For those who know me, this addition should come as no surprise. For those who don't, let's just say I'm a big fan of Jimi Hendrix. His performance with Band of Gypsys at New York City's Fillmore East venue is among the most iconic of his stageings. The 2019 Songs For Groovy Children: The Fillmore East Concerts posthumous album features their showings on both Dec. 31, 1969 and Jan. 1, 1970, with the group performing two sets on each day.
Every song boasts an out-of-this-world sound from Hendrix, as well as Billy Cox — who provides bass guitar and backing vocals — and Buddy Miles — who delivers magnificently on the drums while also lending his vocals, but I'm especially moved by their performances of "Machine Gun." I couldn't find a YouTube video with the Dec. 31 rendition of the track (you can listen to it on Spotify), but you can watch the Jan. 1 version above.
Both are special for different reasons; in the former performance, Hendrix's singing is stronger — maybe even more soulful — and the ascension to the guitar solo and its entire sequence is richer and feels more structured. However, the latter set has one of the most anguished, electrifying guitar solos I've personally ever heard (which starts at the four-minute mark in the video). It perfectly encapsulates the essence of "Machine Gun," which Hendrix performed as a stance against the Vietnam War and as a way to support those in the US who were protesting it. Hendrix — and Miles's spectacular drumming — perfectly mirrors people's pain and exhaustion that was brought about by greedy, power-hungry leaders and corrupt authoritative figures — which feels eerily topical right now.