It’s utterly amazing that there is incredible music like this concert from the Atlanta Pop Festival that has never been “ officially” released. It catches Jimi Hendrix just after disbanding the Band of Gypsies and re-forming his Experience, but with Billy Cox on bass along with the swinging Mitch Mitchell. Hendrix himself is in an inspired mood both in guitar and voice, and the rhythm section swings with a grand swagger. The team boogies on ”Fire” and “Lover Man” with some great delta blues picking on “Red House” and “Hey Joe.” He gets other worldly with his sound on “Message to Love” and a wild “Stone Free” while on the hip groove of “All Along The Watchtower” Cox forms a rivulet of rhythm as an irresistible foundation for the leader. Mitchell is a wonder hear, able to swing the psychedelia of “Straightahead” or dig deep on “Foxy Lady.” A take of the “Star Spangled Banner” is stratospheric, and his guitar wacka wookas with joy on “Voodoo Child.”
Even more impressive is how suave Hendrix sounds on vocals, he swings with a natural and relaxed lilt all throughout, riveting and grabbing your attention on “Spanish Castle Magic” and “Purple Haze.” With 40 years to look back on, it’s amazing how traditional yet radical his playing could be, simultaneously.
Legacy Records