Jimi Hendrix - Power Of Soul - Oil Well RSC 121 CD

Jimi Hendrix - Power Of Soul
Oil Well RSC 121 CD

1. Ezy Rider #1    5:26
2. Power Of Soul   7:36
3. Changes    5:26
4. Lover Man    2:43
5. Message To Love #1    4:51
6. Earth Blues 5:15
7. Ezy Rider #2    7:51
8. Message To Love #2  4:54
9. Who Knows      18:16
10. Message To Love #3    10:18
Total duration: 72:36

Note
All songs by Jimi Hendrix
Live in Atlanta February 8, 1969 Vol 2. 

Tracks 1 to 5 recorded live at Baggies, New York - 18th December 1969
Tracks 6 to 10 recorded live at Record Plant Studios, New York - 19th December 1969

Lineup:
Bass, Vocals – Billy Cox
Drums, Vocals – Buddy Miles
Guitar, Vocals – Jimi Hendrix

This album is identical to Band of Gypsy's Rehearsals (Kopy Kat KK 003) - 1994
It's a very good but incomplete studio source of Band Of Gypsy's rehearsals with some distortion on vocals.
This rehearsal are also released on: Band Of Gypsys - The Rehearsal Sessions (ATM 205-206) that is complete more than other bootlegs.
Please note that track 7 is "Ezy Rider" (6); Track 9 is made of several takes of "Who Knows" (1-7); Track 10 in made with two tracks of "Message of love" (08-09 practice and 10).
Oil Well version has a fine cover, fine quality.  Limited to 200 copies only. Due to its rarity and good quality, this disc is recommended.
All songs by Jimi Hendrix unless Changes written by Buddy Miles.
On the front cover Jimi Hendrix performing live at Boston Garden, Boston, MA, USA on June 27, 1970 from the Cry of Love Tour - U.S. Leg Tour .

Audio quality: 
Quality content: 

 © Official released material:
Tracks 1,2,3,4,5 have been released officially on: The Baggy's Rehearsal Sessions.
Track 6 has been released officially on: People, Hell and Angels 
_____________________________________________________________________

The Baggy's Rehearsal Sessions
Jimi Hendrix: The Baggy’s Rehearsal Sessions represents the fifth release by Dagger Records, the official bootleg label created by Experience Hendrix. Released on June 25, 2002 by Dagger Records the album contains recordings from two rehearsal sessions (on December 18 and 19, 1969) for the Band of Gypsys' performances at the Fillmore East on December 31, 1969 and January 1, 1970. Hendrix had just returned from Toronto, Canada where he had been acquitted in a jury trial for narcotic possession. The verdict had lifted an enormous burden from the guitarist’s shoulders. With the court case and all of its possible ramifications now behind him, Hendrix redirected his energy toward preparations for the recording of a live album at the Fillmore East with bassist Billy Cox and drummer Buddy Miles.

It is Miles who suggests running through “Ezy Ryder” and off they go. In this case, this tune really benefits from the direct one-guitar/bass/drums format. It has an extra punch that the take on the “First Rays” album lacks and the back up vocals are more prominent. “Ezy Ryder”is a high-speed funk-rock masterpiece if there was ever one, where Jimi’s mastery of lead and rhythm is on full display
Hendrix unleashes a few psychedelic Furies on “Power of Soul”, an intense funk-rock workout, almost bordering on heavy metal in places. And while I’m sure that hearing this on drugs would be amazing, I’m almost tripping out just listening to it straight! “Power Of Soul” and this version is noticeably longer than the Band of Gypsys live take clocking at over seven minutes. Vocally speaking, Hendrix is in better form here than on the live album in my opinion and the soloing is as good if not better. Miles even added a short ‘ooh’ of back up vocals for one second during the first verse. They should have expanded on that idea and add the back up vocals throughout the song! Very nice version but I still prefer the studio take from “South Saturn Delta” with the killer wah wah soloing! Still any version of this tune always does the trick for me…such great riffs throughout.

The Miles written “Changes” starts with its ear catching melodic intro and this version is very close to the Band of Gypsys live take with Miles’ vocals taking main role and Hendrix guitar prowess taking a noticeable back seat. That issue aside, I’ve always enjoyed this R&B song and the chorus riff is killer! However, track number eight is a real treat: this is so far the only chance to hear the Band Of Gypsies tearing through the rocker “Lover Man” in a studio setting. The lead guitar playing is simply fantastic and matches his lead work from the Experience take featured on the “South Saturn Delta” album. This song would have made a nice single A side in my opinion.

Message to Love

“Message to Love” was a tune Hendrix had been working on for several months, but it was only until he brought in Buddy Miles and Billy Cox that it seemed to all fall together and really work. The trio would record a more polished studio rendition in the months ahead, but it’s fascinating nonetheless to get a glimpse into what is quite possibly the very instant when the whole thing actually fell into place.  it does not sound too different from the classic live take on the album but of course Hendrix always manages to deliver an interesting solo that radically differs from the familiar one heard on the live LP. The middle eight with the lyrics ‘I am what I am’ is my favorite part. This recording also demonstrates that the band was definitely in high spirits during this recording session as you can hear them joking around at the end. According to the liner notes, they are imitating two comedians that they enjoyed: Moms Mabley and Pigmeat Markham!

For the version of “Earth Blues" of this album the emphasis is put on the vocal sections as opposed to the jamming improvisation. Hendrix keeps the wah wah solo short and they quickly go into a third verse. This is one of my favorite compositions from the Gypsies period because it seems to bring together a gospel influence with funk and the intro/chorus rhythm guitar motif is unusual! Also of note is the cool ending where Hendrix seemingly deconstructs the main riff to finish off with an ascending dissonant riff! A superb coda idea that Hendrix used on other songs such as “Freedom” and “In From The Storm”.

Band Of Gypsies testament
What this compilation proves is that Hendrix was far more disciplined in his approach to making music than some others have claimed. Instead of the drug-addled and artistically adrift musician who’d lost his way, The Baggy’s Rehearsal Sessions remains as clear evidence that while his immediate ambitions may have been incomplete (from Jupiter to the very “Pillars of Creation”) , the man could still put in a hard day of work (or night) when called upon. And while the sound may be somewhat sub-par when compared to most of his other recordings, it nevertheless provides an essential insight into the living organism that was The Band Gypsys, and a testament to their power and glory, no matter how brief that moment was.

In brief, this official bootleg release is essential listening for die hard fans of Jimi Hendrix, especially if you are big into his Band Of Gypsies phase and appreciate Hendrix’s effort to bring his R&B/soul/funk heritage to the fore with the ultimate end of producing a combination of said styles and rock!

Download
https://t.me/oilwellrscbootlegs/452