"Some Old Friends With A Brand New Name..."
After several months of touring in America and Europe, the Jimi Hendrix Experience played what would end up being their last gig together on June 29th, 1969 at the Denver Pop Festival. Looking for new band projects, Jimi played the Woodstock Festival on August 18th with an adhoc large ensemble dubbed "Gypsy Sun And Rainbows", carried mostly by Mitch Mitchell on drums and Billy Cox (old army buddy/King Kasuals bandmate) on bass.
At the end of 1969, Jimi was contractually obligated to deliver a new album to his management in order to settle some disputes with rival label Capitol (who had been putting out "bootlegs" of Jimi's pre-Experience recordings). With both the Experience and Gypsy Sun and Rainbows eventually falling apart, GS&R bassist Billy Cox and drummer Buddy Miles (another old bandmate, and now drummer/vocalist for the Electric Flag and Buddy Miles Express) stepped in to help Jimi form a "Band of Gypsys" to play four live sets at the Fillmore East in Lower Manhattan. With "hometown" friends backing him up, Jimi continued to blend his older R&B funk roots with his newer, more sonically-liberated approach, this time in live settings spread out over Dec 31st 1969 and Jan 1st 1970.
Sound Effects
The Band of Gypsys LP was for most people their first time hearing Jimi play live. Listening to the studio albums, it would seem to be impossible to duplicate the same kind of audio acrobatics heard on those tracks (flanging, panning, reverse tape, unusual miking techniques, etc...). Nonetheless, listeners weren't disappointed, since for these shows Jimi delivered various otherworldly tones through a battery of pedal effects, most of which were designed or modded by inventor Roger Mayer. Some of these effects included a Uni-Vibe phase shifter, an Octavia harmonizer, Fuzz Face distortion and a wah-wah pedal (often in combination).
A more controversial new element to the Hendrix sound was Buddy Miles' contributions. As a bandleader himself (Buddy Miles Express), he naturally assumed a co-leader role on stage, offering up spontaneous audience participation routines and background vocals. Jimi, in his good-natured way, tried to make room for Buddy's material, but in the end, much of his call and response clap-along material was edited out of the selected tracks for release. Billy Cox, on the other hand, was a much more natural shift in personnel, since in Electric Ladyland Jimi had already contributed many bass tracks himself, employing a funkier, more Motown style of bass playing than Noel Redding was comfortable with delivering. Billy's arrival was probably one of the best things to happen to Jimi at this point, as his modal, jam-oriented style was much closer to what Jimi had in mind for his original vision of the Experience (in this respect, Buddy Miles' role as a freight-train drummer was also much more appreciated). Even after the departure of Miles, Cox would stay on and provide a solid, reliable bottom for Jimi's next projects.
Recordings
Recorded under the supervision of Hendrix gig veteran Wally Heider, the Band of Gypsys ended up performing 23 different songs over the 4 sets, broken down as follows:
- 7 Jimi Hendrix Experience numbers: "Fire", "Stone Free", "Foxy Lady", "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", "Purple Haze", "Wild Thing", "Hey Joe".
- 3 Buddy Miles songs: "Changes", "We Gotta Live Together", "Stop" (actually a cover sung by Miles).
- 7 Gypsy Suns and Rainbows tunes: "Lover Man", "Hear My Train A Comin'", "Izabella", "Machine Gun", "Bleeding Heart" (Elmore James), "Stepping Stone", and "Message to Love".
- 5 original Band of Gypsys songs: "Power of Soul", "Ezy Ryder", "Earth Blues", "Burning Desire", and "Who Knows".
- "Auld Lang Syne"
A record titled Band of Gypsys was quickly assembled from these cuts in order to satisfy the impatient demands of the record company and management. Several additional albums over the following decades have been released documenting these concerts, and analyses of the individual albums (in release order) follow. Overall, while the studio "original" albums highlight Jimi as an innovative composer and sound-sculptor, these raw recordings of the Band of Gypsys live unit really display how virtuosic his guitar playing was in an improvisational setting. There are of course, miscues here and there (just as in any true live recording), but overall these are incredible documents of a true genius at work.
Jump to:
 Band of Gypsys (1970)In contrast to Hendrix's previous album, "Electric Ladyland", "Band of Gypsys" was rawer and even more politically visceral. The last Hendrix album to be released in Jimi's lifetime under his personal supervision, these sessions give the best sign to the future direction he would have taken, had he lived. During the selection of tracks for this 1970 Capitol LP, Jimi withheld numbers which he intended to later release on a "real" album. A fair amount of Buddy Miles' vocal patter was also edited out of the final track "We Gotta Live Together". The cuts here are almost all "final takes" from the 2nd night. Finally, almost none of these tracks were reissued in any other collection, making this still a "must have" of Jimi's discography. |
|||
| Trk | Title | Time | |
| 1 | Who Knows | 9:34 | This tune is basically one modal riff, but Jimi uses his effects here to create lots of biting, bluesy textures. Buddy also does a lengthy vocal scat solo in the middle section (I suspect Jimi went backstage to retrieve some pedal effects he forgot to plug in?). This is the 2nd rendition of this tune (it was previously featured just after "Auld Lang Syne" on the 1st night's post-midnight set). From Set 3. 0:00: Intro vamp, guitar eventually moves to a lower register riff after a brief lead break. 0:55: Jimi and Buddy trade vocal calls, guitar shadows Jimi's vocal line (blues style). 1:41: Guitar solo over vamp. 2:16: 2nd verse (Jimi vocal only). 2:49: Wah guitar solo, drums double time in the beginning. 3:50: Descending vamp variation, leading to 3rd verse with Buddy on vocals, Guitar lays out as Buddy takes a "scat" solo. 6:21: Jimi plugs back in and begins employing phase shifter/harmonizer, wah, etc. 8:58: Guitar resumes riff with effects, final accents. |
| 2 | Machine Gun | 12:38 | Largely considered the highlight of the album, this tune features some of Jimi's rawest, most visceral playing on record. It's the band's 3rd rendition out of 4. Like the rendition on the 1st night's 1st set, Buddy takes a short vocal solo. From Set 3. 0:00: Tuning and talk. 0:22: Flanged guitar intro based on a modal vamp with accented "machine gun hits", joined by bass and drums. 1:04: Vamp groove and guitar embellishments. 1:44: 1st verse (each verse punctuated by machine gun hits motif). 2:50: 2nd, 3rd verses. 3:57: Guitar solo. 5:28: Guitar solo continues over "machine gun" groove snare accents, accented bass. 7:30: Guitar returns to rhythmic playing as Buddy begins background vocal chant under 4th verse. 8:45: Guitar textures with feedback, whammy and percussive "machine gun" accents in dialogue with drums. 9:50: Buddy vocal improv. 10:30: Clean whammy bar/wah guitar solo, Buddy plays variations of the machine gun motif. 11:40: Noise guitar coda. 12:17: Applause, chat. |
| 3 | Changes | 5:11 | This is a Buddy Miles tune with Buddy on vocals. Jimi offers up a fine wah solo and tasty rhythm comping, but he essentially takes on more of a sideman role here than the other songs. This is the 4th and final live rendition (5th if counting the Baggy's rehearsal). From Set 4. 0:00: Intro, count off, intro vamp. 0:15: Lead melody riff on wah guitar, R&B funk groove. 0:32: 1st verse (Buddy). 1:06: Melody riff, 2nd verse. 1:55: Lead melody, stop-time guitar break, solo (wah). 2:44: Rhythmic guitar riffing, opening up into a clap-along. 4:18: Jimi begins adding more soul guitar chords, ramping up the groove back into the lead melody. 4:43: Buddy drum break, final rave up/accent. |
| 4 | Power to Love (Power of Soul) |
6:55 | Built on a tricky, syncopated riff, this is pretty progressive stuff for "soul music" of this time. The song also changes key a few times, breaking up the modal mood here and there. This is the 4th and final live rendition (5th if counting the Baggy's rehearsal). From Set 4. 0:00: Accented intro break, intro figure based on heavy riff. 0:19: Wailing opening lead over riff, vamp modulates using heavy riff. 1:21: Intro figure, 1st verse modal groove, punctuated by heavy riff cadences. 2:01: "Rock n roll" bridge. 2:13: Heavy riff (syncopated), Buddy chorus. 2:36: Modulated bridge figures. 3:00: Fuzz guitar solo. 3:42: Extended modal verse groove, changing dynamics. 5:19: Modulations, syncopated heavy riff, Buddy chorus with Jimi vocal ad-libs. 6:22: Final syncopated heavy riff coda. |
| 5 | Message of Love | 5:24 | Another high-powered soul groove, this features some interesting cadences. Jimi's solo here is great, but his rhythm guitar playing also shines just as brightly. This is the 2nd and final live rendition from the 2 nights (3rd if counting the Baggy's rehearsal). From Set 4. 0:00: Intro chat, chromatic rising guitar figure, heavy R&B groove. 0:24: 1st & 2nd verses with Buddy background shouts, punctuated by unison riff, syncopated cadence figure. 0:57: Bridge. 1:14: Guitar solo over verse groove, soon with wah effect and more elaborate bass embellishments from Billy. 2:35: Funky R&B guitar leads back to verse, syncopated cadence figure. 3:24: Vocal/guitar break leads to a foot-stomping boogie vamp. 3:56: 2nd guitar solo. 4:46: Syncopated cadence figure with vocal unison, rising guitar figure, rave up. |
| 6 | We Gotta Live Together |
5:51 | Originally 16 minutes long, this Buddy Miles tune featured long sections of ad-libbed audience interaction, which were edited out for this release. A longer version (but still edited) can be found on the 1999 "Live at the Fillmore East" double CD. The song itself is largely a modal boogie. This is the only time the band played this tune outside of the "Baggy's" rehearsal fragment. From Set 4 (edited). 0:00: Modal boogie begins mid-stream with Buddy vocal rap. 0:23: Riff groove with funk accents. 0:51: Cadence into chordal guitar figures under Buddy's adlib and clap-along. 2:48: Fuzz guitar lead enters, with some additional harmonizer/flange effects at times. 4:11: Double time chorus vamp, tempo increase and outro effects solo (rave up). |
 Band
of Gypsys 2 (1986)This posthumous album only included three Fillmore East numbers on one side. The other LP side contained tracks from various other concerts (to be covered in later chapters on Atlanta and Berkeley). Released posthumously by Alan Douglas, it's kind of typical of these oddly-assembled '80s compilations I guess. |
|||
| Trk | Title | Time | |
| 1 | Hear My Train A Comin' |
9:02 | This tune was a concert staple in Jimi's last years and could be considered a slower, more mournful version of "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)". Jimi has two great solos here full of feeling. Also appears on "Machine Gun: The Fillmore East First Show" (2016), track 3. From Set 1. 0:00: Intro talk ("Lonesome Train"). 0:13: Guitar and voice duet, groove. 0:38: Drums and bass enter, as guitar begins adding embellishments on modal blues. 1st verse, vocal break. 1:31: Turnaround. 1:55: 2nd verse, break, turnaround. 2:28: Chorus. 2:39: Guitar solo over modal blues vamp. 5:09: Solo becomes more restrained with wah effects and accents with Buddy. 6:06: 3rd verse, vocal break, turnaround, chorus. 6:57: Heavy chordal guitar solo, becoming bluesy, syncopated, etc. 8:38: Final guitar/voice duet and cadence. |
| 2 | Foxy Lady | 6:33 | This features a nice, extended solo, but in context with the other Band of Gypsy numbers, it's lumbering monster stomp sounds a bit out of place. It's the 2nd available rendition recorded by the band. From Set 3, also on the B-side to the "Somewhere" 7". 0:00: Volume swell on heavy vibrato note, upbeat falling slide. 0:13: 1st verse: Monster groove based on a fuzzed-out jazz chord with fragments bounced between low and high strings, ad-libbed fills. 1:04: Bridge, vocal break, "catcall" guitar motif. 1:24: 2nd verse, bridge, vocal break, catcall guitar motif. 2:16: Guitar solo over verse groove, leading to unison bends, etc. 4:46: Bridge, vocal break, volume swell feedback. 5:17: Outro based on verse groove, ending in rave up cadence. |
| 3 | Stop | 4:47 | This cover of an R&B staple is sung by Buddy Miles and features some nice stop-time vocal breaks. It's a nice, laid back counter to the more heavy material like "Machine Gun", etc (also on "Live At The Fillmore East" (1999), disc 2, track 6). From Set 3. 0:00: Fanfare with guitar cadenza, Buddy leads on vocals. 0:27: Soul groove begins on rhythm guitar, followed by wah leads. 0:58: A vocal break starts the 1st verse. 1:22: Bridge, modulation. 1:44: 2nd verse, bridge. 2:27: Stop time vocal breaks, guitar solo over verse and bridge figures. 3:20: 3rd verse, bridge, stop time vocal breaks. 4:35: Guitar solo with effects. 5:15: Stop time vocal breaks. |
 Live
at the Fillmore East (1999)This double CD is probably the 2nd-best representation of the Band of Gypsys, as it has the remaining "choice" cuts from both nights. "We Gotta Live Together" is the only repeat from "Band of Gypsys", but it's an expanded version (although still an edited down version from the original 16 minutes). |
|||
| Trk | Title | Time | |
| Disc One | |||
| 1 | Stone Free | 12:56 | This 2nd rendition of "Stone Free" (also featured the 1st night in a version found on "West Coast Seattle Boy") features an epic guitar solo, modulating through several keys and dripping in cosmic pedal effects/whammy bar abuse. From Set 4. 0:00: Intro talk. 0:15: Opening based on guitar open string harmonics and bass grace notes, 1st verse - snare-driven boogie with fills (funk accents reduced from original). 0:54: Bridge vamp, chorus. 1:24: 2nd verse, bridge, chorus. 2:28: Fuzz guitar solo over a vamp. 3:26: Added flange effects on guitar solo, modulations to major modes. 7:23: Rhythm guitar riffing, leading to Buddy vocal scat solo. 9:07: Free textural section (noises, feedback, dive bomb). 10:02: Return to chorus with new syncopated accents. 10:38: Majestic ending vamp, modulating. 11:24: Groove picks up, leading to outro guitar solo employing jazz octaves, final cadence. |
| 2 | Power of Soul | 6:19 | This version has a much shorter "main solo" section then the 1970 LP, but Jimi plays a longer intro lead section. This is the 3rd rendition (4th if counting the Baggy's rehearsal). From Set 3. 0:00: Intro talk. 0:15: Accented intro break, intro figure based on heavy riff. 0:43: Vamp modulates into heavy riff with embellishments/solo. 1:46: Drum break, opening lead over riff, vamp modulates using heavy riff, lead continues into a wailing motif. 2:54: Intro figure, 1st verse, punctuated by heavy riff cadences. 3:40: "Rock n roll" bridge. 3:51: Heavy riff (syncopated), Buddy chorus. 4:14: Modulated bridge figures, guitar lead. 4:32: Rhythmic modal groove with verse. 5:28: Modulations, heavy riff, Buddy chorus. 5:56: Final heavy riff coda. |
| 3 | Hear My Train A Comin' |
9:02 | This tune was a concert staple in Jimi's last years and could be considered a slower, more mournful version of "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)". Jimi has two great solos here full of feeling. Also on "Machine Gun: The Fillmore East First Show" (2016). From Set 1. 0:00: Intro talk ("Lonesome Train"). 0:13: Guitar and voice duet, groove. 0:38: Drums and bass enter, as guitar begins adding embellishments on modal blues. 1st verse, vocal break. 1:31: Turnaround. 1:55: 2nd verse, break, turnaround. 2:28: Chorus. 2:39: Guitar solo over modal blues vamp. 5:09: Solo becomes more restrained with wah effects and accents with Buddy. 6:06: 3rd verse, vocal break, turnaround, chorus. 6:57: Heavy chordal guitar solo, becoming bluesy, syncopated, etc. 8:38: Final guitar/voice duet and cadence. |
| 4 | Izabella | 3:40 | This tune features some interesting riff figures organized over blues rock chord changes. This tune stands out from previous efforts in this regard due to his use of new guitar tones and rhythmic cadences. Also on "Machine Gun: The Fillmore East First Show" (2016). From Set 1. 0:00: Intro talk ("The World for Izabella"). 0:09: Intro funk riff, joined by drums & bass. 0:24: Main groove (a quirky rhythm structure hung on a blues form), accented turnaround cadence. 0:47: 1st verse, turnaround. 1:11: 2nd verse, turnaround. 1:34: Rising bridge (also based on a blues progression). 1:56: Guitar solo. 2:41: 3rd verse, turnaround. 3:04: Outro vamp and lead break. |
| 5 | Machine Gun | 11:36 | This is the 4th and final live rendition of the 2 nights, and has a more "free-wheeling" quality to it (actually it sounds like there might have been some miscues in the verse structure but - "who knows? I don't know..."). In any case, more raw chunks of guitar damage... From Set 4. 0:00: Loose intro figures, then a snare slam introduces flanged guitar intro based on a modal vamp with accented "machine gun hits", joined by bass and drums. 0:47: Guitar solo over vamp groove leads into verses (punctuated by machine gun hits motif), interspersed with short solo trips. 4:35: Guitar solo, building off of bass riff (Buddy adds background vocal adlibs). 7:15: More restrained guitar figures support a vocal verse. 8:21: Bass leads a "machine gun" vamp, leading to rhythmic guitar accents ("exchanging fire" with Buddy), feedback and "crying" guitar. 10:15: Noise guitar coda (includes quote of "Taps"). |
| 6 | Voodoo Child (Slight Return) |
6:01 | This version of "Voodoo Child" has a more cheerful, funkier vibe than the one found on "Electric Ladyland". This is the 2nd rendition (it was also played the 1st night, so far unreleased). From Set 4. 0:00: Intro chat/tuning ("the Black Panthers' National Anthem"). 0:23: Opening percussive wah guitar sequence, leading to wah melody, joined by kick drum and hi-hat. 0:51: Main groove begins with guitar pyrotechnics interspersed. 1:19: 1st verse over a modal blues vamp. 1:42: Cadence into chorus. 2:00: 1st guitar solo with wah. 3:17: Rhythm guitar riffing explores groove under 2nd verse. 4:02: Cadence into chorus. 4:21: 2nd guitar solo using a less-effected tone. 5:10: Bass changes to accented outro groove (continues straight into next track). |
| 7 | We Gotta Live Together |
9:55 | This song might work better live than on CD, with so much audience participation involved. Personally, I prefer the leaner edit on the original 1970 LP. The Baggy's rehearsal CD has a brief excerpt of the band rehearsing a harmony vocal break. From Set 4. 0:00: Modal boogie continues from previous song as Buddy instigates a vocal sing along. Billy and Jimi vamp on a funky riff. 1:42: Billy and Jimi expand on the vamp riff during the clap along (eventually mostly dropping out). 3:08: The band plays around with the arrangement for awhile ("Home sweet home...", etc). 6:12: Fuzz guitar lead enters, with some additional harmonizer/flange effects at times. 7:41: Another sing along, supported by some weird-sounding guitar riffing. 8:10: Double time chorus vamp, tempo increase and outro effects solo (rave up). |
| Disc Two | |||
| 1 | Auld Lang Syne | 3:54 | Jimi and the band blast through an arrangement (possibly spontaneous?) of the traditional song, adding some lead lines along the way. From Set 2. 0:00: Countdown, announcer, piped in music. 1:00: Guitar rendition of song, joined by drums and bass. 1:55: Jimi changes to a bluesier mode. 2:19: Whammy bar feedback. 2:43: Bluesy lead as drums double-time. 3:25: Ending cadence and noise rave. |
| 2 | Who Knows | 3:55 | This rendition is a straight-forward pass and leaves out the later-added Buddy vocal solo. It's the earliest recorded take out of the releases discussed here, and possibly a spontaneously jammed out tune. From Set 2. 0:00: Intro vamp, moving to a harmony line with the bass. 0:22: Jimi briefly adlibs vocals on the New Years occasion, leading to a lead guitar solo over vamp. 1:51: Descending bass vamp variation begins to appear, followed by restrained wah solo and brief low key Buddy background vocals. 3:44: Final accent. |
| 3 | Changes | 5:38 | This 1st live version omits the clap-along, replaced by a "getting softer/louder" groove vamp sequence. From Set 1. 0:00: Intro, intro vamp. 0:17: Lead melody riff on wah guitar, R&B funk groove. 0:33: 1st verse (Buddy). 1:06: Melody riff, 2nd verse. 1:53: Lead melody, guitar break, guitar solo (wah). 2:26: Rhythmic guitar riffing, 3rd verse (adlib?) as groove cools out. 3:54: Ramping up the groove - then back down. 5:12: Back into the lead melody, Buddy drum break, final rave up/accent. |
| 4 | Machine Gun | 13:35 | This is the 2nd known rendition of "Machine Gun" (and leaves out the Buddy Miles vocal interlude). The ending here has a somewhat more haunting feel. From Set 2. 0:00: Tuning and talk. 0:26: Flanged guitar intro based on a modal vamp with accented "machine gun hits", joined by bass and drums. 1:09: Vamp groove and guitar embellishments. 1:38: 1st verse. 2:35: 1st guitar solo begins as machine gun rhythm motif appears. 4:18: 2nd verse. Buddy begins background vocal chant. 5:15: 2nd guitar solo (Buddy wails in background). 5:55: 3rd verse. 6:44: Fuzz/harmonized lead. 8:17: 4th verse, machine gun motif. 8:58: Guitar "machine gun" accents in dialogue with drum, textures with feedback, whammy, some ad-libbed vocals. 10:14: Groove resumes into noise guitar textures, interrupted by machine gun snare motif. Bass sometimes becomes more accented, leading to "Taps" feedback quote. 12:32: Textural guitar fade out. |
| 5 | Stepping Stone | 5:20 | This is a fun, fast boogie, with an interesting modulating solo. It has the same raucous spirit as some earlier burners like "Can You See Me" and "Stone Free". This recording is the earliest rendition available on the official releases, but it was played at least once before on the 1st night's 2nd set. From Set 3. 0:00: Intro talk ("Tryin' To Be"), fast boogie riff, joined by drums. 0:16: Vocal chorus (w/o bass), accented cadence. 0:42: Rock n roll beat, vocal break. 0:52: Guitar solo. 1:05: Chorus, cadence, rock beat, vocal break, lead break. 1:53: Rising bridge. 2:18: Guitar solo over modulating bridge figure. 3:08: Bridge resumes, drums double and halve meters. 3:38: Guitar solo continues. 4:34: Fast boogie groove with tremolo chordal runs, final accents. |
| 6 | Stop | 5:43 | This cover of an R&B staple is sung by Buddy Miles and features some nice stop-time vocal breaks. It's a nice, laid back counter to the more heavy material like "Machine Gun", etc. This recording is the 3rd and final rendition out of the 2 nights. From Set 3. 0:00: Fanfare with guitar cadenza, Buddy leads on vocals. 0:27: Soul groove begins on rhythm guitar, followed by wah leads. 0:58: A vocal break starts the 1st verse. 1:22: Bridge, modulation. 1:44: 2nd verse, bridge. 2:27: Stop time vocal breaks, guitar solo over verse and bridge figures. 3:20: 3rd verse, bridge, stop time vocal breaks. 4:35: Guitar solo with effects. 5:15: Stop time vocal breaks. |
| 7 | Earth Blues | 5:48 | This number features a long solo, although Jimi sounds like he's fighting the guitar a bit (probably due to stage acrobatics or bad sound or both). This is the 3rd and final live rendition of the 2 nights (4th if counting the Baggy's rehearsal). From Set 4. 0:00: Intro talk ("Earth Blues Today"). 0:04: Octave guitar intro riff. 0:12: A descending chromatic cadence leads to a 2 chord verse vamp. 0:37: Chromatic cadence (chorus) with background vocals. 1:02: 2nd verse, chromatic cadence. 1:34: Bridge with double time drums, rising-falling cadence. 2:01: Guitar solo over chromatic cadence, featuring some "lascivious" guitar slides (probably some stage craft here). 5:16: Cadential fanfare accents with whammy bends. |
| 8 | Burning Desire | 8:22 | This tune has enough sections for 4 songs and it's pretty amazing that they assembled this in such a short time. Aside from all the harmonic and tempo modulations, this song also is notable for its sudden shift into ballad territory in the middle. This is the 3rd and final rendition (4th if counting the Baggy's rehearsal). From Set 3. 0:00: Intro talk. 0:10: Swampy walking bass jazz vamp with wah guitar embellishments. 0:58: Accented verse with jazz-funk guitar accent chords, 1:16: Modulating bridge 1:37: Variations of the verse groove. 1:54: Modulating bridge 2, accented cadences. 2:14: Verse structure, guitar solo over modulating, accented figures. 2:51: Groove accelerates and mutates as solo continues. 4:22: Stop time groove featuring drums. 4:40: R&B ballad groove with Buddy providing background vocals, Jimi sings the verse. 5:34: Restrained guitar solo. 6:29: Earlier verse structure resumes, continues into groove/tempo variations. 7:10: Guitar solo, added fuzz, leading into funk chording. 7:47: Final accents, calls for encore. |
| 9 | Wild Thing | 3:06 | This was pretty obligatory, frankly, but nonetheless it's clear the audience was pleased. This is the 1st and only time this tune was played by the band (probably spontaneously). After this song, the band finished out the night with "Hey Joe" and "Purple Haze" (both unreleased). From Set 4. 0:00: Opening chords, monster groove begins. 0:22: 1st verse, vocal break. 1:06: 2nd verse. 1:37: Guitar solo, playing with teeth, etc. 2:30: Final accents. |
 These are archival recordings of the rehearsals for the show. It's an interesting assemblage of private recordings with the songs mostly in their final stages. One bonus is the friendly chatting and joking around that can be heard in between the songs. It's unique in that it has a light-hearted take of "Hootchie Coochie Man" and a very cool unreleased improv (listed here as "Baggy's Jam"). |
|||
| Trk | Title | Time | |
| 1 | Burning Desire | 9:33 | 0:00: Accented verse with jazz-funk guitar accent chords, modulating bridge. 0:46: Variations of the verse groove. 1:04: Modulating bridge 2, accented cadences. 1:27: Verse structure, guitar solo over modulating, accented figures. 2:01: Groove accelerates and mutates as solo continues. 3:37: Stop time groove featuring drums. 3:58: R&B ballad groove with Buddy adding background vocals, Jimi sings the verse. 5:37: Restrained guitar solo. 8:00: Earlier verse structure resumes, continues into groove/tempo variations, lively funk chording. |
| 2 | Hoochie Coochie Man | 5:57 | 0:00: Heavy blues groove begins. 0:38: 1st verse, chorus. 1:35: 2nd verse, chorus. 2:32: Guitar solo. 3:55: Buddy's vocal solo. 5:06: Rhythm guitar adds modulating embellishments. |
| 3 | Message to Love | 4:50 | 0:00: Rising guitar figure, heavy R&B groove. 0:20: 1st verse with Buddy background vocals, punctuated by unison riff, syncopated cadence figure. 0:57: Bridge. 1:16: 2nd verse, syncopated cadence figure. 2:12: Vocal/guitar break leads to a boogie vamp. 2:51: Guitar solo. 3:36: Syncopated cadence figure, rising guitar figure, rave up. 4:06: Studio chatter and bluesy noodling. |
| 4 | Ezy Ryder | 5:32 | 0:00: Biting intro riff with cowbell. 0:16: Rising riff with guitar embellishments, 1st verse. 0:46: Lead break, 2nd verse. 1:16: Rising harmony into accented cadence. 1:28: Fast funky figure into accented rising harmony. 1:50: Guitar break, leading back to intro riff. 2:13: Guitar solo over rising riff. 2:42: 3rd verse (Buddy bg vocals). 3:00: Rising harmony into accented cadence. 3:14: Fast funky figure into accented rising harmony. 3:36: Guitar break, leading back to intro riff. 3:59: 4th verse, rising harmony (extended). 5:10: Studio ribbing. |
| 5 | Power of Soul | 7:33 | 0:00: Accented intro break, intro figure based on heavy riff. 0:29: Vamp modulates into heavy riff with variations, wah solo. 1:21: Drum break, wah lead continues over riff and vamp modulations/variations. 2:19: Intro figure, funky 1st verse, punctuated by heavy riff cadences. 3:05: "Rock n roll" bridge bracketed by accented cadences. 3:16: Heavy riff (syncopated), Buddy chorus. 3:38: Modulated bridge figures, 2nd guitar lead based on lead melody. 4:32: Intro figure, 2nd verse, etc. 5:16: "Rock n roll" bridge. 5:28: Heavy riff, chorus. 6:14: Modulated heavy riff variation into jam on melody lead. |
| 6 | Earth Blues | 5:10 | 0:00: Octave guitar intro riff. 0:08: A descending chromatic cadence leads to a 2 chord 1st verse vamp. 0:34: Chromatic cadence (chorus) with background vocals. 1:01: 2nd verse, chorus. 1:35: Bridge with double time drums, falling-rising cadence. 2:03: Guitar solo (with wah) over chromatic cadence. 2:45: 3rd verse (double time drums), chorus. 3:37: Bridge with double time drums, falling-rising cadence. 4:06: 2nd guitar solo over chromatic cadence. 4:23: Cadential fanfare accents with whammy bar vibrato, final cadence. |
| 7 | (Them) Changes | 5:20 | 0:00: Intro vamp. 0:10: Lead melody riff, R&B funk groove. 0:27: 1st verse (Buddy). 1:02: Melody riff, 2nd verse. 1:54: Lead melody, guitar break and solo (wah). 2:29: Rhythmic funk guitar riffing, 3rd verse. 3:36: Ramping up the groove (jam). 4:54: Buddy drum break into the lead melody, final rave up/accent. |
| 8 | Lover Man | 3:39 | 0:00: Stop-time guitar break intro, becoming an accented boogie. 0:14: 1st verse with accented cadences (based on blues rock changes). 0:36: 2nd verse. 0:56: Stop-time guitar break leads to solo. 2:06: Solo continues over chromatic bass line and double time drums. 2:28: 3rd verse. 2:49: Final guitar embellishments, accented cadences/cadenza. |
| 9 | We Gotta Live Together |
0:44 | 0:00: Modal funk as the band practice vocal harmonies on "Home sweet home..." |
| 10 | Baggy's Jam | 4:55 | This jam really shows off Jimi's broad vocabulary of funk rhythm guitar styles. 0:00: Uptempo funk groove exploring a modal 2-chord harmony. 1:02: Guitar embellishments begins as changes become bluesier. 3:14: Jimi employs more chordal funk styles. |
| 11 | Earth Blues | 6:26 | This second version is included here probably because it's so passionate, despite the false start. Rehearsal or not, Jimi gives it his all... 0:00: Octave guitar intro riff. 0:08: A descending chromatic cadence leads to a false start. 0:22: 2nd start: Octave guitar intro riff, descending chromatic cadence leads to a 2 chord 1st verse vamp. 0:55: Chromatic cadence (chorus) with background vocals. 1:19: 2nd verse, chorus. 1:51: Bridge, falling-rising cadence. 2:18: Guitar solo over funky/accented chromatic cadence. 4:21: Bridge, falling-rising cadence. 4:48: 2nd guitar solo over chromatic cadence. 5:49: Cadential fanfare accents with whammy bar vibrato, final cadence. |
| 12 | Burning Desire | 7:20 | 0:00: Swampy walking bass jazz vamp with guitar embellishments. 0:28: Accented verse with jazz-funk guitar accent chords. 0:45: Modulating bridge. 1:04: Variations of the verse groove. 1:20: Modulating bridge 2, accented cadences. 1:40: Verse structure, guitar solo over modulating, accented figures, slow down. 2:16: Groove accelerates and mutates as solo continues. 3:40: Stop time groove featuring drums. 4:02: R&B ballad groove with Buddy providing background vocals, Jimi sings the verse and adds guitar fills. 6:14: Restrained guitar solo, wah, fade out on ballad groove. |
| West
Coast Seattle Boy (2010) This anthology release included a few more unreleased Band of Gypsys tracks, in this case all of them "hits". |
|||
| Trk | Title | Time | |
| 3.12 | Fire | 4:41 | The band plays around with the original Experience arrangement, seemingly spontaneously (and only played once). Buddy's "rapid fire" approach is very different from Mitch Mitchell's jazzier, more "splattery" take. From Set 2. 0:00: Main guitar riff leads to Jimi's taunt over a drum break. 0:11: 1st verse based on stop-time riffing over a churning drum groove. 0:22: Chorus with uptempo groove, leading to drum break. 0:37: 2nd verse, chorus. 0:59: Bridge, guitar solo, modulating. 1:51: Intro sequence (drum break). 2:19: Buddy sings along with guitar riff, 2nd solo/riffing. 3:29: 3rd verse, chorus. 3:51: Key briefly modulates with re-entrance of melodic guitar lead. 4:11: Stop-time riffing, final cadence. |
| 3.13 | Foxey Lady | 6:29 | Jimi does an extended solo here, showing how much territory he could cover over just a simple 1-chord riff. 1st of 2 renditions (also on "Band of Gypsys 2"). This is actually a slightly edited version. After leaving the stage for a few minutes, the band would return with encores "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" and "Purple Haze" (both unreleased). From Set 2. 0:00: Volume swell on heavy vibrato note, upbeat falling slide. 0:13: 1st verse: Monster groove based on a fuzzed-out jazz chord with fragments bounced between low and high strings, ad-libbed fills. 0:55: Bridge, vocal break, "catcall" guitar motif. 1:15: 2nd verse, bridge, vocal break, catcall guitar motif. 2:07: Guitar solo over verse groove, leading to unison bends, feedback pyrotechnics, etc. 5:38: Accented lead figures into light riffing. |
| 4.1 | Stone Free | 14:46 | This extended jam version of "Stone Free" has quotes from Tchaikovsky and Cream, as well as a Buddy Miles drum solo. Epic stuff. This is the 1st of 2 live renditions. From Set 2. 0:00: Intro talk ("...to the Cupcake sisters..."). 0:14: Opening based on guitar open string harmonics and bass grace notes, 1st verse - snare-driven boogie with fills (bass accents come in w. vocals). 0:56: Bridge vamp, frenzied chorus. 1:23: 2nd verse (churning drums), bridge, chorus. 2:31: Feedback fuzz guitar solo over a muscular, driving vamp. Extended solo winds up on a quote of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" march. 4:45: Rhythm guitar riffing leads to some more lead figures (pull-offs, octaves, etc), textural effects. 7:40: Buddy Miles' drum solo, guitar groove resumes. 9:09: Stop-time guitar solo break (various grooves, "Spanish style", "Stepping Stone", etc), wah guitar solo. 11:56: "Sunshine of Your Love" (Cream). 13:02: Return to "Stone Free" chorus with syncopated accents. 13:41: Majestic ending vamp, modulating, octaves. |
 Machine
Gun: The Fillmore East First Show (2016) Amazingly, it would take 46 years before a release of one complete set (1st night, 1st set) would become available. It's got a few rough spots, but it's still a great, thundering set. Out of all 4 sets, the 1st night's 2nd set has the most gaps in the official release catalog, and judging from bootlegs, that set had the most "crash landings". All things considered, the 1970 release and the 1999 release are essentially the "cream of the crop", although every rendition has some brilliant playing. |
|||
| Trk | Title | Time | All from Set 1 |
| 1 | Power of Soul | 5:30 | This first live Band of Gypsys tune ever played has the band ambitiously tackle the tricky "Power of Soul". This has a bit of a "rough landing", but Jimi's sound is nicely controlled. 0:00: Intro chat. 0:15: Accented intro break, intro figure based on heavy riff. 0:45: Vamp modulates into heavy riff with variations, wah lead break. 1:37: Drum break, wah lead continues over riff and vamp modulations/variations. 2:34: Intro figure, funky 1st verse, punctuated by heavy riff cadences. 3:14: "Rock n roll" bridge bracketed by accented cadences. 3:25: Heavy riff (syncopated), Buddy chorus. 3:47: Modulated heavy riff variation with jam on melody lead. 4:10: Rhythmic modal groove with 2nd verse, punctuated by riff. 4:46: Modulation, chorus, heavy riff (syncopated). |
| 2 | Lover Man | 3:14 | After the complex changes of their slightly-stiff opener, the band switches gears into something simpler and more familiar (only played on this 1st set). 0:00: Stop-time guitar break intro, becoming an accented boogie. 0:13: 1st verse with accented cadences (based on blues rock changes). 0:32: 2nd verse. 0:50: Stop-time guitar break leads to solo. 1:32: Solo continues over chromatic bass line, stop-time groove. 1:50: 3rd verse. 2:08: Final guitar embellishments, accented cadences/cadenza. 2:52: Stage chat. |
| 3 | Hear My Train A Comin' |
9:06 | This tune (also only played on the 1st set) was a concert staple in Jimi's last years and could be considered a slower, more mournful version of "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)". Jimi has two great solos here full of feeling. This cut previously appeared on "Live at the Fillmore East" (1999) and "Band of Gypsys 2" (1986). 0:00: Guitar and voice duet, groove. 0:25: Drums and bass enter, as guitar begins adding embellishments on modal blues. 1st verse, vocal break. 1:19: Turnaround. 1:43: 2nd verse, break, turnaround. 2:16: Chorus. 2:28: Guitar solo over modal blues vamp. 4:48: Solo becomes more restrained with wah effects and accents with Buddy. 5:57: 3rd verse, vocal break, turnaround, chorus. 6:48: Heavy chordal guitar solo, becoming bluesy, syncopated, etc. 8:30: Final guitar/voice duet and cadence. 8:51: Stage chat. |
| 4 | Changes | 5:58 | This 1st live version omits the 1970 LP clap-along, replaced by a "getting louder/softer" groove vamp sequence. This cut previously appeared on "Live at the Fillmore East" (1999). 0:00: Intro vamp. 0:10: Lead melody riff on wah guitar, R&B funk groove. 0:26: 1st verse (Buddy). 0:59: Melody riff, 2nd verse. 1:47: Lead melody, guitar break, guitar solo (wah). 2:17: Rhythmic guitar riffing, 3rd verse (adlib?) as groove cools out. 3:48: Ramping up the groove - then back down. 5:12: Back into the lead melody, Buddy drum break, final rave up/accent. 5:33: Applause, etc. |
| 5 | Izabella | 3:29 | This tune (also only played on this 1st set) features some interesting riff figures organized over blues rock chord changes. This tune stands out from previous efforts in this regard due to his use of new guitar tones and rhythmic cadences. This cut previously appeared on "Live at the Fillmore East" (1999). 0:00: Intro funk riff, joined by drums & bass. 0:16: Main groove (a quirky rhythm structure hung on a blues form), accented turnaround cadence. 0:38: 1st verse, turnaround. 1:02: 2nd verse, turnaround. 1:26: Rising bridge (also based on a blues progression). 1:49: Guitar solo. 2:35: 3rd verse, turnaround. 2:58: Outro vamp and lead break. |
| 6 | Machine Gun | 8:54 | This first live rendition of "Machine Gun" also features Buddy's first vocal "solo" of the 2 nights. In this rendition the "noise solo" at the end is left out. 0:00: Guitar intro based on a modal vamp with accented "machine gun hits", joined by bass and drums. 0:44: Verse sections punctuated by lead guitar melody. 3:29: Bridge variation, guitar solo, building off of bass riff (Buddy adds background vocal adlibs). 6:02: More restrained guitar figures support a Buddy Miles vocal scat solo. 6:29: Bass starts a "machine gun" vamp, leading to verse and vocal responses from Buddy. 7:25: Guitar solo over accented groove and "machine gun" motif, final cadence. 8:39: Applause. |
| 7 | Stop | 5:30 | This cover of an R&B staple is sung by Buddy Miles and
features some nice stop-time harmony vocal breaks. It's a nice, laid back
counter to the more heavy material like "Machine Gun", etc. The band repeated this tune for the 2nd set and for the next night's 1st set. 0:00: Fanfare with guitar cadenza, Buddy leads on vocals. 0:27: Soul groove begins on rhythm guitar, followed by wah leads. 1:03: A vocal break starts the 1st verse. 1:27: Bridge, modulation. 1:51: 2nd verse, bridge. 2:40: Stop time harmony vocal breaks, guitar solo over verse and bridge figures. 3:38: 3rd verse, bridge, stop time harmony vocal breaks. 5:05: Applause, chat. |
| 8 | Ezy Ryder | 5:55 | This new tune is notable for its buzz-saw-sharp riffing, as well as some interesting chromatic bridges. The abrupt ending is probably supposed to be reflective of the titular movie's ending. This was repeated for the 2nd set but not the next night. 0:00: Biting intro riff with cymbals/cowbell. 0:21: Rising riff with guitar embellishments, 1st verse. 1:03: Lead break, 2nd verse. 1:40: Rising harmony into accented cadence. 1:52: Fast funky figure into accented rising harmony. 2:12: Guitar break, leading back to intro riff. 2:32: Guitar solo over rising riff. 3:25: 3rd verse. 3:51: Guitar solo, leading back to intro riff, rising harmony extended. 5:19: Applause, chat. |
| 9 | Bleeding Heart | 6:38 | The band take a soulful run-through of the Elmore James tune (also only played on this 1st set). 0:00: Slow blues changes. 0:54: 1st verse/chorus. 1:47: 2nd verse. 2:40: Guitar solo. 3:31: 2nd solo chorus. 4:21: 3rd chorus (guitar solo relaxes). 5:13: 3rd verse (octave fills), final turnaround. 6:10: Applause. |
| 10 | Earth Blues | 6:24 | Found on the "Baggy's" release and making it all the way to the 4th set, Jimi apparently really liked this new tune. This version has 2 guitar solos. 0:00: Octave guitar intro riff. 0:09: A descending chromatic cadence leads to a 2 chord verse vamp. 0:34: Chromatic cadence (chorus) with background vocals. 0:59: 2nd verse, chromatic cadence. 1:31: Bridge with double time drums, rising-falling cadence. 1:58: Guitar solo over chromatic cadence. 3:39: Bridge with double time drums, rising-falling cadence. 4:06: 2nd guitar solo. 4:52: Cadential fanfare with whammy bends. 5:30: Applause, chat. |
| 11 | Burning Desire | 9:40 | The first live take of this tricky song, this take is not bad, but it gets a better run-through the next day, in my opinion. 0:00: Swampy walking bass jazz vamp with soul guitar embellishments, tempo increases. 0:35: Accented verse with jazz-funk guitar accent chords. 0:51: Modulating bridge. 1:10: Variations of the verse groove. 1:26: Modulating bridge 2, accented cadences. 1:46: Verse structure, guitar solo over modulating, accented figures, groove slows. 2:20: Groove accelerates and mutates as solo continues. 3:50: Stop time groove featuring drums. 4:12: R&B ballad groove with Buddy providing background vocals, Jimi sings the verse. 6:00: Background vocals featured, restrained guitar solo, fading out. 7:28: Earlier verse structure resumes, continues into groove/tempo variations. 7:52: Tempo increases, added guitar riffing/octave chording. 9:03: Final funk/soul accents, calls for encore. |
Four Sets Over Two Nights
The below table lists the actual live set lists and the distribution of the songs amongst the various official releases.
Dec 31, 1969, 1st Set (Set 1)
| ||
| 1 | Power Of Soul (Paper Airplanes) | Machine Gun - The Fillmore East (2016) |
| 2 | Lover Man | Machine Gun - The Fillmore East (2016) |
| 3 | Hear My Train A Comin' (Lonesome Blues) | Machine Gun - The Fillmore East (2016)/Band of Gypsys 2 (1986) |
| 4 | Changes | Machine Gun - The Fillmore East (2016) |
| 5 | Izabella | Machine Gun - The Fillmore East (2016) |
| 6 | Machine Gun | Machine Gun - The Fillmore East (2016) |
| 7 | Stop | Machine Gun - The Fillmore East (2016) |
| 8 | Ezy Ryder | Machine Gun - The Fillmore East (2016) |
| 9 | Bleeding Heart | Machine Gun - The Fillmore East (2016) |
| 10 | Earth Blues | Machine Gun - The Fillmore East (2016) |
| 11 | Burning Desire | Machine Gun - The Fillmore East (2016) |
| * * * * * * | ||
Dec 31, 1969, 2nd Set (Set 2)
| ||
| 1 | Auld Lang Syne | Live At The Fillmore East (1999) |
| 2 | Who Knows | Live At The Fillmore East (1999) |
| 3 | Stepping Stone | |
| 4 | Burning Desire | |
| 5 | Fire | West Coast Seattle Boy (2010) |
| 6 | Ezy Ryder | |
| 7 | Machine Gun | Live At The Fillmore East (1999) |
| 8 | Power Of Soul | |
| 9 | Stone Free | West Coast Seattle Boy (2010) |
| 10 | Changes | |
| 11 | Message To Love | |
| 12 | Stop | |
| 13 | Foxy Lady | West Coast Seattle Boy (2010) |
| 14 | Voodoo Child (Slight Return) | |
| 15 | Purple Haze | |
| * * * * * * | ||
Jan 1, 1970, 1st Set (Set 3)
| ||
| 1 | Who Knows | Band of Gypsys (1970) |
| 2 | Machine Gun | Band of Gypsys (1970) |
| 3 | Changes | |
| 4 | Power Of Soul | Live At The Fillmore East (1999) |
| 5 | Stepping Stone | Live At The Fillmore East (1999) |
| 6 | Foxy Lady | Band of Gypsys 2 (1986) |
| 7 | Stop | Live At The Fillmore East (1999)/Band of Gypsys 2 (1986) |
| 8 | Earth Blues | |
| 9 | Burning Desire | Live At The Fillmore East (1999) |
| * * * * * * | ||
Jan 1, 1970, 2nd Set (Set 4)
| ||
| 1 | Stone Free | Live At The Fillmore East (1999) |
| 2 | Changes | Band of Gypsys (1970) |
| 3 | Power Of Soul | Band of Gypsys (1970) |
| 4 | Message To Love | Band of Gypsys (1970) |
| 5 | Earth Blues | Live At The Fillmore East (1999) |
| 6 | Machine Gun | Live At The Fillmore East (1999) |
| 7 | Voodoo Child (Slight Return) | Live At The Fillmore East (1999) |
| 8 | We Gotta Live Together | Live At The Fillmore East (1999)/Band of Gypsys (1970) |
| 9 | Wild Thing | Live At The Fillmore East (1999) |
| 10 | Hey Joe | |
| 11 | Purple Haze | |
| * * * * * * | ||
| "We Gotta Live Together" from 70.01.01 (2nd set) was released in a shortened edit on the 1970 Band of Gypsys LP. "Hear My Train A Comin'", "Changes", and "Izabella" from 69.12.31 (1st set) are also on Live At The Fillmore East (1999). "Foxy Lady" from 70.01.01 (1st set) is also on Band of Gypsys (1991 import) and the "Somewhere" single. | ||
Appendix: Jimi's Record Collection
