1; 16). Jimi’s change of confidence in himself between Are You Experienced? and Axis: Bold As Love did not go unnoticed by critics of the time. Hendrix had clearly stated himself as an individual musician, not just a man defined by his group or by his producer and record label. In Jim Miller’s April 6, 1968 review of Axis: Bold As Love for Rolling Stone, he said: “Axis: Bold As Love is the refinement of white noise into physchedelia, and (like Cream) it is not a timid happening; in the vortex of this apocalyptic transcendence stands Hendrix, beating off on his guitar and defiantly proclaiming ‘if the mountains fell in the sea, let it be, it ain’t me.’ Such cocky pop philosophy shall not go unrewarded” (21). Axis: Bold As Love represented the change of Hendrix from not just Top 40 hit-maker, but also complete acceptance by those who judge most harshly, the critics. Miller also called Axis: Bold As Love “the finest Voodoo album that any rock group has produced to date” (13). The term “Voodoo,” as applied to Hendrix’ music, brings to mind Hendrix’ mixture of African and Native American influences. Axis: Bold As Love was Are You Experienced? minus the commercial appeal, but plus the “real” Hendrix that gave him his true appeal. The next album by The Jimi Hendrix Experience was titled Electric Ladyland, which Hendrix said was a reference to “...groupies, but I prefer the term ‘Electric Ladies.’ My whole Electric Ladyland album is about them” (Fairchild, “Electric Ladyland” 5). Some of the songs on Electric Ladyland, such as “Crosstown Traffic” and the cover of Bob Dylan’s song “All Along the Watchtower, mark a departure from the Jimi Hendrix established by Axis: Bold As Love. “Crosstown Traffic” is more along the vein of songs included in Are You Experienced? and Hendrix was frustra...
