Apologies to Jimi Hendrix, but the Wicked Pickett’s cover of “Hey Joe” is probably the best cover of this garage-punk war horse ever recorded.
The 2nd best version? Probably Jimi’s though Patti Smith’s version gives me the chills. I guess there’s only one way to settle this … below are the Jimi and Patti versions. You tell me which is better.
Jimi Hendrix:
Patti Smith:
Even after over 40 years of overuse on classic rock radio, movies, etc., this stupendous cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix still blows me away. Especially that damn opening with the hard acoustic guitar and opening percussion blasts leading into Hendrix’s blistering solo … A prime example of that cliche “It’s the singer not the song.” From the 1968 album “Electric Ladyland.”
From Doug Stanhope’s unbelievably awesome comedy special “No Refunds” from 2007 is his take on artists who people think died too young. Stanhope’s comments on Jimi Hendrix and Lenny Bruce may seem sacrilegious … but it doesn’t make them any less true. Not safe for work or little ones by any stretch of the imagination.
Dave's Strange World 