Cuts for Cooky: Jimi, Villanova Junction

Seldom recognized amongst most rock aficionados, Villanova Junction is a great kickback song for a lazy afternoon. As with Third Stone from the Sun he here echoes the influence of Wes, and creates a mood of introspection that I bet would surprise those only superficially familiar with his music. Jimi headlined Woodstock, and by the time he came on much of the crowd had left; like Jim Gray leaving, I wish I could make a short film with those who walked out on history and see what they think of their decision now. Nonplussed and as usual rising to the occasion, Jimi's Woodstock version is the best take.

Cuts for Cooky: Jimi's "Little Wing"

Taking a cue from the late great Man in Black, who left his daughter a list of 100 songs he felt she should be familiar with, this is your list, Renee.

This is the perfect song to lead off with because it reminds me of you.

Mitch Mitchell, R.I.P.

As the Boomers grow old, we're now seeing people that made their mark from that era dying off. Mitch Mitchell was one of them.

I love drums, the rhythm and heart of music, and among musicians, Mitchell was respected. Unlike Experience bassist Noel Redding, Jimi would continue to use Mitch once that band had ended. He played with Jimi at Woodstock, and with Billy Cox replacing Redding, a later incarnation of the power trio. I don't know much more about his personal life save for what's in his Wiki, which says that he began acting, was self-taught and then took a few drum lessons at Jim Marshall's. (he of the legendary Marshall amps, used almost exclusively by Jimi and tons of other guitarists) He made a career for himself drumming sessions, playing in a few bands, was influenced by the great Elvin Jones, and then received a fateful call up from Chas Chandler that would forever cement his place in rock history.

I love Mitch's playing, which some critique as too busy. I don't agree, and certainly Jimi didn't. He seemed like a cool dude; it's a shame that creative people like Mitch (he was only 61) who bring so much enjoyment to the world die when devils are running amok.

Play it, Mitch!

The Skies of the 60's: Homage to Bill Graham

Bill Graham cast a large shadow on the music scene during the halcyon days of the 60's and 70's. The master cylinder of live events on both coasts, he brought top notch rock, blues, jazz and even gospel musicians to audiences that were broad-minded and into more than the crass commericalism that incessantly spams us these days.

His story is incredible on many levels: Entrepreneurial, supremely human (he literally walked across Europe to escape the Nazis) and visionary.

Today, the Bill Graham's of the world are relegated to the back rooms of history, replaced by blue suits in the board rooms of the mega corps, replete with hip haircuts and "attitude". They couldn't hold Graham's jock strap and are in no way deserving of even knowing who Graham was.

Perhaps above all, he had an ear and the guts to develop artists in his own unique way. That's completely missing in this formula driven, crass, treat-consumers-like-the-default-ipso-facto-

mindless-drones-wall-street-sees-us-as music era.

Last, a favorite Graham story. Before the legendary Band of Gypsies (BoG) Fillmore East concert, Graham told Jimi that he was tired of all the stage antics and wanted to just see him play his ass off.

Jimi's answer was to go out, put his head down, and overwhelm the audience with his axe on cuts like "Machine Gun," in my opinion, one of the greatest electric guitar performances ever.

At concert's end, as the legend goes, Jimi walked off the stage, past Graham, and said, "How's that, muthafucker?"

Of the BoG performances (there were two) Graham would say that they were, "the most brilliant, emotional display of virtuosic electric guitar playing I have ever heard."

Jews say, "he's a mensch" to denote someone of admirable characteristics, but on the street it has a "hidden dimension," connoting something more. Bill Graham had "it."

Sadly, Graham died in a helicopter crash in 1991, leaving us to the soul-less drivel of today's music industry.

But what a vision, what a life.

What a mensch.

http://www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=112