Setting Up A New Year's Play List (PSA: Hardcore Hendrix Content)

[adorshki]

So my sweetheart (and #1 fan/videographer) Xiaobing surprised me yet again the other night when she flipped for Jimi's "Dolly Dagger". (The last time it was for Alvin Lee at Woodstock, ).

And by golly it was something I'd never seen before, a "real music video" for "Dolly..." from Experience Hendrix no less. With some very good audio/video synching for concert footage in the mix. No matter what else Janie Hendrix might be guilty of, she got this one right in terms of accurately capturing Jimi's concept.

Funny thing, even my mother liked this song when I first played it for her around '76. Of course, she also took me to an Ahmad Jamal show in a small Hollywood club when I was about 4 years old, so I was inoculated young myself.



But wait, there's more!

 

[adorshki]

Just to keep things simple for clicking on links, I'm keeping it to one per post.

So most "serious" Jimi fans know he didn't just play Stratocasters, but Gibson Flying V's had a special place in his heart too.
The shortscale and humbuckers were ideal for slow blues bends and lent a special timbre to "Red House" and "Hear My Train A Comin'"

He commonly pulled out his first 'V (a righty) for those numbers in '67 and '68. Around '69 he acquired a true lefty V and I first began to suspect its use on Rainbow Bridge and Cry of Love around 20 years ago or so. The leads in "Dolly..." are a prime example (footage of him playing it with Strat notwithstanding) and a couple of years back I stumbled across this uber-rare footage from the Rainbow Bridge concerts featuring "Dolly..." live with the lefty V. I felt so vindicated!

So he even whips out the wah-wah and Univibe late in the game during "Villanova Junction", something else I've never seen him do live with a V.

So yeah it waffles a bit just before the close, the band's obvioulsy still working out "Villanova...", and IIRC this was actually a "soundcheck" show. The "real show" footage with a Strat appears in the movie Rainbow Bridge.

(Warning: Some content may be unsuitable for Barry Manilow and/or Kenny G fans):

 

[adorshki]

Xiaobing loves this one too:


Short, sweet, and to the point.

 

[adorshki]

And just because it feels so right, right now:

 

[walrus]

Cool stuff! How is it that Jimi has been gone for 53 years and we still are mesmerised by him? Has there ever been a more unique guitarist? I doubt it...

 

[adorshki]

Cool stuff! How is it that Jimi has been gone for 53 years and we still are mesmerised by him? Has there ever been a more unique guitarist? I doubt it...

Yeah and I keep seeing these comments from metal-heads that he was technically unsophisticated compared to modern players.
Except that he invented half the stuff they learn in Feedback and Pedals 101.

Also, if I play "Enter Sandman" for Xiaobing, she goes on the nod. Like an upside-down shark, nothing. Just waiting for it all to end.

Put on Jimi, though, and it's instant hip-swingin' frenzy. The girl can't help it.
You tell me who's the better guitarist.

 

[walrus]

Yeah and I keep seeing these comments from metal-heads that he was technically unsophisticated compared to modern players.
Except that he invented half the stuff they learn in Feedback and Pedals 101.

I've never been as much of a fan of "technical virtuosity" as I am of playing with feeling and emotion. A lot of what I see on YouTube, etc., as well as a few famous guitar players we all know, are technically stunning but there's not much soulfulness there.

Here is perhaps the greatest cover of a Beatles song, YMMV. Is it "unsophisticated"? I hope so!

 

[adorshki]

Jimi and Traffic. Just who influenced who, do you think? "Dear Mr. Fantasy" is Jimi. And 3/5 of 'em are on Electric Ladyland.

The Pearly Queen was Janis.


Could she have been the errant lass in a Long Hot Summer Night, as well? Sounds like they were both having sessions at the same time and everything kinda spilled together for a while:



I think Jimi wanted to hook up with Traffic.

 

[Rocky]

"Dear Mr. Fantasy" is Jimi.

I hope that you're saying the character of Mr. Fantasy is Jimi, and not that you're saying SW is emulating him in his guitar playing. I love Winwood, but I never liked his guitar work on that song.

 

[Bernie]

Dolly Dagger great song, one of my Jimmy's favorite...Good to hear it again (thanks), and watch the video along (was it done by Jimmy Hendrix sister ?)

 

[adorshki]

Dolly Dagger great song, one of my Jimmy's favorite...Good to hear it again (thanks), and watch the video along (was it done by Jimmy Hendrix sister ?)

I suspect she vetted the creation and hiring of the videographers and editing, don't think she's actually "hands on" in content creation.
But she runs Experience Hendrix and nothing comes out of it without her OK.

In past she's been accused of holding back material and/or setting too high a price on access, thus my comment about "whatever she may be guilty of". I think she may have finally wised up and realized access to "free" content actually stimulates sales instead of cannibalizing 'em.

 

[Bernie]

Thanks very much Al...

Have you, or has anybody heard an album of a dozen songs (or so), played on an acoustic, that were meant to be the core of Jimmy's next work I think (like a demo of the pieces he was going to start playing next) ?
I read about it, but never heard any of it (I'm not even sure it does exist). Does anybody know more about it ?

And of course, happy New Year Al, and to everybody here on the LTG...

 

[adorshki]

Thanks very much Al...

Have you, or has anybody heard an album of a dozen songs (or so), played on an acoustic, that were meant to be the core of Jimmy's next work I think (like a demo of the pieces he was going to start playing next) ?
I read about it, but never heard any of it (I'm not even sure it does exist). Does anybody know more about it ?

Well, there's this:

But don't know if that's this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Gold_(Jimi_Hendrix_recordings)

Or even if it's "real", though it's pretty convincing in parts.


Also heard of a tribute album being contemplated a couple of years ago, all acoustic intended to showcase the songs and compositions over the performance "flash".

And of course, happy New Year Al, and to everybody here on the LTG...

Mutual!