Jimi Hendrix - Band Of Gypsys

Tired of the showboating image that his early live performances had saddled him with--and that his black audience viewed as demeaning and degrading to his musical talent--Hendrix dissolved his Experience in 1969 in search of a more terra-firma-grounded, blues-oriented persona. On New Year's Eve, Hendrix, his old Army buddy bassist Billy Cox, and ex-Electric Flag drummer Buddy Miles performed a loose, jam-filled set at New York's Fillmore East (completists will want the panoramic though uneven Live at the Fillmore East). Released a few months after his New Year's Eve 1970 concert, Band of Gypsys underscored Hendrix's desired return to basics--even if his basic was at a level most guitarists could never attain in a lifetime of playing. --Billy Altman Amazon.com essential recording

 Jimi is a musical God
To make it short and sweet.Just listing to Machine Gun with all those war sounds coming out his guitar shows me Jimi Hendrix was and still thousand ahead of any computrize sounding guitar player of today.Hendrix is god ! April 9, 2008

 a brilliant live album
Before purchasing Band of Gypsys, I was well aware many people have mixed feelings with this live recording. Many people, specifically huge Hendrix fans who must own everything he did, feel this is a pretty average live performance overall. However, I have to disagree *strongly*. I've heard quite a lot of live albums from 60's and 70's rock musicians, and I really feel Band of Gypsys is right up there with the very best of them.

I can't put into words how surprised I was upon first listen just how CLEAR and magnificent the performance sounds. I don't even have the remastered version! Seriously, compared to most live albums released during the same time, this one sounds WAY above average. I'm really happy about that.

As for Hendrix's guitar playing, that was ANOTHER major surprise to me. I went in expecting just a few guitar solos here and there, because the reviews led me to believe this album was lacking in guitar playing. That is NOT true. There's more guitar soloing going on throughout the album than I ever thought was even possible. The opening track "Who Knows" and especially "Machine Gun" are lengthy tracks with funky rhythm sections and lots and lots of guitar soloing. Together, these two songs make up over 20 minutes of brilliant guitar playing and memorable songwriting.

The other four tracks are more soulful in vocal delivery, and funky and guitar-dominated, but shorter than the first two tracks. Shorter doesn't mean worse though, and overall we're talking about 45 minutes of a really spectacular concert from Hendrix. I'm sure there's better live albums out there from this legendary guitarist, but that doesn't make Band of Gypsys a bad recording in any way, shape or form in my opinion. Even calling it average wouldn't feel right. April 9, 2008

 the beginning of the end
after the Experience ended it was the beginning of the end for Jimi Hendrix. I agree with "Not his Best". I was priveleged to see the Experience perform twice and was there when Band of Gypsys was released. It was common knowledge then and if you listen you will note, the guitar is out of tune. Of course the genius innovative playing was still intact, but Buddy Miles certainly was no Mitch Mitchell, he barely kept time. And when he "sang" (screamed) it was horrible. Billy Cox was acceptable, but overall they both pulled Hendrix down. Imagine him with Jack Bruce and Winwood or Lee Michaels and throw in Baker or Keith Moon; now that would have been one hell of a band. And Cry of Love was another dismal effort when the drugs really had done their toll. A sad end to a musical genius, a modern day Beethoven. This is not the only live recording of Jimi Hendrix. Two Experience albums exist in CD format, although to date out of print: "In the West" and "The Jimi Hendrix Concerts" both from Reprise. April 5, 2008

 Not his best.......
I love Hendirx but not this CD, even though I have it, I rarely listen to it. I really dont think he was palying his best music at this time, too much pressure from all the people around him and record companies wanting albums from him, the man was doing heroin too.... his mind was really going in circles trying to please everybody... what a waste of talent to die so young, his best work was behind him I think, he was pushed in the wrong direction... too bad, best guitarest EVER by far.... March 30, 2008

 I Fight like a farmer
I just saw the Grammy's 08 and it never ceases to dawn on me..the naive hopeful side of me..why can't we hear some good friggin music these days? I'm not as hopeless and naive as to think there isn't any. Matter fact there's tons..but people, we need some mainstream exposure on the goodness out there(there were a couple good ones..one guitar folky chick and maybe Amy Winehouse. at the Grammy's), lest our children grow up to believe in nothing but the music video. ..but what about talent?..aahhh, forget it. This kind of rant is now cliche, has been for some time, forgive me amazon..time to move on.

Anyways, OK..onto what keeps me hopeful. I could review each song here but I'll just keep it simple. I don't think a day passes without me listening some Machine Gun. I listen to it in the morning usually, before work. I think it to be the greatest guitar solo ever.. causing an eargasm with facial muscle spasms ...and then its off to another another day at the job. What I really would like to know is what Jimi was thinking at the time he bagan the solo part..was it.."Damn, I'm gonna tear this muuutha," or maybe, "Hmm, I hope we're having stove top for dinner tonight." Either way, a must for anyone interested in some good heartfelt grooves that will make you shake your neck bone until your good soul chimmeys down your right leg and exits out your shoe until you pass it on like they used to say. Share it with your kids. February 11, 2008

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