kudzurunner
5028 posts
Oct 09, 2014
11:55 AM
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I just had an offer this morning from a UK label: they want me to collaborate with Jason on a Jimi Hendrix song--any song--that will be included on a soundtrack album for a forthcoming Hendrix documentary. The documentary contains a lot of never-before-seen footage.
Mooncat, I need to speak to you ASAP about this!
Suggestions, anybody, for a song we might do? Except for "Red House," I've never played a Hendrix song.
We need a song, ideally, that is riff-heavy and not too complex rhythmically, so that I can sit at my OMB setup, double the riff with Jason, then let him go off. I assume that we'll pull in at least a rhythm guitar player. I also assume that Jason will sing.
All suggestions welcome.
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Komuso
427 posts
Oct 09, 2014
12:00 PM
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Hey Joe
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Paul Cohen aka Komuso Tokugawa
HarpNinja - Your harmonica Mojo Dojo
Bringing the Boogie to the Bitstream
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Goldbrick
718 posts
Oct 09, 2014
12:29 PM
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Hear My Train A Comin
Slow blue written by Hendrix
Hey Joe is a cover not necessarily indentified purely with Jimi
Plenty of versions by The Leaves , the Byrds , Love , Standells and many others. Supposedly written by Billy Roberts
Here is an early version by Tim Rose
Last Edited by Goldbrick on Oct 09, 2014 12:35 PM
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bluemoose
1012 posts
Oct 09, 2014
12:42 PM
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rainbow bridge - room full of mirrors
"in the mean time...which is a groovy time"
MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
Last Edited by bluemoose on Oct 09, 2014 12:45 PM
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grahamonica
108 posts
Oct 09, 2014
12:51 PM
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Either of these would work.
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bluemoose
1013 posts
Oct 09, 2014
12:53 PM
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or..
Adam...you'd have to really step up your foot drum game on this one.
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MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
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Cotton
30 posts
Oct 09, 2014
12:54 PM
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little wing is my favorite.
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harpdude61
2194 posts
Oct 09, 2014
1:02 PM
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Let me stand next to your Fire is cool and we play it rock funky....VooDoo child in 5th with blow and draw splits is cool
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www.facebook.com/catfishfryeband
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FBInsMan
7 posts
Oct 09, 2014
1:22 PM
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I would tend to do something more obscure. My top 3 would be Nine to Universe that has a serious chugging section going on and a lot of hardcore riffing.
Good Times has a great lower bass section with some more serious riffing going on. Back from when Hendrix was playing with the Lonnie Youngblood band.
And if you wanted something slower I would go with "Let Me Go"
I'm pretty sure between You and Jason's brains you could make killer compositions out of any of these three songs.
Good Luck and Have fun with it!!
Cheers
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"The only way to get better is to play a little outside your comfort zone every time you play!"
Last Edited by FBInsMan on Oct 09, 2014 2:35 PM
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SuperBee
2218 posts
Oct 09, 2014
2:25 PM
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Machine Gun, or Peace in Mississippi
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garry
535 posts
Oct 09, 2014
2:58 PM
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Little Wing or All Along The Watchtower, hands down.
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garry
536 posts
Oct 09, 2014
3:00 PM
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Like A Rolling Stone would be cool, too. I've seen Dennis do a killer version of that.
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Jim Rumbaugh
1030 posts
Oct 09, 2014
3:18 PM
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+2 little wing
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theharmonicaclub.com (of Huntington, WV)
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Ted Burke
240 posts
Oct 09, 2014
3:21 PM
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I say Crosstown Traffic. It has a signature riff and on going melody that would be perfect for harmonica harmonies, ala Alman Brothrs, and it leaves enough room for quick fills and general improvisation.
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ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.com
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JustFuya
604 posts
Oct 09, 2014
3:27 PM
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OT - What an honor. Congrats!
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walterharp
1525 posts
Oct 09, 2014
4:31 PM
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wow, that would be so cool! can hardly wait to hear what you come up with.
No specific suggestions, but the trick will be to take advantage of your respective strengths. Jason would be more willing to go with the trippy effects, and the eastern-inspired runs, Adam with the in your face clean strong statement of the head. or better yet duet with Jason.
Little Wing is almost cliche, but it is great
i hate to say this, but purple haze might work!
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kudzurunner
5029 posts
Oct 09, 2014
4:41 PM
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Thanks for the suggestions, everybody. I spoke with Mooncat a little while ago and we're going to make this happen.
Not being familiar with most of Hendrix's material, I've just blazed through the videos posted here, along with several songs that Jason suggested off the top of his head.
My own tastes make me want to do the bluesier stuff that, as walterharp suggests, is closer to my own sweet spot. I've never been a big Hendrix fan. So I'm pulled to the bluesy and funky stuff, not the Hazy stuff. Of the stuff above, the songs that immediately grab me are Hear My Train A-Coming (obviously), Room Full of Mirrors, Fire, and Nine to the Universe. It's gotta have a big obvious (and playable) riff, a structure that won't force me to take a week in the woodshed, and a beat that makes sense to me.
I'll be listening to all the suggested cuts, so thanks much for that.
How about this?
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Oct 09, 2014 4:46 PM
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eharp
2237 posts
Oct 09, 2014
7:05 PM
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Fire would be a real challenge; very up-tempo.
It would give those runner legs of yours a real workout.
But no matter what you 2 come up with, you'll knock it out of the park!
They couldn't have picked 2 better guys for this task.
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Philosofy
613 posts
Oct 09, 2014
7:36 PM
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FFgxJsjqkg
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nacoran
8048 posts
Oct 09, 2014
9:48 PM
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Don't forget the possibility of making the arrangement your style even if the original isn't. Joan Osborne does a very un-Jimmie Cover of Bold as Love.
Our own Mike Fugazi has a version of Hey Joe.
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Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
First Post- May 8, 2009
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Chris L
65 posts
Oct 09, 2014
10:35 PM
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My vote would be Little Wing, just because it is a favorite of mine, but I have to admit, "The Wind Cries Mary" is distinctive Hendrix, with a dual guitar line that could form the basis of a dual harp line.
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Dragonbreath
27 posts
Oct 10, 2014
12:48 AM
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Maybe a bit boring choice, but the best song IMHO would be - All along the watchtower! Opens with that classic riff and intro solo, perfect for diving straight into double harp action!
It's my fav Jimi song and I bet it would be most fun to do together. There's no song I would rather hear you do!
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mastercaster
84 posts
Oct 10, 2014
3:14 AM
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x2 for Catfish Blues
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Goldbrick
719 posts
Oct 10, 2014
4:36 AM
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All great songs but I guess I look at this another way.
Why not cover an original Hendrix instead of a cover of a cover ?
Joe, Catfish, Watchtower, Rolling Stone have been done by multiple artists before Jimi put his talents to it.
Jimi wrote enuff great songs to use one of his
Here is a great example of making a Hendrix song your own
Last Edited by Goldbrick on Oct 10, 2014 4:50 AM
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ridge
553 posts
Oct 10, 2014
4:53 AM
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MANIC DEPRESSION!!! COME ON!!!
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Ridge's YouTube
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walterharp
1526 posts
Oct 10, 2014
5:44 AM
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uhm ridge, you are aware of some of jason's demons? though he could play it with conviction!
i agree with goldbrick, a tribute song to a specific artist is generally not a cover of a cover
you guys really should pick one with Hendrix author credits.
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SuperBee
2220 posts
Oct 10, 2014
5:46 AM
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i do think it could be good to get beyond 'smash hits'. hendrix was beyond the pop star thing; all those top of the pops things...classic hits radio-ville...jmho of course...but no need to hunt for obscure either...and there is jason ricci, the virtuoso of harmonica...yeah , i dunno....pf you are gonna honour the guy, it shold be his song, and something he believed in, otherwise it just seems like more exploitation of one of the most exploited musicians in history
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Tweedaddict
165 posts
Oct 10, 2014
6:36 AM
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Machine Gun!
I can imagine you two cats funkying and bluesying the hell outta that one!
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harpdude61
2195 posts
Oct 10, 2014
6:41 AM
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DO love Catfish Blues...lol
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www.facebook.com/catfishfryeband
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ridge
554 posts
Oct 10, 2014
7:01 AM
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Um, Walterharp, I am aware, but this wasn't meant stir the pot. I think Adam and Jason would knock it out of the park.
Manic Depression is my favorite Hendrix tune. It was written by Hendrix. Adam says he isn't familiar with Jimi's catalog so I suggested a great (and thus far unmentioned) song for him to consider. Don't try to read too much into it.
Happy Friday!
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Ridge's YouTube
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HarpNinja
3949 posts
Oct 10, 2014
7:14 AM
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The correct answer is Little Wing ( would require a band). An acceptable alternative would be Hey Joe (would work great as a OMB). Third would be a OMB version of Voodoo Chile.
After that, you have amazing songs to choose from that are either really hard for that format (OMB and not full band) or what people would expect - harmonica players playing blues songs Hendrix has played.
Little Wing is one of my most favorite songs to play and works beautifully with harmonica. I were asked to do this, I'd lobby for that tune, and then jump to just about anything off of Axis: Bold as Love. Watchtower and Hey Joe work great for harp too, but I've played them a ton and would want to woodshed something new.
Hendrix rules. His studio stuff is fantastic and varied. Bold as Love is my favorite, although Electric Lady Land is probably a better album...and 1983 is tied for my favorite Hendrix song with Bold as Love.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
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FBInsMan
9 posts
Oct 10, 2014
9:51 AM
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You might try this as well Adam, It's a little know blues style song that was released posthumously called Easy Blues. I'm pretty sure it's in E minor. Would be great with one harp playing in cross and the other playing in 3rd. Jimi absolutely goes off in the back half of this song!
Have fun.
Additionally
There is sheet music readily available for it so it can help in the woodshed if necessary. http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=mn0128096&ref=google
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"The only way to get better is to play a little outside your comfort zone every time you play!"
Last Edited by FBInsMan on Oct 10, 2014 10:04 AM
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walterharp
1527 posts
Oct 10, 2014
10:11 AM
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ok ridge, i was just trying to make light of it, probably i should have just not even mentioned it..
i also like that tune!
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Bilzharp
30 posts
Oct 10, 2014
10:32 AM
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A third vote for Manic Depression. Would be killer with one harp doing the riff and the other those offbeat power chords.
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walterharp
1528 posts
Oct 10, 2014
10:40 AM
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sort of off topic here, and not doable with harp, but this is probably my favorite hendrix "cover".. plus sound of music!
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MN
346 posts
Oct 10, 2014
12:37 PM
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That's awesome news, KR and MC!
I nominate "If 6 was 9"
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Bryan A
4 posts
Oct 10, 2014
12:57 PM
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I agree with- Machine Gun, or Manic depression. Can't wait to hear it !!!
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Littoral
1148 posts
Oct 10, 2014
12:57 PM
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bluemoose
1014 posts
Oct 10, 2014
2:40 PM
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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:
The critical thing to remember when listening to all these Henrix cuts is that you MUST wear headphones to fully appreciate the wild stereo separation, sweeping, fades etc. that was used in the studio.
MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
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A440
220 posts
Oct 10, 2014
3:40 PM
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Cool project!
Little Wing gets my vote. Listen to the Allman and Clapton guitar interplay on Dereck & Dominoes version - image what the two of you could do with harps...
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Rarko
130 posts
Oct 10, 2014
3:49 PM
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Album Band Of Gypsys, six songs, pick any. Groovy songs with hard riffs amd good beats...
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kudzurunner
5030 posts
Oct 10, 2014
4:22 PM
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I think this thread has drifted somewhat in the direction of "My favorite Hendrix Song(s)," rather than "Great songs well suited for the sweet spot between Gussow and Ricci." (That's OK; clearly this forum has needed a Hendrix thread for a long time, because the thread is rocking.) I'm starting to realize why I've never been a particular fan of Hendrix! Much of this stuff just doesn't move me, much less make me want to cover it. I'm just being honest. Hendrix is too rock for me, and I agree with his own assessment of his voice--which is that he can't really sing. He's a notable stylist, though. At his best, he can sing decently. He's often not at his best.
On the other hand: Here's his blues album. I like a fair bit of the stuff on this, and I really like his version of "Mannish Boy." I think that would work great for Jason and me--or at least the groove is exactly the kind of thing we could nail. The lyrics may, on the other hand, not be the sort of thing that two skinny white guys can pull off. The challenge would be to adapt the song to exactly who and where we are:
Here's Mannish Boy:
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Oct 11, 2014 6:10 AM
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walterharp
1529 posts
Oct 10, 2014
7:12 PM
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ok adam, i think you might be missing the point here.
a film that is tribute to a musical artist and said soundtrack needs to use music that is credited to that artist for writing.
you need to pick a song that is 1) written by hendrix and 2) immediately recognizable by the public as a hendrix song.
A cover will not do it.. Mannish Boy is not a Hendrix song, he added his flavor to it, but people do not think Hendrix when they hear that song. A blues jam dredged up from the tapes given some random title on all the post death compilations put out to make a buck on his name does not do it. Yes, he played kick ass guitar on those.
Hendrix had plenty of songs he wrote which have an immediately recognizable hook that you and Jason could make your own.. That is what Pastorious did for his solo, picked a very recognizable head.. and the concept of trippy feedback, and that was a tribute to Hendrix.
Anything you do that is not immediately linked to him, regardless of how weak you think his voice is, or not liking the acid soaked feedback that was his trademark, does not fit in the tribute expectation of respect for the artist. You can certainly put your own stamp on it (2 harmonicas... of course that is a given), but you gotta pay the artist his due.. that is what tributes are all about. He has some great melodies and chord progressions in his original tunes that you can certainly find something that people say.. yeah that is a hendrix tune (not a dylan tune, not an old blues guy tune) that was played on the fm radio in the early 1970's. Little wing fits that bill for sure... but there are others.
stick to the albums that came out while he was living, and those songs that he wrote.. in my humble opinion that would be the most respectful and classy approach.
It is about respecting the tradition, which has been a topic around here on the modern/ traditional blues theme.
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HarpNinja
3950 posts
Oct 10, 2014
7:55 PM
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Yeah...you guys need to do an actual Hendrix tune.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
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JInx
909 posts
Oct 10, 2014
10:05 PM
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i'd be surprised if this is effort is anything but a flop.
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jnorem
584 posts
Oct 10, 2014
10:42 PM
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I think Jason Ricci is a fine choice for this project, the obvious choice, him and his band. He knows how to approach this, everyone knows that.
Putting another harmonica player in there makes no sense at all.
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Call me J
Last Edited by jnorem on Oct 10, 2014 10:46 PM
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kudzurunner
5031 posts
Oct 11, 2014
6:00 AM
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I agree with you, J! Or at least that was my strong initial reaction when the record guy suggested me for the project, by myself. I said, "Actually, Hendrix isn't really my thing, I know JUST the guy who should do this and his name is Jason Ricci." But the record guy, for his own reasons, wanted my name on it, too. And after Jason and I spoke, we warmed to the idea. Although we've made a video or two, we've never collaborated on a recording project of any kind. I don't know what your experience is, but I don't have record guys coming to me with this sort of offer very often. My first instinct, as a professional, was to forward the offer to the specialist. But my second, more considered response, is to rise to the challenge.
@Walterharp: Believe me, I know the difference between a Hendrix original composition and somebody else's composition that Hendrix put his stamp on. "All Along the Watchtower" is a good example of the latter sort of song. I don't know if you're right, though, about tribute albums always being songs composed by the person to whom the tribute is being leveled. I'm sure that's mostly true, but I'm also sure that it's not always true. Stevie Ray Vaughan didn't write "Texas Flood," for example--Larry Davis wrote and recorded it in 1958--but I suspect I could find a version of the song on a tribute album to SRV. So the question isn't really whether Hendrix wrote the song, but whether enough people associate him with the song that an homage done somewhat in the style of his cover of the song would strike people as an appropriate tribute to him.
With "Catfish Blues," for example, you've got a Mississippi blues that has been widely covered; it's part of the common stock. But when Gary Clark, Jr. plays the song on his live album, reviewers talk about his homage to Hendrix. That's how one fan described the song as well:
I like "Little Wing," but I don't think it's an obvious choice for two harp players.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Oct 11, 2014 6:08 AM
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Kingley
3721 posts
Oct 11, 2014
6:14 AM
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I'd say avoid things like Hey Joe, Voodoo Chile, Little Wing and maybe do something like The Wind Cries Mary. I would think the beat would be fairly easy to play on the foot drums. The intro could probably be played using octaves and maybe repeated throughout the song. Plus Jason would absolutely kill playing a solo on a slow blues like that. Especially if you had a guitarist backing as well. Just my thoughts on the subject.
Last Edited by Kingley on Oct 11, 2014 6:16 AM
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arnenym
309 posts
Oct 11, 2014
12:21 PM
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Vodoo chile is Jimi Hendrix!!!
And it´s a fun song to cover on harp!
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walterharp
1530 posts
Oct 11, 2014
1:01 PM
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here is the top SRV tribute album, first 7 songs.. most of the big hitters 5/7 picked SRV written or co-writen songs, the rest of the album is group performances and they did not stick to the originals so much, and did more covering of the covers...
1
Pride and Joy
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Bonnie Raitt
4:55
2
Texas Flood song review
Larry Davis / J. W. Scott
Jimmie Vaughan
5:00
3
Telephone Song
Doyle Bramhall / Stevie Ray Vaughan
B.B. King
4:00
4
Long Way from Home
Doyle Bramhall / Stevie Ray Vaughan
Buddy Guy
5:00
5
Ain't Gone 'N' Give Up on Your Love
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Eric Clapton
3:00
6
Love Struck Baby
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Robert Cray
3:10
7
Cold Shot
W.C. Clark / Michael Kindred
Dr. John
7:30
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