Good collection of Hendrix Hits

The Smash Hits collection, while recorded while Jimi was still alive, does capture some of the better songs he has done, but could have a lot more on their to culminate his career as ta guitar genius more fully. With that said, it has his great classic songs; Purple Haze, Fire, and Foxey Lady, as well as some other good ones, All Along the Watchtower, Manic Depression, Hey Joe, and Crosstown Traffic. The other 5 on here are alright in themselves but he has made better songs and there are a few other greatest hits albums with more songs and a few better ones that aren't on here. Nevertheless it is a good CD to have for Hendrix fans.

Jimi Hendrix-'Smash Hits'(Experience Hendrix) 3 1/2 stars

I can never slam ANYTHING that Hendrix has ever done,but the only purpose that 'Smash Hits' is likely to serve for anyone is to introduce a new(is there anyone on the planet that hasn't heard Hendrix's music by now?)fan.Okay,MAYBE a young teen that wishes to enjoy some of his parent's(or even grandparent's)music of days long gone.The cuts here have apparently been remastered.Tunes that I could never grow too tired of are "The Wind Cries Mary","Fire"(one of my all-time Hendrix favorites),Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower","Crosstown Traffic" and "Manic Depression".For die-hards OR new fans.

Missing some great tunes

This contains most of Jimi Hendrix's best material. It has his best known songs like Purple Haze, All Along the Watchtower, The Wind Cries Mary and Hey Joe, as well as some other great songs, some I'd heard before, some I hadn't. This is a decent compilation for someone who is just getting into Hendrix. Enough to see just what a guitar god he was.



But like I said, it lacks some great tunes. I was definitely disappointed that his amazing rendition of Star Spangled Banner wasn't here. And there are others that I think belonged here as well, such as Voodoo Child (WHY?!), Bold as Love, Castles Made of Sand and Night Bird Flying.



This does have most of his best songs, though. My favorites are Purple Haze (the best stoner anthem ever written, along with Sweet Leaf), The Wind Cries Mary (love the lyrics here), Hey Joe (really good song, kind of sad), All Along the Watchtower (my favorite Hendrix song, this is why Jimi was the god of guitar), Red House (the ultimate blues song) and Foxey Lady (one of the best sleaze songs, second only to Whole Lotta Love).



This is a decent compilation, but if you really want to experience the guitar god, I reccomend Experience Hendrix instead. Its longer and has a much better variety of songs, and includes his very best stuff. And it has Voodoo Child.