Yesterday, while writing about "Little Wing", I mentioned that in the song Hendrix transcended his rhythm and blues roots. A couple of points: 1. Rhythm and Blues was a term invented by Jerry Wexler, a producer for Atlantic Records. He was looking to replace "race music" (understandably) to describe African-American popular music. Rhythm and blues, therefore, is not the same thing as blues, which is an older and more specific (or narrower) genre that is primarily based on a particular AAB, twelve-bar song form. (Stevie Wonder is usually considered the greatest living r&b artist. B.B. King is at the top of the blues list.) 2. Both r&b and the blues are crucial to Hendrix' playing, and he expanded the possibilities of both styles. 3. Most lead guitar blues playing is based on a pentatonic (i.e. five-note) scale. This leads some to believe that the music made from it is somehow simpler than other improvised forms (jazz, for example). This is a mistake. One doesn't count the colours in a painting to determine its complexity or power. The same goes for music. Hendrix' playing rivals anyone's in any genre. If you don't believe me, listen to "Come On (Part 1)" from Electric Ladyland (1968).