Are You Experienced (Deluxe Edition)

by

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Edit

If you already have the 1997 MCA editions of these (Are You, Axis, Ladyland), then you basically have these remastered versions minus the (short) DVDs. There's really no discernable difference in audio quality between these 2010 remasters and the 1997 remasters. They sound identical.

BUT...if you really need the DVDs and/or you don't own the 1997 issues, by all means GO FOR IT!

So take the five star review for the quality of the music, keeping in mind you may already have these versions in your collection if you're considering purchasing these reissues.

The majority of my Amazon reviews deal with audio mastering, so I will be focusing only on the CD, and will defer comment on the DVD content to other reviewers.

The last Hendrix catalog mastering overhaul was performed in 1997, and produced the existing, fabulous definitive audio versions of each album. I have just finished comparing this new 2010 edition to the 1997 "Are You Experienced" remaster. The result? If you're considering buying this set with the expectation of new or improved remastering, save your money: This "remaster" is sonically indistinguishable from the '97 release. Furthermore, the track times exactly match the 1997 CD, and both freedb and iTunes recognize the 2010's ISRC disc code as the '97.

(Although I have referred to my A/B set-up in previous Amazon reviews, I should reiterate: My comparisons are made on two Sony XA7 transports wired into a Camelot Uther DAC via matched-length Acoustic Zen coax cables and monitored thru Sennheiser 590's. This configuration allows me to compare two CD's playing simultaneously, and instantly switch back and forth between them, rather than having to physically change out discs in one transport. If there's a better way to perform an A/B listening test, I haven't found it.)

No matter what other reviews you read here, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO DISCERNABLE DIFFERENCE IN SOUND OR MIXING. Anyone contradicting this a.) is mistakenly comparing either the original, awful 80's CD, the 1990 truncated disc, or the 1993 MCA remaster (check the copyright date on the J-card for your version), or, b.) has never upgraded to, or even heard the 1997 remaster (which many fans tragically eschewed, justifiably annoyed with the prospect of replacement for the 4th time in a decade), or, c.) has bad hearing, inferior equipment, and/or plain old wishful thinking. Anyone who insists they can hear a difference between this disc and the '97 would, no doubt, also testify to spontaneous, full-body levitation when an ultrasonic dog whistle is blown in proximity to their personage.

At the Amazon street-date sale price of $8.99, at least this new edition isn't sold at some egregious premium for the additional content, and yes, there is the spiffied-up digipak package, revamped booklet and a short-duration DVD. Admittedly, if you've never upgraded to the '97 Experienced remaster, then this is an auspiciously-priced opportunity to do so, as you also reap the new, added booty in your purchase.

But, if you're like me, and you already own the '97, does that really justify re-acquiring this album FOR THE FIFTH TIME (I'm actually on my sixth go-round, as I bought all eight of the super-kewl Japan LP-replica mini-sleeves a few years ago), only to end up with two sets of the exact same audio? Honestly, just how many times would you actually watch a 20-minute DVD?

The cleverly-worded marketing text above, and the sticker adorning the shrinkwrap, are definitely emphasizing "digitally remastered", when in actuality, there's nothing new, audio-wise, to be Experienced at all.

3/10 UPDATE: Due to the volume of inane comments, adverse e-mails and contradictory reviews, I decided to go directly to the source: I e-mailed Experience Hendrix LLC in Seattle. Here is their response:

"The new Experience Hendrix/Sony/Legacy Recording CD releases, except for SMASH HITS, have been remastered for the new releases. Having said that, the sound won't be significantly different compared to our 1997 releases. Whereas the 1997 remasters were much different than their predecessors--largely because we used the flat masters for the first time. This time (2010) we reverted to the original flat master tapes that were employed in the 1997 release."

There you have it, folks, cut-and-pasted directly from the auspices of Queen Janie: No 'significant' difference in sound, certainly no remixing, and they utilized the '97 source material. To appease, I have replaced my original cynical observation (that this release is the exact same '97 disc, just gussied-up and repackaged), with the phrases "This 'remaster' is sonically indistinguishable from the '97 release" and "THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO DISCERNABLE DIFFERENCE IN SOUND OR MIXING". To be sure, this splits the metaphorical hair at the level of a sub-atomic particle (and, as far as I am still concerned, this 2010 Experienced is "newly remastered", my hiney), but my review text is now copasetic with EH-LLC's statement.

Anyone who still wishes to argue the issue, your transport to The Infinite is now boarding at Gate 12 for immediate departure, where "EXP" will be blasted on the cabin sound system for your listening pleasure during liftoff... and please enjoy your one-way trip.