While I gently weep at the guitar

I am thrice Experienced! Wednesday night was my third Experience Hendrix show, back at the Beacon (thank Gawd!)

And talk about being third time charmed. I wasn't prepared for the ultimate surprise -- Jimi's Woodstock Stratocaster was in the building ... and used on stage by Eric Johnson and Kenny Wayne Shepherd! (This must be my year for seeing legendary guitars following Eric Clapton's Blackie and George Harrison's Gibson at Crossroads.)

The Woodstock Strat was truly mesmerizing. And for the record, Eric J. sort of let it play him on "Are You Experienced?" But Kenny Wayne play-ed it on "I Don't Live Today" and "Let the Good Times Roll." And in my breastplate, I felt an inkling of what the assembled masses at Yasgur's Farm did all those years ago.

On to the highlights and lowlights:

Most inspired matchup: They saved the best for first. Hendrix's Band of Gypsys bandmate Billy Cox, former Stevie Ray Vaughan drummer Chris Layton and Isley Brothers' axe slinger Ernie Isley. Isley burned on "Manic Depression" and reached into the Hendrixian bag of guitar-playing tricks (over the shoulder ... with his mouth) for "Amazing Grace." Didn't even cross my mind that I wasn't hearing my all-time favorite song -- the Isleys' "This Old Heart of Mine."

Most uninspired matchup: Poor Jonny Lang. He gamely performed "All Along the Watchtower" and "The Wind Cries Mary" with Aerosmith's Brad Whitford, but Whitford's solos were somnambulistic. Susan Tedeschi, Robert Randolph and Living Colour's Corey Glover and Vernon Reid did their part to aid Jonny's cause, adding spirited backing vocals on "Fire."

Most unintentional pop culture references: Corey Glover looked like a slimmed-down Rerun from "What's Happening," with his grandpa cap, checkered jacket and before-its-time hip-hoppy dance moves. But gotta go with Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who came off like Jon Heder in "Blades of Glory," complete with hair flip.

Best example of female power: Only two options, but both great -- Jimi's sister Janie, who has kept a careful watch over the Hendrix catalog and its releases, and the ever-powerful Susan Tedeschi, the tour's Foxey Lady in a shimmery silver dress. Gotta go with Susan, particularly for her dazzling takes on "If 6 Were 9" and "Spanish Castle Magic."

Best use of the Hendrix spirit: I wouldn't call Steve Vai my favorite of the night, but he was the performer who delivered the most Hendrixian-inspired performance. He mixed Jimi's trademark style with his own, particularly on "May This Be Love," rather than just give some kind of karaoke guitar performance of the classic songs.

Best example of what not to cover: You would think that guitar world would have been aware of how Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood just murderalized "Voodoo Chile" on their reunion tours/at Crossroads and avoid it at all costs. But Kenny Wayne Shepherd (and his usual lead singer Noah Hunt) tried ... and fell short mightily. (The assembled patronage going wild for it obviously didn't see any of the EC/SW shows.)

My favorite of the night (obviously not involving the Woodstock Strat since that CAN NOT be topped): The nominees are: "Crosstown Traffic" (with Living Colour's Corey Glover and Robert Randolph), Ernie Isley's "Manic Depression" and Kenny Wayne Shepherd's "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return). Will go with "Crosstown Traffic," particularly for symmetrical reasons, since at the time 'Ark was winding his way through the city to the event.