It's not far off 3/4 of a century ago that Jimi Hendrix was born. Actually he'd have been 71 years old today.
Many have pondered on just how that life would have evolved? What music has been lost? It's certain his electric guitar playing has never been surpassed in rock and blues since. Other guitarists have taken the techniques to new areas in jazz but that blue print Jimi layed down in just 4 years still goes on to inspire and mystify in equal measure.
If you know the chords and the licks it's still nigh impossible to get the nuance. It was the touch that seems of another world that only great artists can achieve. It's not just the notes. It never is. It's the life in the playing. The very breath of their existence. It's the same when you hear Charlie Parker or Miles Davis. You can imitate but not embody.
This months release of The Experience at the 'The Miami Pop festival' is as good demonstration of the very presence of Jimi as you'll find. Coming between Monterey and Woodstock Festivals, Miami Pop in 1968 had
always been less lorded by the media. Monterey being the first flamboyant demonstration and proper Ameriacn
recognition. Woodstock being the crowned king and full attention by the rest of the world. But Miami Pop is special, because it has that irresistible moment when the artist is on a journey of discovery and with still miles ahead to travel. Not even he would know quite where it would go.
The songs are mostly taken from the first 1967 album but now the group are perfectly atuned with gigs a plenty in the bag. Redding and Mitchell in top form are molded as one. Hendrix is free to run.
How these newly discovered recordings of Miami Pop have surfaced is quite baffling but you think it can only be time that has been the factor. Either someone has died or someone has relinquished.
The presence of these recordings are not just a completist mission of out takes and bootleg cuts but the band in full flight with the 25 year old Jimi creating new ideas and expositions that would eventually lead to the next albums, particularly Electric Ladyland.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Miami Pop Festival is released on vinyl and CD. One search on Amazon will get you there.
This is the track 'Drifting' that was finished after his death and included on the 'Cry Of Love' album.
The film clips are taken from the BBC documentary 'Hear My Train A Comin' which includes video of the Miami Pop festival. During which is some short footage of a helicopter in flight, which is not so oblique as it appears, it was carrying Jimi to the stage.
The words that animate at the very end are the final lines taken from Jimi's last poem 'The Story of Life', having been written the night before he died and found on his bed.
The story of love is hello and goodbye
Until we meet again
