Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsys
I strongly believe a collection of album reviews must always include a Live Album. Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys is a member of the “I remember where I was when I first heard this album” club. In fact, it is so vivid, I am brought back to that memory every time I hear it.
Band of Gypsys was a small departure for Jimi Hendrix and his successful world touring band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1969 and 1970. Recorded at the Fillmore East in New York City on two nights, December 31st 1969 and January 1st 1970, Band of Gypsys did not include the original band members from Hendrix’s Experience, but instead featured, Billy Cox on bass guitar and Buddy Miles on drums and backing vocals. It is believed that Cox and Miles joined Hendrix in the recording of this live show to help Hendrix settle a contract dispute with a former manager.
Earlier in 1969, while Jimi was wrapping up his world tour with the Experience, he was growing frustrated with his current lineup and explored jamming with new musicians. In October of that same year, he began jamming with Miles and Cox and the three realized they had chemistry together.
As a young teenager, I was at the peak of my Seattle Grunge music phase and had just started the downward curve of my obsession with 80’s hair metal. Although I still love both genres today, I will forever include Band of Gypsys as an album that changed my view of music forever.
Growing up, I was lucky to have friends with older siblings. These siblings were very influential over my friends in terms of culture and music. I can remember sitting in my friend’s house in Natick, Massachusetts, discussing the large volume of intelligence I felt I had with regards to quality music. While my friend listened politely, I noticed he was also pulling a Compact Disc out of its case. I remember him acknowledging my discussion points, nodding then hitting the play button on his sound system. What I heard next changed my musical life forever.
Track one begins with Who Knows, the first track of 6. Editions released in both the UK and Japan received 3 additional bonus tracks. Who Knows contains probably the most addictive, toe tapping, finger grooving, hand slapping opening riff and rhythm ever created. It repeats itself throughout the entire song while Jimi puts his Fender Stratocaster notes down on top and in the middle of it all. Drummer Buddy Miles adds significant backing vocals to this track, singing almost note for note with Jimi. Miles also takes the song to another planet about 4 minutes in with a transcending vocal solo that never veers from the song’s habitual catchy rhythm. It is clear Buddy is improvising the entire solo. Sandwiched around this solo is Jimi’s mind-numbing, firecracker Fender guitar solo. When Jimi’s guitar enters your headphones, you feel as if you’ve been picked up by hurricane winds on a magic carpet.
It’s important to mention the album’s second track, Machine Gun. At 12:41, it is a long one that takes you on yet another journey. To those of you out there that immediately reach for the “next song” button on your stereo or icon on your mobile device, just hang on. Give this one a listen.
Many have asked, “what is it about Hendrix’s guitar that is so special”. Machine Gun provides one of many examples. Any song that can make Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s jaw drop, must earn some respect. In this track, Hendrix drives the song along with his spacy, six hundred mile an hour playing, only to then delicately turn his guitar into a fist that reaches out and PUNCHES you in the ear, literally. I always feel as if I’m on a ride. My jaw drops each time I hear this while I unconsciously nod my head as if I’m saying “No” to someone. Unlike almost every other rock song that ends with the entire band hitting their ending note at the same time, Machine Gun ends with a quiet rattle, followed by Jimi’s guitar sounding like a crying baby. Nothing that I’ve ever heard before.
The album rounds out with additional songs such as Changes (or “Them Changes” Jimi puts it), Power To Love, Message To Love and We Gotta Live Together. Changes, led by Buddy Miles’ vocals, includes one of the best drum fills (by drummer’s not named Peart) you’ve heard. Billy Cox’ bass line in Power To Love forces you to make that “angry” face, like the face you make when you’re lifting that heavy barbell over your head at the gym. It’s that good. It just makes you move.
Message to Love and We Gotta Live Together showcase Billy Cox and Buddy Miles’ ability to groove together with Hendrix in an almost god like fashion.
Ricky Vincent, who is a famed writer, radio host and historian called Band of Gypsys “a never heard before amalgam of punishing guitar riffs over crisp rhythm and blues grooves”. Vincent, who holds a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies, frequently commented publicly about music on his “History of Funk” radio show in the Bay Area of Northern California. I prefer to say he has a “qualified” opinion.
So, in looking at what we’ve covered so far, Band of Gypsys is a must discover, must listen, must own. Whether your collection consists of rows of vinyl, towers of CD’s or Cassette’s, or a digital notebook on your phone, this album belongs as a part of that collection.
If you already own Band of Gypsys, which I’m sure many of you do not, pick up another Hendrix classic, Axis:Bold As Love.
And don’t forget to grab some Jimi Hendrix merch (unisex t-shirts in all sizes) on the way out!