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Band Of Gypsys: Band of gypsys

08/08/11 || InquisitorGeneralis

Jimi Hendrix was metal. Let’s get that little piece of shit out of the way right fucken now. He did enough drugs to make Hunter S. Thompson look like Beaver Cleaver. He could shred his guitar like Yngwie on speed. Or himself on acid. And, most importantly, he didn’t give a fuck. Plus, like all true rock stars he totally drank and drugged himself right into the grave. His final project, before taking the final journey, was the Band Of Gypsys Hendrix formed the band in 1969 after Ze Experience broke up (they got back together later for a brief stint before Hendrix bought the farm) with bassist Buddy Cox and drummer Billy Miles and they only existed for a few turbulent months but managed to at least put out one totally bad ass live record full of bluesy, gritty, heavy songs that stand distinctly apart from Hendrix’s other legendary material. The band would implode after only a few months when Jimi verbally assaulted some chick in the audience at Madison Square Garden and walked off stage after two songs. Residual drug effect maybe? Or just a burst of pure hippie rage? They all have it you know, fucken granola smokin’ wookies that they are. Either way, Hendrix was metal before metal was metal and “Band Of Gypsys” is one of his most interesting and gritty releases. Let’s do it.

Right from the very start of “Who knows”, you know this is a record unlike anything done by Hendrix before. The blues and even proto-funk (proto funk and metal in one record? Bojangles!) Influences are right up in the front. Mays and Cox had theirs hands in the songwriting cookie jar here and it shows. The songs on here differ greatly from the short, more direct rockers like “Purple haze” and “Foxy lady” that propelled Jimi to stardom. “Machine Gun” is a slow, almost dirge-like track that is total domination. Lots of songs cover the subject of war, especially the ones during the Vietnam era. “Machine gun” actually feels like the sadness of war and is one of the most striking, haunting songs I have ever heard. “Changes” is almost 180 degree turn from “Machine gun” and is an upbeat, funky, groovy track written and sung by Miles. Hendrix still lays down some godly riffs and leads on it, but it is clearly a song that reflects Miles’ personal style. Same goes for “We gotta live together”. “Message of love” and Power of soul” are pure Jimi though. The latter features a main riff that rivals the one from “Voodoo child” for being Jimi’s best and heaviest.

In summary, this is an essential album for any Hendrix fan. I find myself nodding along to the groove and flow throughout it’s entirety. Nothing else in Hendrix’s catalogue sounds remotely close to this. The band itself is tight with Cox and Miles being as integral to the sound as the main man himself. Cox’s drumming is excellent. He and Miles make an amazing rhythm section. Jimi’s guitar playing is amazing and his vocals fit the heavier, sometimes darker, tone of the material on here perfectly. It is no coincidence that Miles sings on the album’s more upbeat tracks. Did I mention this was a live album? “Band Of Gypsys” was record over a series of 1969/1970 New Year’s concerts at New York’s legendary Fillmore East. The production is great and it is a shame that Band of Gypsies did not last long enough to get something done in the studio. We all know the story after this; The Experience reformed briefly and then Jimi died. Add the unfulfilled promise of “Band Of Gypsys” to the long list of reasons as to why his passing was, and still is, one of the most damaging to the world or rock and roll.

8,5

Information
Released: 1970
Label: Capitol
Website: www.jimihendrix.com
Band
Jimi Hendrix: vocals, guitars
Billy Cox: vocals, bass
Buddy Miles: drums

Tracklist
01. Who Knows
02. Machine Gun
03. Changes
04. Power of Soul
05. Message of Love
06. We Gotta Live Together

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