Experience Hendrix
Monday, October 27, 2008
Whitney Hall/ Louisville, KY

Review by Hunter Embry, Indiana University Southeast

The Experience Hendrix 2008 Tour blazed through Louisville’s Whitney Hall paying tribute to rock’s six-string godfather, James (Jimi) Marshall Hendrix. Among the long list of blues and rock legends to take stage was original drummer for the Experience Mitch Mitchell and Band of Gypsys bassist Billy Cox. Cox, who met Hendrix while they were stationed with the US Air Force over 45 years ago opened the show by pounding out the bass line of “Purple Haze.”

Eric Gales, child prodigy turned blues guitar virtuoso, ripped away at Hendrix’s infamous riffs and soulfully paced through the manic vocals. “Ya’ know, I got some big eyes,” Gales said after finishing his nearly flawless take on the “Purple Haze” solo. “And man do I see a lot of foxy ladies out here tonight.” Gales pulled his guitar back letting the amplifiers scream just as loud as the incited sold-out crowd. Cox and drummer Chris Layton (of Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble) stomped into the rhythm of “Foxy Lady.” Cox, 67, began swaying back-n-forth bouncing to the beat in his gold tipped white boots as his bass reflected a beam of light across the stage.

Gales threw his fender behind his back, making it scream and said, “Louisville, ya’ll on your shit man.” Before the audience could react, the group slid into “Stone Free,” and within minutes, the smell of funk filled the hall. Cox took the mic for the first time growling out, “Everyday in the week, I’m in a different city,” in B.B. King-styled fashion. Meanwhile, the musicians waiting to perform sat in the far corners of the stage bobbing and clapping to the song. “Stone Free,” rolled right into a chilling rendition of “May This Be Love (Waterfall),” as Eric Johnson took over vocals and lead. Behind the amplifiers and drum kits, Mitch Mitchell made his first appearance via some interpretive dance steps across the stage. Although he looked much older– hunched and hair thinning– the crowd knew it was Mitchell and reacted.

Grammy Award winner, Jonny Lang and Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford took the stage and struck hard with a powerful version of “Fire.” Lang’s voice was polished and his movements erratic, giving the audience no time to cool off from the first two singers, while Whitford made it clear that Joe Perry isn’t the only lead guitarist in Aerosmith. Those in attendance continued to be ripped away as tour veteran Kenny Wayne Shepherd shredded solo after solo and vocalist Noah Hunter powerfully commanded the lyrics of songs like “Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)” and “I Don’t Live Today.” Shepherd showed off his knowledge of Hendrix’s stage presence by frequenting the Marshall stacks to feedback on his bends and even slid the guitar between his legs while thrusting it toward the audience.