Jimi Hendrix Encyclopedia

Throughout this month, both Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox joined Hendrix at his 59 West 12th Street apartment in Greenwich Village for exploratory jam sessions. Hendrix made a number of home recordings during this period. Hendrix alternated between acoustic and electric guitar as he routined such fare as “Stepping Stone,” “Send My Love To Linda”, “Last Thursday Morning,” “Freedom,” “Bolero”, and the fleeting, twelve-string “Acoustic Demo” featured as part of the Dagger Records release Morning Symphony Ideas.

Acoustic Demo Billy Cox. jam sessions Bolero Dagger Records Freedom Last Thursday Morning Mitch Mitchell Send My Love To Linda Stepping Stone Stories

Juggy Sound, New York Studio Recording Mixing sessions for Band Of Gypsys resumed. Before the evening session began, Hendrix engaged in a jam session with the Rosicrucians, a Queens-based group whose album Eddie Kramer had been producing at the studio. Two separate recordings were made before Hendrix concluded the jam.

Band of Gypsys eddie kramer Recording Rosicrucians

While Hendrix and Eddie Kramer were taking a break from a mixing session for Band Of Gypsys at New York’s Juggy Sound, Jimi joins Rosicrucians, a Queens-based band that Kramer was producing, for a casual jam session.

1970 Band of Gypsys casual jam session eddie kramer February 2 Live New York's Juggy Sound Rosicrucians

Record Plant, New York Studio Recording Hendrix completed overdubs onto his January 21 Record Plant recording of “Power Of Soul”. A new mix was also prepared.

complete mix Power Of Soul Recording

Rough mixes of the January 21 cuts of “Power Of Soul” was prepared.

1970 February 3 Power Of Soul Recording

Under the watchful eye of manager, Michael Jeffery Rolling Stone’s John Burks was invited to Jeffery’s office on West 37th Street in New York to interview Hendrix, Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding (who was recently brought in from England). Jeffery clearly wanted to present the original Jimi Hendrix Experience as a united group and that the disastrous Madison Square Garden performance by Hendrix with the Band Of Gypsys was a single, isolated episode. Rolling Stone was at the forefront of the counter cultural press and Jeffrey desperately wanted to the benefit of positive coverage for his artist. In his interview, Burks made several attempts to pin Hendrix down on his present musical course, but Hendrix offered no definitive explanation or plan. Rather than lay out a comprehensive plan for the Experience, Hendrix alluded to possible future jamming and recording with Cox and Miles. The guitarist also described the recent Madison Square Garden performance as ‘the end of a big fairy tale’.

Interviews Jimi Hendrix John Burks Michael Jeffery Rolling Stone Mitch Mitchell Noel Redding Rolling Stone

Under the watchful eye of manager, Michael Jeffery Rolling Stone’s John Burks was invited to Jeffery’s office on West 37th Street in New York to interview Hendrix, Mitchell and Redding (whom was recently brought in from England), in a carefully controlled environment. Wanting the trio to appear as a united force that was to again be known as The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Jeffrey pressed to get positive press coverage in the pages of Rolling Stone.

During the interview Hendrix is asked several questions about his evolving music direction where he eludes to expanded musical offerings. Have you given any thought to touring with the Experience as the basic unit, but bringing along other people? Or would that be too confusing?

No, it shouldn’t be. Maybe I’m the evil one, right [laughs]. But there isn’t any reason for it to be like that. I even want the name to be Experience anyway, and still be this mish-mash moosh-mash between Madame Flipflop And Her Harmonite Social Workers.

It’s a nice name.

It’s a nice game. No, like about putting other groups on the tour, like our friends – I don’t know about that right now; not at a stage like this, because we’re in the process of getting our own thing together as far as a three piece group. But eventually, we have time on the side to play with friends. That’s why I’ll probably be jamming with Buddy [Miles] and Billy [Cox]; probably be recording, too, on the side, and they’ll be doing the same.

Do you every think in terms of going out with a dozen people?

I like Stevie Winwood; he’s one of those dozen people. But things don’t have to be official all the time. Things don’t have to be formal for jams and stuff. But I haven’t had a chance to get in contact with him.”

With Hendrix’s growing interest in Steve Winwood and a growing relationship with Billy Cox, it was clear in Hendrix’s mind that the original Experience group would never reform – he was right.

1970 February 4 interview Interviews John Burks Michael Jeffery Rolling Stone

Juggy Sound, New York Studio Recording In the early morning hours of February 5, Jimi returned to Juggy Sound as mixing sessions for Band Of Gypsys continued. By this stage, final mixes for “Who Knows” and “Machine Gun” had been crafted and set aside. Hendrix had completed the album’s first side and now focused his energies on completing side two. Among the songs mixed by Hendrix and Kramer but not selected for the album were “Stone Free” [1/1/70 2nd Show] and “Hear My Train A Comin’” [12/31/69 1st Show]

Band of Gypsys hear my train a comin' Juggy Sound Machine Gun Recording Stone Free Who Knows

Record Plant, Los Angeles Studio Recording Although Jimi was not present at the Record Plant’s Los Angeles studio, engineers Stan Agol and Dan Turbeville mixed a four-track recording of “Star Spangled Banner” for the upcoming Woodstock movie soundtrack.

Dan Turbeville Recording Stan Agol Star Spangled Banner Woodstock movie

Although Jimi was not present at the Record Plant’s Los Angeles studio, engineers Stan Agol and Dan Turbeville mixed a four-track recording of “Star Spangled Banner” for the upcoming Woodstock soundtrack (Cotillion, SD 3500) was completed

Dan Turbeville oodstock soundtrack record plant LA studio Recording Stan Agol Star Spangled Banner the Record Plant

During a mixing session for Band Of Gypsys at the Record Plant, Dave Ragno and Bob Hughes joined Hendrix for the completion of a rough mix of “Izabella.”

1970 Band of Gypsys Bob Hughes Dave Ragno february 11 Izabella Recording the Record Plant

Record Plant, New York Studio Recording A mixing session dedicated to the Band Of Gypsys studio recording of “Izabella.”

Band of Gypsys Izabella Recording session

Record Plant, New York Studio Recording Work continued on the mixing of “Izabella” before Hendrix and engineer Bob Hughes crafted what was deemed the master. This mix, coupled with “Stepping Stone”, would later be issued by Reprise as a single in April 1970. The track can now be heard as part of the Voodoo Child: The Jimi Hendrix compilation. With “Izabella” deemed complete, Hendrix began work on mixes of “Sky Blues Today” [“Stepping Stone”].

Bob Hughes Izabella Recording Sky Blues Today Stepping Stone Voodoo Child

Back at the Record Plant, additional rough mixes of “Izabella” plus “Sky Blues Today” were completed. The mix of “Izabella” was considered the master.

1970 february 12 Izabella Recording rough mixes Sky Blues Today the Record Plant

Juggy Sound, New York Studio Recording The mixing and editing of “Changes”, “Power Of Soul”, “Message To Love”, and “We Gotta Live Together” was the focus of this session by Hendrix and Kramer. One such edit was the removal of a short section of Hendrix’s guitar An early section of “Power Of Soul”, marred by a short burst of Hendrix’s out of tune guitar, was trimmed from the master.

Changes Message To Love Power Of Soul Recording We Gotta Live Together

Juggy Sound, New York Studio Recording Hendrix and Eddie Kramer continued final editing and mixing of the Band Of Gypsys album at Juggy Sound. Record Plant, New York Studio Recording Following his session at Juggy, Hendrix went to the Record Plant where a master mix for “Sky Blues Today” was achieved during this Record Plant. This master, later retitled “Stepping Stone” by the guitarist, was coupled with February 12 master of “Izabella” and would be released on April 13, 1970 as a Reprise Records single.

Band of Gypsys Izabella Recording Sky Blues Today Stepping Stone

A master mix for “Sky Blues Today” was achieved during the session at the Records Plant. This master, coupled with “Izabella” from the session on the 12th would later be released (April 13, 1970) on the short-run single “Stepping Stone” b/w “Izabella” (Reprise Records, 0905)

1970 April 13 February 15 Izabella master mix Recording Reprise Records Sky Blues Today Stepping Stone the Records Plant

Juggy Sound, New York Studio Recording Record Plant, New York Studio Recording On this evening, Hendrix traveled to the Record Plant after mixing sessions at Juggy Sound had concluded. Upon his arrival, an informal jam session with Buddy Miles ensued. Two instrumental attempts at “Blue Suede Shoes” were put to tape. Later, Hendrix put forward an early version of what would become to “Hey Baby (New Rising Sun).” Singing live and supported only by drums and percussion, Hendrix wove gorgeous touches of Spanish flamenco styling within the arrangement. An impish stab at Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues”—a favorite of the guitarist’s when he was a teenager in Seattle—was followed by a funky original work reminiscent of “Day Tripper.” Soon thereafter Billy Cox and Mitch Mitchell arrived. Buddy Miles departed and work began on “Freedom”. This recording, issued on The Jimi Hendrix Experience box set, is dramatically different than the version now included as part of First Rays Of The New Rising Sun. Most notably, Jimi devised an inventive, extended introduction and, in contrast to his efforts the previous summer with Gypsys Sun & Rainbows, skillfully integrated the percussion effort of Juma Sultan.

billy cox Blue Suede Shoes Buddy Miles Eddie Cochran Hey Baby Juggy Sound Mitch Mitchell Record Plant Recording

Buddy Miles and Juma Sultan join Hendrix at the Record Plant where two recordings of “Blue Suede Shoes” were put to tape. Later, Hendrix sung live, giving a beautiful flamenco-styled flavor to “Hey Baby (Land Of The New Rising Sun).” Afterwards Hendrix breaks into a jam playing “Summertime Blues” which is then followed by “Day Tripper.”

1970 Blue Suede Shoes Buddy Miles Day Tripper February 16 Hey Baby Juma Sultan Land Of The New Rising Sun Releases Summertime Blues the Record Plant

Juggy Sound, New York Studio Recording Hendrix and Eddie Kramer completed the final editing, mixing, and sequencing for the Band Of Gypsys album.

Band of Gypsys complete eddie kramer Recording

Sterling Sound, New York Studio Recording Hendrix and Kramer team with mastering engineer Bob Ludwig to supervise the final mastering for Band Of Gypsys. In light of his disappointment with the mastering of Electric Ladyland by Reprise Records, Hendrix opts to work independently to insure that the final sound quality meets his satisfaction.

Band of Gypsys Bob Ludwig Electric Ladyland Kramer Recording Reprise Records

Sterling Sound, New York Studio Recording After reviewing test pressings of the mastering efforts of the previous day, some minor sonic adjustments are completed.

adjustments Band of Gypsys Recording

Hendrix manager Michael Jeffery delivered the completed Band Of Gypsys release to Capitol Records.

Band of Gypsys Capitol Records complete Michael Jeffery Releases