Are You Experienced? - Jimi Hendrix Tribute Review
Posted on: 2016-04-07
Our rating:
Enacting the persona of Hendrix with a charismatic stage presence and lashings of effortless cool, John Campbell has been regarded as one of the best Hendrix cover performers in the world.
If you're going to replicate a mighty musical icon such as Jimi Hendrix then you'd better make sure you do it well - and tribute act Are You Experienced? pulled it off with total style and aplomb at The Tunnels in Bristol on Friday 1 April 2016.
Looking every bit like Jimi Hendrix, guitarist John Campbell - who formed the ensemble in 1996 - was accompanied by bass guitarist Mark Arnold and drummer and backing vocalist Kevin O'Grady, churning out the Hendrix hits with a stylistic finesse and musical accuracy that made it difficult to distinguish their covers from the original tracks.
To aficionados of guitar and rock music, Jimi Hendrix needs scant introduction, hailed as one of the most original, significant and innovative voices in the history of popular music and one of the most revered guitarists and musicians of the 20th century.
Enacting the persona of Hendrix with a charismatic stage presence and lashings of effortless cool, John Campbell has been regarded as one of the best Hendrix cover performers in the world, having appeared on a cornucopia of programmes including Talk Radio with Lorraine Kelly and The One Show. The ensemble also opened the 2010 Isle of Wight Festival marking 40 years since Hendrix's last performance there, and also played at London's The Troubador to mark the 40th anniversary of the guitarist's death.
With a plethora of dates lined up over the year across the UK, Are You Experienced? hit The Tunnels and the gathered, rowdy Hendrix-loving multitude with all the songs you'd expect from the master's musical canon, including All Along The Watchtower, Voodoo Child, Machine Gun, Stone Free, Red House, Foxy Lady and the unmistakable, seminal classic Purple Haze.
As well as the all-important Hendrix image, Campbell exuded exactly the right amount of charm, style and self-assured musical chutzpah, segueing effortlessly through the songs of the legendary guitarist's back catalogue with equally legendary virtuosity. The fervent Hendrix fan base left an electrifying set deliriously thrilled, exhilarated and enthusiastically mimicking the opening, groundbreaking riff of Purple Haze long into the darkened Bristol night.
5/5
Reviewed by Jamie Caddick for 365Bristol.com - Bristol's biggest events and entertainment website
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Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
