I had the pleasure of hearing Bill Frisell and Russell Malone at the Triple Door last week. Only the third time they had appeared together and completely different styles but their individual brilliance was evident. Better yet they were able to use their unique talents to create something unique and special. Be sure to check them out if you get the opportunity!
Who's your guitar daddy now?
Check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOwt83O0Sk0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOwt83O0Sk0&feature=related
145 responses Add your response
Among classical guitarists, I happen to be a fan of three women - Xuefei Yang, Kaori Muraji, and Ana Vidovic, because of the delicacy of fingering and elegance of play they have. I also like John Williams - the three young women may have more dexterity, but JW is really a complete guitarist. For 'real' guitar though, I think Tomatito and Paco di Lucia, especially in his early days with Camaron, are tops; both with significant technical brilliance, but surpassing artistry - a great sense of timing, and the fantastic ability to manipulate time/pace/dynamics within the music. |
Not sure about that Map, but there is a kid here in N. Texas. I think he's about 16, maybe 17 now, that blows JM, and many others, away. I first heard/saw him when he was 14-15. Not only did he have the technical ability down, he had the soul of the music, the timing, etc. Sometimes it's what you don't play that matters. His name is Tyler Dow Bryant. He's won the Robert Johnson blues award. I've got a picture of me with him, plus an autographed CD. Check him out...... |
Jlamb - I do have one album by El Nino Josele, "Calle Ancha," and, while he's a great player, I don't find it completely engaging and my mind tends to wander, something that never happens with Paco de Lucia. I'm certainly not very knowledgeable about flamenco, thanks for the suggestion of Paco Pena. |
Oddmorning, I've heard lots of people say this about Clapton, presumably because he combines a rather traditional blues approach with limited (compared to some others) technique. But he really has a ton of heart and truly beautiful tone. A player like -say- Steve Vai may have much more technique and maybe a more innovative voice, as well. No shot at Vai, but, personally, I'd prefer to sit and listen to Clapton every time. I'd also rather listen to Janis Joplin sing the phone book before Barbra Streisand sing anything she chooses. Barbra's got the voice, but JJ's got the soul. Just my $.02 Marty |
Map, In a weird way, Clapton is a bit like Elvis in that regard. He became the original "face" of the electric guitar (along with Jimi) in a similar way that Elvis became the original "face" of rock n roll. I'd personally argue that Chuck Berry is the more significant artist, but - for me -that doesn't necessarily diminish Elvis. I do understand why some would call him "overrated", but you can still appreciate what he accomplished. I also understand Odd's point (I believe) as to Clapton's limitations in both technique and innovation. Your point about lesser known players is also taken. Should Richard Thompson be more highly regarded than Clapton? In my world, there's no doubt. But, I'd still resist trashing Clapton ("Most overrated on the Planet") and those who prefer his playing. I was just trying to argue that the appreciation of guitar may extend beyond technique and innnovation. In this respect, Odd's statement about "most overrated" struck me as more than a bit much. Clapton plays with beauty and heart and he usually "gets" his material spot on. Lots of players can (and do) mimic Clapton with some precision, but few manage the same result. He just does more with less and - IMHO - shouldn't be dumped on for it. Marty BTW, by Odd's standard Neil Young might have that "Most Overrated" title sewn up! I happen to enjoy Young's playing, too. |
i saw clapton in 84 and he is awesome but every song at this concert was the same, in the middle of the song he played a 5 minute solo and then finished it. no imagination or appreciation for the other musicians in the band. either he was catering to the audience or has a big ego i do not know, and he can play but style and taste mean a lot to me as well so i do not pick him for my favorite fwiw icagas (in case anyone gives a s@#t) |
| Post removed |
Top flight musicians are like professional athletes in that on any given night they'll be good, real good. But on some special nights they'll be utterly fantastic. Tiger Woods doesn't win ever round of golf, Kobe doesn't score 81 every night and Clapton isn't God-like at every show. It's just the way it is. |
Onhwy61, You are right, BUT, Kobe has to face other people trying to stop him who are also good every game. Musicians do not have others being paid also to impede what they do. Its mostly up to them. The golf analogy might be a little better one. But even there, if Tiger doesn't have a good day, someone else does. Those who pay to watch still get their money's worth. If I drop a couple hundred to see Clapton or any other musician for that matter perform, I expect them to deliver. Otherwise, lower the price. |
| Post removed |
My best guitar daddy experience live recently was seeing Dick Dale live in a very intimate venue and being right up front. Despite his age qualifying as a guitar great grandaddy even, he was energized, spontaneous and seemed geneuinely happy to be there, even staying to chat with fans afterwards while sitting on stage. Needless to say , he smoked throughout the night on guitar, even breaking out into other genres besides his trademark "surf guitar" style. The best guitar concert ever for me. Worth 10X the $18 cost of admission. |
Tvad, Clapton's commercial success is a two edged sword. The positives are obvious, but the downside has him trapped as a mid-60 year old man having to play what he played when he was in his 20s. Forty years of playing "Crossroads" and "Badge" has got to take it's toll. And if he tries something different, then his fans will probably abandon him. Think Miles Davis. Some purist never forgave him from going beyond the Shorter/Hancock quintet. He said he just couldn't play "My Funny Valentine" anymore. It was too emotional for him. You grow old and you evolve, but your fans always want something from and idealized past. Eddie Van Halen once confessed that he couldn't currently play many of the guitar parts from the first few Van Halen albums. At the time he had a family and other interests and just wasn't playing guitar 10 to 12 hours everyday. It doesn't matter who you are, but nobody stays at their peak. |
| Post removed |
| Post removed |
| Post removed |
Never had just one but Jeff Beck, Bruce Cockburn, Peter Green, David Gilmour, Mick Taylor, Mark Knopler, John Mayer, Richard Thompson, Jimmy Page, John Renbourn, Duane Allman, John Cippolina, Eddie Van Halen, Brian Setzer, Miller Anderson, Michael Hedges, Ry Cooder, Andres Segovia come easily to mind .... surely a partial list influenced only by my aging, fading memory. I guess it really depends on what I'm wearing on a given day.............. REL2 |
Sfar - "Dreams of a World" is one of the Grammys and I was planning to buy it next but I am always afraid of Bach. Many excellent guitarists like David Russell are not the best Bach players. I enjoy Stephen Schmidt - Bach "Lute works" played in original form on ten strings classical guitar (Schmidt's design). Glen Gould said onces that Bach is a volcano of energy - so Isbin might have an advantage - what do you think? |
Kijanki - I'm certainly not as knowledgeable as you about Bach and I suppose I'm fairly uncritical (if that's a word.) I would describe her playing of the Lute Suites as restrained rather than energetic, more 'Sunday morning' listening than 'Saturday night.' Thanks for the Stephen Schmidt recommendation. I really like having multiple versions of music I like, especially widely different interpretations. The first classical recording I ever bought, more than forty years ago when I was 18, was Julian Bream playing the lute suites. |