Jimi Pass It On
Date: Mon Oct 13, 2003 11:49 pm
Subject: Vine Open: Complete Little Wing
Ok, I'm a bit of a nerd. Little Wing has always been my favorite Jimi tune
- and, as often stated, was also Jimi's favorite on Axis. Yet it was played
live only 12 times between a Stockholm show on 1/8/68 and the seminal Royal
Albert Hall version on 2/24/69. In that time, it went under something of a
transformation. In particular, the two earliest shows had a three layer
solo (Stockholm and Paris) and the Stockholm show ends in a gentle feedback
episode with Jimi saying how difficult it is to end a song that fades out.
The early shows start the intro in the open position as it was on the
original recording. But he plays it only three times, that way. Except for
a spectacular 3/17/68 instrumental jam at the Cafe a Go Go, Jimi gives the
tune a rest between the 2/3/68 Winterland show and the 9/4/68 Phoenix show.
And when it returns, he has changed the intro to start around the 7th fret
and plays that consistently until the last performance at the ALbert Hall.
He also develops something of a leadfoot on the Univibe for the solo (or
must be nearly maxing the intensity control while generally slowing the
speed a bit).
Interestingly the best performances are significantly slower than the others.
Anyway, with the help of Hans-Peter's Axis and RAH cd's, Mark's Winterland
CD's and the contributions of Kip Betz, Aaron Nye and Patrick Shore (as
many others of you in the past) I have compiled the Complete Little Wing on
one CD, containing all of the studio and live performances as wella s a few
odds and ends. The one deliberate omission is the South Saturn Delta
instrumental "Little Wing" because, while I can hear Angel there, I can't
hear a bit of Little Wing.
In order the Track Listing is:
Most Significant Studio:
1. Official Stereo release
2. Studio Instrumental Jam
Live Recordings in Chronological Order
3. 8 Jan 1968 The Experience, Stora Salen,
Konserthuset Stockholm Sweden
4. 29 Jan 1968 The Experience, 'Musicorama',
L'Olympia Paris Ile de France France
5. 3 Feb 1968 The Experience, Winterland San
Francisco California USA
6. 17 Mar 1968 Jam Session, Cafe Au Go Go New York
City New York USA
7. 4 Sep 1968 The Experience, Memorial
Coliseum Phoenix Arizona USA
8. 8 Sep 1968 The Experience Coliseum Spokane Washington USA
9. 9 Sep 1968 The Experience Memorial
Coliseum Portland Oregon USA
10. 4 Sep 1968 The Experience Hollywood
Bowl Hollywood California USA
11. 12 Oct 1968 The Experience, The Winterland San
Francisco California USA
12. 2 Nov 1968 The Experience,
Auditorium Minneapolis Minnesota USA (partial)
13. 17 Jan 1969 The Experience,
Jahrhunderthalle Frankfurt Hessen West Germany
14. 24 Feb 1969 The Experience, Royal Albert Hall, London,
SW7 London England
Odds and Ends:
15, Mono release
16. "Safe Stereo" release (According to Hans Peter, this is a German
release with less stereo separation than the official release)
17. Second Source for <axislist.htm>3 Feb 1968 The Experience,
Winterland San Francisco California USA
In case there are any fellow nerds out there, I will offer this to the group.
I follow Mark in being a believer in vines. I will leave this open for 24
hours and pick 2-3 recipients (based on the number of respondents).
Remember, this is a vine and the original (which will be clearly marked as
such) is to be passed on.
Charlie C.