Last weekend was the eighth edition of the Thanks Jimi Festival, which is an initiative of Leszek Cichonski, apologist, and tireless promoter of creative James Marshall Hendrix. Once again failed to beat the record, but there is no reason to complain, and so the present still belongs to the guitarists who have gathered at the Wroclaw market in 2009. Problem was, just as a year ago, in the absence of stars at a party the likes of Deep Purple, which would be able to attract crowds of people with basic skills to play the guitar, or are able to play "Hey Joe." Originally, the guy who certainly would have been able to create such a mobilization, was to be Gary Moore.
my friends, is the third consecutive year, failed to persuade me to participate in the Event beating the record. Not because of any dislike for him - because I think it's a very cool event - but prosaic reasons - I do not have guitars in Wroclaw, with which I could to fund this exceptional orchestra.
fortunately I had the pleasure to be at the concert opening the event. Ashamed to admit that deciding on buying a ticket, I was thinking only about the concert Steve Hackett. Certainly a large extent because I'm a big fan of Genesis. In any event, I somehow missed that they also performed songs from Hendrix's symphony orchestra.
Not only that, the performance initially I completely omitted, proved to be the nail in the program, while Steve Hackett was a "special guest" and played as the second. Leszek Cichońskiemu and his team accompanied the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jelenia Gora, Lower Silesia, under the baton of Jerzy Kosek. Vocally gave up: Jorgos Skolias, who introduced to, yet very sophisticated in this respect Hendrix songs, the spirit of experimentation and improvisation, and Luke Łyczkowski, singing a more orthodox, with a rock claw. There was also an announcer in the person of John Chojnacki - after all, even though the concert was held on-site sports hall orbit, the atmosphere was a quasi-Philharmonic. Were only available seats, the audience kind of diverse in terms of age, but they gave her older part of the greater seriousness of the event and of course the presence of the orchestra on stage - it's all made up for that specific climate. But I do not have the best memories when it comes to those announcers on such events. Two times I was in Czestochowa in concert with a very similar nature, devoted to John Lennonowi and each time the operator, although it is trying, it seemed to me needlessly verbose, often uninformed, and at times redundant. Jan Chojnacki fared better than its counterpart of Czestochowa, but it's still something I did not fit. Use the music Hendrix terms such as "work", "beautiful" and "magnificent" It seemed out of place, but maybe it's my rock 'n roll curvature.
first piece presented was "Foxy Lady" and now he stabbed me in the plastic chair on which I sat. Best choice for the opening - we were expecting from colleagues, "Hey Joe" because it is at the end of the anthem of the festival and the whole Polish community hendriksowskiej, while musicians served to us a stronger impact. This work, along with "Fire" and "Purple Haze", belongs to the group's most dynamic and most impressive arrangement presented that evening. Of course, taking on a good workshop, and in fact the legendary track, a big part of success in arranging it for orchestra, but also easy to achieve spectacular success here, and suffer miserably. The latter had no place in any of the works presented at this concert.
legendary character of the presented works provoked in my reflections on the syndrome Engineer mammon and his role in my acceptance of this spectacle. I'm afraid that was really significant. One of the compositions did not know, which automatically resulted in my less than enthusiastic. Similarly, he was a show Hackett. I was touched in two moments - when the trio played parts of old Genesis songs.
surprise was the interpretation of the song "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)" that the original is very aggressive. The version on the team and the orchestra turned to well in the ballad, like several other songs in this concert - nicely stretched. The beautiful "Little Wing" still not pierced unequaled charm of the original, thus knocking out not too much compared to other arrangements, although the two elements "pozaorkiestrowe 'made a huge impression on me. First of all - solo Leszek Cichonski. Guitarist for the entire concert presented a game based on feelings and articulation, which always makes me feel better than praising the speed of their fingers. For this song Skolias, who after a few songs sung by Luke Łyczkowskiego returned to the scene suspiciously cheerful. He made a great, an improvised vocal, which at times sounded like Richie Sambora played his favorite Talk Box.
climax of the concert, at least in my opinion, was the surprise performance of "Hey Joe" - the name of the festival, however, oblige. At the very beginning I had moments of hesitation - is certainly a good idea or not is a symptom of some megalomania? But not for long. Why the doubt? Well ongoing in the original three and a half minute song was connected to the "Bolero" by Maurice Ravel. I have a special fondness for this song, because he was one of those that introduced me to the good for the world of music - can hence my admiration. Steady rhythm on the snare drum fed for several minutes, a travesty wwiercającej melody in the ear (very touching to quote), to the balanced game Cichonski with the team and filled with emotional singing Jorgos Skolias - all in the form of a monumental crescendo. It was a moment where I felt really happy that I found at the concert.
After the break, where the bustle of the scene was removed nearly all the elements previously contained on it, eyes of spectators came out with a guitar Steve Hackett elektroklasyczną - it was the only instrument he used that evening. I must admit that I was very excited (several times repeated, "a shit") - This was the second time, when I saw a live member of Genesis. Steve after he sprinkled talcum powder on your hands ... warm. For about ten minutes play its different themes and probably oceniłbym stage such an operation clearly negative, if not the fact that in the rush of melody was different intro to "Blood On The Rootops" and "Horizons", which could not stand the tension and shed tears.
Unfortunately, practically not at all know Hackett's solo career. The only album I know it, is "Voyage of the Acolyte," which meant that the specter of the Engineer mammon once again hovered ominously in the exercise of friends songs. And they were: "Hands Of The Priestess," "The Hermit "and" Ace of Wands. " This last was perhaps the most dynamic moment of the concert, next to the "Jazz on a Summer's Night" with its thrilling party made the whistle by Rob Tonwsenda. Apart from him, composed of the trio is also Roger King, whose instrumentation is perhaps the most controversial in terms of "akustyczność. Musician served as a keyboard, which largely escape the orchestra sounds like a mellotron, and on his left side was open to Macbook ...
Steve Hackett's guitar is a kind of general geek - focused and rather unattractive, do not conquer the hearts of people eager for the stereotypical rock show. If this starts a tour in which shows an ascetic, classical arrangements of his works, one can expect a performance that does not appeal to everyone. So it was April 29 in Hall's orbit - many people, probably more excited after the first concert, left the room. Among my colleagues opinions are divided - some were delighted, others disappointed. I would put myself somewhere in the middle, because there is nothing to hide, that was a bit of being boring, which, moreover, expected. My heart was beating quickly while traveling back in time Genesis - parts of "Supper's Ready ',' After the Ordeal" (for which normally do not like) and "Hairless Heart" (there was a second emotion). The song played Bach for the encore was also woven into the immortal theme from "Firth of Fifth". I really enjoyed it mentioned the "Ace of Wands" - during this song Steve for a moment forgot about the classic rock techniques and applied beatings, which in combination with the eccentric nature of the track definitely livened the atmosphere. As for the rest I do not really no serious objections, because the level of performance was high, and the atmosphere - despite the fact that everything happened in a sports hall - an intimate and blissful in its own way. Although in the course of several places deserted, Steve Hackett stated that we are a good crowd - a quiet and focused. "This is not rock and roll, but we like it" - said with a smile.
fact is that on that Friday night was held two concerts, which guaranteed a completely different musical experience. I do not feel disappointed with any of them, though I admit that this first impression I had on just the music, while in the latter case, the large role played by Steve Hackett's mere presence.
Finally, for a change - Hendrix acoustic and electric Hackett. Thanks Jimi, thanks Steve.
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