WSQ Plays Hendrix

[danasgoodstuff]

I know I shouldn't judge, and I really do like tribute albums as much as anyone, but something gives me a bad feeling 'bout this one. According to Jazzmatazz/CD Universe it's out March 9, 2004 and Murray is the only original member left. Maybe they could get Mitch Mitchel to guest? Not as bad an idea as Aerosmith plays da blues (out about the same time), but that might be bad in a fun way. Nor as obvious as Eric C. plays R. Johnson, also out soon. Whatcha think?

P.S. I really did like Nigel Kennedy's Hendrix thing when I saw him live, but I don't listen to the album much, so "Who Knows"?

[JSngry]

Murray is the only original member left.

Assuming that Purcell is still on board, who are the other two members?

As for the concept itself, I'm not opposed. Hendrix left a body of work that holds up to different interpretations, and the his whole jazzy/bluesy/sonic/cosmic melange certainly shouldn't intimidate any jazz musician whose calendar goes past 1965 or so.

[danasgoodstuff]

According to cd Universe, Purcell's out and Bruce Williams, Craig Harris and Matthew Garrison are in...

[JSngry]

Hmmmm....

[JSngry]

Is that Craig Harris (the trombonist) or Craig Handy?

[JSngry]

And Matthew Garrison plays bass, doesn't he?

This is maybe shaping to be a "WSQ+" record, maybe?

[danasgoodstuff]

Maybe they woulda/coulda/shoulda got Mitch Mitchel?

[JSngry]

Does he still play?

[danasgoodstuff]

Last I heard (a good decade back) he still like to sit in at the local pub...

[7/4]

Maybe they woulda/coulda/shoulda got Mitch Mitchel?

It could be interesting if they got Elvin to play. He seems like such a big influence on MM during the Experience days.

[danasgoodstuff]

After I posted this, I read that Mitchell is currently playing with Billy Cox in a Hendrix tribute tour also featuring Buddy Guy and Living Colour, among others. I agree that Mitch was deeply influenced by Elvin, i believe he's said so often. Reminds me of the Camaro commercial where they used (a replication of?) Mitch's drum breaks from "Fire", but not the bit that says "Move over rover and let Jimi take over!" I'd love to hear Elvin play something rocking with a band that could keep up....

[BFrank]

That "Experience Hendrix" show is coming to SF this week. Here's the lineup they have listed:

Buddy Guy, Paul Rodgers, Joe Satriani, Jerry Cantrell, Indigenous, Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox.

[Pete C]

As far as I know Purcell has been off the scene for a while.

[JohnS]

Anyone heard this one yet and care to give a review and the personnel?

[PHILLYQ]

I picked it up last week and have only given it a few spins, but I like what I hear. WSQ does a few tunes you'd expect(Foxy Lady), and some that aren't covered very often(The Wind Cries Mary). The arrangementsare very good to my ears, and there's some inspired playing on the disc.

There are three original members on this disc, Murray, Bluiett, & Lake, and Craig Harris(the trombone player) is added on some cuts(His spoken word vocal on 'Wind Cries Mary' is very effective). Billy Bang is on violin on some cuts, I can't think of the bass player(I'm at work right now), and Gene Lake is the drummer. Gene Lake does some outstanding work on this one, and Bang's violin work is also very good.

[JohnS]

Thanks for your comments PHILLYQ. One to get.