Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsies

It was 35 years ago at about this time that Jimi Hendrix took the stage at the Fillmore East in New York to perform a set that would become, in part, one of the best Live albums ever recorded - entitled simply "Band of Gypsys". In fact, Hendrix played two nights at the Fillmore, the second performance being on New Years day 1970 after a rousing performance on New Years eve 1969. To celebrate the beginning of the new decade, Fillmore East impresario Bill Graham went to great length to ensure a special evening for his patrons, dressing his ushers in special shirts and placing toy tambourines on each of the venue's 2,639 seats. He strode onstage and introduced "some very old friend with a brand-new name" As the sold-out crowd roared in approval, Jimi led his trio through a scintillating 75 minute set. Hendrix was ON this night delivering perhaps his finest live performance. 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. At midnight, when the strains of the Guy Lombardo Orchestra's "Auld Lang Syne" filled the theatre, the Band of Gypsys appeared back on stage, Jimi launching into his own arrangement of the traditional year-opener, a beautiful rendition that captivated the audience immediately. Now Classic Records brings back this legendary title for the first time on 140 gram vinyl. George Marino and Eddie Kramer mastered and cut the lacquers from the original analog two track masters at Sterling Sound in New York with Michael Fremer in attendance in 1998. The legend lives on as do our memories of one of Rock's greatest performers - Jimi Hendrix.