You have got to get a copy of the Band Of Gypsys Live At The Fillmore. The problem I always had with Hendrix was with Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding. They were just too hyperactive for my tastes. The Band of Gypsys is non-stop heavy grooves with incredible guitar playing. It's almost too much for me to sit and listen to the whole thing at one time.
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I love Hendrix but prefer the studio recordings.
Mitch Mitchell was a white jazz drummer. That
meant he was banging on everything, as fast
as he could. Not exactly what I call a funky drummer.
His style is not exactly dancable or funky at all.
I find his playing very irritating at times. And personally
think that a better more stable drummer whould have
brought out more of Hendrix music.
The Band of Gypsys had Buddy Miles on drums.
I clearly prefer him as a drummer over Mitch.
I also personally think that Hendrix greatness
as an artist also involved his singing style.
His voice is as personal as his guitarplaying.
The Band of Gypsys started a form of great funk
that would be picked up by Sly Stone.
As a guitarist Hendrix was outstanding. Just as inovative
for guitar as Larry Graham was for bass, (he invented the
slap bass funk style). There has been 1000s of players
after Hendrix that where faster and had more technique,
but not many, if any, has had the same soul and feel to
their playing.
What Hendrix did can never be tought at the Musicians Institute in LA.
There are hundreds of Steve Lukathers out there, and they
will not even come close, ever.
