For "An Evolution of Sound," the latest exhibit devoted to Hendrix's life and works, the museum at Seattle Center takes a longer and wider view. "Up until now everything has been very much a survey of Jimi Hendrix's career detailing what happened from the time he started out until the time he passed away," explains EMP Senior Curator Jacob McMurray.
"We've realized that we can really use Hendrix as a lens by which to talk about all different kinds of popular culture and different things that were going on in the world. So, this time around, we've specifically focused on Hendrix's musical influences and on the visitor experience."
Concentrating simultaneously on the guitarist's development and the developments that shaped him, the exhibit focuses on five consecutive phases: Seattle 1942-1961, which saw Hendrix clubbing, forming bands and sometimes opening for the likes of the Kingsmen; the "chitlin' circuit," covering his Army stint, his first adult band The King Casuals and copious session work; Greenwich Village, where Jimi soaked up bohemian culture in and around even more session work; London, where Jimmy became Jimi, founded the Experience with Chas Chandler pushing from behind the scenes, and returned a conquering hero to his native America; and the "world stage," where our hero first luxuriated in, then recoiled from, the attentions of the globe, split the Experience, and plans for a more laid-back, sophisticated musical direction before his sad, messy death Sept. 18, 1970.
In addition to the historical interlacing, "An Evolution Of Sound" offers an interactive exhibit where patrons can play with Hendrix's recording mixes and effects pedals. "Beyond just going into the studio and recording," says McMurray, "[Jimi] purposefully used the studio as a way to construct his songs with layered guitar arrangements, studio effects like flipping the tape and playing something backward. He was an innovator in that way."
The exhibit features film footage of Hendrix performances between 1967 and 1970. The EMP will also place iPods in the lounge area featuring 19 different Hendrix albums, plus, among other things, singles Jimi recorded, as an uncredited session musician, with Little Richard, Don Covay, The Isley Brothers, Rosalie Brooks and others.
"You can hear the Don Covay tune, 'Mercy Mercy' from 1963," enthuses McMurray, but you listen to it and you can hear Jimi Hendrix on guitar and you can actually hear the evolution of sound.
"Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution Of Sound"
opens Saturday, April 26, at
Experience Music Project.
For details visit www.emplive.com