Hendrix's 'Gypsys' stands test of time

By Nate Seltenrich

Every Jimi Hendrix fan needs to own "Band of Gypsys." Although it is slightly less well known than most other works in his impressive catalog, it deserves to be ranked among his very best.

Adding to its special status, this album is a live recording of selections from a legendary concert that took place on New Year's Eve 1970 at The Fillmore East in New York.

"Band of Gypsys" is not only the name of the album, but also of the group that recorded it. Featuring Buddy Miles on drums, Billy Cox on bass, and Jimi Hendrix on guitar, the Band of Gypsys brought out new elements in Hendrix's guitar playing that he had never before explored so completely.

The record features six tracks for a total time of over 45 minutes. Most of it is performed in a soulful jam format, with Miles and Cox keeping the beat moving while Hendrix improvises leads that most of us could work a lifetime to duplicate and still fail. The stripped-down set-up of "Band of Gypsys" allows Hendrix's guitar to roam free like an unleashed animal to an extent that is unique even within his wide repertoire. It is impossible to know Hendrix and his passion for the guitar without knowing this album.

The music on "Band of Gypsys" is a combination of funk, rock, soul and rhythm-and-blues, although Hendrix's unique sound and style with the guitar adds a whole new dimension to these genres. Miles and Cox are fine musicians themselves, and they never noticeably lag behind Hendrix's guitar playing. The three of them together make "Band of Gypsys" a timeless musical feat. Cox's bass is melodic and jives well with Hendrix's soloing, while Miles' drums fill the perfect niche, driving the songs along, fading in and out of prominence and never becoming stale or complacent.

"Band of Gypsys" cannot be excluded from any Jimi Hendrix fan's collection, and it is also recommended to anyone else who wants to hear what can be done with a guitar when it is in the right hands. To get a taste of the real deal, take a trip back to New Year's Eve at the dawn of the '70s with "Band of Gypsys." A