Drummer reacts to "1983... (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)" by Jimi Hendrix

[@ConglomerationCat]

This in my opinion is Jimi's absolute masterpiece. Top to bottom. Just so underated. I'm so incredibly happy you reacted to this. It made me cry in a lot of places. Nicely done.

[@L33Reacts]

I’m glad you enjoyed our journey through the ocean! I feel like I have the bends after listening to that again. This man was a juggernaut!

[@ConglomerationCat]

@@L33Reacts It sure was and your reaction was priceless and so appreciative! Cheers friend!

[@ladyvanda]

@@ConglomerationCatI agree 100%. This track is unreal.

[@ConglomerationCat]

@@ladyvanda Headphones seems to be the best experience. It's so way ahead of it's time. I appreciate the Purple Haze and Foxey Lady phases but 1983 is quite the accomplishment and soundscapes. And it for being 1968, it really makes you ponder what would've become as he progressed.

[@ralphthomas7868]

Jimis mastery of the studio is often overlooked. This album opened the envelope of what a studio is capable of.

[@stevenmurano7863]

Absolutely!

[@terrycunningham8118]

Yeah, he played the guitar, but he was always the master of playing the studio.

[@user-vv9it9ye4g]

An ANALOG studio!

[@claytonpaul4259]

Yes! Wish you could include rainy day dream away and still raining still dreaming but it'd be an hour long video lol. Idk if anybody else has done this tune. So epic.

[@janetcarlson9960]

YES

[@janetcarlson9960]

Still Raining Still dreaming!!!!

[@650Max]

There are a couple of versions on the Tube where the uploadee has edited the 2 tracks together, as they always should have been.

[@claytonpaul4259]

@@650Max i call it the sea side of electric ladyland lol

[@L33Reacts]

Now that I know Electric Ladyland isn’t blocked.. I will be trying to tackle the album week by week

[@davescurry69]

Hendrix creating a masterpiece in 1968 that nobody could get close to. It's beyond psychedelic. He transcends the genre, if not the art form.

[@L33Reacts]

I agree. This is beyond music. This is a whole world he has created

[@davescurry69]

@L33Reacts in a way it's almost the most remarkable piece of music in his catalogue. And that's saying something. It looked like you were transported somewhere else listening to this. This song shows that Hendrix was so much more than just a phenomenal guitarist. Producer, songwriter, singer, visionary. That's why he's rated as the best. He's a true genius. The other great guitarists who followed him are just that; great guitarists. That's all. There's still some incredible music from Electric Ladyland that you haven't heard yet, Lee. The song that precedes "1983..." on the album is "Rainy Day, Dream Away", which in turn morphs into "Still Raining, Still Dreaming", even though the latter is on the next Side.

[@mr.goodenough3796]

So cool that you're reacting this song.👍

[@pierretoureille7359]

Majestic, beautiful, and totally unique - who else ever did something like this? The influence on PF's Echoes is clear.

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

Excellent song from an excellent album. "Right this way, smiles a mermaid; I can hear Atlantis full of cheer." Chris Wood from Traffic. Remember, Jimi passed in 1970, so 1983 was a bit futuristic.

[@arizrich]

Ah yes, I think dozens of us mentioned this song, it's always been one of my favorites. Glad that you got to it. I always found it inspiring somehow.

[@michaelkivi3908]

One of my favorite obscure Jimi songs...psychedelic as hell with his sci-fi lyrics and a great vocal performance. You might also want to check out One Rainy Wish from Axis: Bold as Love.

[@-R.Gray-]

Besides playing around with stereo panning, they were experimenting with what you could do with delay units. I read he probably used an Echoplex. On old analog delay units you can do things like bend sounds (like the cymbals on this song) and create runaway feedback/oscillation of those sounds, which can then be panned back and forth. Tweeking the delay time will change pitches being played, and the repeat knob can create the runaway oscillation. I was able to do this with an old DOD 585 analog delay guitar pedal. Unfortunately the ending of this piece is given another name ("Moon, Turn The Tides... Gently,Gently Away")and separated differently in different formats. It continues where this song left off with some of that delay oscillation that always reminded me of a space ship circling, and then leaving. Too bad you didn't hear that ending.

[@allanmakela3011]

Havn,t heard this in a while,he was a genius,and a beautifull soulfull person.lives in his musical world,almost abstract talent,untouchable

[@dougieyou]

AMAZING...Lee you are the only reactor I have seen who has done this track... Kudos to you my Man.... so glad you are experiencing Jimi. He certainly changed my life when I was exposed to him and opened my mind ...wide open !!!

[@L33Reacts]

Idk if I’m the first but I’m glad to be able to share this song with somebody who might not have heard it (like me) I bet it will knock their socks off too lol

[@stevenwitt1812]

One of my favorite Hendrix songs from one of the greatest albums ever. I love how the song fits between Rainy Day, Dream Away and Still Raining, Still Dreaming on the album. Wonderfully creative and absolutely perfect. Beautiful.

[@chrisdurham6517]

You are awesome! Except for Hendrix freaks and recording nuts almost nobody addresses this masterpiece. From Rainy Day through the 1983 suite to Still Raining, this is the most creative control Jimi had anywhere except onstage. Thanks for playing this. For yourself if you get the time listen to those songs uninterrupted, it's worth hearing the vision of this genius. Thanks again.

[@NoviJimB]

I remember listening to this song over and over for a while in my mid teens. My parents didn't appreciate Jimi. :) Lots of great songs on this album. Two that are really underappreciated are 'House Burning Down' and 'Burning Of The Midnight Lamp'. 'Come On' as well. The amount of great music he put out in just 3 1/2 years is incredible, and he was THE creative force in the band, not to mention a huge influence on so many great guitar players. Just as The Beatles changed the face of rock and roll in 1964 and influenced so many, Jimi changed the face of guitar playing and influenced many great guitar players both present (back then) and future.

[@SeaMark782]

My mind was blown at 13 when this album was released. I've never quite recovered. Jimi and the ocean, to live and breathe underwater, jellyfish floating on the water. Don't got a bone in its jelly back. I became a Fisheries Biologist, true story, not because of Jimi, but he got me thinking.

[@allenlocke1935]

Somehow this one has evaded me all my life until now. Incredibly amazing!

[@glenndespres5317]

This is the nirvana of Jimi’s music for me. You can imagine putting this vinyl on with some good friends on a weekend and sparking up, and just…. Taking the ride. Watching each others faces and expression as we reacted to hearing this amazing music. Good conversations followed for sure. I could tell watching you how much you appreciated this. Makes me smile. Nice take by bringing up Yes- TFTO- Revealing Science.

[@tomfowler381]

Welcome to my dorm room in 1968. A bit of the devil’s lettuce, some incense and friends. What a trip…✌️

[@L33Reacts]

Sounds like the place to be!!

[@kavimontanaro7976]

Great choice. My wife teaches this song in her world science fiction course at Johns Hopkins.

[@lisarainbow9703]

So down and down and down and down And down and down we go...🎶🎶 So excited for this reaction, it's a brilliant piece of songwriting...

[@L33Reacts]

I hope you enjoyed 🙏

[@Linda-y9h]

Jimi. Love his voice. It soothes me. ❤😊

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

This is the good stuff

[@aldobop57]

I have not heard this in decades...OMG.

[@AntonyFleck]

Can still feel the Acid dripping in !!....

[@pmoran7971]

This has always been my top Hendrix track, and he produced it himself, Chas Chandler had already gone home, and at the end of the track you can hear the Aliens landing, [three times] you missed the end

[@neilwoodley530]

Hey kiddo. I'm ashamed.... I'd completely forgotten how wonderful this track is. Thank you for this. Something to complete the picture for you would be to find the original album cover that we had in England. Trust me, it will be revealing. Great stuff as ever. 8.25pm....you made my day.

[@L33Reacts]

I’m glad to hear it, my friend. Always happy to make others happy lol to a fault almost 😂

[@garykaufman1799]

Thank you, thank you. I feel myself so blessed to have witnessed Jimi live twice while I was 18. My life has been better for having done so.

[@Eugene-u8f]

From the same album...Rainy day dream away

[@VereinPlatzhirschamHirschenpla]

I have to say this: You‘re a great reactor, thanks a lot!

[@L33Reacts]

Well shucks I appreciate that. I try. I’m not everyone’s cup of coffee but that’s life 🤷😂

[@fredmcveigh9877]

Hendrix at his very best. What a journey he takes us on with this masterpiece.

[@Bluesrockguy]

Thank you so much for reacting to this song. Such a work of art. There are moments in the song where I swear I can see schools of fish swim right up to my face, feel my body getting hit with tidal waves. And some of the best drumming I've heard Mitch play.

[@ponchocastaneda]

Epic song, and great reaction!... Whenever I listen to it, I like to do the whole "suite" - "Rain Day, Dream Away", then "1983...", and wrapping it up with "Still Raining Still Dreaming". I feel like they all gel as a cohesive unit and should be enjoyed all together. I didn't mention "Moon Turn the Tides Gently away" but that's part of "1983" I guess. This masterpiece takes you on a trip... almost impossible to believe this is more than 55 years old.

[@mysterymac38]

Very great album. Every song is outstanding.

[@michaelwebster8389]

This is my favourite Hendrix studio song. Just so good - great scifi themes and a real trip.

[@michaelwebster8389]

If you like trippy, you should try Side 1 of "Anthem of the Sun", The Grateful Dead's second record. It's a real trip.

[@John-et9yl]

😅Jimi's finest 13 minutes and 25 seconds. 'kin Masterpiece. Electric Ladyland has to be in the top three double albums of all time.

[@KevyNova]

This is my favorite song by my favorite guitarist. Jimi’s masterpiece!

[@chrisnicol1644]

See what you and Eddie Cramer can do with just 8-tracks.... A masterpiece....

[@alvillanueva2525]

Eddie Kramer was even better.

[@jamesmcclain5005]

Electric Ladyland is an AWESOME album.

[@dawntucker5052]

The creativity of hendrix is immense ❤

[@timkeough2695]

God i miss Jimi! His passing ripped a hole in my heart. Mitch was on fire!

[@jamessullivan5860]

I would play this song when going to bed. Great way to chill and let my mind float away.

[@patrickdoake6022]

Jimi was a deep thinker into space, stars the universe. Gone back to the cosmos where he came from.

[@robertkees6048]

Jim Hendrix is the most magical guitarist I've ever heard, but I don't think there is anywhere Jimi could roam in the universe that Mitch Mitchel couldn't follow him.

[@janetcarlson9960]

Still Raining Still dreaming!!!

[@davidthrower1553]

This is the song that turned me from someone who liked Hendrix into a Hendrix junkie. Someone left a copy of this album in our Sixth form base at school…and we played it to death!!!! A combination of this music and being introduced to dope was such an amazing experience . Thank you for picking this and bringing back some happy memories from my informative teen years.

[@janetcarlson9960]

Jimi was born and raised in Seattle, those sounds of seagulls and fog horns!!!!

[@VereinPlatzhirschamHirschenpla]

I feel like under the sea.

[@johnsilva9139]

Yes. Amazing piece of work, especially when paired with "still raining, still dreaming". Also, sound wise, it reminds me of the song "Pali Gap", an often overlooked instrumental from Jimi's "Rainbow Bridge" album, released posthumously.

[@tomratcliff3755]

Have to just jump in and say Thanks! Love the whole vibe on this song.

[@maraboo72]

If someone would ask me without any doubt and without hesitation I would sas that this my favorite Jimi song. The first time I heard of this song was in 1969 when a friend of mine had recorded the few bars of the main guitar theme over and over again for almost 15 minutres. Playing the lp - wait to the exact right moment - start recording - stopping the tape recorder at the exact right moment before the c# chord - lift the tonearm from the lp - bring the arm back - down the tonearm - wait to the exact right moment - start recording ... A fantastic haunting result...

[@AMcGeeScorned]

For all the "Epic" rock songs that get reaction videos on youtube, songs like Stairway to Heaven and Bohemian Rhapsody or the Doors The End, this song is woefully neglected. It's such a strange, beautiful, interesting song, there is nothing like it. Thank you for doing this video!

[@Gravel-Idle]

Yes, yes, yes. I was one of many who requested it and its stomp down amazing, really mind blowing. So glad you enjoyed it

[@L33Reacts]

Yeah this is easily one of my favorite compositions of his… fantastic detail and imagery. He was truly a bold musician in so many way. Bold as love, baby 😎👍

[@chazm3]

Moon Turn the Tides, Gently, Gently away is definitely the Coda to 1983, part of a single composition in various movements like a classical symphony. It’s absolutely unthinkable to not listen to the whole composition at once. It’s like We Will Rock You / We Are the Champions, which we’re not together on the album but we’re released together as a single. Some people think that Steve Hackett’s solo acoustic guitar solo Horizons should be considered a prelude to Supper’s Ready.

[@jimhardiman3836]

They were together on News Of The World. Opening cuts.

[@ROUGHSEES]

One of my favorite Jimi tracks, kiddo. Thanks for covering it.

[@billhawkins1236]

Give kudos to Eddie Kramer, the engineer, he was like the 4th member of this awesome three piece band.

[@hongfang2348]

Electric Ladyland is my favorite Hendrix album, and it's a double album! It's his 3rd and last studio album, although a 4th live album was released with the Band of Gypsies before Jimi passed. I love all 3 studio albums. They are a must in any collection.

[@shirleybhs9zd6li5i]

JImi liked to take his listener on a journey, and we joyfully jumped on board. Born and raised in the pacific northwest like Jimi, this track resonates with me. It somehow refreshes me. Glad you played this one Lee. Not many others would. Blessings all.

[@patrickandraska2033]

Now that is an amazing deep cut!!! No one reacts to that. Amazing guitar parts in that whole thing.

[@kevinlundgren1169]

Fantastic album!!! I bought this album in 1987 or 88, I am real surprised that it is not wore out !! Fantastic album !!

[@jamesmcclain5005]

@@kevinlundgren1169 I had heard Hendrix before, and I wasn't impressed, until I listened to this, and it was jaw dropping! A friend turned me on to it, I was blown away!

[@jamesmcclain5005]

@@kevinlundgren1169 As a child I didn't enjoy Hendrix because I was too young to understand, I was 12. I looked at him and didn't understand what was going on, it all seemed like some mad skit, with Jimi crawling around on the ground. The people viewing it were all in red and looked like zombies. I said well this is preposterous I'm out! It wasn't until years later that I found out that what was going on was real, I was floored! I became a big fan. Hendrix's spirit lives on the air he's "Phantasic"!

[@jameswoodside5933]

This is one of my favorite Hendrix tunes.

[@tdgallagher218]

I haven't heard this song in such a long, long time that most of it felt as if it was my first listen. What a fantastic effort they did to put this song together. It flowed seamlessly from one segment to another that it literally gave listeners a journey as though they were adrift on the open airways. Such an absolutely phenomenal song. I fully expect this song to be playing in my head for the next few days. Back in the early 80s, I recorded a few songs off the Electric Ladyland vinyl onto a cassette tape. My goal was to attach the end of 'Rainy Day, Dream Away' to the beginning of 'Still Raining, Still Dreaming' as they originally were recorded without any noticeable effect in the audio. The big problem was that on the vinyl, Rainy Day is on Side C, and Still Raining is on Side D. Bear in mind that while I was executing this, I had only the basic equipment to work with: a turntable and a cassette deck. Putting the two songs together to sound like one track seemed like a clearly difficult task, but much to my delight, I was able to achieve the feat in only two attempts. I was so proud of my work that I told everybody who I remotely thought would appreciate it. I was smiling for an entire week after all was said and done.

[@will-x9c]

A trippy dreamy masterpiece from the all time master of dreamy trips and trippy dreams. This brings back memories. Jimi could take you places, light years beyond. Mitch sounds like Buddy Rich at times. Jimi was just getting warmed up, maturing musically. What might have been (sigh).

[@RonaldWilliams-lp3bg]

Man you are the first reactor I've ever seen react to this particular track this is a great song man but you are the first I've seen to listen to it wow 👍🥁🥁 this is really good when you listen to it on LSD when I used to take that I would listen to this when I was like 17 years old really appreciate your breakdown of a classic 👍🥁🥁💯

[@bobcorbin3294]

My favorite song off my favorite album since 1969 When my sister brought it home from college

[@jumpinbruno]

We used to do our lsd thing to this amazing piece of muziek. I was at the concert where he premiered this album. You should have lived in this time. You get it 👍

[@freda1182]

Wow - really enjoyed that - the ocean imagery. Great reaction.

[@jimideaton]

One of my "go to" songs. Love.

[@JohnLedger-g4i]

A masterpiece !!!!

[@johnthursfield3056]

imho Electric Ladyland, of which this is the majority of side 3, is still the greatest album of all time. It was all done on 12 track which was state of the art. Well worth hearing sides 3 and 4 in context.

[@L33Reacts]

I plan on it. Now that I know they won’t be blocked like a lot of his other releases, I will be tackling this album now.

[@chazm3]

It is my favorite album of all time, and I believe Voodoo Child (slight return) is the greatest moment in rock, both for the incendiary guitar and the badass lyrics. Since I’m a harpsichord player I have a special place in my heart for Burning of the Midnight Lamp. A huge number of people have called All Along the Watchtower the greatest cover track of all time. Have You Ever Been to Electric Ladyland is his most underrated track and the jazziest and best Hendrix harmonizing with himself. Hey Lee! When you said during 1983 that you had never heard Hendrix singing like that I immediately thought wait till you hear Have You Ever Been to Electric Ladyland! Well I didn’t mean to take up all your sweet time I’ll give it right back to you one of these days, so don’t be late.

[@jurgenschmidt2759]

A great song from Jimi is "Drifting" from what was supposed to become the "First Rays of the new rising sun" and because of his dead ended up on "Cry of Love" - beautiful ballad. Please listen to that song somewhen. And I think "Little Wing" is still waiting, too.

[@CliffordLake]

There's an Allman Brothers cover of this that segues into Mountain Jam. Just search "Allman Brothers a merman" and it'll show up.

[@L33Reacts]

That sounds like a future video waiting to happen… lol

[@Carl-b1q]

We have the original by Jimi, that's enough.

[@KenHunter-lt8wm]

Haven't heard that in many years. Excellent!

[@mattreynolds612]

This and 3rd Stone are his best!!! At least with this band.

[@L33Reacts]

Third stone from the sun is a masterpiece too. That was one of my first Jimi songs and it captivated me

[@realbser1956]

Not familiar with all of Jimi’s catalog. This was a trip. Such a different side of him. So proggy. Really enjoyed this one Lee. 🔥

[@SnoopySnoops1]

Been too long since I heard this. Thanks Lee!

[@L33Reacts]

Glad to be of service :) gotta keep the flame burning

[@EvanWeber1234]

great tune great album

[@robertdupuis3300]

I bought Electric Ladyland when it came out. Called my friend. We both dropped acid and enjoyed a wonderful trip. I visited a kind of garden of Eden that night. The music in those years was mind blowing.

[@pierretoureille7359]

Love Chris Woods' flute on this!

[@damonhines8187]

So far as I'm aware, you haven't yet done the title track from this album, 'Have You Ever Been To Electric Ladyland'; like this one, a fave of mine to play, solo acoustic only, never got to try it with others. '...Electric Ladyland' was notable for Jimi listening to the playback and erupting, exulting, "I can sing, I can sing!!" This may have been later in the sessions. Yeah, he can sing. We knew it. ✌🏼😊🎶❤️🍁❤️✨️🐬

[@tedsmith7814]

An incredible piece of abstract art, this.

[@russellmillar7132]

Damn...I hate to admit that when I owned the album, in '69, initially I wasn't a fan of this song. Then one day a buddy of mine came over when my parents were out of town. He had some hashish. It was my first real high and I was floating. My friend had not ever heard a Hendrix album, I told him to pick a side and we blasted it. He chose the side that had this tune on it and we both got blown away and lost in all the complexity. 55 years ago.

[@keninboulder76]

one of my favorites

[@corawheeler9355]

That was amazing .. so different

[@user-vv9it9ye4g]

Without this album and 1983 in particular, we might not have had Close to the Edge.

[@L33Reacts]

Seriously? What’s the story behind that?

[@armandogarza6181]

Little late for this party, Jimi was his own genre bro...genius totally!

[@PaulHansen-h5y]

I'd call this the deepest psychedelic rock song ever. I may be swayed by the fact that first time I ever heard it was on 5+ hits of green blotter. Was carried away then and still now over 50 yrs later.

[@erikahlander3489]

Jimi Hendrix, and especially this song opened and widened my mind for what music could be - and no (other) drugs involved - in 1970 - just entered high school! Opened for Jethro Tull, Frank Zappa and later Gentle Giant, Mahavishnu etc. If there were digital cameras and pc:s available in those days I had tried to turn the music into pictures - but my Practica and b/w film was not enough...

[@randygray8921]

I remember someone finding hrs. of unreleased music and then 2 albums were released back in the 70's.

[@Trunkfish]

Yes Lee! My all time favorite Jimi song his epic studio masterpiece

[@supafrogg258]

I'm not aware of a live version of "1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)". It's been a while since I caught one interview about the recording's production. I do recall that Eddie Kramer was the engineer on the recording, and that it was a sound tapestry, constructed through a performance of live mixing many different pre-recorded tracks. Jimi did the mixing with Eddie Kramer's assistance. An alternate take with subtle differences exists, which is good, and worth seeking out.

[@jeanpierrebutel6794]

at the time with this kind of piece we said "have you pass your acid test"

[@CapAnson12345]

If you notice.. a HUGE number of Jimi's songs deal with the classical greek elements Earth, Water, Air, Fire. If they're not directly about it.. then it features heavily or is mentioned in the lyrics. It runs through his entire catalog.

[@L33Reacts]

He was in tune with what is really going on here. Not the fantasy we have created for ourselves.

[@Carl-b1q]

The four element theory existed long before any supposed Greeks, in Egypt/Nubia, India, China, and many other societies. Your vomiting your western mis-educational, brainwashing of attributing everything of civilization to the "Greeks" when the area was called Hallada, not even Greece. I reject this programming. Read Anatoly Fomenko, he makes a very academically sound position, of course rejected by western academia, argues most of what has been propagandized about the Greek Miracles of civilization were fabricated at a much later time.

[@jamesmcclain5005]

A MAD Genius!

[@robinwembley2578]

On my first trip back in 1970, there was a guy present who obviously knew how to kcuf with a first time tripper's musical brain. Played the whole side on which this song resides and followed it up with Grateful Dead's Dark Star from 'Live Dead'.

[@madintuitsports5513]

“House Burning Down! “ badass snot on this album as well!

[@hopeklemann1]

🌸 your first sentence in this video? HELL YES!!! lol

[@jeffmartin1026]

On the LP this song is bookended with Rainy Day, Dream Away and Still Raining, Still Dreaming. The whole side runs together as a single unit. The ending you missed is listed as a separate track (Moon Turn the Tide... Gently, Gently Away) on CDs which is why you didn't hear it. Paul Kantner was taking out into space (Blows Against the Empire) and Jimi was taking us to Atlantis. What a time, what a time that was.

[@michaelwoods9005]

On all vinyl versions side 3 ends with 'Moon turn the tides'. Side 4 starts with 'Still raining, still dreaming'.

[@pierretoureille7359]

But listening to this framed by Rainy Day Dream Away and by Still Raining Still Dreaming adds to the total multi-leveled scene he is painting

[@luiginieto7934]

Sounds liquid. Love it