Saturday, June 11, 2016

Woodstock Festival/Bethel,NY/August 18,1969

introduction
"Message to Love"
"Hear My Train A Comin'"
"Spanish Castle Magic"
"Red House"
"Mastermind"
"Lover Man"
"Foxy Lady"
"Jam Back at the House"
"Izabella"
"Gypsy Woman"
"Fire"
"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)"
"Star Spangled Banner"
"Purple Haze"
improvisation
"Villanova Junction Blues"
"Hey Joe"

Gypsy Sun and Rainbows
Jimi Hendrix-guitar,vocals
Billy Cox-bass
Mitch Mitchell-drums
Larry Lee-guitar
Jerry Velez-congas
Juma Sultan-congas

time-115:00

The MC introduces "The Jimi Hendrix Experience". But this is actually "Gypsy Sun and Rainbows" as Jimi points out. After a couple minutes of talking and tuning,Jimi leaps into "Message to Love". This is probably the first fully fleshed-out live version. There is a little hesitancy in the playing,but Jimi comes through with a blazing peaked-out solo.

A very heavy "Hear My Train A Comin'" starts off sounding oddly like "Machine Gun" at the very beginning. "Spanish Castle Magic" features guitar solos by Jimi and Larry Lee. A very nice 8+ minute "Red House" comes next.

Larry Lee handles vocals on "Mastermind". This is a mellow,cool-out type of song. Jimi brings the energy back up with "Lover Man". "Jam Back at the House" (a.k.a. "Beginnings") features a drum solo around the 4 minute mark.

After a blazing "Izabella" (one of the very few live versions), Larry Lee takes over vocals again on "Gypsy Woman". Jimi then satisfies the audience requests for "Fire".

The closing segment of "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)"/"Star Spangled Banner"/"Purple Haze"/improv/"Villanova Junction Blues" is well documented in the official "Woodstock" movie. This is a must-hear piece of music. The Gypsy Sun and Rainbows wraps up with "Hey Joe".

This has been available as a high quality soundboard recording on many releases over the years. A large chunk of the show is also available on video.







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