AboutJames Hawthorn Expertise I can answer just about any question concerning Jimi Hendrix.
I cannot give the value of records, CDs or tapes relating to the work of Jimi hendrix.
Experience I am the author of The Jimi Hendrix Record Guide:
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/hendrix.guide/hendrix.htm
Education/Credentials B.A. Hons. Degree in Graphic Design
Expert: James Hawthorn Date: 11/26/2007 Subject: Songwriting
Question I'm doing a project about Jimi Hendrix at school and i was wondering what influenced his songwriting? Does it date as far back as to slavery?
Answer Hi Mitch,
it's nice to hear from someone who recognises that the greatness of Jimi's music is not just about guitar playing but also his talent as a songwriter.
During his time as an unknown touring and sometime session musicien the young Jimi (or rather Jimmy as he spelled it before fame) didn't publish any songs apart from two instrumentals for Curtis Knight & The Squires : "Hornet's Nest" and "Knock Youself Out". These if anything were influenced by Dick Dale, Link Wray or Duane Eddy for example.
As soon as he found fame in England, the flood gates opened and he became a prolific songwriter. His musical influences were the original blues greats such as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Elmore James, Lightnin' Hopkins, BB King, Albert King, Freddie King, Earl King !
He also loved 50s rock 'n' roll, Presley (who had seen live in the 50s), Eddie Cochran, Chuck Berry, Carl perkins and Little Richard (with whom he had toured in the early 60s).
He had a keen ear for what was happening in Europe and loved the work Eric Clapton had done with the Yardbirds and John Mayall. He liked Jeff Beck too. The Beatles were a great influence (listen to the song "Are You Experienced" and his covers of "Sgt Peppers" and "Day Tripper").
One of his greatest influences, especially in a lyrical and vocal sense was of course Bob Dylan (he also lovingly covered four Dylan songs during his recording career). As the sixties drew to a close he returned to a more R&B feel in his music, drawing on his earlier influences of The Isley Brothers, The Impressions (with Curtis Mayfield) and his comtempories like Sly Stone.
His ear leaned towards jazz also and he was keen to work with Miles Davis, Roland Kirk and arranger Gil Evans.
As his writing evolved his lyrics became less "spacey" or sex orientated and dwelled on social issues in songs such as "House Burning Down" (about the Watts riots and black social unrest), "Machine Gun" (about the Vietnam war or any war), "Belly Button Window" (abortion), "Freedom", "Earth Blues", "Power Of Soul"…
As far as references dating back to slavery, nothing comes to mind as far as I remember. Jimi concentreted on personnal or issues of the day.
Check my site for more ideas.
Cheers
Jim
I just wanted to add that Jimi was a big science fiction fan, which is why there are so many spacey references in his songs.
I mentioned that "Belly Button Window" was about abortion. In it's initial stages Jimi had titled the song "Mr. & Miss Carriage Esq". The song is also about reincarnation.
