This live recording documents Hendrix's triumphant return to Paris almost one year to the date of their 1966 showcase as a burgeoning support act for Johnny Hallyday. Now in place of Hallyday's audience were more than 14,000 screaming Jimi Hendrix Experience admirers. In his own inimitable fashion, Hendrix graciously acknowledged his audience for their early support. “Thank you very much for last year, for letting us play here,” prefaced Hendrix before starting “The Wind Cries Mary.” “Instead of booing us off the stage you gave us a chance, so thank you very much.”
These recordings capture the verve and exuberant spirit displayed by the group. Hendrix kicks off the performance with a rousing “Stone Free,” known to his fans as the flip side of his debut single “Hey Joe”. “The Wind Cries Mary” finds Jimi in fine voice, showcasing his deft touch with slow ballads. The raucous “Catfish Blues,” Jimi's unique hybrid of Muddy Waters' classic “Still A Fool,” was another early-stage favorite of the Experience.
For the first time, tracks from this Paris concert that were previously only available on The Jimi Hendrix Experience box set from 2000 (aka the purple box) are re-integrated with several other tracks recorded that night, making Jimi Hendrix Experience: Paris 67 the most complete official release of the October 9, 1967 set to date.
A1. Stone Free
A2. Hey Joe
A3. Fire
A4. Catfish Blues
A5. The Wind Cries Mary
B1. Rock Me Baby
B2. Red House
B3. Purple Haze
B4. Wild Thing