When a song as legendary as Voodoo Chile gets reimagined, it takes a rare kind of musical synergy to honor its spirit while breathing new life into it. Enter Ari Joshua, Russ Lawton, and Ray Paczkowski—a powerhouse trio who have done just that. Their blistering, soul-drenched take on Jimi Hendrix’s classic, released on March 14, 2025, via Music Factory Records, is a full-throttle exploration of blues, psychedelia, and improvisational rock at its most electrifying. With Joshua’s fiery guitar work leading the charge, Lawton’s deep-groove drumming providing the backbone, and Paczkowski’s swirling Hammond organ summoning a storm of sonic textures, this version of Voodoo Chile doesn’t just cover Hendrix—it channels his spirit.
From the opening licks, Ari Joshua’s guitar roars with the kind of unfiltered emotion that made Hendrix an icon. His phrasing is both precise and wild, a balancing act between technical mastery and raw feeling. It’s clear that this isn’t just a note-for-note tribute—it’s a reawakening of a song that has long lived in the DNA of rock and blues. Paczkowski, a longtime member of Trey Anastasio Band, brings an organ performance that’s equal parts cosmic and gritty, painting sonic landscapes that hover between gospel soul and intergalactic psych-rock. Meanwhile, Russ Lawton locks in with hypnotic, unshakable grooves, giving the track the rhythmic drive it needs to soar. The chemistry between these three musicians is undeniable, each one pushing the others into deeper, more exploratory spaces, making this rendition feel like a long-lost jam from the golden age of rock improvisation.
Recorded in one take, Voodoo Chile feels alive, as if it’s unfolding in real-time, with the musicians feeding off each other’s energy. Joshua himself acknowledges this, stating, “You don’t just cover Hendrix—you summon his spirit. This track has an aura, a weight to it. We didn’t pre-meditate it; this was the one take. We wanted to tap into that OG 1960s electricity while bringing our own spirit to the table.” That spirit is evident in every note, from the slow-burning blues licks to the explosive crescendos where Joshua’s guitar seems to transcend into another realm entirely.
While the trio delivers a fresh take on Voodoo Chile, it’s clear they are carrying forward a lineage of fearless sonic explorers. With Lawton and Paczkowski’s deep roots in improvisational rock (thanks to their long history with Trey Anastasio Band) and Joshua’s genre-blurring approach to guitar, this project is as much about honoring the past as it is about forging something new. Their version of Voodoo Chile doesn’t attempt to replicate Hendrix—it embraces his philosophy of pushing boundaries, of making each note feel like a discovery.
Beyond the single, Joshua and his projects have a packed schedule ahead. His band, The All’s Eye, will be hitting the stage for multiple live dates in April, delivering their signature blend of mind-expanding jams and deep, groove-heavy rock. Fans can catch them live at:
April 11, 2025 – Umbra in Brooklyn, NY (with Blahsum)
April 12, 2025 – Park City Music Hall (opening for Kung Fu)
April 18 & 19, 2025 – Queen Anne Beer Hall (after PHISH party)
And the music doesn’t stop there. The All’s Eye is gearing up to release Say What You Wanna Say, while Joshua himself has another major drop on the horizon—Reversible Submersible, a collaboration featuring none other than John Medeski and Billy Martin, set to arrive in April. With such an ambitious slate of projects, it’s clear that Joshua isn’t just a guitarist—he’s a relentless sonic architect, building worlds with his instrument and inviting listeners to step inside.
Voodoo Chile is more than just a cover—it’s a testament to the timeless power of music that refuses to stay locked in the past. Ari Joshua, Russ Lawton, and Ray Paczkowski take Hendrix’s spirit and set it ablaze once again, proving that some songs aren’t just meant to be played—they’re meant to be reborn.
