Concert Review
Hendrix tribute proves his music's still magic

By Patrick MacDonald
Seattle Times music critic

	STEVEN C. PESANT/© AUTHENTIC HENDRIX, LLC Veteran blues guitarist Buddy Guy headlined the "Experience Hendrix" concert at the Paramount Theatre Sunday.
	E-mail this article Print this article Search archive

Local pride remains strong for Seattle native Jimi Hendrix.

Sunday night at the Paramount, the capacity crowd loved nearly every minute of a three-hour tribute to the late rock guitar god, the first date of a short West Coast tour put together by Experience Hendrix, the local, Hendrix family-owned company that controls Jimi's music and image.

The crowd was quick to jump up to standing ovations whenever a familiar Hendrix lick was re-created by one of the many acts on the bill, or even at the slightest bit of showmanship. The enthusiasm was for the high level of talent on the bill, and it showed the continuing loyalty of Hendrix fans of all ages. But there was an edge of sadness, because the evening brought home again the tragedy of Hendrix's death in 1970, at age 27.

The show was about half Hendrix music and half blues, one of the foundations of his style. His music evoked the psychedelic '60s. The phantasmagorical, magical music and lyrics reflected that exciting time when society was undergoing rapid social change, brought about by the civil-rights and anti-war movements. His music should be frozen in that era but instead remains vital and influential.

That's what made the performances by the younger artists on the bill the most exciting. The first person to totally ignite the crowd was guitarist Mato Nanji of the Native American blues-rock group Indigenous. He seemed possessed by the spirit of Hendrix as he dramatically and energetically played and sang the tender, beautiful "Little Wing" and then a powerful "Hear My Train A-Coming." Those two performances alone marked Nanji as an unappreciated master rock guitarist.

Concert review "Experience Hendrix" with Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Living Colour, Indigenous, Jerry Cantrell, Ann Wilson, Mike McCready, Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, Paul Rodgers and others, Sunday night at the Paramount Theatre, Seattle.

Later in the bill, Kenny Wayne Shepherd was all over the big stage as he threw himself into spirited renditions of "Voodoo Chile" and "I Don't Live Today." The young phenom was more assured and capable than ever, showing impressive growth.

Longtime guitarist Eric Gale brought some attitude to the proceedings, pointing out that he was playing guitar left-handed and upside down, just like Hendrix did. He seemed to suggest that that made him the most authentic Hendrix-style guitarist on the bill, and his cool, precise playing on "Purple Haze" left no question about his abilities.

The local angle was brought home by the participation of hometown heroes Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains, who has his own impressive solo career going; Mike McCready, the gifted guitarist from Pearl Jam; and Ann Wilson, the great singer from Heart. Cantrell and Wilson jammed on "Hey Joe," which was in a lower register than Wilson's usual range, but she still got in some of her signature soaring high notes. McCready seemed to be awed sharing the stage with the aging Hubert Sumlin, longtime guitarist with Howlin' Wolf. While Sumlin emphasized restraint, McCready rocked, showing that he belonged in such august company.

Living Colour rocked the house with "Freedom," a song that seemed to summarize Hendrix's legacy. Paul Rodgers, the seasoned rock singer of Free and Bad Company fame, was a little too polished singing "Angel" and other songs.

The fact that drummer Mitch Mitchell, the last surviving member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Billy Cox, the bassist and close Hendrix friend who played with him in Band of Gypsys, were on the bill added credibility and class. Both showed they are still fine musicians.

With so many acts on the bill, none was given adequate time. As headliner Buddy Guy complained in song, "If I only had more time ... " But he made the most of the time he had, especially when he played a Hendrix favorite, Muddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man."

The whole ensemble — including, among others, Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon of Double Trouble, Kid Rock guitarist Kenny Olson, and Earth, Wind and Fire guitarist Sheldon Reynolds — closed out the night with a jumbled free-for-all based on "Voodoo Chile."

The tour moves on to Portland and Los Angeles. If it does as well in those two cities as it did here, it will be extended nationally and internationally.

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312, pmacdonald@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company