Experience Hendrix tour - Sony Centre, Toronto, Oct. 28, 2010 Part 3

Better late than never, here's the final bit of my sort-of review of the Experience Hendrix show last week in Toronto. After Kenny Wayne Shepherd had kind of torn up the house with full-on blasting and swagger, the duo of David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas seemed to be something of a low-key letdown.  But as I settled into their short set, I appreciated the burnished tones, effortless interplay and classy licks of these two Los Lobos veterans.  After running through "Can You See Me" and "Little Wing" Hidalgo and Rosas were joined by the Slide Brothers and Robert Randolph. Rob Quail worried aloud that three steel guitars would sound like a swarm of mosquitos, and he was not far wrong, despite the obvious talent of the musicians. A total of five guitars jamming on "Them Changes"? Not for the weak of heart.

The steel players stayed on stage to be joined by Living Colour for "Purple Haze," and then Steve Vai took the stage for his mini-set, which I found quite enjoyable despite his shredder tone and quirky phrasing. His sense of humour came through strongly on "Midnight" (from War Heroes), "May This Be Love," "Love or Confusion" and "Foxy Lady." The final song featured Billy Cox on lead vocals; he announced "Red House" as Jimi's favourite song, and admirably finished the night with Brad Whitford and Mato Nanji. There was no encore.

I was pretty impressed with the concert overall; it was certainly a great value for the money - we paid just over $100 per ticket, and that was the top price.  Not bad for no less than thirteen fine lead guitarists playing some of the greatest songs of Jimi Hendrix's career and paying tribute to his singular guitar style.