Stone Free

"Stone Free"
B-side to "Hey Joe" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Released December 16, 1966
Recorded November 2, 1966
Genre Funk rock, hard rock
Length 3:35
Label Track
Writer Jimi Hendrix
Producer Chas Chandler
"Stone Free"
Single by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
B-side "If 6 Was 9"
Released September 15, 1969
Format 7"
Recorded November 2, 1966, at De Lane Lea Studios in London, England
Genre Rock, psychedelic rock
Length 3:35
Label Reprise
Writer(s) Jimi Hendrix
Producer Chas Chandler
The Jimi Hendrix Experience singles chronology
"Crosstown Traffic"
(1969)
"Stone Free"
(1969)
"Fire"
(1969)

"Stone Free" is a song by Jimi Hendrix, the first song he wrote.[1] The Jimi Hendrix Experience first released it in December 1966 as the B-side of Hendrix's first single "Hey Joe." In December 1969 "Stone Free" was released as a single in the US, backed with "If 6 Was 9."

The song is one of the few songs by Hendrix played in standard tuning.[1] It was written in one night, apparently inspired by a jam session in London. The bass line for the song resembles that of the Mar-Keys song "Philly Dog."[2]

History

"Stone Free" was recorded after the Experience had signed with Track Records, and was paid for with the Track advance. Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp of Track had arranged for the label to be "underpinned" by Polydor Records, which distributed their releases. It was recorded in De Lane Lea Studios on November 2, 1966, and quickly became popular as "a counterculture anthem" with lyrics reflecting Hendrix's restless way of life.[3]

The song, a staple of Hendrix's set list, slowly changed form and became looser and longer. Inspired by a long, notable performance in the Royal Albert Hall in February 1969[4] (released in 1982 on The Jimi Hendrix Concerts) Hendrix re-recorded it in April of that year[5] at the Record Plant.[6]

Notable covers, other uses of the title

Supergrass recorded a cover of the song that was available on a limited-edition 7" vinyl companion disc to certain packagings of the 12" vinyl release of their debut album, I Should Coco.

Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix was also the name of a 1993 Jimi Hendrix tribute album featuring his songs performed by various artists, including Eric Clapton (who performed the title track), Living Colour, The Cure and Pretenders.

This song is included on the Gran Turismo 3 soundtrack.

The 1969 re-record from the Valleys of Neptune album was included in the Are You Experienced? DLC pack in Rock Band 2. It is just credited as being by Jimi Hendrix in the game, as the Valleys of Neptune album is not part of the Jimi Hendrix Experience discography.

References

  1. ^ a b Johnson, Chad (2006). Jimi Hendrix, Volume 2. Hal Leonard. pp. 97–101. ISBN 9780634077722. http://books.google.com/books?id=dJnsiQJnfj4C&pg=PA97. 
  2. ^ Roby, Steven (2002). Black gold: the lost archives of Jimi Hendrix. Watson-Guptill. pp. 61. ISBN 9780823078547. http://books.google.com/books?id=tpfUzwASj0YC&pg=PA61. 
  3. ^ Shadwick, Keith (2003). Jimi Hendrix, musician. Hal Leonard. pp. 89–90. ISBN 9780879307646. http://books.google.com/books?id=xyegGlo5LeoC&pg=PA90. 
  4. ^ Shadwich, Keith (2003). Jimi Hendrix, musician. Hal Leonard. pp. 175. ISBN 9780879307646. http://books.google.com/books?id=xyegGlo5LeoC&pg=PA175. 
  5. ^ Doggett, Peter (9781844494248). Jimi Hendrix: the complete guide to his music. Omnibus. pp. 116. ISBN 9781844494248. http://books.google.com/books?id=NZC39WzfzG8C&pg=PA116. 
  6. ^ Geldeart, Gary; Steve Rodham (2007). Jimi Hendrix - the Studio Log: A Complete Chronological Guide to Jimi Hendrix's Studio Recording Sessions. Jimpress. pp. 73. ISBN 9780952768647. http://books.google.com/books?id=vH9VLtB3r7UC&pg=PA73. Retrieved 19 May 2010.