The Jimi Hendrix Experience has the best widely known cover of 'Hey Joe'. Before I was old enough to understand that some songs were covered, this version played throughout my childhood. Adding to a mixture of songs which effortlessly define memories from years ago. Call it the soundtrack to an unforgettable moment, but The Jimi Hendrix Experience profoundly laid out the soundtrack for an essential number of years.
Maybe it's because the song has this electric edge of urgency. Even though the song is about a man named Joe on the run. Hendrix offered a circular view into the life of this possible made up character. After the half way mark, Hey Joe ends up sounding defiant. We hear how Hendrix transforms the song from a simple story telling track, into a conversation. Then the conversation seems to transition into Hendrix becoming the vocal Joe, on the run from the law. In the end, Hendrix combines in rhythm, three narrative points. Whether this trick has been accomplished anywhere else within music... remains to be seen. Yet, 'Hey Joe' has each emotion in place. Let it be fear, frustration, anger, or paranoia each emotion is felt intensely.
The 1966 recording of 'Hey Joe by The Jimi Hendrix Experience was a result of manager, and Animals band member Chas Chandler walking into Cafe Wha? as the band rehearsed their own version of the song. And as they all say the rest is history. Afterward, The Jimi Hendrix Experience went on to craft more songs that changed the way guitar music was heard. Let along how the psychedelic culture was perceived. But, the one remaining mystery may be the fact that, no one has been able to stand up, or equal to the talent created throughout the band. The dynamic heavy headed approach brought in from the late 1960's. Then again greatness is easily missed if no one pays attention.
