Ezy Ryder

"Ezy Ryder" (sometimes written as "Easy Ryder" and "Ezee Ryeder";^[1] also known as "Slow"^[2] and "Lullaby for the Summer"^[3]) is a song by American rock musician Jimi Hendrix, featured on his 1971 first posthumous studio album The Cry Of Love. Written and produced by vocalist and guitarist Hendrix, the song's lyrics are said to be inspired by the 1969 film of the same name;^[4] The Jimi Hendrix Experience had previously contributed "If 6 Was 9" to the film's soundtrack.^[5]

History

Early performances

An early version of "Ezy Ryder" was first recorded, under the name "Slow", on February 16, 1969 at Olympic Studios, in a session which also featured the debuts of "Room Full of Mirrors", "In from the Storm" (under the name "Crying Blue Rain") and "Here He Comes (Lover Man)", an extended version of "Lover Man".^[2] The basic track for the song was not recorded until December 18, 1969 (at New York's Record Plant Studios),^[6][7] on the same day as the rehearsal at Baggy's Studios for the upcoming performances at the Fillmore East (from which the live album Band of Gypsys was produced).^[8] "Ezy Ryder" was also performed at aforementioned rehearsal session at Baggy's.^[8]

Progression and completion

"Ezy Ryder" made its live debut during the first show of the December 31, 1969 performance at the Fillmore East, appearing in the middle of the set between covers of Howard Tate's "Stop" and Elmore James' "Bleeding Heart".^[9] It was not performed during either of the January 1, 1970 shows.^[10] Back in the studio, "Ezy Ryder" was rehearsed, recorded and mixed a number of times during early 1970, at Olympic, Olmstead and Record Plant Studios.^[11] The song was then performed at the majority of dates on The Cry of Love Tour between April and June (and subsequently between July and September),^[11] before the first recording session at newly built Electric Lady Studios on June 15 was focused on advancing the studio version of "Easy Ryder or Ezee Ryeder".^[1] This work-in-progress, for which backing vocals by Traffic musicians Steve Winwood and Chris Wood were recorded during said session, was released on the compilation box set The Jimi Hendrix Experience in 2000.^[1] Another recording session three days later was also dedicated to "Ezy Ryder",^[12] "additional overdubs and mix attempts" were completed on July 2,^[13] and final mixes were produced over three days on August 22, 23 and 26, along with the majority of the songs intended for Hendrix's next album.^[14][15] "Ezy Ryder" was subsequently performed at most of the final concerts at which Hendrix played, including the final date at the Open Air Love & Peace Festival on September 6.^[11]

Posthumous releases

The completed song was originally released on the 1971 album The Cry of Love – the first posthumous album of original material compiled by The Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell and engineer Eddie Kramer.^[7] As well as featuring on posthumously released live albums Live at the Fillmore East and Blue Wild Angel: Live at the Isle of Wight, "Ezy Ryder" was included on the 1997 compilation First Rays of the New Rising Sun, along with the rest of the songs from The Cry of Love.^[16]

Personnel

References

• Shapiro, Harry; Glebbeek, Caesar (1995). Jimi Hendrix: Electric Gypsy. New York: St. Martin's Griffin. ISBN 0-312-13062-7. 
• Pesant, Steven C. The Jimi Hendrix Encyclopedia. Seattle, Washington: Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. 

Notes