Customer Reviews

Are You Experienced CD/DVD

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The majority of my Amazon reviews deal with audio mastering, so I will be focusing only on the CD, and will defer comment on the DVD content to other reviewers.

The last Hendrix catalog mastering overhaul was performed in 1997, and produced the existing, fabulous definitive audio versions of each album. I have just finished comparing this new 2010 edition to the 1997 "Are You Experienced" remaster. The result? If you're considering buying this set with the expectation of new or improved remastering, save your money: This "remaster" is sonically indistinguishable from the '97 release. Furthermore, the track times exactly match the 1997 CD, and both freedb and iTunes recognize the 2010's ISRC disc code as the '97.

(Although I have referred to my A/B set-up in previous Amazon reviews, I should reiterate: My comparisons are made on two Sony XA7 transports wired into a Camelot Uther DAC via matched-length Acoustic Zen coax cables and monitored thru Sennheiser 590's. This configuration allows me to compare two CD's playing simultaneously, and instantly switch back and forth between them, rather than having to physically change out discs in one transport. If there's a better way to perform an A/B listening test, I haven't found it.)

No matter what other reviews you read here, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO DISCERNABLE DIFFERENCE IN SOUND OR MIXING. Anyone contradicting this a.) is mistakenly comparing either the original, awful 80's CD, the 1990 truncated disc, or the 1993 MCA remaster (check the copyright date on the J-card for your version), or, b.) has never upgraded to, or even heard the 1997 remaster (which many fans tragically eschewed, justifiably annoyed with the prospect of replacement for the 4th time in a decade), or, c.) has bad hearing, inferior equipment, and/or plain old wishful thinking. Anyone who insists they can hear a difference between this disc and the '97 would, no doubt, also testify to spontaneous, full-body levitation when an ultrasonic dog whistle is blown in proximity to their personage.

At the Amazon street-date sale price of $8.99, at least this new edition isn't sold at some egregious premium for the additional content, and yes, there is the spiffied-up digipak package, revamped booklet and a short-duration DVD. Admittedly, if you've never upgraded to the '97 Experienced remaster, then this is an auspiciously-priced opportunity to do so, as you also reap the new, added booty in your purchase.

But, if you're like me, and you already own the '97, does that really justify re-acquiring this album FOR THE FIFTH TIME (I'm actually on my sixth go-round, as I bought all eight of the super-kewl Japan LP-replica mini-sleeves a few years ago), only to end up with two sets of the exact same audio? Honestly, just how many times would you actually watch a 20-minute DVD?

The cleverly-worded marketing text above, and the sticker adorning the shrinkwrap, are definitely emphasizing "digitally remastered", when in actuality, there's nothing new, audio-wise, to be Experienced at all.

3/10 UPDATE: Due to the volume of inane comments, adverse e-mails and contradictory reviews, I decided to go directly to the source: I e-mailed Experience Hendrix LLC in Seattle. Here is their response:

"The new Experience Hendrix/Sony/Legacy Recording CD releases, except for SMASH HITS, have been remastered for the new releases. Having said that, the sound won't be significantly different compared to our 1997 releases. Whereas the 1997 remasters were much different than their predecessors--largely because we used the flat masters for the first time. This time (2010) we reverted to the original flat master tapes that were employed in the 1997 release."

There you have it, folks, cut-and-pasted directly from the auspices of Queen Janie: No 'significant' difference in sound, certainly no remixing, and they utilized the '97 source material. To appease, I have replaced my original cynical observation (that this release is the exact same '97 disc, just gussied-up and repackaged), with the phrases "This 'remaster' is sonically indistinguishable from the '97 release" and "THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO DISCERNABLE DIFFERENCE IN SOUND OR MIXING". To be sure, this splits the metaphorical hair at the level of a sub-atomic particle (and, as far as I am still concerned, this 2010 Experienced is "newly remastered", my hiney), but my review text is now copasetic with EH-LLC's statement.

Anyone who still wishes to argue the issue, your transport to The Infinite is now boarding at Gate 12 for immediate departure, where "EXP" will be blasted on the cabin sound system for your listening pleasure during liftoff... and please enjoy your one-way trip.

If you already have the 1997 MCA editions of these (Are You, Axis, Ladyland), then you basically have these remastered versions minus the (short) DVDs. There's really no discernable difference in audio quality between these 2010 remasters and the 1997 remasters. They sound identical.

BUT...if you really need the DVDs and/or you don't own the 1997 issues, by all means GO FOR IT!

So take the five star review for the quality of the music, keeping in mind you may already have these versions in your collection if you're considering purchasing these reissues.

Well,

Being the Hendrix fanatic I am I jumped on the whole lot...big mistake, the DVDs are cool, but short (about 20 min each). Unless you have do not have these CDs already, or you must have the DVDs, skip it.

These are the SAME remasters from before. As another person pointed out, the track times are the same and when I ripped them into ITunes, it recognized them as the 1997 editions.

I feel like I just wasted $40

I should have waited for reviews!

Unfortunately with the DVD, the new interviews were done in widescreen, however, the old video footage was not - but they spliced it in as widescreen. So what you get is Jimi's face stretched out wider than it is high. It is too, too bad. I bought this CD for the DVD and was hoping to see some vintage Jimi. Instead his footage is all distorted. Whom ever did the DVD needs to go back to school and learn how to do this correctly. Janie should have this fixed and offer a free disc exchange. Maybe this is why this set is only ten bucks.

One of the dilemmas facing music consumers today is which to choose from the avalanche of remasters and reissues of some of the most popular albums that are on the market. Why is this a dilemma? Well, each is touted as the best to date so until you actually hear the reissue, you have no idea if there is any truth to the claim. Maybe you have already purchased several previous "best yets" and then a new one appears. What now?
Well, that seems to be an issue where this package is concerned. According to many reviews, this release of Are You Experienced is indistinguishable sonically from a remaster made in 1997. So you have to decide whether or not its worth spending ten dollars to get the same music dressed in a new package with a bonus DVD and a booklet to entice you.
In my case it was easy. I do not own the 1997 remaster and have resisted until now all blandishments to buy any of the others. Take a look at the price, the amount of music you get and the extras provided and you can see that this package is worth every cent. I was never a hard-core Hendrix fan, but I do own this on vinyl and am delighted to now own this remastered edition. The sound is excellent, the booklet is informative, and the DVD, while quite brief, is entertaining as well. So if you buy this and decide that its no better but no worse than the one you now own, just give the old one to a young person as a gift. You might be helping to create a new generation of Jimi Hendrix fans.

"Axis" have been a classic for over 40 years, so i'm not going to review the album, but this Deluxe Edition. I'm giving the same review to all these Hendrix "New" Remasters...

The remastered sound is really an improvement if you only listened to the first pressings of it on CD. But, if you already have the '97 remasters, it's just the same thing.

I'm givin' it 4 stars because of the dvd. It's so short, that i really wonder why not to put a CD of demos or live recordings from the era? It would be so better.

Just bought 2010 vinyl version Are You Experienced (Vinyl) of the same album - unbelievable sound! Significantly better than original vinyl edition and 97 CD edition. Then I thought - I must try the 2010 CD if 2010 vinyl sounds so fantastic. Well... as most of the reviewers here I do not hear difference from 97 CD.

Loudness War wins! I was wondering from the discussion of the 1997 vs 2010 discussion and took a look. The 2010 version is definitely clipped. Sadly I thought it actually improved the sound (imaging) while equally destroying it - yes I notice the clipping - idiots. FWIW.

Received in 'as-new' condition and quite promptly. No glitches on either disc.

Regarding the discs themselves, the sound of the remastered CD is quite good though (to these ears) not as definitive as it still can be. The DVD is substantial (unlike the Beatles video add-ons) and revealing though the guest commentators and mixers focus on highlight tracks rather than the entire classic slate.

The booklet is a great read and rounds off an excellent product offering - 'til the next reissue raises the bar once more:)

OK, like most Hendrix fanatics I have bought just about every iteration of this classic offering as well as everything else Hendrix has put out and approached this release with a fair amount of skepticism. I'll admit I bought it mainly out of curiosity to see what was on the DVD since the price was ridiculously cheap.

Well, I have just listened to just the first track, the incomparable Purple Haze, and my jaw almost hit the floor. Believe me, I have heard this tune countless times and although it is a favorite, it is one of those songs that I have heard so much that my mind sort of goes on autopilot when I hear it and I kind of tune it out....but this is a true revelation and I don't use that word often. I don't know what Eddie Kramer did differently this time (I'm not an engineer) but not only has he remastered it, to my ears it sounds remixed as well. I know there are many purists who view tampering with an original work of art as blasphemy, but in this case it works. I heard things I have NEVER heard before - Mitch Mitchell's drums have an immediacy that cracks like gunshots going off, Jimi's vocals are crystal clear, and Noel's bass is rock solid and clearly defined as never before. There is absolutely no trace whatsoever of the tape hiss that was on previous releases as a result of all the overdubbing that was done when this went down in '66/67 (according to the studio invoice from De Lane Lea Studios included in the great booklet crammed with unseen before photos and an essay by Dave Marsh). There was always kind of a distant feel to this recording which was understandable given that it was recorded under somewhat primitive conditions but now it sounds almost recent, with the exception of the panning of Jimi's vocals in the right channel, most likely due to the limitations of the number of tracks that they had to work with.

I don't want to get too technical because I'm not qualified and I'm sure others more knowledgable will correct my errors. All I know is that THIS SOUNDS KILLER. This is the way Jimi was always meant to sound.....man, if the rest of this disc (remember, I am writing this after hearing only the FIRST TRACK) and Axis Bold As Love, Electric Ladyland, and First Rays Of the New Rising Sun sound as dramatically upgraded as this, Hendrix's fan's prayers have been answered.

BTW, I watched a little of the DVD and it is also well done - Eddie Kramer demonstrates how he mixed the original LP by isolating certain tracks, similar to what Tom Dowd did with Layla on his fantastic DVD, and there are interviews with Chas Chandler, Mitch Mitchell (R.I.P. Mitch) and Noel Redding (R.I.P Noel too) that I have not seen before and they really enhance the viewing experience.

All in all, this seems to be the definitive treatment of AYE and the first truly worthy of Jimi's legacy. I really hope I'm not overreacting and mislead anybody but if you're a fan you're going to buy this anyway. At this price you can't go wrong and the addition of the DVD makes it a can't miss.

LONG LIVE JIMI HENDRIX.