In the lyrics, Polyphonic notes, Hendrix connects the blues to his Cherokee heritage and to voodoo, to sex, and then beyond into science fiction landscapes. And Mitch Mitchell turns in one of his greatest performances and solos. Jack Casady from Jefferson Airplane plays bass. He taped the audience effects soon after.
This is the track that Hendrix wanted to sound like a light night jam at New York club The Scene-and which he recorded after one particular night doing just that. But this essay is about the longest track on Electric Ladyland, the one that ends side one. Now, classic rock radio usually plays the much shorter and less laid back “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” that closes the album.
