This year’s edition of EH made a stop at one of Houston’s premier venues, Bayou Music Center. The line up included Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Doyle Bramhall II, Dani Robinson, Rich Robinson, Eric Johnson, Zak Wylde, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Mato Nanji.  Additionally, vocalists Noah Hunt, Henri Brown and Georgia Bramhall joined the team as well as bass players Scott Nelson and Tony Franklin.  The drumming duties were handled by Chris Layton, who was on stage for almost the entire show.

Original Hendrix bass guitarist, Billy Cox, is still on hand for these events and still delivers the backup punch to the revived classics from the iconic musical catalogue that were made indelibly famous by Jimi Hendrix.

The Show opened with Cox, Dani Robinson, Mato Nanji and Chris Layton working through “Stone Free” and “Power of Soul” from the “Band of Gypsies” album.  Rich Robinson from the Black Crows joined the quartet for another “Band of Gypsies” cover, “Message of Love”.
Rich Robinson continued the tribute after a few band member changes with a spot on cover of “Up From the Sky” employing an uncanny wah-wah effect that seemed to be channelling Hendrix himself.

Eric Johnson has been involved in this series for a number of years and he was again present with his pristine guitar work on “Crosstown Traffic”, “Ain’t No Telling”, “Ezy Ryder” and “Are You Experienced?”.

One unexpected or perhaps unlikely addition to the show was Zak Wylde from Black Label Society.  Wylde, known for his heavy metal guitar antics and guitar shredding stepped up to the challenge and with a few of his own touches thrown in brought the crowd to their feet with versions of “Manic Depression”, “Little Wing” and “Purple Haze”.

After a short intermission the show resumed with Doyle Bramhall II with “Hear my Train a Comin”, “Angel” that featured Bramhall’s sister Georgia on backup vocals and finally “Gypsy Boy”.  In particular, Bramhall’s version of “Angel” was memorable since his former band The Arc Angels had performed it regularly years before.

The Bob Dylan penned “All Along the Watchtower” was owned by Jonny Lang.  The added bonus of Zak Wylde, Rich Robinson and Mato Nanji joining in made this Hendrix hit really come to life.

Other Hendrix staples from Lang and company included “Fire”, “The Wind Cries Mary” with Eric Johnson and wrapping up with “Spanish Castle Magic”.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd has been a member of Experience Hendrix since its inception and gave a lightning hot performance as he tore through Hendrix standards like “Gypsy Eyes”, “Come On (Part One)”, “Voodoo Chile”, and “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)”.

Last up but certainly not least was Chicago blues man Buddy Guy joined by Billy Cox, Henri Brown, Mato Nanji and Guy’s drummer Tim Austin.Guy’s fiery playing had the entire audience up and on their feet from the first note.  “Who Knows” from Band of Gypsies was the first number from Guy and crew followed up by “Louisiana Blues” and Big Leg Woman”.

Although this show is meant to be a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, Guy managed to squeeze in one of his own songs called “Don’t Let the Doorknob Hit Ya” but by then the crowd could not have cared less.

Guy climbed back onboard the Hendrix cruise with sizzling versions of “Hey Joe” and “Them Changes” with “Red House” rounding out the evening with Mato Nanji on vocals.

This event is the show to see if you want a good three hour dose of Jimi Hendrix.  Each performer lovingly gives their all as they pay tribute to the man who undoubtedly influenced each one of their careers in some form or fashion.  Check out Experience Hendrix the next time it comes around…..you won’t regret it!  I hope to see this one back in Houston next year.