Stone Free
Encyclopedia
"Stone Free" is a song by Jimi Hendrix
, the first song he wrote. 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
. 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."
, 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.
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 (released in 1982 on The Jimi Hendrix Concerts
) Hendrix re-recorded it in April of that year at the Record Plant.
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.
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, the first song he wrote. The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Jimi Hendrix Experience were an English-American psychedelic rock band that formed in London in October 1966. Comprising eponymous singer-songwriter and guitarist Jimi Hendrix, bassist and backing vocalist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, the band was active until June 1969, in which...
first released it in December 1966 as the B-side of Hendrix's first single "Hey Joe
Hey Joe
"Hey Joe" is an American popular song from the 1960s that has become a rock standard and as such, has been performed in a multitude of musical styles by hundreds of different artists since it was first written. "Hey Joe" tells the story of a man who is on the run and planning to head to Mexico...
." 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
Standard tuning
In music, standard tuning refers to the typical tuning of a string instrument. This notion is contrary to that of scordatura, i.e. an alternate tuning designated to modify either the timbre or technical capabilities of the desired instrument.-Bowed strings:...
. 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
Mar-Keys
The Mar-Keys, formed in 1958, were an American studio session band for the Stax label from Memphis, Tennessee, in the 1960s. As the first house band for the label, their backing music formed the foundation for the early 1960s Stax sound.-Career:...
song "Philly Dog."
History
"Stone Free" was recorded after the Experience had signed with Track RecordsTrack Records
Track Records is an English record label founded in London in 1966 by Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp, then managers of hard rock band The Who. The most successful artists whose work appeared on the Track label were The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Thunderclap...
, and was paid for with the Track advance. Kit Lambert
Kit Lambert
Christopher "Kit" Sebastian Lambert was a record producer and the manager for The Who.-Early life:Kit Lambert was the son of noted composer, Constant Lambert...
and Chris Stamp
Chris Stamp
Christopher Stamp is a British psychodrama therapist based in the state of New York. Stamp is also known for co-founding the now defunct Track Records and for co-managing and producing such musical acts as The Who and Jimi Hendrix in the 1960s and '70s.-Childhood:Born into a working-class family,...
of Track had arranged for the label to be "underpinned" by Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
, which distributed their releases. It was recorded in De Lane Lea Studios
De Lane Lea Studios
De Lane Lea Studios is a recording studio, currently based in Dean Street, Soho, London, England, UK. Although the studios have mainly been used for dubbing feature films and television programmes, major artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Pink...
on November 2, 1966, and quickly became popular as "a counterculture anthem" with lyrics reflecting Hendrix's restless way of life.
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
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in February 1969 (released in 1982 on The Jimi Hendrix Concerts
The Jimi Hendrix Concerts
-Recording details:*Tracks 1 and 10 recorded at the Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, USA on October 12, 1968 *Track 6 recorded at the Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, USA on October 12, 1968...
) Hendrix re-recorded it in April of that year at the Record Plant.
Notable covers, other uses of the title
SupergrassSupergrass
Supergrass was an English alternative rock band from Oxford. The band consisted of brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes , Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey ....
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
I Should Coco
I Should Coco is the debut studio album by English alternative rock band Supergrass, released through Parlophone in May 1995. Supergrass were formed in 1993 by Gaz Coombes, Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey and they released their debut single from the album, "Caught by the Fuzz", in May 1995 on the...
.
Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix
Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix
Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix is a 1993 album recorded by various artists in tribute to Jimi Hendrix. The artists were drawn from many genres of popular music. Contributors include his classic rock contemporaries Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, blues man Buddy Guy, classical violinist Nigel...
was also the name of a 1993 Jimi Hendrix tribute album featuring his songs performed by various artists, including Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
(who performed the title track), Living Colour
Living Colour
Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by free jazz, funk, neo-psychedelia, hard rock, and heavy metal...
, The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
and Pretenders.
This song is included on the Gran Turismo 3
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is considered a critical and commercial success for Sony in Japan, Europe, and North America. The game is highly praised by game reviewers and players as one of the best racing games ever made. GT3 also received a Platinum Award from Electronic Gaming Monthly...
soundtrack.
The 1969 re-record from the Valleys of Neptune
Valleys of Neptune
-Recording details:All recording details are included in the Valleys of Neptune booklet, except for the Target tracks, which are listed on the inside of the Digipack behind the CD.Target bonus tracks-Album artwork:...
album was included in the Are You Experienced? DLC pack in Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2 is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems. It is the sequel to Rock Band and is the second title in the series. The game allows up to four players to simulate the performance of popular songs by playing with controllers modeled after musical instruments...
. 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.