LITTLE WING (Derek and the Dominos)
“Little Wing” is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1967 for their second album Axis: Bold as Love. It is a slower tempo, rhythm and blues-inspired ballad featuring Hendrix’s vocal and guitar with recording studio effects accompanied by bass, drums, and glockenspiel. Lyrically, it is one of several of his songs that reference an idealized feminine or guardian angel-like figure. At about two and a half minutes in length, it is one of his most concise and melodically-focused pieces. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine included “Little Wing” on its list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” at number 366. As one of Jimi Hendrix’s most popular and interpreted songs, “Little Wing” has gone on to become a standard. Artists who have recorded it include Derek and the Dominos. (More from Wikipedia)
The short life of Derek and the Dominos was beset with tragedy – Jimi Hendrix died just eight days after the band laid down one of his songs for the album, “Little Wing”, and one year later, their near-bandmate Duane Allman was also gone. Eric Clapton was settling into heroin addiction while the band was on tour, and he sank into despair when this band too broke up.
(May 2014)
