Being a young guitarist, Jimi Hendrix was always a source of inspiration with his raw and emotive playing style. His unorthodox approach to music, lack of formal training, and unique technique of playing an upside-down right-handed guitar as a lefty set him apart from his contemporaries. Even though I admired his skills, I never imagined reaching his level of expertise. What truly captivated me was his ability to infuse every note with passion and emotion, drawing from his roots in Delta blues.
It wasn’t until later in my musical journey that I discovered Hendrix’s return to more traditional blues forms after disbanding The Experience and forming Band of Gypsys with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles. Despite many of their recordings not seeing official release during his lifetime, these tracks have since been compiled in various box sets, showcasing some of Hendrix’s best blues work, including the beloved song “Hear My Train A Comin'”.
Originally known as “Get My Heart Back Together” when performed at Woodstock in 1969, this song delves into Hendrix’s loneliness and aspirations for greatness. Various versions of the track exist on posthumous releases, offering glimpses into his evolving musical style and lyrical depth.
One of the rare gems is a video of Hendrix playing “Hear My Train A Comin'” on a twelve-string acoustic guitar – Lead Belly’s instrument of choice. This footage is from the 1973 documentary film “Jimi Hendrix“, offering a unique glimpse into Hendrix’s stripped-down, acoustic performance style.
Solo acoustic recordings of Hendrix are scarce, making this video a special treat for fans of his acoustic blues sound. While known for his electric guitar innovations, when Hendrix returns to basics, his talent shines through in its purest form.
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Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him on Twitter.
