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List Price: $10.98 | | Label: Capitol
Salesrank: 702045
Released: March 21, 1995 |
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| Used Price: $3.00 |
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| Media: Audio Cassette |
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Band of Gypsys Track Listing:
1. Who Knows
2. Machine Gun
3. Changes
4. Power to Love
5. Message to Love
6. We Gotta Live Together
Editorial Review:
Tired of the showboating image that his early live performances had saddled him with--and that his black audience viewed as demeaning and degrading to his musical talent--Hendrix dissolved his Experience in 1969 in search of a more terra-firma-grounded, blues-oriented persona. On New Year's Eve, Hendrix, his old Army buddy bassist Billy Cox, and ex-Electric Flag drummer Buddy Miles performed a loose, jam-filled set at New York's Fillmore East (completists will want the panoramic though uneven Live at the Fillmore East). Released a few months after his New Year's Eve 1970 concert, Band of Gypsys underscored Hendrix's desired return to basics--even if his basic was at a level most guitarists could never attain in a lifetime of playing. --Billy Altman
Band of Gypsys Reviews:
Jimi's best recorded work 
2009-12-22 - "Band of Gypsys," in my opinion, ranks within the top two live albums of all time (the other being The Who's "Live at Leeds"). It's interesting that this album is the result of a contract dispute between Warner Brothers and Capitol Records. Apparently Jimi was forced to deliver an album to Capitol, and for something that began as a necessity, I'm amazed at how much heart and soul was put in to the music.
"Who Knows" and "Machine Gun" are two of the best pieces Jimi ever recorded. Period. The guitar solos, the pounding drum rhythm brilliantly laid down by Buddy Miles, and the haunting vocals make for an unbelievable track. To me, this is the only Jimi Hendrix album that truly showcases his talent. No drug-fueled, hippie-pleasing nonsense, no smashing of amps or setting things ablaze. Just Jimi playing his guitar extremely well, and believe me, that alone is mind-blowing.
Jimi is at his absolute best here.
Vintage Jimi
2009-12-10 - One of the best live recordings in rock history...Gypsys captures Hendrix at the top of his game. With the rhythm section of Buddy Miles and Billy Cox, this exploratory improv has true American roots and tastes of funk and soul. Probably the most "soul" of any Hendrix release...mainstream releases anyway. There is another release which is taken from the same run of shows but it is apparent why thiese selections made the cut while the other albums' didnt. This is the cream of the crop from this run...New Years in NYC at Graham's Fillmore.
One need go no further than "Machine Gun" to understand why Jimi is in a completely different category than other electric guitarists. His approach seems other-worldly, particularly in 1970. Although his tendency to explore , improvise, and push the envelope of the creative method in rock csan sometimes seem to go too far---and leave the listener questioning whether the music wouldnt sound better if he stuck to traditional styles and methods....when the stars align Hendrix rides a brilliance that makes one no longer doubt the presence of GOD and the power and existence of unseen forces. Indeed at times likes these Hendrix appears to be going along for the ride with the rest of us...allowing himself to be the medium...channeling the energy and ideas from a mystical source beyond human understanding!
This is definitely beyond HARD rock and perhaps too overpowering for older or less adventurous ears.
"IF IT ISN'T A LIVING BABY, THEN YOUR'E NOT PREGNANT"
-Thank God Jimi's Mother wasn't decieved into believing he was an "inconvenience" and burden, an obstacle to her happiness. Indeed ALL children are gifts from God that bring us hope, joy, and the experience of giving and recieving unconditional love, even though we may not be able to see this truth because of our fear and lack of trust. Money cannot buy these things, man cannot create them on his own. May we revere life and realize EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON is unique and unrepeatable!
When Freedom is Outlawed, Only Outlaws are Free!
Band of Gypsys!
2009-11-30 - Always loved this one, my fav. all time Hendrix, anyone who appreciates Jimi's music will never tire of this!
A New Year's Resolution that says "F*** You"
2009-11-24 - Protest songs don't usually make me ponder the Nature of Man's Soul. They usually don't allow for much speculation; they're pretty clear in letting you know who's right and who's wrong. The wrong guy is always That guy over there, but "Machine Gun" turns the sights around and puts the crosshairs squarely on the the head and heart of anyone who isn't as disgusted, outraged, bewildered by War as he is. Jimi doesn't let us think that we're the good guys who must oppose some outside force. He magically puts the machine gun in our hands, has us pull the trigger, and experience what it's like to take a life. He can do this so expertly because he knows exactly what it feels like to fire a machine gun. He was for a short time a private in the paratroopers, but was granted an early discharge. He traded in his M16 for a far more effective weapon. His Stratocaster explodes with mechanical ferocity, ripping open our crusty but tender souls with a torrent of apocalyptic mayhem. It's the most spectacular Theater of the Mind I've ever experienced. And he does all this at a New Year's Celebration Concert. So much for a Happy New Year to all.
Except for a couple moments where Buddy Miles insists on slowing things up with some annoying call and response that is just a little too corny, the rest of the album is fantastic. Buddy occasionally slows things up with his plodding, leaden beats, too, and in the video of this show at one point Jimi turns around and gestures for the drummer to pick it up. Or at least keep up. Buddy was a semi-talent. Billy Cox is solid and always in the pocket and quick as a whip when he has to be.
Although this album was released to fulfill contractual obligations, it's no minor effort. Rather, it works real well to demonstrate just how versatile and impatient Jimi's talent was. He wasn't able to settle for anything less than art and this album is necessary to everyone who loves great musical art.
Probably the greatest album of all time
2009-10-16 - I just started listening to this album for the millionth time and felt like amazon reviewing that probably
anyone who cares about Hendrix and rock in the 60s should be required to own this album.
Its probably one of the greatest collection of jams ever recorded. Machine gun is of course the lead track.
