Smash Hits [Original recording remastered]

Jimi Hendrix | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 20, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Experience Hendrix
• ASIN: B00006GA4N
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,970 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Purple Haze

2. Fire

3. The Wind Cries Mary

4. Can You See Me

5. Hey Joe

6. All Along the Watchtower

7. Stone Free

8. Crosstown Traffic

9. Manic Depression

10. Remember

11. Red House

12. Foxey Lady

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for completists, but a great Hendrix sampler., February 12, 2003

By 

"voiceofreason" (Nokomis, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smash Hits (Audio CD)

I'm amused at some of the reviewers trashing this compilation because in their great wisdom it is superfluous. Well, there's quite a few of us who grew up with Hendrix who remember when "Smash Hits" was originally released, and for us it served as a nice, curt compendium when we didn't want to be accosted with Jimi's more mind-blowing noodle sessions, or be subjected to an entire double album. Back in the day, Rolling Stone suggested this CD was the "tightest" hits compilation, and I tend to agree. If you like Hendrix at his most concentrated 3.5-minute-per-cut best, this may be for you. To suggest that any CD that contains a dozen of Hendrix's best and most memorable recordings is worth a single star review solely because you like the way other alternatives are compiled is a disservice to the readers of these reviews, as well as to the memory of Jimi Hendrix.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Remaster of Classic Original LP Compilation, July 7, 2006

By 

Bill Anthony "billjbfan" (North Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smash Hits (Audio CD)

Please ignore the rantings of so many like "why another compilation" and "it's too short" -
This is simply a straight reissue of the great 12-song LP that was in every record store in America for 20 years after it's 1969 release, introducing millions to Jimi's music.
This was THE Hendrix collection while he was still alive.
If you didn't hold the records in your hands back then, and cherish the 30-40 minute LP format, you can't understand.
You're too young, you don't get it, and you shouldn't be reviewing music that was made before you were born.
**Only 2 Hendrix albums have gone Double-Platinum in sales :
Are You Experienced? and SMASH HITS.

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Just buy "Are You Experienced?" instead!, August 25, 2002

By 

B-MAN "B" (Earth, occasionally. Until I get bored.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smash Hits (Audio CD)

With all the Hendrix collections available now, the re-release of 1969's "Smash Hits" seems a little irrelevant except for the historic fact that it was the first actual compilation of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and its been out of print for many years. I read somewhere that this is the first time "Smash Hits" has been on CD, which is not true because I used to own it. Also this is different from the original "Smash Hits" CD. The original had 14 songs, all 12 included here + "51st Anniversary" and "Highway Chile". For some reason these two were removed for this remaster. So this isnt even the same "Smash Hits"! What's the point?

I recommend buying the 17 track remaster of the first Jimi Hendrix Experience album, "Are You Experienced?", which this version of "Smash Hits" borrows 10 songs from, not to mention includes the two previously mentioned ommissions from the original "Smash Hits". The other two, "All along the Watchtower" and "Crosstown Traffic" are on the third Experience album, "Electric Ladyland". Something I never understood is why there is nothing on "Smash Hits" from their second album, "Axis: Bold as Love", but that's not important because that album is essential in itself. I can't recommend "Smash Hits" for two reasons: 1. Its just another collection, who cares if its remastered? and 2. The ommission of the two original tracks take away the historical relevance.

If you want the true best of Jimi Hendrix, start out with the first three Experience albums mentioned in this review. Want more? Try the 17 track "First Rays of the New Rising Sun" (which includes proper versions (without the dubbing and tampering of the embarrasing "Voodoo Soup" album) of Hendrix classics like "Freedom", "Izabella", "Room full of mirrors", "Ezy Rider", "Stepping stone", the list goes on.) If you go further, check out his best "live" recordings, like "Band of Gypsys" (made without the Experience and is the only "live" recording that was authorized by Jimi before he died.), "Live at the Fillmore East", and either "Jimi Hendrix: Woodstock" or the complete 2 disc concert on "Live at Woodstock" for his mind-blowing performance there. Both albums contain the complete "Star Spangled Banner" if you're interested.