Crosstown Traffic (song)
{{Infobox song
| name = Crosstown Traffic
| cover = Crosstown Traffic cover.jpg
| alt =
| caption = West German single picture sleeve
| type = single
| artist = the Jimi Hendrix Experience
| album = Electric Ladyland
| B-side = Gypsy Eyes
| released = *{{Start date|1968|11|18}} (US)
- April 4, 1969 (UK)
| recorded = December 20–21, 1967
| studio = Olympic, London
| genre = Psychedelic funk{{cite book |last1=Dave |first1=Moskowitz |title=The Words and Music of Jimi Hendrix |date=2010 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=43}}
| length = 2:18From the original US Reprise Records single
| label = *Reprise (US)
- Track (UK)
| writer = Jimi Hendrix
| producer = Jimi Hendrix
| misc = {{External music video|header=Official audio|{{YouTube|px5kIbXbgvU|"Crosstown Traffic "}}}}
}}
"Crosstown Traffic" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience for their third album, Electric Ladyland (1968). It was released as a single after "All Along the Watchtower", reaching number 52 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 37 on the UK Singles Chart.[http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/jimi%20hendrix%20experience/ The Jimi Hendrix Experience in the UK Charts], The Official Charts.
Background
This recording features the full line-up of the Experience with Hendrix on guitar and vocals, Noel Redding on bass guitar, and Mitch Mitchell on drums, in contrast to many other songs on the album which featured guest musicians. Hendrix also plays a makeshift kazoo made with a comb and tissue paper in tandem at points with his lead guitar, and backing vocals are performed by Redding along with Dave Mason.
With its hard rock riff, the song mixes elements of blues and acid rock.{{cite book|title=The Album|date=17 October 2012|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-37906-2|page=3}}{{cite book|author1=Patricia Romanowski Bashe|author2=Patricia Romanowski|author3=Holly George-Warren|author4=Jon Pareles|title=The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll|year=1995|publisher=Fireside|isbn=978-0-684-81044-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonee00patr/page/58 58]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonee00patr/page/58}} It is an early example of the psychedelic funk subgenre.{{cite book |last1=Dave |first1=Moskowitz |title=The Words and Music of Jimi Hendrix |date=2010 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=43}}
Reception
Billboard described the single as a "pulsating swinger" that "will make a powerful chart dent."{{cite news|newspaper=Billboard|accessdate=2021-02-21|date=November 23, 1968|page=83|title=Spotlight Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1968/Billboard%201968-11-23.pdf}} Cash Box described it as an "explosive session" with "massive instrumental impact and a heavy vocal."{{cite magazine |title=CashBox Record Reviews |date=November 23, 1968 |page=22 |access-date=2022-01-12 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1968/CB-1968-11-23.pdf |magazine=Cash Box}} Record World said that "it shakes with excitement."{{cite magazine|title=Single Picks of the Week|magazine=Record World|date=November 30, 1968|page=1|accessdate=2023-05-21|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/68/Record-World-1968-11-30.pdf}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Jimi Hendrix singles}}
{{Jimi Hendrix}}
{{authority control}}
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Category:The Jimi Hendrix Experience songs
Category:Songs about New York City
Category:Songs written by Jimi Hendrix
Category:Reprise Records singles