Jimi Hendrix: Blues (Tracks 8 and 9 of 11)

The next two tracks from Jimi Hendrix's Blues are Jam 292 and Once I Had a Woman.  Jam 292 is a fast-paced jam, an unconventional blues.  There is just a lot going on in this song, including a lot of distortion, and it is somewhat hard to distinguish Jimi's real talent.  The version I have here is called Jelly 292, which is apparently the second take of Jam 292.  Once I had a Woman, on the other hand, is a slow, crying blues, that I associate with Jimi's full bend and simultaneous vibrato.  He gets a lot out of simple licks in this song.  It also has a harmonica part and vocals.  Lord I had a woman, lord knows she was good to me in every way.  Jimi definitely has a lot of fun on both of these tracks, check them out.

Jimi Hendrix: Blues (Track 7 of 11)

Born Under a Bad Sign, the classic Albert King tune, is taken from a different angle by Hendrix.  First of all, he plays it in a different key, a little slower, and with no lyrics.  Albert typically plays a crisp style of lead guitar, which Hendrix also changes up a little.  He adds more vibrato, distortion, and makes the guitar whine a little more.  It's a completely different vibe.  Albert sings it with an air of confidence and manliness, which Jimi's version doesn't convey.  Jimi's style is a little more somber.  That being said, the 7 minute 38 second track has a lot of variety, which I like.  It's an informal jam.  It has fast paced lead, slow, whining lead, some real rhythm to it, and some rock and roll.
Something Jimi does on this track that's great: there are no lyrics, but you hear his voice a few times.  He lets out a "Yeah!" and a couple of moans.  This makes the song twice as good; I feel like I'm hearing it live, I get a vivid picture of him playing.  Albert King does this, too, like in I'll Play the Blues For You when he says, "Scuse me..." before his solo.
Born Under a Bad Sign - Hendrix
Albert Live 1981

Jimi Hendrix: Blues (Tracks 5 and 6 of 11)

Here's a double installment from the Hendrix Blues album, Voodoo Chile Blues and Electric Church Red House.  I put these two together because they're similar and I have almost nothing to say about them.  They just display more of Hendrix's distinctive, creative soloing ability.  I like some variety, but honestly, the album wouldn't necessarily lose anything without one or the other of these tracks.  Electric Church Red House is, of course, Red House in a completely different way, and Voodoo Chile Blues does the same thing for Voodoo Child.  Electric Church was recorded in 1968 and features an organ; Voodoo Chile was released on the Electric Ladyland album.

Also, check out Red House on my earlier post and Voodoo Child right here.
I guess all I have left to say is, the night I was born, the moon turned a fire red!

Jimi Hendrix: Blues (Track 4 of 11)

Here is the acoustic version of Hendrix's Hear My Train A Comin'.  It's played on a 12-string guitar and I think this video may have been made as a promotion for the guitar.  Anyways, the track doesn't really start until 1 minutes in.  Hendrix starts off by talking about "gimmicks," then plays a little, then asks to start over because he's so nervous.  It is bizarre.  There is no audience, he's playing for a recording, I don't know why he's nervous.  He's one strange guy.  That is all forgotten, however, when the tune starts.  His guitar seems to be tuned funny, it doesn't sound like anything at all that I've heard before.  The style is just unique, I can't even describe it.  It certainly is not like the Blues tracks I've posted so far, a testament to his skills.  It's safe to say Jimi could have made himself a star in any genre.  Apparently, he did more songs in this recording, on the 12-string, but I can't find them.  Hendrix's crazy fashion sense is showcased in this video.  He's got his rings, some kind of polka dot jacket, and a decorated hat: weird.  I was scared as to death can i just do it one more time, one more time!  Here he is.

Bluestone's Track of the Day: Baby Please Don't Go

Baby Please Don't Go is a blues standard and possibly the best tune ever written. It has been covered by innumerable artists and in countless different yet compelling ways. According to Wikipedia, the lyrics are derived from 20th century work songs Another Man Done Gone, Alabama Bound, Don't Leave Me Here, and Turn Your Lamp Down Low. As we already know, all blues are interconnected and derived from one another and so on and so forth and here and there and it's all the same. What is so special about this song? Don't ask me, because i couldn't tell you. Don't ask me why Bob Dylan was so successful with a terrible voice and sub par guitar skills. Don't ask me why Crank That by Soulja Boy was such a big hit. Some things are just good, they're appealing, the devil has some stake in them.
Supposedly Big Joe Williams' version was the first recorded (1935). I don't know which version he recorded first, but the one I have here is on a 9-string guitar with a first fret capo, and is absolutely brilliant. The video is a must watch. Big Joe is fat and passionate, he taps his foot, and he freakin' plays it. His vocals fade in and out in such a way that they blend together with his playing. I commented on Hendrix's blend of vocals and playing earlier; it's fascinating to note that parallel here in a completely different setting.

Van Morrison's version is a fast paced, full band blues rock. A lead guitar plays the melody over a simple bass, there's a harmonica, drums, and everything. Van sings it well, too. Although this is not how this tune began, it's well done.
Lightnin' Hopkins' version is played in typical Lightnin' fashion and is another knockout. He plays the melody then strums out a blues. Hopkins' is hilariously distant looking in this performance, but it's still good. The version recorded on his Blues Masters Compilation album of 2000 is also very good, different from the one here.
And here is Muddy Waters' version. He of course is the bridge that leads from Big Joe and Lightnin' to Van Morrison.  Not quite rock, but not an old fashioned blues. Check it out.

Jimi Hendrix: Blues (Track 3 of 11)

Hendrix's version of Muddy Waters' Mannish Boy is fast paced and funky.  The rhythm guitar uses muted strokes well to achieve that funk sound.  There isn't much in the way of lead guitar and there aren't any real solos; this is a big change from most of the tracks on Blues where Hendrix basically solos all the way through.  The lyrics are great, though, thanks to Muddy, and Jimi does this kind of falsetto at the beginning, which really shows his range.  I've found myself listening to this one more as the sun has come out this spring and I've been able to roll the windows down in the car while I drive.
Stand in line, I'll make love to you... it's always time.  Jimi's lyrics diverge a little from Muddy's but there good and mannish still.

Jimi Hendrix: Blues (Track 2 of 11)

Johnny Allen Hendrix was born in Seattle, Washington he 1942. Hendrix is in the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the UK Music Hall of Fame, the Native American Music Hall of Fame, and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It all started at the age of 15 when Hendrix laid down $5 for his first acoustic guitar, which he bought from a friend of his father's. Hendrix's first gig was with an unnamed band in the basement of a synagogue, Seattle's Temple De Hirsch. After too much wild playing and showing off, he was fired between sets (Wikipedia.org).

Hendrix grew up in a poor, unstable family. His father was in the army, and separated from his mother. He even spent time living with his grandmother in Canada, when things were bad. He took what he could get and ended up playing a right-handed guitar lefty... and being one of the greatest musicians ever.

This track is called Red House. It's another another typical Hendrix blues in B-flat, but there are a couple things I really like about it. First, the intro. It's just really good, that's all there is to it. The licks are really simple, but sound great. The second thing I like is that the song his hilarious. You have to listen to it twice, once to laugh, and once to cry about how much better he is than you.  If my baby don't love me no more, i know her... sister will!

Buy Blues on Amazon.com

Here is the video of Hendrix playing Red House at Woodstock. Watch it.  It's strange, he plays the intro looking incredibly focused, almost nervous.  When the lyrics begin, however, his godlike persona emerges.

Jimi Hendrix: Blues (Track 1 of 11)

Eventually, I will try to post all 11 tracks of Hendrix's album Blues.  Unfortunately, I can no longer post free downloads, so we'll see.  I'm only letting 1 slip at a time because this album is one to savor.
In 1994, MCA Records produced a posthumous compilation album of Hendrix's blues recordings from the late 1960s. Six of the eleven tracks had never been released. Why, I do not know. It reached #4 on the top blues albums in 1995, but in my humble opinion, it is one of the best ever. Hendrix, the greatest guitarist ever, takes blues to another level. He includes covers of Muddy Waters and Albert King, plus some of his own stuff. As a kid he was influenced mainly by B.B. King and Muddy Waters, but the cover the album Blues depicts Robert Johnson, Lightnin' Hopkins, and many more.
The first track I'm going to post is my personal favorite, Bleeding Heart. It is a 3 minute, 27 second gem, littered with many of my favorite licks, and incredible, classic Hendrix vocals. His voice holds up well enough on its own, but he often complements his lyrics with heavy licks that seem to say almost the same thing he is; it's incredible how his guitar sings. This tune is played in B-flat and it goes like this:

Peoples, peoples, peoples,

You know what it means to be left alone.

Nobody today, Lord not even called on my telephone.

Understand it, Lord a little love is all in the world I need.

A little love and understandin' baby, is all in the world I need.

Yes a misunderstandin' and a no good woman,

Lord they both have caused my heart to bleed.

Every mornin', the willows weep and moan for me,

The birds sing the love song, and my baby

Has caused my heart to bleed.

Stay posted for the next track off Blues!

Listen to Bleeding Heart.

Buy this album on Amazon.com: Blues