Darn it! Now I reminded of why I resolved to limit my forum participation to Cat of the Day. On COTD, I can make one brief statement that needs no followup and with little risk of offending anyone. Now, I am on this forum and the topic has become not cats but Jimi Hendrix and I can either ignore what has been posted or say what I think and risk offending someone. Well, it is not my intent to offend anyone and I hope I do not, but I am here, the topic is Jimi Hendrix and I disagree with some of what has been said, so I will say my piece.

Let me preface my comments by noting that I do not use drugs, tobacco or alcohol, although at times I certainly have. I am a loyal American, am proud to fly the flag and I have no doubt but what I would die for this country.

Above, I referred to both Hendrix and Mozart in the same paragraph. In my opinion, of all the composers lumped in the broad category "classic," three stand out far above all the rest: Bach, Mozart and Beehtoven. Some like to include Brahams in there, but, personally, I do not believe he rises to the same level. And of those three, I think Mozart had the greater gift. Yet, like Hendrix, he too made some choices that one could say were not so wise and this ultimately contributed to his early death. Yet his music has been rightfully described as divine, as though Mozart were merely a conduit between the celestial realm and earth. It is appropriate to play Mozart at even the most solemn of church services, yet Mozart did not lead a holy life.

But he had a gift, and so did Jimi Hendrix, and both had vices that killed them but this does not diminish the music of either.

Now, as to Hendrix's rendition of the Star Spangled Banner: many people have tried to pin their own interpretation on his playing of that piece, though Hendrix himself never elaborated anywhere other than on the guitar, although he did describe the anthem as "beautiful" and in so many words said that because it was beautiful and because he was American, he had to play it and he played it in the way the way that he played in the time that he played. And when he played it, I believe, he rose to the very highest level of guitar mastery of his entire career and if anyone has ever risen higher, I have not recognized it.

He played in a way that some failed to grasp, and many still can not. But I grasp it, and to me, Hendrix's version of the Star Spangled Banner is the most beautiful and moving that I have ever heard. It brings tears to my eyes, it is so beautiful. There is no disrespect in it. It is American, 100 percent and when I hear it, I am both glad and proud to be an American. Only America could have produced that beautiful, rugged, fragile treasure known as Jimi Hendrix.

Listen to it again, and listen carefully, without prejudice.

There. I have said my piece on this subject and I will leave the matter behind. Perhaps I should retreat once again, and stick just to Cat of the Day.