Released 10 years ago
Machine Gun: The Fillmore East First Show
Jimi Hendrix · 2016
70 min · 11 tracks · hard rock
A raw and powerful live performance that captures Hendrix's unrivaled guitar prowess and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Machine Gun — This track epitomizes Hendrix's ability to convey deep emotion through his guitar, delivering a haunting commentary on war and suffering that resonates powerfully.
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Power of Soul Start here — Opening the set, this track features a blistering introduction that sets the tone for the entire performance, showcasing Hendrix's dynamic range and command over his instrument.
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Hear My Train a Comin’ — This rendition highlights Hendrix's storytelling prowess, blending poignant lyrics with an extended, soulful guitar solo that captures his signature style.
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Burning Desire — The closing track encapsulates the raw emotion and electric atmosphere of the concert, with Hendrix’s passionate playing leaving a lasting impression.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Hendrix's improvisational skills and maintains a strong flow, making it a compelling live performance.
What we noticed
- The album features extended improvisations, with several tracks exceeding eight minutes, allowing Hendrix to explore his guitar work in depth.
- Each song transitions smoothly into the next, creating a continuous flow that enhances the live experience.
- Hendrix frequently alters the tempo and dynamics within songs, shifting from quiet introspective moments to explosive climaxes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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9/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic exploration of improvisation
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- raw energy of live performance
- cathartic moments of emotional release
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of polished production
- prefer concise, radio-friendly tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases Hendrix's peak creativity and live performance prowess.
- Themes
- Vietnam War commentary· electric improvisation· cultural transformation
- Career context
- Released posthumously in 2016, this album showcases Jimi Hendrix during a peak period of creativity in 1970, just before his untimely death. It documents the iconic Fillmore East concert where Hendrix was at a crossroads, blending his blues roots with experimental soundscapes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jeff Beck· Eric Clapton· Stevie Ray Vaughan
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Machine Gun
Hendrix's guitar weeps as he shifts from melodic phrases to intense bursts of feedback, embodying the pain and chaos associated with its subject matter.
This seamless interplay between lyrical content and musical expression illustrates how Hendrix uses his instrument not just as sound but as an extension of his voice.
Tracklist
- 1 Power of Soul Start here 5:30
- 2 Lover Man 3:13
- 3 Hear My Train a Comin’ 9:06
- 4 Changes 5:57
- 5 Izabella 3:28
- 6 Machine Gun 8:53
- 7 Stop 5:29
- 8 Ezy Ryder 5:55
- 9 Bleeding Heart 6:37
- 10 Earth Blues 6:23
- 11 Burning Desire 9:39
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers Band
Captures raw live energy with extended jams and improvisation, reflecting the same electric blues spirit.
Blow by Blow
Jeff Beck
Shares a similar fusion of rock and jazz with an emphasis on improvisational guitar work and emotional depth.
Abraxas
Santana
Combines psychedelic rock with Latin rhythms, echoing Hendrix's experimental approach and cultural commentary.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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