The Kennedy Experience

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
For years now, violinist Kennedy--the self-proclaimed bad boy of the string set--has tried to set classical music on its ear. No, not like the Kronos Quartet--peppering great performances of eclectic, underheard New Music works with an encore of Hendrix or Raymond Scott--but with punk attitude and a name change, and by selling a ton of albums (at least in the case of his Four Seasons). His technique is debatable, but you really can't blame a guy for turning a ton of people into new classical-music fans. With The Kennedy Experience, the violinist puts aside the Elgar, Beethoven, and Brahms (at least for an hour) and focuses on the work of (you guessed it) Jimi Hendrix. With his Kennedy Experience octet, the chamber ensemble performs guitar-rock classics such as "Little Wing," "Fire," and, of course, "Purple Haze." These are extended jams--opener "Third Stone from the Sun" is 14 minutes long--but the playing is fine, with plenty of improvisation. Kennedy transcribed Hendrix's more complex tunes into parts for winds and cellos, while he and his string section (two guitarists and two cellists) go free-form. Loose and jazzy, it's an impressive--though far from classical--effort, with none of the typical clichés found in rock tribute albums. --Jason Verlinde

The Kennedy Experience, Music, Dr. Nigel Kennedy, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Crossover, Classical Music, Classical Pop

Average customer rating:

R U Experienced?

A league of its own.

Stunning renditions of Hendrix "classics"

An artist being an artist!

I just don't get it.

The Kennedy Experience
Dr. Nigel Kennedy
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Nigel Kennedy's Greatest Hits

Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons [Complete]

Kennedy Plays Bach

Classic Kennedy

Riders on the Storm: The Doors Concerto

ASIN: B00000K4IY
Release Date: 1999-09-07

Tracks:

Third Stone From The Sun
Little Wing
1983... (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)
Drifting
Fire
Purple Haze

Amazon.com

For years now, violinist Kennedy--the self-proclaimed bad boy of the string set--has tried to set classical music on its ear. No, not like the Kronos Quartet--peppering great performances of eclectic, underheard New Music works with an encore of Hendrix or Raymond Scott--but with punk attitude and a name change, and by selling a ton of albums (at least in the case of his Four Seasons). His technique is debatable, but you really can't blame a guy for turning a ton of people into new classical-music fans. With The Kennedy Experience, the violinist puts aside the Elgar, Beethoven, and Brahms (at least for an hour) and focuses on the work of (you guessed it) Jimi Hendrix. With his Kennedy Experience octet, the chamber ensemble performs guitar-rock classics such as "Little Wing," "Fire," and, of course, "Purple Haze." These are extended jams--opener "Third Stone from the Sun" is 14 minutes long--but the playing is fine, with plenty of improvisation. Kennedy transcribed Hendrix's more complex tunes into parts for winds and cellos, while he and his string section (two guitarists and two cellists) go free-form. Loose and jazzy, it's an impressive--though far from classical--effort, with none of the typical clichés found in rock tribute albums. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

R U Experienced?.......2001-11-29

This isn't your typical Jimi tribute fare, then again Nigel isn't your typical classical violinst. This is not for the timid listener as it challenges conventional perceptions. The only things classical about this disc is the ensemble and Nigels interpretation of Jimi's music. A unique and masterful job is the result of the explorations of Hendrix's classics. Kudos to Nigel for crossing the lines and blurring the perceptions of music. The songs chosen allow for beautiful improvisations, at times frentic, at others soothing, that are as minding bending as the original rock versions, maybe even more so. The first three songs are extended jam sessions, structured around the fiery bow work of Nigel. The jazzy intonations are puntuated by the guitars, bass and of course oboe and cello. Of the first three tracks "1983" is the more innovative and spacier of the jams. Throughout the disc Nigel explores areas that ebb and flow, melodically shifting and grinding out the music. Nigel is careful to not "out Jimi" Hendrix by overextending his skills to the point of nauseam virtuosity, he carefully plots and exerts his own signature on the compositions as only he can. "Drifting" is exceptioanlly beautiful and lyrical, a superb rendition of a classic Hendrix tune. There are times when the songs are barely recognizable but he eventually brings it all back home, harmonious rapture being the end result. If you like jazz or the music of Jimi this is a disc for you. The free form violin of Nigel, coupled with the timeless compostions of a guitar God make for an undaunted new Hendrix experience.

A league of its own........2001-10-19

I cannot be certain if the album is targeted for classical or rock listeners. Nigel Kennedy has blurred this classical/rock interpretation with soul moving gusts. A spiritual aspirations
and a cut from most sonic experiences i have come across. Highly recommended.

Stunning renditions of Hendrix "classics".......2000-10-21

I gotta agree with the music fan from Michigan...kudos to NK for this bute of an album.Knowing full well that this wasn't to be symphonic classic music, I found this to be very refreshing. All me fave Jimi tunes being set to the frantic urgency of Kennedy's flailing bow, and the accompanying musos bringing their brilliance into line with him, seems to work for me. Of course I was really anxious to see if he would colour between the lines, or would it stray. I think his interpretation is truly wondrous.I'd like to see this guy play with Daevid Allen and Gong, which he was rumoured to be doing for this years Glastonbury Festival, but alas, it wasn't to be.Allinall, a worthy cover of Jimi, but probably not everyone's cuppa tea. Oh well....4tea6zee

An artist being an artist!.......2000-03-29

Hats off to Kennedy for this hommage to Hendrix. Jimi Hendrix may not exactly be my cup of tea, but I have enjoyed every minute of this recording. Perhaps some of this album's previous reviewers should try to grasp the idea that a violin has more than one venue for its use. I have seen Kennedy perform with now three major American orchestras and have been come away feeling as though I had seen something special, and I have. Music and art are what we as listeners and observers make of it. I have long admired this performer's committment to performing music and not making music easier to listen to just to gain an audience for classical music. As a student of classical music (what's really in that name?), I enjoy few things as much as a performance that has me leave the hall feeling as though I'd been challenged as a listener...not challenged to make sense of the music, but challenged to really hear the music - its nuance and those qualities which make live performance of classical music different from any other experience we can have.

Bravo, Kennedy! And bravo as well to those hearty listeners who are willing to take a chance. The performers on this album are excellent, and all that the nay-sayers can seem to find wrong is that these people have somehow "disgraced" their instruments by performing this music. I hope that these people do not consider themselves music historians in any sense. For how can we condemn this album and praise toher music whose composers challenged the norms? These composers would include: Beethoven, Haydn, Stravinsky, Brahms, Wagner, Mahler, Schoenberg, Shostakovich and many others. Careful of what you consider yourselves, my friends....you may have to actually BE that which you profess to be!

I just don't get it........1999-10-24

Given the players and the subject I was surprised that there is nothing memorable or endearing. To paraphrase the CD liner notes, I wonder if Kennedy has really realized "personal and unexpected realms with his music" or if this is just hype.

The Kennedy Experience (Plays Jimi Hendrix)

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Nigel plays Jimbo

The Kennedy Experience (Plays Jimi Hendrix)
Nigel Kennedy
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Nigel Kennedy's Greatest Hits

ASIN: B0000257VK
Release Date: 1999-06-28

Tracks:

Third Stone From The Sun
Little Wing
1983... (A Meriman I Should Turn To Be)
Drifting
Fire
Purple Haze

Album Details

Nigel and his 'kennedy Collective' Play an Extended Instrumental Work in Six Movements Based on Six Hendrix Classics.

Customer Reviews:

Nigel plays Jimbo.......2002-02-12

Hello! I bought this album in june 1999 and it blew me away. In my opinion it's really great to hear a fantastic musician like Nigel Kennedy play the music of Jimi Hendrix, sorry for "Jimbo" but I like Jimi's music that much. It's really interesting to hear Jimi's music played in a different way. It gives you new sights to fantastic music. Nigel and "his" Experience play Third Stone..., Little Wing, 1983..., Drifting, Fire and Purple Haze. All titles are played with great musicianship, great soul and good feeling. Especially "Drifting" is to good to describe. If you like Jimi's music and are interested to hear his music in new directions, this record will satisfy you. Greetings from Germany by Axel.

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Vivaldi Experience [Australia]
Nigel Kennedy
Manufacturer: EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000HCPT0M
Release Date: 2006-09-11

Tracks:

Concerto For 2 Violins, Strings & Continuo In A Minor, Op. 3 No. 8, Rv522-I Alle
Concerto For 2 Violins, Strings & Continuo In A Minor, Op.3 No.8, Rv522 - Larghe
Concerto For 2 Violins, Strings & Continuo In A Minor, Op.3 No.8, Rv522 - Allegr
Four Seasons -Concerto No.1 In E (La Primavera/Spring)Rv269(Op.8 No.1)I Allegro
Four Seasons -Concerto No.1 In E (La Primavera/Spring)Rv269(Op.8 No.1)Ii Largo
Four Seasons -Concerto No.1 In E (La Primavera/Spring)Rv269(Op.8 No.1)Iii Alegr
Four Seasons -Concerto No.2 In G Minor (L'estate/Summer)Rv315(Op.8 No.2)I Allegr
Four Seasons -Concerto No.2 In G Minor(L'estate/Summer)Rv315(Op.8 No.2)Ii Adagio
Four Seasons -Concerto No.2 In G Minor(L'estate/Summer)Rv315(Op.8 No.2)Iii Prest
Four Seasons -Concerto No.3 In F(L'autunno/Autumn)Rv293(Op.8 No.3)I Allegro-Lar
Four Seasons -Concerto No.3 In F(L'autunno/Autumn)Rv293(Op.8 No.3) Ii Adagio Mol
Four Seasons -Concerto No.3 In F(L'autunno/Autumn)Rv293(Op.8 No.3)Iii Allegro
Four Seasons -Concerto No.4 In F Minor(L'inverno/Winter)Rv297(Op.8 No.4)I Allegr
Four Seasons -Concerto No.4 In F Minor(L'inverno/Winter)Rv297(Op.8 No.4)Ii Largo
Four Seasons -Concerto No.4 In F Minor(L'inverno/Winter)Rv297(Op.8 No.4)Iii Alle
Concerto For 2 Violins, Strings & Continuo In D Major,Rv511-I Allegro Molto-Adag
Concerto For 2 Violins, Strings & Continuo In D Major, Rv511 Ii Largo
Concerto For 2 Violins, Strings & Continuo In D Major, Rv511 Iii Allegro
12 Concerti Grossi Op.3(Lestro Armonico)Concerto For 2 Violins In A Major Rv519-
12 Concerti Grossi Op.3(Lestro Armonico)Concerto For 2 Violins In A Major Rv519
12 Concerti Grossi Op.3(Lestro Armonico)Concerto For 2 Violins In A Major Rv519
12 Concerti Grossi Op.3(Lestro Armonico)Concerto In A Minor Rv356 -Allegro
12 Concerti Grossi Op.3(Lestro Armonico)Concerto In A Minor Rv356 -Largo
12 Concerti Grossi Op.3(Lestro Armonico)Concerto In A Minor Rv356 -Allegro
Concerto For 2 Violins In C Major Rv507 - Allegro
Concerto For 2 Violins In C Major Rv507 - Largo
Concerto For 2 Violins In C Major Rv507 - Allegro
Solo Sonata No.2 In D Minor, Rv 12 - Preludio. Largo
Solo Sonata No.2 In D Minor, Rv 12 - Corrente Allegro
Solo Sonata No.2 In D Minor, Rv 12 - Gavotta. Presto
Solo Sonata No.2 In D Minor, Rv 12 - Giga. Allergo
Concerto For Violin And Oboe In B Flat Rv 548 - Allegro
Concerto For Violin And Oboe In B Flat Rv 548 - Largo
Concerto For Violin And Oboe In B Flat Rv 548 - Allegro
12 Concerti Grossi Op.3(Lestro Armonico)Concerto In D Major Op.3 No.9 Rv230 (Ada
12 Concerti Grossi Op.3(Lestro Armonico)Concerto In D Major Op.3 No.9 Rv230-Larg
12 Concerti Grossi Op.3(Lestro Armonico)Concerto In D Major Op.3 No.9 Rv230(Adag
12 Concerti Grossi Op.3(Lestro Armonico)Op.3concerto For 2 Violins And Cello In
12 Concerti Grossi Op.3(Lestro Armonico)Op.3concerto For 2 Violins And Cello In
12 Concerti Grossi Op.3(Lestro Armonico)Op.3 Concerto For 2 Violins And Cello In
12 Concerti Grossi Op.3(Lestro Armonico)Op.3concerto For 2 Violins And Cello In

Album Description

Classical virtuoso kicks some major butt down here in Australia packing out concert halls from coast to coast. Check out this Oz exclusive Tour Edition featuring a bonus CD

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Undone

Manufacturer: newworship.com
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAEHS4
Release Date: 2005-08-16

Through the Prism of the Black Experience

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Through the Prism of the Black Experience

Manufacturer: Liscio Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00005OMN7
Release Date: 1997-11-01

Tracks: