Such a nice guy and he is spot on here . . . . . poor Noel never really cut the mustard! Bless ‘im!
Jimi on bass on All Along The Watchtower? Yup, you knew it!
Noel’s ego wasn’t such a problem really but he was just never really turned on to ‘it’ IMHO!
For me Mitch and Jimi were the other side of each other’s coin! Forgive the clumsy metaphor but
I think attunement was clear Mitch kept on coming back . . . . . the mention of the recording of Electric Ladyland and Voodoo Chile and (Slight Return) and all with Steve W, Jack C and the boys is testament to where it could really work . . . . . . much missed
Don's Tunes
Mitch Mitchell: "Jimi and I had different musical tastes – he turned me on to Dylan lyrics and I used to play him John Coltrane and Roland Kirk – but we did see eye to eye in the bass player department. Noel, bless his heart, went to see Bob Dylan once at a gig in Ireland, and Bob told Noel that he liked his bass playing on Jimi’s recording of Bob’s All Along the Watchtower, which, of course, is really Jimi on bass.
"It was just so much easier to make records with just Jimi and myself, because Jimi was one hell of a bass player. In actual fact, he played better bass when he played a right-handed bass upside down!"
When Jimi played bass during a session, did it change your approach to the drums?
Mitchell: "Most definitely. Jimi was so solid, I could actually play less and leave more space; those were some of the only times when I wasn’t compelled to overplay, at least until Billy came onto the scene. Jimi and I were always aware that we needed a funky, rock-solid bass player. I had some fantasies about really fattening up the bottom end, by getting Larry Young on organ, maybe Howard Johnson on tuba, along with a killer bassist. I wanted overkill, miles of low end!
"I was once doing an album in New York and was asked who I’d like as a bassist on the session, so, being a bit of a wise guy, I said Chuck Rainey on electric bass and Richard Davis on standup. The next day, they were there! Richard had his lion-headed acoustic bass, and Chuck had his convertible Ampeg B- 15 amp and Fender Jazz Bass, and he parked himself right next to me. It was wonderful."
While working on his previous studio effort, Electric Ladyland, Jimi had expressed in the press a strong desire to work with different musicians in the pursuit of new musical forms.
Mitchell: "That’s true. Jimi and I had both become very disillusioned with the situation with the band. It was becoming increasingly difficult to break new ground. We encouraged each other to play with as many different people as possible, and there were a handful of people who had played with us in the studio and live, such as Buddy Miles, Steve Winwood, and Jack Casady.
"The studio was where Jimi lived; in truth, if he could have lived in the studio 24 hours a day, he would have. The studio was a natural instrument for Jimi, one with which he possessed an uncanny ability to express himself."
By Andy Aledort / Guitar World
Photo by Bruce Fleming
Nice post Andy. Love to hear these oddments about Jimi. Must admit the band did have more of a groove when Billy Cox joined. Although I always felt sorry for Noel, for some reason. Maybe it was because, so I understand, he originally auditioned to join Jimi as their guitarist!! Yeah. Right.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work neighbour. DD
Yes indeed seems that’s right about Noel and the audition as he had been used to playing lead up til then. I had a friend who got to meet him in Ireland and his house was up for sale, he was real unpleasant which was a shame. They nearly bought his house but he was being so tedious and difficult they gave up . . . not a pleasant story! Very bitter and the 'don’t you know who I am' brigade are always damaged somehow!
ReplyDeleteBilly C was great and then with Mitch back behind the pans they smoked!