The only official live album released during his lifetime, Band Of Gypsys was a project put together by Jimi, drummer Buddy Miles, and bassist Billy Cox to record an album to give to PPX Records as part of an agreement to settle an outstanding contract problem.
While PPX wasn't happy getting a live album from Jimi (they wanted his next studio project), this would be an album that not only featured Jimi playing live, but experimenting with funk, soul, rock, mixing them together to create an all new sound.
Easily the highlight of Band Of Gypsys album is the track `Machine Gun'. Everytime I hear it, I lose myself in the song. Air guitar, air drumming, you name it, you'll play it on this one. Jimi's tour-de-force, and a bold statement on the Vietnam War which was going on at the time.
A few versions of this one exist, the original release, an import from the UK featuring 3 extra tracks that did not appear on the original album release, the 25th Anniversary Capitol release, and this, the 1997 Experience Hendrix release.
This version is the one you will want for your collection.
- Who Knows 9:32
- Machine Gun 12:33
- Them Changes 5:10
- Power To Love 6:53
- Message To Love 5:22
- We Gotta Live Together 5:46
Catalog #: MCASD 11607
