Today, Paul Gilbert re-releases his 1991 album Tribute to Jimi Hendrix via Music Theories Recordings / Artone Label Group – celebrating its 35th Anniversary, it becomes officially available digitally for the first time.
Listen to Gilbert’s take on ‘Highway Chile.’ Talking about the song, he says, “When I was 5 years old, my uncle Jimi Kidd insisted that I buy the “War Heroes” album by Jimi Hendrix. I dutifully bought it, and “Highway Chile” quickly became one of my favorite songs.”
It’s the album that almost never was, or never should have been. Picture the scene, it’s 2 June 1991 and Paul Gilbert was invited to the Frankfurt Jazz Festival in Germany to trade a few solos with Albert Collins, who was headlining the festival.
At the time Gilbert was riding high with Mr Big and Lean Into It had not long been released. “I was already in Europe, finishing up a Mr. Big tour, so the travel would be easy. I said, “Yes!,” Gilbert says.
However, shortly after arriving at the venue, Gilbert learned that Collins had suffered a sudden health issue and would be unable to perform. “The promoter was panicking and asked me to be the headlining act instead,” Gilbert says. “I didn’t have a band with me. And I didn’t have any solo material prepared.”
The promoter quickly assembled a backing band using the bassist and drummer from Ten Years After, the group led by Alvin Lee, who were also appearing at the festival.
It was only hours before showtime. “The only thing I could think to do was to quickly rehearse some Jimi Hendrix songs and make the solos long enough to fill up a whole set. I told the promoter, “We only have time to learn 5 songs, so I’m going to have to play REALLY LONG SOLOS.” The promoter said, “It’s a jazz festival! That will be great!”
So the band and Paul jumped into rehearsal, and a couple hours later, did the show with scorching renditions of ‘Red House.’ ‘Hey Joe,’ ‘Highway Chile,’ ‘Midnight’ and ‘Purple Haze’ – “It turned out great,” he says. “I don’t think I’ve ever played such long solos in my life!”
