Machine Gun Jimi Hendrix The Fillmore East 12/31/1969 (First Show)

Band of Gypsies was the first Hendrix album I ever bought, back in '81 from a small record shop in either Ambleside or Windermere if memory serves me correct. I have always loved the album, despite the chequered history it had. I remember playing it in the sixth form common room and some wag commenting during Machine Gun that "his guitar is broken ", and a friend who's musical taste I respected saying "it's not one of his better albums, is it". I stuck with it though and they were both wrong, the album over the years has rightly garnered a very good reputation, recognising that Hendrix was trying to expand his repertoire and going down a funkier path.The album was of course produced to get Hendrix out of a contractual problem and only contained six songs from four performances, those that were deemed the best performances plus they were previously unreleased songs. Then a few years ago we had the Live at the Fillmore East album that collected more performances from the four gigs and gave us even more of an opportunity to hear what this band was capable of. With many releases from Experience Hendrix over the past few years there have been concerns that they maybe ripping the fans off and when I initially saw this release of the full first set I thought it maybe just such a rip off, but all the performances on the original album were from the second night and only three of the tracks here are on the second release. So not a total rip off then.If you're into Hendrix then you will know what to expect here, you may already have the gig on some bootleg, but the sound has been nicely cleaned up by Eddie Kramer, doing his usual good job. The performance starts off bit ropey, but this was new band and hadn't had as long to rehearse as they would have liked. Once they settle into their stride though they really do hit the heights. There's some wonderful blues, especially on a lengthy Hear My Train A Comin' and Bleeding Heart. Although most of these songs appear on the Fillmore East album Hendrix could never just play things the same way night after night and there are enough differences to keep things interesting, the version of Maxhine Gun here, for instance,is four minutes shorter than the one on the original album.This may not be essential Hendrix, but it is interesting and enjoyable Hendrix, and I'm certainly glad I bought it but a quick note to Experience Hendrix. Enough of these Band of Gypsies recordings for the time being, how about the Albert Hall show from '69, we know you've got the rights or even the other Berkeley show from 1970, I'm pretty sure most fans would not consider them any kind of rip off. For the time being though this will keep us satisfied.

Coupled with the flawless set-up of the rig - good tuning, no glitches - this is easily the best quality audio production for a live recording of Hendrix. How did Eddie Kramer &co do it? Is it from a different source tape to the ones used in previous releases? This is more open, sweeter, clearer, with greater dynamic range than anything else out there. It really shows in Machine Gun and a flawless but previously unreleased version of Elmore James's Bleeding Heart.. its sudden break from bellicose soloing before an appropriately subdued last verse is quite spellbinding. The only other recorded live version I know is from the Albert Hall: equally perfect, perhaps better, but who's competing?It's historically interesting to have the entire concert, and actually it works as a well-rounded set, though the audience doesn't seem too thrilled. But then it was the warm-up set, first of four on new year weekend, and no familiar numbers were included. Now, that may well come as a relief and of course, as recorded material, it's only there to be plundered for hot tracks. The brave opener Power of Soul shows determination to get on with the new more adult repertoire and, despite the slip where Hendrix can't quite keep up, somewhere near the beginning, it could be my favourite version. The slip isn't typical in this very tight set. Lover Man, the second track, is the only dull one for me. Only the lightest of connections show through: Izabella's chorus and discordant end presages Machine Gun, they go together - no problem, top Izabella, the band completely nails it. As for Machine Gun, that's a long and dull debate, but I'm fast revising my opinion this was the worst of the four from that weekend and we're lucky to have them all.

It's such a shame that the Band of Gypsys never had the chance to progress. They were much better than the Experience in so many ways. Buddy Miles solid drumming provided a much better platform for Hendrix than Mitch Mitchell, very fine drummer though he was. Miles and Billy Cox on bass make a great rhythm section and understand the old 'less is more' approach which suits Jimi's busy guitar style perfectly.This concert sounds to my ears every bit as good as the originally released version we are all familiar with, quite possibly even better. Hendrix's solos on Machine Gun are just beautiful and worth the price of the album on their own.Buddy Miles was a great singer and supplies wonderfully soulful lead vocals on Changes and Stop as well as, along with Billy Cox, tasteful support to Hendrix elsewhere, particularly on Easy Rider and Earth Blues.In conclusion, a great concert by a band still obviously enjoying the thrill of working together after only a couple of weeks together. Contrary to what one other reviewer has claimed the sound is just great. A thing of great beauty.

Well, all of this has been available on legalised 'illegal' copies in the past and of course in exceptionally bad quality. This album is fabulous and has been really well mastered. The version of Machine Gun is probably the best version of the several that have been released. What would be really nice to look forward to would be the other three concerts recorded at the Fillmore at this time so that we have the complete set.We have been lucky enough with Miami, Woodstock and the Isle of Wight concerts so maybe its just a case of waiting. Well worth waiting for (its only been 46 years!) and well worth buying. If you haven't heard the Band of Gypsies before though, do be warned. Buddy Miles just isn't the greatest of singers or drummers - and he certainly lacks the style, dynamics and skill of the great Mitch Mitchell. I've heard of his technique as being comparable to a cement mixer. Subtle he ain't and when you have that in your head it definitely comes through very loud and very strong on this album!