Jimi Hendrix Made a Hard Task Look Easy on ‘Axis’

In the second episode of the Bold as Love Recalled and Celebrated video series, ZZ Top legend Billy F. Gibbons recalls how Jimi Hendrix faced a hard task and made it look easy.

Released barely six months after the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s May 1967 debut Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love showcased more sophisticated songwriting and musical performances on tracks such as “Little Wing” and “Castles Made of Sand.”

“As everybody suspects, following up a great first album, it’s always difficult to make a second one,” he shares in an exclusive video below. “And yet, I got to say, Axis: Bold as Love coming down the line, treated the fans and friends and followers to some of the best stuff that Jimi did throughout [his] career.”

Watch Billy F. Gibbons Discuss Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Axis: Bold as Love’

Eric Johnson Says Hendrix Displayed a Lot of Growth on His Second Studio Album

Guitar hero Eric Johnson was blown away by how far Jimi had come on his sophomore effort and praises the audible growth Hendrix displayed on Axis: Bold as Love.

“Are You Experienced was a great contribution to just outrageous guitar playing,” Johnson explains. “I think Axis came along – which came out really relatively very quickly after Are You Experienced – [and] it immediately had a bit of a departure to it, it was more about songs and lyrics and melodies. In fact, there are certain songs on Axis where there are not even guitar solos. The prominent guitar stuff, a lot of it is just this great rhythm stuff.”

Read More: When Jimi Hendrix Went Out There on ‘Axis: Bold As Love’

Watch Eric Johnson Talk About Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Axis: Bold as Love’

Jimi Hendrix Experience’s ‘Bold as Love’ Box Set Arrives Nov. 7

The 5LP / 4CD + Blu-ray Axis: Bold as Love box set arrives in stores on Nov. 7, and includes 40 alternative versions, unreleased studio takes, demos, live tracks and television performances from the era, 28 of which have never been unearthed before.