Now a solo artist, Noel Redding begins recording the album Nervous Breakdown at New York’s Sound Center Studios. Redding was joined by vocalist Roger Chapman (Family), Paul Caruso, organist Gerry Guida (Big Three) and fifteen year old drummer Steve Angel. The sessions included recordings of “Walking Through The Garden,” (previously recorded by Fat Mattress) and Eddie Cochrane’s “Nervous Breakdown.”
Working alone, Jimi arrived at the Record Plant intent on realizing a more traditional Delta blues arrangement of “Midnight Lightning” than he had previously attempted. Singing and playing live as he sat on a chair, Jimi utilized a finger picking style he rarely incorporated on his recordings.
Hendrix joined his former bassist to add guitar to Redding’s own “My Friend.” The song remains unreleased however, as despite his best efforts, Redding’s self-financed project never saw commercial release.
November 28, 1968 Philharmonic Hall New York, N.Y. Two Shows 1st Show: Fire I Don’t Live Today Hear My Train A Comin’ Spanish Castle Magic Foxey Lady Red House Sunshine Of Your Love Purple Haze
Hendrix began this session joined by an unidentified drummer [likely Steve Angel] and together the two players recorded a quick rendition of “Bleeding Heart”. This was followed by three takes of “Midnight Lightning.” Bassist Billy Cox joined the session and s the tandem ran through four takes of “Bleeding Heart,” the later of which was flagged as the master and later transferred to Jimi’s own Electric Lady Studios where additional guitar and a new drum part were overdubbed by Jimi and Mitch Mitchell.
Capitol Records released the eagerly anticipated live album, Band Of Gypsys. The album featured six tracks from the two Fillmore East performances on January 1, 1970. “Who Knows” and “Machine Gun,” were recorded during the evening’s first while all of the album’s second side was drawn from the second show.
Rhode Island Arena Providence, Rhode Island Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Fire Hey Joe I Don’t Live Today Voodoo Child (Slight Return) Red House Sunshine Of Your Love Spanish Castle Magic Foxey Lady Star Spangled Banner Purple Haze Wild Thing
With Band Of Gypsys riding high in the Billboard US album chart, Reprise Records issued the single “Stepping Stone” coupled with “Izabella”. Apart from “All Along The Watchtower”, Jimi had little success at US Top 40 radio. “Stepping Stone” and “Izabella” proved to be no exception.
Boston Garden Boston, Massachusetts I Don’t Live Today Hey Joe Fire Spanish Castle Magic Voodoo Child (Slight Return) Red House Foxey Lady Purple Haze