Experience Hendrix Fall Tour

Maybe someone heard my bitching and moaning about no West Coast dates on the spring tour, Tony (the Fretless Monster) Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder, Kenny Wayne Shepherd) said today that there is talk of a fall tour of the South and West. Given the reception they are getting on the spring tour, they are crazy if they don't and you are crazy if you don't go if they come close.

Not wanting to miss 1/2 of my top 15 living guitarists on one stage I took a road trip to Cleveland, and the show was simply amazing. There wasn't an act that I wouldn't want to hear more of. The setlist is here:

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/experienc … 25acb.html

and one of my favorites of the night here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ThvDHk … e=youtu.be

The lineup that night :  Billy Cox, Stan Skibby and Dani Robinson (new to me, Dani at least fronts a Czech Hendrix Tribute band and is excellent); Dweezil Zappa, Ana Popovic, Doyle Bramhall II, Eric Johnson, Eric Gales, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and band (Tony Franklin, Chris Layton, Noah Hunt),  Buddy Guy, Chuck Campbell (pedal steel), Stan Nelson played bass most of the night except with KWS and when Billy Cox was on.

Everything was so good, but the standouts were Eric Johnson (more melodic and less "technical" than he can sometimes get) and Eric Gales....and especially those two together. They did a crushing version of  "May this Be Love"  (most people call this "Waterfall"). It was my first time seeing Eric Gales and he is a great player and has a fun, engaging stage presence. I wont miss any local dates of his should he grace the West Coast. I have to figure out who in my top 15 he has pushed off that list.

Another highlight was KWS' "Voodoo Chile" and "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)".  A staple of every Hendrix/SRV wannabe Ive heard (and you probably have too) at least 15 others cover those songs, and keeping it fresh but true to JH is a challenge. KWS met that challenge and then some. They were probably 15 to 16 minutes combined and there wasn't a dull measure in any of them. I heard Jimi and SRV play it live and KWS still managed to make it a memorable version. Ive been critical of Noah Hunt here (not his voice, which is amazing, but his studied and imo overdone "Paul Rodgers" moves). Not only were his vocals great, but those moves actually work when he's rocking, (far better than they work on blues).

(Not there our night, but earlier on the tour, Zakk Wylde and Brad Whitford).

Don't miss this show!