The Hamsters play Hendrix at The Palladium Club, Bideford.

In just 28 dazzling years, Jimi Hendrix revolutionised rock music. Some consider him to be the greatest guitarist in the history of rock and the unique trail he blazed is still followed with an almost religious zeal.

 

Many aspire to replicate the spirit and fire of Jimi’s music but there are very few musicians that can actually do it because playing a set of Hendrix music is a daunting challenge no matter how good you are. Die hard fans are so familiar with Hendrix that a fret wrong is going to get noticed.

 

So step forward The Hamsters at a sold out Palladium Club, on tour to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the great man’s sad passing. In the UK, and probably Europe, there is no one better at interpreting Hendrix.

 

The band actually opened with their own blues set including that famous finale where – well, you’ll have to see them for that! Then they launched into a fabulous trip through all that is brilliant about Jimi Hendrix.

 

They started with early material, a Howling Wolf cover and Are You Experienced, and touched on the gentler side of Hendrix’ work too including Little Wing and The Wind Cries Mary – such a gorgeous song.

 

Between blistering solo’s laid down over a rock solid rhythm section, guitarist Slim introduced the tracks with warmth and feeling – this is a man he clearly reveres. As the evening progressed, so it just got better and better, reaching a mighty climax with more classic Hendrix – Voodoo Chile, Star Spangled Banner, Hey Joe, Purple Haze and All Along The Watchtower.

 

The place was heaving and if they could, the crowd would have stayed on till the wee small hours but all good things come to an end, this time with an encore of Angel and talk of a visit to The Plough next spring. Don’t miss them.