Jimi Hendrix: Band of Gypsys
Monday Live Album
It’s New Year’s Day 1970, folk have either woken up with one hell of a hangover or partied the night through as they waved goodbye to the swinging 60’s and said hello to the groovy 70’s. As we changed decades the Beatles wanted everyone to come together, Blood Sweat and Tears sang about when they die, Peter, Paul and Mary were leaving on a jet plane and Diana Ross and the Supremes pulled on the heart strings with “Someday We’ll Be Together”.
We are at the renowned Fillmore East Theatre, located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. The Fillmore East serves as a companion venue to the iconic Fillmore West Theatre and the similarly esteemed Fillmore Auditorium, both of which are located in San Francisco. These remarkable theatres were operated by the legendary rock promoter Bill Graham. The venue was in operation from 1968 to 1971, and during this relatively brief period it quickly gained a reputation as the "Church of Rock 'n' Roll." This distinction is well earned, considering the legendary acts that graced its stage, including Cream, Chicago, The Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, and Janis Joplin, to name just a few. Under Graham's visionary leadership and with the venue's exceptional sound quality, Fillmore East became a sort of musical Mecca, attracting a plethora of talented artists to record live albums there, such as Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Miles Davis (who attended this gig), Joe Cocker, and The Flying Burrito Brothers. This rich history solidifies the Fillmore East's place in the annals of music heritage.
We’re not among the fortunate few who had the chance or foresight to purchase a ticket to this remarkable event; however, 2,700 others certainly did—see, I made sure to include my venue capacity. They are about to witness the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix perform, accompanied by bassist Billy Cox and drummer Buddy Miles as they take the stage together. This is the second show at the Fillmore for the newly formed Gypsys, following a performance the night before.
BiIl Graham steps on stage and announces, “The Fillmore is proud to welcome back some old friends with a brand new name, a Band of Gypsys!”. You see, you really don’t see this anymore at gigs these days; it's a cool thing that makes the atmosphere a bit more personal and engaging and creates memorable moments for the audience. This is definitely something for venues and promoters to consider, especially at smaller clubs and bars. One of the best recorded introductions for an act that exemplifies this is still Townes Van Zandt, Live at the Quarter.
Opening with “Who Knows,” Jimi eases into the infectious melody, drawing us into an intense groove as Miles snaps the snare. Cox on bass, whom Hendrix met in the military and remained friends with ever since, follows swiftly behind and adds depth. He’s more of an R&B player, having performed with legends like Sam Cooke and Etta James, often alongside Miles. Miles has played with various acts, including the Delfonics and Santana, and helped form Electric Flag with Mike Bloomfield. Together, they craft a funk-infused rock and R&B sound, with Hendrix passionately singing about his beloved Sally, exclaiming, “They don’t know!”
As Jimi wishes everyone a happy new year and dedicates the next song to the soldiers fighting in Vietnam, the Gypsys stealthily creep in with the powerful and evocative sounds of "Machine Gun." With a signature psychedelic touch that only Hendrix can deliver, the band brings forth a solid rock beat accompanied by a robust and fat bass line, allowing Hendrix to showcase his extraordinary talent as he integrates a rhythm that mimics a machine gun, creating an intense and haunting atmosphere. As he sings, “He’s been shot down to the ground, oh where he can’t survive, no, no,” the band meticulously crafts an immersive environment. For me, this performance definitely paints a picture of being deep in the jungle, feeling the oppressive heat and humidity dripping from your brow, as you witness your comrades fall right before your eyes. The haunting quality of the music captures the essence of that brutal reality.
Buddy Miles takes to the microphone with a little thing he wrote titled "Changes." With a sparse yet engaging beat, Miles passionately sings about the changes swirling in his mind. The music blends elements of rock, blues, and funk to create a unique sound. "She had me crying, she had me running, she had me crying," he laments, mirroring the up, down and sideways of relationships. As he energizes the church of rock 'n' roll, the audience testifies and erupts in a full foot-stomping, gospel-like atmosphere, with enthusiastic shouts of "yeahs" and rhythmic claps.
The Power to Love resonates deeply, pulsating with a rock hip hop vibe. It flows along with powerful lines like, "With the power of soul, anything is possible, with the power of you, anything you want to do". As Jimi reminds us, we must believe in ourselves and our potential. I can't help but be reminded of Run-D.M.C. and their tougher-than-leather (or is it raising hell?) approach, seamlessly blending elements of rock, blues, beats; it’s that snare. In “Message to Love” Hendrix's timeless work is striking—"I travel at the speed of a reborn man; I've got a lot of love to give, from the mirrors of my hand”. With a strong and funky bass from Cox, and Miles’ energetic snare, Hendrix's voice encourages us not to hide our love or run from it. He urges us to share our love and truly live. The music propels forward in double time, culminating in a swirling, euphoric crescendo.
With “We Gotta Live Together”, the Gypys want everyone to clap hands and sing along with them. It’s a funky feel, almost a disco vibe. Hey, we are about to hit the decade of Saturday Night Fever and Soul Train. This track is a captivating fusion of genres, it dips and weaves until it shifts into a groovy psychedelic onslaught that is trademark Hendrix. So, let’s dance the hell out of this and get this a dog a home.
Despite not being in attendance ourselves, we are eternally grateful to the Fillmore East for documenting and recording this unforgettable show for posterity. Band of Gypsys is an album that consistently receives playtime and continues to do so time and time again. Various artists have stated that the album was a huge influence on their work, impacting talents such as Bootsy Collins, Parliament, and Lenny Kravitz. Additionally, the Oakland hip-hop act Digital Underground sampled "Who Knows" in their 1990 tune titled “The Way We Sing,” showing the lasting legacy and reach of this iconic album.
Listen to the album here.