Bursting with ideas and energy, Jimi Hendrix's second album release of 1968 (following Axis: Bold as Love) was a double-LP set that showcased virtually everything the guitar genius had to offer: blistering blues ("Voodoo Chile"), galaxy-patrolling space jams ("1983... A Merman I Should Turn to Be"), psychedelic soul ("Crosstown Traffic"), and skyscraping rock ("Voodoo Child (Slight Return)"). In the midst of all this was even a hit song--Hendrix's remarkable reading of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower," featuring a series of baton-passing guitar solos... all distinct and brilliant -- kaleidoscopically eclectic.

The third and final record of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, is the last studio album of the 'The Experience' and also the last project finished under the direction of Jimi Hendrix. Though not a concept album, it nevertheless forms a cohesive whole, with all the songs flowing into each other in a very natural and organic way. Certain themes and motifs reoccur, such as the elements, fire, and water, or sunshine and rain. In two cases musical themes reoccur. There is Voo Doo Child, Slight Return, and Still Raining, Still Dreaming, that reprise Voo Doo Child and Rainy Day, Dream Away, respectively. It is amazing how long he can sustain the groove and keep the jam going, but a credit to his acumen that he breaks these excursions into smaller, easily digestible ch-ch-chunks.

Rainy Day, Dream Away creates the feeling of an impromptu jam session. There are conga drums, an organ, reeds, and of course, Jimi. Is this some kind of musical tribute to Seattle, a city of perpetual rain where Jimi grew up? He looks out the window and sees that it is raining, but that suits his mood. He's going to "lay back and groove on a rainy day." Still Raining, Still Dreaming, pops out like a jack-in-the-box and dances in your face. Really great use of a wah wah peddle. Hendrix could take those devices that would be just toys in less talented hands, and really make lasting musical statements with them. In Crosstown Traffic he even uses a paper on a comb kazoo.

Electric Ladyland creates its own myth, and elevates Jimi Hendrix to mythical status. Voo Doo Chile is a long standing tradition in the blues, Hendrix takes it "past the outskirts of infinity" and brings back "a Venus witch's ring."

Gypsy Eyes finds Jimi way up in his tree, sitting by his fire. He is wondering where the beautiful woman with the gypsy eyes might be, and wondering if she ever thinks about him. The song has a very compelling rhythm, not exactly gypsy music, but very exotic. Gypsy Eyes is also hypnotic.