Live Review
Jimi Hendrix Birthday Tribute
Cabooze
November 27, 1999
by Ann Wickstrom
Photography copyright © 1999 by Tom Asp, all rights reserved
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1999 KBA Award Winner Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by the Blues Foundation
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A slew of local guitar players gathered at the Cabooze on what would have been Hendrix's 57th birthday. They paid tribute to Jimi, one at a time, by playing all Hendrix, all night long. Backing the guitarists for the entire evening were Jim Anton (Greazy Meal) on bass and Billy Thommes (Jonny Lang) on drums. These two were outstanding, particularly Thommes, who worked his sticks off from start to finish. I would also be remiss not to mention a fan in attendance: a dude with an afro super-teased to the point where it equaled the diameter of the bass drum. He also had either a peacock feather or a hair-replica of one goin' on. Sure glad I wasn't stuck behind him! Markiss kicked off the show with "Night Bird Flying", "Bleeding Heart" and "Dolly Daggers". Kirt Nelson (You & Whose Army) followed with "Manic Depression," "Fire," "The Wind Cries Mary" and "Still Raining, Still Dreaming." Kirt thrashed around pretty wildly on stage, propelling his glasses off of his head at one point and throwing down his wah-wah pedal when it failed him. Tory Norton (Tina & the B-Sides) was next, doing "Little Miss Lover", "Freedom" and "Hear My Train a Comin'."
Show organizer Paul Holland (Supafuzz) started off the second set with "Up From the Skies", "Spanish Castle Magic" "Little Wing" and "You Got Me Floatin'". Next up was Jeremy Ylvisaker (Greazy Meal), doing "I Don't Live Today" and "Are You Experienced?" with some phreaky assistance from Arkology female vocalist Mankwe Ndosi. Despite the fairly psychedelic aura in the Cabooze that night, I think Mankwe was a little too "out there" for most people.
Billy Franze (Dr. Mambo's Combo, Mick Sterling) got things back on track with a great string of some of Jimi's most classic tunes: "Hey Joe", "Crosstown Traffic" (the best performance of the night in my opinion), "Bold as Love" (Franze's "favorite Hendrix song"), and "All Along the Watchtower". Jellybean Johnson (the "symbol" guy) and Wayne McFarland (Ipso Facto) brought it all home with a grand finale featuring Chicago transplant Barbara Leshoure singing "Them Changes" and all previous guitar players plus a horn section (15 musicians total) for a big jam on "Red House".
The Cabooze became increasingly full during the night and by the end of the show it was really "cozy" in there. The ever-changing variety of players made for a refreshing show and the vibe in the club was warm and happy. Hope they do it again next year!
This review is copyright © 2000 by Ann Wickstrom, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission.
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