Agreed - the "Rust Never Sleeps" version of Cortez is one of my favorite all-time tracks. As is Powderfinger.
OT: Guitar / Guitarist Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter Bleem Phuppert
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Agreed - the "Rust Never Sleeps" version of Cortez is one of my favorite all-time tracks. As is Powderfinger.
Yeh I'm biased but love Rick Beato here:
Almost forgot the Moby Dick riff because the song is so much about Bonzo's brilliance.
Almost forgot the Moby Dick riff because the song is so much about Bonzo's brilliance.
My favorite all-time is "Cortez The Killer" immediately followed by "Like A Hurricane" on the Live Rust album.
It doesn't get any better than that IMO.
BTW, "Cortez The Killer" is not on the Rust Never Sleeps album.
Yeah...that's it.
BTW, i've been a huge Neil fan since Buffalo Springfield days. "Broken Arrow" still does it for me.
I've also been blessed to see enough of him and Stills trading licks at numerous CSNY concerts over the years.
I've always said that if i could play guitar like one person it would be Neil. (Apologies to Stevie Ray.)
About 31 years ago I went on a blind date. I had planned to go dancing at Jimmy Reids on 17 in Mahwah (since closed) but the sign out front said it was Chippendale night. So I kept driving up the Franklin Tpk and we stopped at Nobody's Inn. It was aptly named, the only ones there were my date and I and a young jazz guitarist named John Pizzarelli (son of Bucky). As great as he was, I was more into the date who eventually became my wife.
I've always found jazz boring. I've seen Larry Carlton and also Pat Matheny.
Even Pharoah Sanders. (I know he doesn't play guitar.)
Barely could keep awake.
But that's just me.
Even Pharoah Sanders. (I know he doesn't play guitar.)
Barely could keep awake.
But that's just me.
There are many different types of jazz. One of the best ever is Joe Pass:
Many more, like Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, etc. The only ”fast” guitar music I like is Jazz and Bluegrass. Very fast Rock, for the most part doesn’t interest me. There are a lot less talented musicians in Rock who play “fast” stuff. Rock often loses its soulfulness if played too fast, I have a problem with that.
Many more, like Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, etc. The only ”fast” guitar music I like is Jazz and Bluegrass. Very fast Rock, for the most part doesn’t interest me. There are a lot less talented musicians in Rock who play “fast” stuff. Rock often loses its soulfulness if played too fast, I have a problem with that.
Great solo by Steve Lukather of Toto (also a session musician).
Rick Beato clip. Solo at end of Running with the Night, Lionel Ritchie.
Rick Beato clip. Solo at end of Running with the Night, Lionel Ritchie.
That video of Pass is a perfect example of my disinterest in Jazz. When he gets to the slower ones I'm gonna doze.
Yeah...he can sure play the guitar. But I don't find it interesting at all. Noodling...emotionless.
Neil Is the antithesis. His better guitar work is full of emotion. That's what I love about the guitar.
There are a bunch of Neil's tunes like that. Some of the CDs I've burnt of just his best electric stuff are classics.
Also recommend Jorma Kaukonen's guitar on Wooden Ships, Dan Auerbach's on Things Ain't Like They Used To Be, Robin Trower on Procol Harum's In Held Twas In I, and Dave Gilmour on Comfortably Numb. And I'm forgetting a bunch of others right now. There's a few I'll think of later and add.
The Sky Is Crying by Stevie Ray Vaughan.
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Larry Carlton is the creator and performer of what's generally accepted as the world's greatest guitar solo.
Pedals.
What's everybody got? Since one of my amps is a Fender Mustang, I don't use any pedals with it. For my little Marshall, I play through a Boss BD2 Blues Driver.
What's everybody got? Since one of my amps is a Fender Mustang, I don't use any pedals with it. For my little Marshall, I play through a Boss BD2 Blues Driver.
I have no pedals and really have had no interest in that, maybe a Wah at some point. I prefer a very clean guitar sound. A little distortion is OK, but it’s has gotten so far out of whack. I have a Fender Blues Jr. amp ….that currently needs to be repaired and I have a Guitar Research acoustic amp that I’ve actually been playing my Fender Stratocaster through recently. Previously I did not list my guitars. I have a Fender Stratocaster, an Epiphone hollow body electric Casino , ” The Beatles Guitar”. An acoustic Fender and a Carlo Rubelli acoustic that I learned on.
So true.
That solo was one of the reasons my friends were able to convince me to attend a Larry Carlton show somewhere in NYC back in the day....late Seventies/early Eighties. They knew I didn't care for jazz.
He did eventually get to a couple of tunes that were similar to his solo on Kid Charlemagne. But all of the rest were typical jazz noodling. My girlfriend at the time had warned me to be on my best behavior at the show, so I was able to avoid any snoring
God I practiced that solo relentlessly back in the day. I got close but never nailed it. Carlton is killer.
Guitarman-
Band of Gypsies Hendrix power trio.
I’ve been mesmerized by this album since the early 70s
Listen to this song on a good system
I can't listen to a lot of Hendrix but I like BOG and Buddy Miles. Hendrix did great song openings. I was watching a vid of him live in Hawaii and dude was pioneering it - working mostly one pedal and had a mic with couch cushioning tied on it lol. It was like 1970.
I’m always amazed by the number of people who write about music and continually spell SRV’s last name incorrectly. It’s Vaughan, not Vaughn.
Yup. And on this board, people still can't properly spell our OC's last name or Johnny football's last name. SRV was not around that long, and it could be that the tweeting for Classic Rock in Pics is handled by an intern.
I don't have enough of an appreciation of technical merit to say whether he does or does not belong on that list. But I can't think of any song or solo that puts him in that league.
Google the topic of why he on the list of greats and came across this thread:
One view of a fan, which doesn't really answer the question:
"Because of his early influence, and his longevity. The Yardbirds, Bluesbreakers and especially Cream Clapton was in these bands as a guitarist, but he was so spectacular that he gained an audience all his own. He wasn’t the vocalist in those bands, and the vocalists were always the star before Clapton.
Clapton was the first to plug in and crank it up; this opened the door for Page, Gilmour and everybody else that came after that. Eddie Van Halen is the perfect example, he knew every solo that Clapton produced in Mayall and Cream, and that is what led him to be the fantastic guitarist that he is.
Clapton also has evolved and taken on several genres. EC also developed into a great songwriter, music, and lyrics. Eric can still play very well at 73 years old, and Page plays like a 12-year-old taking guitar lesson. I still love Page, but he doesn’t play well at all anymore. Gilmour will tell you the influence Clapton had on him."
Another view I agree more with:
"Because they drank the Koolaid. Everybody thinks Clapton is some kind of guitar God because he’s convinced them that he’s a blues purist. The actual fact is he’s a one trick pony. He doesn’t have anywhere near the depth or emotional range of Jimmy Page, or the courage to go outside his comfort zone. Gilmour is more interesting than Clapton, but Jimmy Page runs rings around both of them."
And this guy seems to nail it, but never thought that much about David Gilmour, and can't refute his points. That raises a question, does one get points over another for being more versatile?:
"Different guitar players, playing different genres, and have different techniques so ranking is totally subjective. Comparing Tonny Iommi (Sabbath) to George Harrison (Beatles), is like comparing Chocolate to Pasta. Both are great, but totally different.
For me, I look at influence, Technique, and versatility. Therefore, Hendrix will always come first because he totally own those 3 categories.
Now second, I will definitely go with Page. Led Zeppelin is the most mobile band of all time. They played Rock, Hard Rock, Metal, Folk, and Blues. Page was able to adjust his technique overtime which made his playing always interesting.
Now When It comes to Clapton, who I love. Clapton is more of a one way guy. He got a technique, he was influential but same as almost everyone on the list. However he wasn’t very versatile. Clapton gets Guitar credit for his writing and vocals from most critics, unlike most of the big guitars, who are only valued for their guitar work. I am not saying Clapton is overrated by any mean, but It always stun me how a lot of critics put him above someone like Gilmour.
Gilmour is very influential. Everyone wanna know how a guy who plays a single note can make that note so unique and hard to play. Gilmour wasn’t as fast as Clapton or Page; however, he was very versatile almost as page and so unique on his own way. Gilmour can rock on Psychedelic, Rock, Progressive Rock, and Hard Rock. Besides Gilmour’s short and sweat riffs, his solos are always interesting to hear. What makes Gilmour’s solos so special is that he usually do ONE take based on how he feel playing the riffs so the solo integrate in the song’s body.
Every Gilmour Solo is a very unique solo. To be honest, I think Gilmour is even a better lead guitarist than Jimmy Page. However, Page is definitely better rhythm player.
"Here is the thing, Gilmour’s best work isn’t just comfortably numb and Shine One. Gilmour’s best work is Time, Money, Fat Old Son, Meddle, Run Like Hell, Dogs, Pigs, On the turning away, High Hopes, Hey You, Wish You Were Here, Faces of Stone, and One the Island…. And that what makes him so underrated. His best work is is simply his Catalog."
Don't recall if Jack White has been mentioned. And since Jimmy Page is near the top of many lists, here's a great clip. The Edge does not get a lot of mentions either, but he has an interesting style and tone.
Used to be a big fan of U2's early work, but they lost me at Pop Mart. But some of The Edge's solos are brilliant, captured here. Namely, the Electric Co and Bullet the Blue Sky. The entire Joshua Tree album is filled with brilliant guitar work.
On Jack White, whose catalog extends well beyond his first band, The White Stripes:
Black Math, followed by Let's Build a Home Together, showcase his talent:
And Ball and Biscuit:
Used to be a big fan of U2's early work, but they lost me at Pop Mart. But some of The Edge's solos are brilliant, captured here. Namely, the Electric Co and Bullet the Blue Sky. The entire Joshua Tree album is filled with brilliant guitar work.
On Jack White, whose catalog extends well beyond his first band, The White Stripes:
Black Math, followed by Let's Build a Home Together, showcase his talent:
And Ball and Biscuit:
If we’re getting into a whole Clapton/Jimmy Page thing, again it’s very subjective. Personally, I like Page’s acoustic playing better than his electric stuff. He’s a very good player but I think he overplays at times. Clapton is more aligned with traditional Blues and I like that. He typically does not overplay.. which I really wish more rock guys would understand. Additionally he sings well and Page doesn’t sing. Please don’t put Jack White in that conversation. I like Jack White and his approach to music, but he isn’t a top level player. He is good but should not be mentioned with these other guys.
No, that was not the point or the intent. Was just added The Edge and Jack White to the overall list, as they appeared with Jimmy Page in that documentary, which IIRC, was It Might Get Loud.
And opinions can vary. Personally, I think Clapton is an awful singer. But that's my opinion, which will differ from others'.
I appreciate your point on overplaying the guitar.
Great point on “overplaying.” To me, and it’s just my opinion, it’s not about shredding. Using tempo, balance, space, and phrasing is hugely important. As someone who plays 99% acoustic, I appreciate the unadulterated approach of many acoustic guitarists.. I fully appreciate electric, but a 8 minute shred isn’t something I typically like—although I do appreciate the technical skills in many cases.
I absolutely agree 100% with all of the support for Clapton based on his ability and his longevity. Don't get me wrong - just because I know the guy to be one of the world's great ******** doesn't mean I don't respect his contributions, which have been enormous.
I just think you can credit him all that and, simultaneously, not rank him among the top 4 guitarists. To me, based on the above as well as his technical skill and his improvisational abilities, he's somewhere in the bottom of the Top 10.
Certainly better guitarists than me have disagreed, but... that doesn't change my thinking, any.
Gary Moore... now that's a dude had some serious improv blues chops. He never made it huge and died too young but his solo work is amazing and his work with Thin Lizzy (mostly on tours, but on 2 albums, as well) was truly the band's best. He's still a revered icon in his native Ireland.
There's that word again - "space". It's SO important. And again, something that I think Clapton does poorly. Page did tend to overplay at times, for certain.
A guy who I think is among the best ever at the use of space in his phrasing is Peter Frampton. Non-guitarists know his hits, but his solo phrasing on tracks like "Lines on My Face" is nothing short of fabulous. Do yourselves a favor and listen to the live cut of that tune on the "Comes Alive" album. Masterful.
Crossroads live by Cream is in my top ten list. Clapton's guitarwork is still jaw-dropping.
I agree that it's subjective. And while I'm a fan of any number of Led Zeppelin tunes, I'm not the biggest Jimmy Page fan. That's because there isn't that much of his stuff that moved me or gave me the urge to hear it again.
I actually think you'd have a better argument talking up Jeff Beck than Page. Personally, I've always found Beck's stuff boring. But I know guitarists who swear by him. I've only been impressed by one tune that he did with Clapton on The Secret Policeman's Other Ball benefit concert....'Cause We've Ended Up As Lovers.
Also, not enough love for Gary Clark Jr. in this thread. His live album is currently the thing I listen to most these days.
I agree that it's subjective. And while I'm a fan of any number of Led Zeppelin tunes, I'm not the biggest Jimmy Page fan. That's because there isn't that much of his stuff that moved me or gave me the urge to hear it again.
I actually think you'd have a better argument talking up Jeff Beck than Page. Personally, I've always found Beck's stuff boring. But I know guitarists who swear by him. I've only been impressed by one tune that he did with Clapton on The Secret Policeman's Other Ball benefit concert....'Cause We've Ended Up As Lovers.
Also, not enough love for Gary Clark Jr. in this thread. His live album is currently the thing I listen to most these days.
All the Jersey guys here and no love for Plainfield's Funkadelic (later called Parliament) lol?
I know they were pretty eccentric, and George Clinton was a hurricane, but they were a solid guitar band ( RR HoF in 1997). Sometimes they had 5 or 6 guitars at once.
Funkadelic came out of a babershop with guys who were church singers and musicians that got into Hendrix and drugs. They saw themselves as rockers first . They used to just jam and invent stuff on the fly. Eddie Hazel is on most of the "most underrated guitarist" lists. "Maggot Brain" is a famous solo he did when he was 21 (in 1971) and its right out of Hendrix stream. Its psychedelic and full of gain, reverb etc and other band members said he was crying through his guitar. Supposedly Clinton told Hazel to imagine he heard his mother died and then he discovered she was still alive (He died in 90s from years of bad habits)
5 minute in you get all the guitars
I know they were pretty eccentric, and George Clinton was a hurricane, but they were a solid guitar band ( RR HoF in 1997). Sometimes they had 5 or 6 guitars at once.
Funkadelic came out of a babershop with guys who were church singers and musicians that got into Hendrix and drugs. They saw themselves as rockers first . They used to just jam and invent stuff on the fly. Eddie Hazel is on most of the "most underrated guitarist" lists. "Maggot Brain" is a famous solo he did when he was 21 (in 1971) and its right out of Hendrix stream. Its psychedelic and full of gain, reverb etc and other band members said he was crying through his guitar. Supposedly Clinton told Hazel to imagine he heard his mother died and then he discovered she was still alive (He died in 90s from years of bad habits)
5 minute in you get all the guitars
I liked Clark since I saw him on Austin City Limits
I know Clapton said Clark was making guitar interesting again
I've seen amazing performances of his but they are usually of songs he covers ("Come Together") .
I think he stalled with his own stuff.
His live album is full of great stuff, particularly When My Train Pulls In and Please Come Home.
Also Pearl Cadillac from the studio album This Land I can't get enough of.
Clapton was right BTW.
Clark's performance on one of Clapton's Crossroad Guitar Festivals... I think it was 2013... one of the best I've seen.
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