The most misheard Hendrix lyric ever, I believe!
Went to the Hendrix pop-up shop on Ganton St, off Carnaby St. last night.
For a Hendrix nut it's not the most stellar experience (hah) but worth visiting simply because it's about Jimi. If you weren't there at the opening then you've missed Janie (tbh, I'm glad I wasn't there, I think I might have burst into flames).
There's the usual stuff; T's, sweats and vests, all at premium prices. An album wall populated with stuff even I already possess 90% of, and I'm not an anal fan by any s.o.t.i. There is a nice portrait made of plectrums, but I'm not too sure of these things outside the 'gimmicky' frame of reference (I went to an art exhibition last year which had Hendrix and Experience portraits made out of bits of smashed records. Clever, but I found myself lamenting the vinyl that had to die to make this so).
Then there is the basement!!! This is a set-up from Fender with loads of Strats, Marshall amps, effects doo-dahs and the prospect of getting a 'master class' in Hendrix-esque tom foolery. I may have burnt my own bridges immediately by walking in and stating 'is this where the wannabees live?' I got some 'looks'.
A real highlight Is a range of Gerard Mankowitz portraits to view and buy, I met Gerard at his exhibition in Harrogate last year and we had a loooong conversation about the sixties (what we could remember of them, ha ha), rock and roll and photography in general. He really is a nice bloke; gentle and engaging, buy his stuff.
Outside of that there is the usual posters, mugs, plectra and 3D tosh to brighten up the shrine of any emergent fans. Being someone brought musically to life by Hendrix, in the 60's but now approaching my own 60's I'm now unfashionably beyond such fripperies. I went, I looked, I had a massive nostalgia rush, and.
My own biggie.
There are some genuine Hendrix stage outfits there. I've touched the suit Jimi wore at the Band of Gypsies gigs. My life has a new, small but significant highlight.
Go, you'll enjoy it, but hurry as it's only open until April 12th.
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