I saw U2 at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1980. They had just released "War" and were about to break through internationally. The Edge sat behind a grand piano and would rotate between a pedal steel and piano; the whole time banging an electric guitar strapped to his chest with tons of echo. He would be the first to admit that he compensates for lack of fundamental skill with effects and feedback. More than anything, I admire originality in artists. There were plenty of guitar thrashers in hair bands in the 80's who could pick a million miles a minute, but had no soul to their music. The early U2 albums cut through the BS music of the time and created an exciting new sound. I like Jack White as well, but Clapton and maybe Neil Young are probably the only living guitar players whose body of works compare to Jimmy Page. In 20 years or so, we will see how U2 and Jack White's legacies survive the test of time. You could see the admiration and humility in both White and the Edge's eyes when Page played "Whole Lotta Love" in the documentary.
It Might Get Load - documentary
Last night at the local arts theatre I saw "It Might Get Load". Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White in a documentary together on the electric guitar from the point of view of these three significant rock music artists, directed by Davis Guggenheim and found it most enjoyable. I will not spoil the experience by giving a complete play by play, if you need that, go to the web for trailers.
Just to make a comment about something tangential to the point of this tread for a moment and I promise only a moment. I find it strange and somewhat condescending that here in the U.S. a review or trailer to a movie tends to completely give it away (the plot). Why not tantalize and offer a mystery and establish some desire and anticipation to experience more? So few things are a mystery these days.
We'll having said that, I won't let the cat out of the bag or anything yet, sufficed to say, it is what it sounds like and I'll just highly recommend it.
Happy Listening
Just to make a comment about something tangential to the point of this tread for a moment and I promise only a moment. I find it strange and somewhat condescending that here in the U.S. a review or trailer to a movie tends to completely give it away (the plot). Why not tantalize and offer a mystery and establish some desire and anticipation to experience more? So few things are a mystery these days.
We'll having said that, I won't let the cat out of the bag or anything yet, sufficed to say, it is what it sounds like and I'll just highly recommend it.
Happy Listening