Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys reinvented the traditional, Jimi Hendrix Experience vibe with its unique mosaic of sound and integrative acoustics. The original live recordings showcased a harmonious groove, led by Billy Cox‘s powerful guitar, Buddy Miles‘s percussion, and overall vocal mastery. This past weekend, Roosevelt Collier, along with Dopapod members Rob Compa and Chuck Jones and TAUK’s Isaac Teel, led a vibrant Band of Gypsys tribute at New York City’s American Beauty.
Collier, a pedal-steel maestro and Hendrix aficionado, immersed the venue in rich, late 60’s era jams. As the industry heavyweight dazzled the intimate venue, each crowd goer was awed in his outstanding craft. Collier provides a sound that is truly soulful, rhythmic, and indicative of his remarkable talent. Compa (Guitar) and Jones (Bass) evinced their inventive sound while encapsulating Cox’s trademark Band of Gypsys feel. The duo approached Cox’s string-filled prominence in their prolific instrumentals that boast contemporary sound. Teel presented pure percussion mastery that assumed a unique approach to the craft with surprise vocals and respectful nods to Miles’s old-school talent. Collectively, each artist pursued his mastery in a compilation of groovy jams that paid serious homage to the infamous live album.
The Band of Gypsys led the night with a setlist boasting tracks, “Who Knows,” “Changes,” “We Gotta Live Together,” and “Foxy Lady,” to name a few. While Collier soaked the evening in an upbeat atmosphere led by poetic steel driven notes, “Who Knows,” fluttered throughout the room in a vintage and psychedelic feel. Teel led the tune in his vocals, an instrument on its own, belting, “She didn’t know/ And she didn’t care/ She didn’t know/ She didn’t care/ And she go walking/ Down the street singing.” The robust tones of Teel’s vocals led the crowd into the infamous lyrics to later come together in harmony. Collective hymns are integral to the tune and indicative of the crowds’ undeniable enthusiasm. The band led the jam into, “Changes,” another track from the live album. Collier rendered the formerly dark and jammy track into a slow and harmonious rendition with impressive vocals. As opposed to emphasizing heavy instrumentals, the band illuminated its soulful side with intoxicating lyrics. Teel chanted, “It’s alright baby/ Yeah it’s alright,” while Collier laced the track with fluttering notes and contributive vocals. The delightful chorus hardened throughout the room in its dark and soulful haze. In true Jimi Fashion, Collier pronounced, “We’d like you to clap your hands,” as the crowd clapped and cheered the band drew out a thick jam that was brought into, “We Gotta Live Together.” The crowd cheered as Teel belted, “Home sweet home! Home sweet home!” giving American Beauty a sense that New York can be home to any who are in tune to admire.
Intense bass took center stage as Jones dug out a ravine for guitarist prominence, complimented by Compa’s penetrating notes. Bass ensued, immersing American Beauty in an instrumental haze. Collier prompted the crowd, pressing, “Is everyone having a good time out there?!” as the crowd was clearly responsive in their cheers, he threw a head nod to the late Hendrix, proclaiming, “Enjoy this Jimi!” Compa and Jones continued in their guitarist prowess, caressed by Teel’s sound. A slow rendition of, “Fire” encompassed the room while Teel belted, “Let me stand/ Let me stand/ Let me stand next to your fire.” This slow and sexy rendition of the traditionally excited track had the entire crowd slow dancing and singing along to the enticing lyrics.
Collier prompted the crowd with the night’s last song, an essential Jimi tune, “Foxy Lady.” Amongst the bands’ head nods, strums, and jamming that constructing this high energy cover, Compa poured his both his instrumental and vocal talent into its composition. Compa belted, “I’ve made up my mind/ I’m tired of wasting all my precious time/ You got to be all mine/ Foxy.” As Compa roared the sultry lyrics, the room was filled with a delightful, nostalgic haze that is beautifully trademark to the Jimi Hendrix sound. The night came to a close as the track struck a harmonious chord. American Beauty was immersed in the jam-driven, sensual vibe led by “Foxy.” The tune laid down a warm glow that bounced off the venue’s walls and christened the night with infectious smiles.
Check out full audio from the night below, courtesy of taper Eric McRoberts.
The post Roosevelt Collier Leads Band Of Gypsys Tribute With Dopapod & TAUK Members [Full Audio] appeared first on L4LM.
