like he was, i mean 1969-1970, he progressed so much in his playing from his first couple of albums. u'd be a dumbass if u say page was better than hendrix, people only say that because they might like zeppelin better as a whole band. listen to albums like first rays of the new rising sun, band of gypsies, or any live dvds/videos of him and u'll change ur mind.

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lifeless dead

Hendrix and Page are much different guitarists.

Both were pioneers.

Hendrix was more explosive and unpredictable.

Page was more refined and covered a much broader range of styles.

If one had to play the other's music, I would say that Page would have a great deal of trouble duplicating Hendrix's soloing, but I think that if Hendrix had enough focus (break from drugs) that he could probably have learned and played anything that Page ever wrote or performed.

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"Fanaticism is always a sign of repressed doubt"

hendrix is totally overrated. i'm not saying i don't like any of his stuff, i'm just saying i don't think it's all that great.

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"We are the architects of our own hell and are thus equipped with the tools to rebuild our lives as we see fit." - Steve Diamond February 2004

He may be overrated.  People tend to worship him.

He's not my favorite....I've gone through Hendrix phases, but I don't listen to him very much.  I'd rather listen to Zappa.

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"Fanaticism is always a sign of repressed doubt"

reverendsyn:

hendrix is totally overrated. i'm not saying i don't like any of his stuff, i'm just saying i don't think it's all that great.

 

OVER RATED??!!! Are you series?  Let me guess, you've ONLY heard of the BASICS(Purple Haze, Foxey Lady, Fire, etc.). Go and listen to more of his albums, and then tell me he's OVER RATED.

 

Besides, what is your defintion of OVER RATED? 

reverendsyn:

hendrix is totally overrated. i'm not saying i don't like any of his stuff, i'm just saying i don't think it's all that great.

okay..... I'm not sure how happy I am about this post, I fucking love his music, his voice may not be the best but it fits and his gutair is fantastic.

What jerk tits above me was trying to say is, he is not over rated, you just don't like him and thats fine but how can someone as reknowned by his peers ( this includes great artists that came after ) be wrong and a few people who play no instruments be right?

 

This is not to say that ALL people who are Jimi nay sayers do not play any instrument, I've just never met any and if I did, I'd laugh in thier face.

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alltheladieslovealice:

I'm annoyed because you are being completely rude and inconsiderate and I have no idea why because I have no clue who you are. But whatever. If that's the way you wanna be, so be it.

cutz:

reverendsyn:

hendrix is totally overrated. i'm not saying i don't like any of his stuff, i'm just saying i don't think it's all that great.

 

OVER RATED??!!! Are you series?  Let me guess, you've ONLY heard of the BASICS(Purple Haze, Foxey Lady, Fire, etc.). Go and listen to more of his albums, and then tell me he's OVER RATED.

 

Besides, what is your defintion of OVER RATED? 

am i series? are we talking television? a series of novels? clarify.

 yeah, i totally base my opinions on radio singles, because everyone knows that THE SONGS THEY PLAY ON THE RADIO ARE ALWAYS THE BEST! YESSSS!

i consider it overrated if i listen to something and i don't think it lives up to the hype. it is my opinion that hendrix doesn't live up to his hype. his guitar playing does not strike me as anything anymore spectacular than a lot of other artists. i don't think his songs are anything special. i think he's boring and disappointing, and the great thing is that i'm ALLOWED to think whatever i want to think, and i'm ALLOWED to think you're an idiot. which i do. have a good day.

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"We are the architects of our own hell and are thus equipped with the tools to rebuild our lives as we see fit." - Steve Diamond February 2004

belladonna:

reverendsyn:

hendrix is totally overrated. i'm not saying i don't like any of his stuff, i'm just saying i don't think it's all that great.

okay..... I'm not sure how happy I am about this post, I fucking love his music, his voice may not be the best but it fits and his gutair is fantastic.

What jerk tits above me was trying to say is, he is not over rated, you just don't like him and thats fine but how can someone as reknowned by his peers ( this includes great artists that came after ) be wrong and a few people who play no instruments be right?

 

This is not to say that ALL people who are Jimi nay sayers do not play any instrument, I've just never met any and if I did, I'd laugh in thier face.

you shut up. you can laugh in my face all you want, but i'm not the one with linkin park songs on my computer. just because i don't play an instrument doesn't mean that my ears don't work right, reverendonna.

 

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"We are the architects of our own hell and are thus equipped with the tools to rebuild our lives as we see fit." - Steve Diamond February 2004

There's such a thing as a soul-less guitarist.  I call them guitards.  Joe Satriani is one of them - a great teacher, but he himself is about as creative as my cat.  Malmsteen is a known joke among real musicians - he's all technique and no creativity.

Amen. And I love Jimi and Jimmy.

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"Copacetic, calm my frenetic, she's the shit y'all."