Revisiting Hendrix is an experience

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Dec. 19, 2003 | 9:41 a.m.

The first time I saw Jimi Hendrix's "Band of Gypsys" album in a record store, I couldn't make heads or tails of it.

It was a live recording; that much was clear from the notes on the back cover. But beyond that the record seemed curious, to say the least.

First, I wondered, what was that track list all about? Hendrix's most famous compositions -- from hits such as "Purple Haze" and "Foxey Lady" to concert staple "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" -- were all excluded.

In their place? Six songs I'd never heard of, all at least five minutes in duration. One stretched past 12 minutes.

The players on "Band of Gypsys" also confused me. Who were Buddy Miles and Billy Cox? And why were they standing in for Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding, Jimi's mates in his classic Jimi Hendrix Experience ensemble?

Foolishly, I left the disc on the rack that day, leaving my questions unanswered. When I borrowed a copy from a friend several years later, however, "Band of Gypsys" not only provided all the answers, but also instantly became my favorite piece in Hendrix's catalog.

Recorded during Hendrix's 1969-1970 New Year's run at New York City's Fillmore East, the album showcases the guitarist during a period of major transition.

In June 1969, Hendrix had disbanded his Experience. He joined with longtime buddies Miles (a vocalist and drummer) and Cox (a bassist) touring as the Band of Gypsys.

The partnership pushed Hendrix's music in bold new directions. Traditional blues riffs and straight-ahead British Invasion-style rock numbers were replaced by a far-looser sound rooted in American funk, soul and R&B.

The record's opening track, "Who Knows," provides a clear indication of that progression. The cut moves at a leisurely pace, anchored by Cox's heavy bassline, as Hendrix and Miles play call-and-response with their vocals.

Miles, who also contributes two of his own songs ("Changes" and "We Gotta Live Together"), is in fine singing form throughout the disc. His vocal exercises on "Who Knows" are spectacular, threatening to steal the spotlight from Hendrix himself.

Of course, that's not actually possible. The 28-year-old guitarist adds volumes to his already massive legend, making magic with his effects pedals while creating memorable jam after jam.

His work on the Vietnam War-inspired "Machine Gun" alone is more than enough to justify purchasing the album, and that's only the beginning.

A 1998 reissue supervised by the Hendrix family is home to the crispiest fidelity, but don't hesitate to grab a used copy of Capitol's 1995 version, either. And if six tracks aren't enough for you, 1999's "Live at the Fillmore East" archival recording collects two more discs full of tracks from the same run of concerts.

Artist: Jimi Hendrix.

Title: "Band of Gypsys."

Year of release: 1970 (Capitol Records).

Tracklisting: "Who Knows," "Machine Gun," "Changes," "Power to Love," "Message of Love," "We Gotta Live Together."08