The 2019 Experience Hendrix Tour now in its 20th year blasted the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, CT with a hard driving guitar laden show that left fans cheering for more. The crowd gathered in hopes of a slice of Jimi Hendrix music performed by some of the best guitarists and other musicians in their field and they were not disappointed. This three hour marathon of guitars was kicked off by Jimi’s sister and founder of the Experience Hendrix tour Janie Hendrix. She started the night welcoming everyone to the “Electric Church” and introducing four lucky young people who were awarded guitars.
The lineup for the night included some of the best guitarists, bass players, percussionists, and drummers in their field taking turns with the sounds varying from jazz and blues to acid rock to the stage. The lineup changed every couple of songs and mixed artists you would never see in concert together if not for this tour. Some like Billy Cox who toured with Hendrix and others who were not even born yet when Hendrix was playing throughout the world.
They started the first set with some of the earlier numbers and wove through a litany of Hendrix’s hits from blues done by the great Taj Mahal to slide guitar classics performed by the Slide Brothers. There were so many outstanding performances by various artists it’s hard to mention each one. But suffice to say each and every one put their all into their performance to honor Jimi Hendrix’s legacy.
After a short intermission filled with early pictures and video of Jimi on the screen big screen. Taj Mahal led the crowd right into blues flowing in his legendary voice. He was followed by Eric Johnson, Chuck Campbell and more from Jonny Lang. During the entire set there were flashes of past Jimi Hendrix shows. They didn’t need a big light show or strobes and fire. The excellent playing of all the artists more than satisfied the audience
The closing songs of the night were kicked off by Joe Satriani on lead, bassist Doug Pinnick and Kenny Aronoff on drums as they launched into “Manic Depression,” “I Don’t Live Today,” and “If 6 Was 9.” These were followed by a blistering rendition of “Third Stone From the Sun / Machine Gun” ending their almost 30 minute selection of cuts and the night with “Voodoo Child.” Every performance and performer of the night was fantastic but the Satriani, Pennick, Aronoff combo completely blew the house down and the crowd ate it up. The audience stood from beginning for the entire 30 minutes soaking in the epic performance and Pennick’s gritty vocals.
Experience Hendrix tour changes slightly every year with offerings by a variety of artists though each one iconic. I think Jimi would be proud of how his legacy has been carried on for 50 years due to devoted fans and an accumulation of new ones along the way even so many years after his passing. If you love Hendrix or really great music performed by an assortment of musicians who are each a master of their craft don’t hesitate to see this tour, it’s well worth the trip.
Setlist
Set 1:
Freedom (Jimi Hendrix cover) (Billy Cox)
Foxy Lady (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Billy Cox )
Power of Soul (Band of Gypsys cover) (Eric Johnson )
Love or Confusion (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Eric Johnson )
Bold as Love (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Eric Johnson )
Are You Experienced? (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Eric Johnson )
The Sky Is Crying (Elmore James cover) (Chuck Campbell )
All Along the Watchtower (Bob Dylan cover) (Jonny Lang )
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Jonny Lang )
Spanish Castle Magic (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Jonny Lang )
Fire (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Jonny Lang )
Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Henri Brown )
Stone Free (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Billy Cox )
Set 2:
Killing Floor (Howlin’ Wolf cover) (Taj Mahal )
Catfish Blues (Robert Petway cover) (Taj Mahal)
Hey Joe (The Leaves cover) (Taj Mahal)
Red House (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Calvin Cooke)
Them Changes (Buddy Miles cover) (Jonny Lang)
Crosstown Traffic (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Henri Brown )
Manic Depression (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Doug Pinnick, Joe Satriani )
I Don’t Live Today (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Doug Pinnick, Joe Satriani )
If 6 Was 9 (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Doug Pinnick, Joe Satriani )
Third Stone From the Sun / Machine Gun (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (Doug Pinnick, Joe Satriani )
Voodoo Child (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) ( Doug Pinnick, Joe Satriani )
