Jimi Hendrix - Band Of Gypsys
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Free Music Notes for Band Of Gypsys
Free Music Review: in a tent after the preacher went home
Hit: 5 Stars
Between raw and refined it's the perfect sugar rock candy baby. Hard and hurts your mouth. Right here blues and soul met like the origin of rock did in a tent after the preacher went home. Blues from a paratrooper back when vet blues were heard sweetheart. Do you hear them now? No matter what version, this rock has already hit you.Free Music Review: Second-best Hendrix disc
Hit: 5 Stars
This is by far the best-known out of Jimi's live releases, partially because it was the only official live album of his lifetime. And the truth is it's quite good. In fact, it's my second-favorite Hendrix album (behind only masterpiece Electric Ladyland).
Jimi's sound was changing around this time, and it makes me wonder what future LP's would have been like had Jimi lived to release them. Whereas AYE and Axis (and Electric Ladyland, to a lesser extent) were mainly psychadelic efforts, Band of Gypsies is more. True, it is heavily drenched in psychadelia (listen to masterpiece Machine Gun for an example) but it's more than that. The album is jazzier and funkier than anything Hendrix would release before, even integrating gospel music occasionally. That and the Band of Gypsies, with Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on drums, is the best band Jimi ever worked with.
OK, so what about the music? Well, of course it's good. Besides Machine Gun - a candidate for Jimi's best song - it also boasts the loose jam Who Knows, complete with its improvised lyrics by drummer Buddy Miles, and the well-written Power of Soul, mislabled "Power to Love". Plus it's got Message to Love, a gospel rave-up that has zero control. In truth, the only place this album really falters are Buddy Miles' two compositions. Though they are enjoyable pieces, neither of the two can compare with Machine Gun or Power of Soul.
Another good thing about this disc is how Jimi uses a set of all new songs here. Most artists use the live album to play their hits. But the Band of Gypsies material was 100% new, so don't ocming looking for the 1,000th version of Foxey Lady, Red House or Voodoo Child (Slight Return).
Free Music Review: Why bother?
Hit: 1 Stars
Why waste your cash on this? The double CD Hendrix Live at Fillmore East has the the most complete recorded audio of the TWO concerts Hendrix and Band of Gypsys did for New Years' 1969. It's also remastered and rules since you get more of Buddy Miles' tracks. The DVD Band of Gypsys is a nice companion piece. Forget the single disc, it's only a piece of catalog for another record company that doesn't do justice to the shows.Free Music Review: POWER OF SOUL INDEED!
Hit: 5 Stars
A high school buddy turned me on to this when it came out on vinyl and it remains a favorite Hendrix recording of mine. It's funky and it rocks. Sure, Mitch Mitchell might be a better drummer than Miles but Buddy's in the pocket groove is what Jimi needed on this disc and it meshes beautifully with Cox's funky bass playing.
The track 'Machine Gun' is a tour de force of guitar playing. Only Jimi could pull off something like this. I love Mitch Mitchell's drumming but Buddy's backbeat really holds things down beautifully. The beginning of 'Power To Love' is pure Hendrix.
This is probably my favorite 'air guitar' CD. It is no mistake that some of the best and most well known guitar players continue to cite Jimi as an influence. He was ahead of his time. I can't say this is his best recording but for me it's one of my favorites and will remain so. JIMI FOREVER FOREVER JIMI
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Free Music Review: One of the Best Live Albums of All Time
Hit: 5 Stars
There is a common debate amongst Hendrix fans. Which is better? Is it The Jimi Hendrix Experience or is it The Band of Gypsies? I have listened to both extensively and my answer is yes. They are both mind blowing. However I must say that I prefer the Gypsies. Here's why: The Experience is a looser and more pyschedelic sound. The gypsies are tighter, funkier and the sound is more grounded. As I said I love both. However the difference for me is in the chemistry of the players. If you listen to the music you will notice a definite difference in the bass players. Noel Redding's bass is not very distinct on the Experience albums whereas Billy Cox is out in front with Jimi, jamming with him note for note. As far as the drumming goes, my ears reveal that Mitch Mitchell with his jazz leanings is a more accomplished drummer than then earthy, stompy playing of Buddy Miles. However, Mitch Mitchell is the only drummer to have played with both bass players. Although I feel that Mitchell is the superior drummer it is clear that he doesn't lock into Billy's bass playing nearly as well. So the overall chemistry is better with the gypsies. Plus with Buddy Miles you get the addition of some real soulful lead and back up vocals.
Pick up this album and Live At The Fillmore East and you will hear for yourself. "Who Knows" opens the album with an infectious funk groove on which Jimi solos with ease. "Machine Gun" follows and is arguably Jimi's greatest musical accomplishment. "Machine Gun" is the best anti war song ever written. Both its lyrics and its musical performance paint a haunting picture of the realities of war. It is a brilliant and breathtaking performance.
Buddy Miles contributes his hit "Changes," to the album. The tune features a classic Jimi riff. "Power of Soul" and "Message to Love," are great Hendrix penned slow songs that showcase Jimi's virtuosity, the funky rhythm section, and the soulful vocal performances that this group was capable of.
Unfortunately the last tune is cut off, you can get the full version complete with the "Voodoo Child" lead in on Fillmore East.
All in all this is a classic in Jimi's catalog and gives an idea into what might have been.