Up
Down

... continued from previous page

Mato Nanji and Pte from Indigenous were introduced and joined by Buddy Miles. Indigenous has earned a strong following in the Pacific Northwest and they were warmly greeted. Almost as soon as they took the stage, Mato counted off "Come On (Let The Good Times Roll)" to the delight of the crowd. A searing take of Jimi's "Little Wing" proved to be one of the evening's most memorable moments. Mato invited Eric Gales to join them and they performed a high energy take of "All Along The Watchtower". During rehearsals earlier that afternoon, Gales and Nanji had worked out a rhythm pattern to lead into the song, effectively disguising the signature riff until Miles and Pte had built up the song's momentum to the breaking point. After the song had concluded, Miles displayed one of the head scratching moments his solo concerts are known for, as he tried unsuccessfully to lead the group through a coda of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven". Thankfully the bizarre interlude was brief and largely lost amid t

With the audience now worked to fever pitch, Bob Hendrix called Buddy Guy to the stage. The concept of Guy, whose classic sides for Chess Records had influenced Hendrix during his early career, performing with Jimi's Band Of Gypsys was eagerly anticipated by all. Bob Hendrix summed it up perfectly when he explained that the Hendrix family was calling on a legend to celebrate a legend. Guy told the crowd of first meeting Hendrix at a 1968 jam session in a New York nightclub. Hendrix, Guy explained, asked if he could record the proceedings on a nagra tape recorder that had been supplied to him by filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker. "Who are you?" queried Guy. Hendrix introduced himself and would later join Guy onstage.

The audience roared its approval as Guy led off with the distinctive opening notes of "Red House". Guy's rendition was magnificent, drawing on the arrangement he had utilized for the 1993 Stone Free: A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix project.

Guy next explained that he wanted to perform some music that had inspired both he and Hendrix. He launched into a reading of Muddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man", a staple both Guy and Hendrix had performed and recorded.

Guy then offered a superb reading of O.V. Wright's "Drowning On Dry Land". The song was a surprise addition to the set list. During the afternoon rehearsals, Guy presented the song to Cox, Miles, and rhythm guitarist Andy Aledort. Their enthusiasm carried over to the stage that evening. Guy's command

"Catfish Blues", another Muddy Waters staple preferred by Hendrix, followed. Guy had the band pull back the throttle nearly full stop so that he could squeeze off some biting licks. Guy used a quiet tone that seemed to float throughout the packed hall. With the audience locked into his every bend, Guy exploded with a flurry of distorted notes before leaving the stage to a wild ovation.

To close out the evening, Guy was called back to perform "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)". Mato Nanji, Sheldon Reynolds, Kenny Olson, Eric Gales, Larry Dunn, and even EMP founder Paul Allen joined the guitarist. The freewheeling jam began with Buddy Miles starting into "Voodoo Chile". Ricky Lawson replaced Buddy Miles as the drummer climbed out from behind his kit to assume lead vocals. Eric Gales then kicked into high gear with "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)". This extended jam capped the evening, providing the audience with an unforgettable array of great talent. The audience roared its approval one final time and this special celebration came to a close.

{ END }

 

SEATTLE CELEBRATES JIMI HENDRIX'S 60th BIRTHDAY
All Star Cast Gathers To Celebrate 60th Anniversary Of Rock Legend's Birth

By John McDermott

© 1995-2008 Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved.
website counter