The Story Behind the Legendary Lyrics of Hendrix's Axis Bold as Love

With these words, the pseudo-interview between Paul Caruso (Jimi Hendrix) and the interviewer (Mitch Mitchell) on radio station EXP ends and this startling album begins, although a bit unusually. Recorded in 1967, and released first in England, Axis Bold As Love established Jimi Hendrix as the premier guitarist of his time. Jimi also wrote all the songs on the album, except for She's So Fine, which was penned by Noel Redding. The album was produced by Chas Chandler, the former Animals bass player, whose reputation as a producer was soon to become legendary.

The players and their contributions are as follows:

Jimi Hendrix, guitars, lead vocals
Noel Redding, bass, backing vocals, lead vocals on She's So Fine
Mitch Mitchell, drums, backing vocals

The songs, and a brief description of each, is like so:

1. EXP--Mitch Mitchell, interviewer for radio station EXP, interviews Paul Caruso (Jimi Hendrix) on the "dotty subject of are there or are there not flying saucers". What follows is almost one and one-half minutes of feedback and effects which simulate the blast off of a rocket ship, using both electric guitar and bass guitar. Sure one helluva way to start an album!

2. Up From The Skies--Jimi had jazz roots and this song is a perfect example of a loose jazz trio jamming away and improvising. All of the players contribute to the feel, but the central figure is Jimi with his Stratocaster and wah-wah pedal.

3. Spanish Castle Magic--You get there by "dragonfly", or "drag n' fly, a veiled reference to smoking marijuana. The drums and bass have a "ratta-tat-tat" rhythm which makes this song work. And of course, you have the killer electric guitar solo by Jimi to take the song home.

4. Wait Until Tomorrow--Jimi's trying to sneak his girlfriend, Dollie Mae, out of her house so he can elope with her. Her father objects and Dollie's suitor pays for it with his life. Jimi's guitar fills really define this tune--this song is very indicative of his style--a style that would repeat itself in Little Wing and Castles Made of Sand. Mitch Mitchell's drumming is amazing--his snare was his main drum, and it suited Jimi's style perfectly.