Review Summary: After the breakup of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Hendrix unites with bassist Billy Cox and drummer Buddy Miles to record one of the greatest live albums ever, and also the last release before his untimely death.
New Year’s Day, 1970. As the new decade is ushered in, the flower power era of the 1960’s is over, and one of the most popular bands in the world,
the Jimi Hendrix Experience, has officially broken up. Hendrix soon after paired up with his jam partners bassist Billy Cox and drummer Buddy Miles for a short-lived ensemble who called themselves “a Band of Gypsys.” The Band of Gypsys would continue the psychedelic power of the Experience but with an extra funk and soul infusion, relying a lot on improvisation for their performances. The new band started off the decade by playing a legendary four night run at the Fillmore East auditorium in New York City. The
Band of Gypsys album that was released following the performances is made up of only recordings from the last two nights, January 3rd and 4th, but it showcases some of the best live material ever recorded, and would turn out to be Hendrix’s last full album release before his untimely death in September 1970.
Band of Gypsys is full of catchy air-guitar-inspiring riffs with heavy distortion and wah effects that made Jimi Hendrix so famous. The first side of the album comprises of two jam heavy songs, the 9-and-a-half minute long “Who Knows” followed by a 12-and-a-half minute “Machine Gun.” “Who Knows” features singing from both Hendrix and Buddy Miles, which is a recurring theme on the album. Miles adds his soulful falsetto voice to the mix which adds greatly to the vocal range and style of singing from the Band of Gypsys. Hendrix starts “Who Knows” singing the verses but after the first guitar solo Buddy Miles takes over with an improvised scat solo all while keeping time on the drums. It may come off as a little goofy and strange but so can some of the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s music. It is this loose and fun feeling that makes
Band of Gypsys a joy to listen to over and over again.
Jimi Hendrix makes his guitar scream on
Band of Gypsys in a brilliant display of instrumental prowess and stage presence. He dedicates “Machine Gun” to all the soldiers fighting in America and Vietnam and follows this dedication with a roaring rendition of the anti-war song. Hendrix masterfully uses feedback and effects to simulate the firing of machine guns, helicopters, and explosions. It is easy to hear the chaos of a battlefield during the guitar solo, which has gone down in history as one of the greatest live solos ever.
The second side of
Band of Gypsys was recorded the night after the first side, and has slightly more radio friendly tracks in the five to seven minute range. Buddy Miles wrote and sang lead vocals on two of these songs, “Changes” and “We Gotta Live Together.” The upbeat and positive songs of the second side of the album contrast to the long, heavy songs of the first side. The band seem like they are having fun playing these tunes, as on the songs “Power to Love” and “Message of Love,” Buddy Miles’ funky drums are combined with Billy Cox’s thumping bass to lay the rhythmic groundwork for Hendrix’s soaring guitar.
Band of Gypsys may be an overlooked release in the catalogue of Jimi Hendrix, but it showcases great improvisation and talent in a band that showed much promise backing the greatest guitar player to ever live.
Band of Gypsys was the last album released by Jimi Hendrix during his lifetime and remains one of the finest live albums ever recorded, it is a must listen for any Hendrix fan.
5/5
