Released 16 years ago this November
West Coast Seattle Boy: The Jimi Hendrix Anthology
Jimi Hendrix · 2010
261 min · 59 tracks · hard rock
A kaleidoscopic blend of electric blues and psychedelic rock, showcasing Jimi Hendrix's genre-defying creativity and virtuoso guitar work.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Testify Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
-
→
Fire — This track exemplifies Hendrix's ability to fuse rock with a sense of urgency and raw emotion, showcasing his innovative guitar riffs and soulful vocals.
-
→
The Wind Cries Mary — Known for its poignant lyrics and intricate guitar work, this song illustrates Hendrix's lyrical depth and unique ability to convey vulnerability through music.
-
→
Star Spangled Banner (original mix) — Hendrix’s iconic rendition of the national anthem redefined its cultural significance, turning a patriotic symbol into a powerful statement of protest and artistic expression.
-
→
Purple Haze (original mix) — This quintessential track captures the essence of the psychedelic era, featuring mind-bending lyrics and groundbreaking guitar techniques that have influenced countless artists.
-
→
Stone Free (live at the Fillmore East) — As a live performance highlight, this track showcases Hendrix's improvisational prowess and electrifying stage presence, encapsulating the spirit of his concerts.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This anthology captures Hendrix's innovative spirit while offering a diverse range of material, though its sprawling nature affects cohesion.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature extended improvisation, highlighting his guitar skills and spontaneous creativity.
- The collection spans multiple phases of Hendrix's career, with tracks that vary in tempo and mood, from upbeat rock to introspective ballads.
- Some songs are presented in alternate takes or previously unreleased versions, providing insight into his creative process.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Defined its genre or moment. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic progression with peaks
- wave-like pacing throughout
- exploration of raw musicality
- ideal for deep listening
- reflective moments of spontaneity
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, short tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A comprehensive anthology that showcases Hendrix's breadth, but not a primary entry point.
- Themes
- Seattle music scene· blues-infused rebellion· psychedelic guitar landscapes
- Career context
- Released in 2010, this anthology arrives nearly 40 years after Hendrix's untimely death and serves as a retrospective collection of his most influential works. It captures the breadth of his musical journey from early singles to live recordings, presenting both well-known tracks and rare gems. At this point, Hendrix's legacy had solidified him as a pivotal figure in rock history.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jeff Beck· Eric Clapton· Stevie Ray Vaughan
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Testify Start here 4:09
- 2 Mercy, Mercy 2:26
- 3 Can't Stay Away 2:50
- 4 My Diary 2:22
- 5 Utee 1:58
- 6 I Don't Know What You Got but It's Got Me 4:02
- 7 Dancing All Around the World 3:00
- 8 I'm So Glad 2:39
- 9 Move Over and Let Me Dance 2:41
- 10 Have You Ever Been Disappointed 6:19
- 11 Help Me (Get the Feeling), Part I 2:33
- 12 (My Girl) She's a Fox 2:43
- 13 That Little Old Groovemaker 2:16
- 14 Sweet Thang 2:33
- 15 Instant Groove 2:24
Disc 2
- 1 Fire 2:51
- 2 Are You Experienced 6:04
- 3 May This Be Love 3:18
- 4 Can You See Me 2:34
- 5 The Wind Cries Mary 3:57
- 6 Love or Confusion 3:16
- 7 Little One 4:11
- 8 Mr. Bad Luck 2:57
- 9 Cat Talking to Me 2:54
- 10 Castles Made of Sand 3:12
- 11 Tears of Rage 5:22
- 12 Hear My Train a Comin' 4:37
- 13 1983 (A Merman I Shall Turn to Be) 3:31
- 14 Long Hot Summer Night 2:32
- 15 My Friend 3:59
- 16 Angel 3:11
- 17 Calling All the Devil's Children 5:38
- 18 Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) 7:24
Disc 3
- 1 Hear My Freedom 5:23
- 2 Room Full of Mirrors 2:32
- 3 Shame, Shame, Shame 3:01
- 4 Messenger 3:20
- 5 Hound Dog Blues 4:44
- 6 Untitled Basic Track 3:49
- 7 Star Spangled Banner (original mix) 2:29
- 8 Purple Haze (original mix) 5:51
- 9 Young / Hendrix (alternate) 20:57
- 10 Mastermind 4:44
- 11 Message to Love (alternate) 3:27
- 12 Fire 4:41
- 13 Foxey Lady 6:29
Disc 4
- 1 Stone Free (live at the Fillmore East, New York, December 31, 1969) 14:48
- 2 Burning Desire 8:49
- 3 Lonely Avenue 4:22
- 4 Everlasting First (alternate) 4:16
- 5 Freedom 4:17
- 6 Peter Gunn / Catastrophe (alternate) 2:56
- 7 In From the Storm (alternate) 3:36
- 8 All God's Children 6:19
- 9 Red House 7:31
- 10 Play That Riff 0:37
- 11 Bolero (alternate) 5:31
- 12 Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) (alternate) 6:06
- 13 Suddenly November Morning 4:12
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
L.A. Woman
The Doors
Shares a similar blend of blues-influenced rock and psychedelic elements with introspective lyrics.
Disraeli Gears
Cream
Combines blues-rock foundations with innovative guitar work and psychedelic production techniques.
Stand!
Sly and the Family Stone
Offers a fusion of rock, funk, and social themes, mirroring Hendrix's revolutionary spirit and musical experimentation.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.