by Charles Depalmo

Created on: February 15, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

So... I was putting some more old CDs on my iPod today. As I was rifling through a bunch of jewel cases, I noticed an odd looking face with a compass for a left eye and a green laser beam going through the other. The name above it said it all - Winger. Now, undoubtedly, I had probably purchased the CD back in the day for the undeniable king of all odes to statuatory rape, "Seventeen." Daddy says she's too young, but she's old enough for me? Really, Kip...

So, in goes the CD and a short while later, I've joined Stuart from Beavis and Butthead as probably the only people to have listened to this particular album in the past 10 years. And I have to say (and please don't judge me too heinously for this) that it was pretty good considering the genre. I mean, let's face it - while "hair bands" were the torchbearers for the sex, drugs, and rock and roll lifestyle that was prevalent in the late 80's and early 90's, there was not too much in the way of actual music talent. Big cocks and cocaine nose-mustaches: yes. But above-average musical composition and talent: not so much.

But Winger was different. The music, while still having the same general sound of any other "hair band," is actually pretty well put together. I mean, it's not just an endless stream of power chords and girlish screams that a lot of the other bands had to "offer." Many of the tracks were quite progressive for this particular style, and Reb Beach was an outstanding lead guitarist on the solos. The sensitive ballads were effective, and the other "fun" tracks were just that - fun, but with a lot of thought given to actual musical form.

But then, track 5 came on...

For some strange reason, Kip Winger thought that it would be a good idea to cover the Jimi Hendrix classic "Purple Haze." Yes, you read that correctly. No, I really am not joking - Winger recorded a cover of "Purple Haze." And I have to say quite honestly that it is probably the worst cover of any song that I have ever heard. Gone is all the soul of Jimi's rambling guitar and husky voice. Gone is the amazing delivery of one of the coolest riffs in all of rock and roll. And gone is the overall feel of a song that should have been treated a whole lot better. If ever there was a band going through the motions while playing a song, this was it.

What the hell was Kip Winger thinking? I mean, he already had a decent album going - why sod it up with an awful cover of one of the truly great rock songs of our time? And what the hell was the estate of Jimi Hendrix thinking? I know that somebody had to sign off the rights to record this song. What drugs were they on that they would place this hallowed piece of musical genius into the hands of a damned hair band? It doesn't matter how good Winger was or wasn't - it was the simple fact that they had the audacity to cover it and that somebody actually gave their blessing to them to record it that draws my ire.

Anyway, the bottom line is that I really enjoyed the Winger album, but I was so disenchanted at their laughable attempt at "Purple Haze" that I had to delete the song from my iPod. I also encourage people to NEVER listen to this song. If you've already heard it, I'm truly sorry. Just chalk it up to wrong place, wrong time. I just cannot in good faith support or listen to a song that almost tarnishes the legacy of a rock icon. Jimi deserves better than that...

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