What's Up With Experience Hendrix's Mono "Are You Experienced"?

Comments following the review of the mono reissues of the American versions of Are You Experienced? and Axis: Bold As Love indicated some dissatisfaction with the reissue of the U.K. version of the album, also mastered by Bernie Grundman.

I have an original UK Track but didn't have that reissue. I promised to get one and did, so here goes:

The differences between the American and UK versions begin with the cover art and continue with different track order and some different songs.

The U.K version omits the single "Purple Haze" and the "b" side "The Wind Cries Mary." That's what they did in the U.K. It also omits "Hey Joe". It includes "Red House" and "Can You See Me", which are not on the American version.

So first of all, you have to ask yourself, would you rather have "Purple Haze", "The Wind Cries Mary" and "Hey Joe" and can you do without the bluesy "Red House" and "Can You See Me?". Show of hands. Right! Of course! That's why the American version is so much better! The cover is better too.

Completists and purists will want both I guess, in part because of the artwork and in part because Track 612001 is the first Track Records release. Track was set-up by Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp specifically for The Who and Jimi Hendrix (who got on vinyl first) but those would be the only reasons.

As for the complaints about the sonics, the original U.K. Track 612001 is not a very good sounding record. The bass is seriously rolled-off and the entire production sounds distant and somewhat lifeless—at least the pressing I have does. The reissue cut by Bernie Grundman sounds much better than the original because it has bass that must be on the tape but was shelved for the original release.

So whatever the complaints about the reissue sound, I'd say they are misguided. On the other hand, the back cover isn't a precise facsimile of the original. The original has a long Hendrix bio, that perhaps isn't 100% accurate or perhaps it was omitted along with shorter ones for Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding.

So the reissue is not a precise rendering of the original.

To further confuse matters, Polydor in 1991 released a stereo version of Are You Experienced featuring the American Reprise track selection and order but with the original U.K. cover art (Polydor 847 234-1). It sounds too clean and "digital". To the best of my knowledge there never was an original U.K. stereo Are You Experienced?.

So, while I'm glad for completists the U.K. mono original has been reissued, the artwork is not 100% accurate and you are better off with the American original. On the other hand, having the original U.K. Track version is nice to own because it's a piece of history.

COMMENTS
Stu Morgenstern's picture

Coincidentally, I just purchased "Are You Experienced?" the other day at my favorite record store for a whopping four dollars. The condition is excellent. It is a stereo recording on Reprise RS 6261. I was very impressed with the sound. Lots of bass and presence. My AR 3As were built soon after the album was released. Maybe that's why it sounded so good!

Michael Fremer's picture

Inquiring minds want to know.

Stu Morgenstern's picture

The label has a steamboat in orange on the top quarter. The rest of it is yellow. Did I win a prize?

Michael Fremer's picture

The first pressing had the pink/green steamboat label. Yours is the second press with the orange top and the W:reprise logo (Warner-7Arts). Close enough for $4.00!  

Paul Boudreau's picture

Have you had a chance to compare the original US mono with the reissue?

Michael Fremer's picture

No. I bought the original U.S. stereo when it was first issued. I had lost my driver's license that semester so sat in my frat bedroom and listened incessantly to that record. It still sounds great!

Paul Boudreau's picture

I hope you received the "needle drop" of my US mono original I sent you some time ago (on a USB drive, I think).

Michael Fremer's picture

Yes, and thank you. Of course in the time it took to finally get the mono and review it, I put your thumb drive out of sight and mind and will get to it ASAP... 

rakalm's picture

I do have a UK Stereo Version of Are You Experienced but it's a double LP along with Axis.  It's Polydor Select Double 2683 031.  Mine has the UK track  sequence.

Michael Fremer's picture

Polydor manufactured for Track and later pressings did away with Track label so that's a later pressing. The original stereo "Axis...." was on Track. But I bet it sounds great...

J. Carter's picture

There is a lot of talk out there that the original French Barclay vinyl sounds much better. I am wondering why they wouldn't have tried to find the best source available for the release which from all accounts seems to be this French Barclay master.

planarhead's picture

I am a bit of an Are You Experienced nut. It was a huge influence on the sound of our early albums.

I have the mono reissue that came out last year, the UK Track mono, a US tri-color mono and the French Barclay pressing on the orange-ish label. I have also heard the French Barclay on the all black label.

From my comparison the French Barclay transfer is by far the most transparent. It has the least "sound signature" and just sounds more like a band than a recording.

marmil's picture

Per your assertion that Track Records was set up by Chas Chandler to release Hendrix Records, Track was not set up by Chandler. It was created by Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp to release Who records and Hendrix records. 

As far as the various Hendrix versions/pressings are concerned, I have several monos and stereos from the U.S., U.K., a Canadian mono Axis, and the new ones. They all sound good to me, just different.

Michael Fremer's picture

Brain fade. Will fix NOW.

Mike J's picture

I have the orange/yellow label and a totally yellow label.

What's that?

JohnEcc's picture

Just trolling through Michael's reviews and came upon this. Listening tonight to original Pink/Green stereo Reprise Are You Experienced and the Polydor double LP. The Uk version sounds more dynamic, If Six Was Nine also jumps right out at you, drums and base do not sound rolled off. I picked up a copy of the Mono Uk reissue at The Hendrix Museum a couple of years ago. My first impression remains the same after this evening. It sounds compressed/ congested compared to the stereo mixes. It is always amazing the variation one finds in multiple copies of the same record.

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