The DU Lounge

The music, though, is pretty dang good, and the arrangement rocks.

Now, whether they can do original tunes is an open question, but let's not forget that Jimi was doing a cover. The ability to write and perform original music is only one of many qualifications for musical excellence. You remember they used to criticise Streisand because she didn't do her own stuff. Many great performers and bands were interpreting some writer's ideas -- it's always been a standard part of the music business, the idea of groups doing it all is something that came into vogue after the Beatles (and some other groups) convinced everyone that was the standard.

Jimi never thought he was the greatest, although the supposed quote of his that one should ask Rory Gallagher how it feels to be the greatest is apocryphal. I tend not to play rating games: I'm perfectly happy to have both Jimi Hendrix and Rory Gallagher in my sonic universe, and am prepared to show neither the door.

-- Mal