Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsys (1999)

Made less than a year before his death in September 1970, Band of Gypsys was an album recorded live to fulfill a contractual obligation for a long-forgotten deal Jimi Hendrix signed when he still spelled his name "Jimmy." Hendrix had just disbanded the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and in order to dispense with the album as quickly as possible, he put together a new trio featuring Billy Cox (an old Army buddy) and drummer Buddy Miles, whose bombastic singing and thudding drum style would soon pollute FM airwaves across the nation. (Former Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell refers to him here as "William the Concreter," for his cement-mixer sense of rhythm.) They booked the Fillmore East with the idea of recording the shows for a live album, and this DVD features recently unearthed film footage of that historic performance, with Hendrix at the top of his powers (despite Miles's excesses). It also offers several other rare live performances from British clubs in the mid-1960s. The musical moments are mixed with new interview footage, including conversations with the self-effacing Cox and the self-aggrandizing Miles. If you've only heard the CDs (Band of Gypsys and Jimi Hendrix: Live at the Fillmore East), you've only gotten half of this particular Jimi Hendrix experience. --Marshall Fine Amazon.com

Band of opinions

This DVD is filled with a bunch of hanger-on, acquaintances and people who actually there being interview, giving their opinions, observations and stories about Jimi Hendrix. Gets real boring after a few minutes. The live portion is a step above a bootleg in visual quality. The sound is not bad, but the live CD is better. Would only recommend this to hard core Hendrix fans. May 30, 2008

i haven't seen it , but its still worth 5 stars

First of all ,if there is any footage of one of the greatest moments in rock history than I think its worth 5 stars. I would pay to see any snippet of this show.(and will)..but mostly i am really annoyed by those taking swipes at Buddy Miles.. first of all Buddy is one of the greatest Soul/Rock singers of all time.. His Buddy Miles Express records were great, Go and listen to the excitment generated on "Train" and "Wrap it Up" from Expressway to your Skull or "Miss Lady" from Electric Church. Not to mention "Them Changes " from the album Them Changes.
Now to say that Buddy was anything less than brilliant on that night at the Fillmore is just nonsense . His hard hitting solid rock drumming was perfect for the Band of Gypsy's. Both Billy Cox and Buddy laid down grooves that allowed Hendrix to really take off and play some of his finest guiar work. And that's saying something given Jimmy's unmatched superiority as a guitarist. Mitch was of course excellent at what he did with Jimmy, but why do we need to compare two completely different styles.. One might argue he overplayed with his jazz sensibilty , undercutting Hendrix... I wouldn't but the point is your talking apples and oranges.. Buddy added something to that night, that no one else could have done...i certainly cant imagine Mitch singing any of those songs that Buddy sang and the interplay between Jimmy and Buddy was something we never heard before .... Message to Love is arguably the greatest 5 minutes of rock and roll ever played....and Buddy is laying it down and complimenting Jimmy's great voice the whole way....God rest his SOUL.... April 25, 2008

FreeBabyOutThere

I don't care who says what. All you have to do is listen to his Ultimate MasterPiece "CRY OF LOVE", a perfect record, and either you know, or you don't. Listen to it. It's good for your mind and soul.


Purpose

April 11, 2008

Supernatural Guitar Power!

I am a long time Hendrix fan who regularly plays along with the entire Band of Gypsy's album and DVD....and all I can say is that after 30 years of being stupefied by Jimi's Divinely-originated guitar-playing ability. It just dazzles me to no end, repeatedly, like a super great glass of wine that never ends. If you want to see a reflection of God's creative powers in a human being, then just watch this DVD. Supernatural is the ONLY way to describe it, because no one could on this planet has ever played the guitar this way. I particularly like Jimi's performance of Johnny B. Goode from "Jimi Plays Berkeley" also. A sure winner if there ever was one. mc February 5, 2008

Live at the flimore east

ok i bought this dvd thinking that there wiould be alot of concert footage becayse of the legeandry show i was lke kool there relashing footage of the show ook the downfall is that theres only like 10 or something songs and an hour doucument veary dispointed i gave it 4 stars becayse of the show foootage it would have beend 5 if there was more songs and no doucument June 30, 2007

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