Did you know that the only Jimi Hendrix song to land in the Top 40 wasn’t even penned by him? Yeah, we are talking about Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower”.
This cover is on “Electric Ladyland”, a kaleidoscope of musical brilliance. This musical masterpiece is not just a collection of tracks; it’s a pivotal moment in Jimi Hendrix’s career. “Electric Ladyland” isn’t just a creative triumph; it’s the band’s most commercially successful release. In fact, it clinched the top spot as their only number-one album.
The Story of Recording and Production
Noel Redding’s departure from the recording process at Olympic Studios in London added an unexpected twist to the wild ride that was the creation of “Electric Ladyland.” The reasons for Redding’s exit can be attributed to various factors, including creative differences and tensions within the band. The chaotic studio atmosphere, packed with friends and guests, likely intensified these challenges.
Enter Dave Mason – a key figure in this musical saga. Mason, a talented guitarist and songwriter, was not originally a member of The Jimi Hendrix Experience. His background included being a founding member of the rock band Traffic. Despite primarily being a guitarist, Mason’s versatility allowed him to seamlessly transition to the bass role for “Electric Ladyland,” contributing to the album’s unique dynamics.
Amid this studio whirlwind, Jimi Hendrix found himself playing the final bass part himself. It’s a testament to his musical genius and adaptability.
All Along The Watchtower: Bob Dylan vs. Jimi Hendrix
This song took on a whole new life in Jimi Hendrix’s hands. Dylan himself praised Hendrix’s rendition, expressing admiration for Jimi’s unique take:
The reinterpretation of Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix is more than a simple transposition; it’s a transformative journey that delves into the very essence of the song. Jimi Hendrix’s interpretation is an exploration that utilized the studio’s soundscapes to evoke storms and a sense of dread, creating an echoed aural landscape.
The distinct tonal qualities that Jimi Hendrix infused into the song aren’t a mere replication of Dylan’s harmonica riffs on an electric guitar, Hendrix’s version carried the essence of a “self-proclaimed ‘Voodoo Child,'” raging and defiant, embodied in the wailing of his lead guitar. The layering introduced by Hendrix intensified the sonic experience, turning the frequency space into a dynamic realm where each instrument contributed to the track’s sense of tumult.
While both Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix drew inspiration from blues players like Robert Johnson, Hendrix’s version was closer in style to the blues legend Muddy Waters. If Dylan’s crying blues echoed Robert Johnson, Hendrix’s shout called to mind Muddy Waters and his ‘deep tone with a heavy beat.’
All Along The Watchtower Release, Charts, and Certifications
In the United States, Reprise Records unveiled the single on September 2, 1968, a little over a month before Electric Ladyland hit the shelves. Paired with “Burning of the Midnight Lamp” on the B-side, the release preceded the album’s official launch. Bob Dylan, in the pages of Melody Maker magazine, bestowed a glowing review upon the song, a commendation that brought immense satisfaction to Jimi Hendrix. The track ascended to the 20th spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking Hendrix’s highest-ranking single in America and his sole entry into the Top 40 at that time.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Track Records rolled out the single on October 18, securing a remarkable achievement as it clinched the fifth position in the British charts. Notably, it became the first UK stereo-only single to achieve such chart success. Despite the song’s triumph on the charts, Hendrix’s enthusiasm for performing it live waned. After a mere three months, the track vanished from his setlist, becoming a rarity in his live performances.
One standout exception to this trend occurred at the Isle of Wight festival, capturing a memorable rendition that later found its place on the Blue Wild Angel live album in 2002. This performance serves as a testament to the enduring impact of “All Along The Watchtower” and its lasting resonance in Hendrix’s live repertoire.
FAQ’S
Did Jimi Hendrix ever have a number-one record?
His journey to stardom in the United States took a decisive turn with his remarkable performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. The pinnacle of his success came in 1968 when his third and final studio album, “Electric Ladyland,” clinched the top spot on the US charts. This double LP marked Hendrix’s zenith in commercial success, securing not only his most triumphant release but also his sole achievement of a number-one album.
How many copies did Are You Experienced sell?
The debut album from The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Are You Experienced,” enjoyed an enduring presence, spending an impressive 106 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart. Over time, it achieved remarkable success, selling more than 5 million copies in the United States alone.
Did Jimi Hendrix have a top-40 hit?
One could even entertain the notion of labeling Jimi Hendrix as a One-Hit Wonder. Despite his monumental impact on the music scene, it’s a peculiar twist of fate that he is primarily associated with a single song in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, and remarkably, it’s not even a composition of his own – “All Along The Watchtower”
What Are Jimi Hendrix album sales?
Jimi Hendrix achieved remarkable album sales, with a total exceeding 24,651,765 copies, comprising 22,250,000 sold in the United States and 1,080,000 in the United Kingdom. The top-selling album in Hendrix’s repertoire is “Are You Experienced,” boasting sales of over 5,125,000 copies.
