Jimi Hendrix - Band Of Gypsys (150g)
50th Anniversary edition
Jimi Hendrix – guitar, vocals [Click here to see more vinyl featuring Jimi Hendrix]
Billy Cox – bass, vocals
Buddy Miles – drums, vocals
Written by Jimi Hendrix (A1-2, B2-3), Buddy Miles (B1, B4)
1 LP, Gatefold jacket including a 8-page booklet with liner notes and 24" x 36" Poster
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 150g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Live
Record Press : Quality Record Pressings
Label : Capitol
Original Label : Capitol
Mixed by Eddie Kramer
Engineered by Wally Heider
Produced by Jimi Hendrix
Mastered by George Marino and longtime Hendrix engineer Eddie Kramer at Sterling Sound
Liner notes by Jimi Hendrix
Photography by Jan Blom
Tracks :
Side A:
- Who Knows
- Machine Gun
Side B:
- Changes
- Power to Love
- Message to Love
- We Gotta Live Together
“Band of Gypsys was the only live recording authorized by Jimi Hendrix before his death. It was recorded and released in order to get Hendrix out from under a contractual obligation that had been hanging over his head for a couple years. Helping him out were longtime friends Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on the drums because the Experience had broken up in June of 1969, following a show in Denver. This rhythm section was vastly different from the Experience. Buddy Miles was an earthy, funky drummer in direct contrast to the busy, jazzy leanings of Mitch Mitchell. Noel Redding was not really a bass player at all but a converted guitar player who was hired in large part because Hendrix liked his hair! These new surroundings pushed Hendrix to new creative heights. Along with this new rhythm section, Hendrix took these shows as an opportunity to showcase much of the new material he had been working on. The music was a seamless melding of rock, funk, and R&B, and tunes like "Message to Love" and "Power to Love" showed a new lyrical direction as well. Although he could be an erratic live performer, for these shows, Hendrix was on -- perhaps his finest performances. His playing was focused and precise. In fact, for most of the set, Hendrix stood motionless, a far cry from the stage antics that helped establish his reputation as a performer. Equipment problems had plagued him in past live shows as well, but everything was perfect for the Fillmore shows. His absolute mastery of his guitar and effects is even more amazing considering that this was the first time he used the Fuzz Face, wah-wah pedal, Univibe, and Octavia pedals on-stage together. The guitar tones he gets on "Who Knows" and "Power to Love" are powerful and intense, but nowhere is his absolute control more evident than on "Machine Gun," where Hendrix conjures bombs, guns, and other sounds of war from his guitar, all within the context of a coherent musical statement. The solo on "Machine Gun" totally rewrote the book on what a man could do with an electric guitar and is arguably the most groundbreaking and devastating guitar solo ever. These live versions of "Message to Love" and "Power to Love" are far better than the jigsaw puzzle studio versions that were released posthumously. Two Buddy Miles compositions are also included, but the show belongs to Jimi all the way. Band of Gypsys is not only an important part of the Hendrix legacy, but one of the greatest live albums ever.” AllMusic Review by Sean Westergaard
Ratings :