There are some truly awesome unsung guitar players, and on the the other hand there are some players who haven't let a handicap like chronic lack of ability hinder their ascention into the pantheon of stardom
The question is - who has the biggest stardom to inability ratio?
Fred Durst
For my money, the artist formerly known as Prince.
I hate to even say this, because it will only tend to reinforce the idea of her legitimacy in the field, but, here goes... Courtney Love. Okay, okay; so she's not a guitarist, per se. But damn, Girl; check yerself into a program, already! It hurts to watch someone crash and burn that hard. I guess I just wish her nice boobies had someone taking better care of them. :twisted: Their owner gives them no respect at all.
All Rap. White or Black. Don't like it. Wait...no; Louis Jordan & Cab Calloway rapped & I like that.
And I don't quite understand the "Prince has no talent" thing. Are we talking"no talent musician" or "no talent guitar player". Because a "great guitar player" who is not a "great musician" is not worth killing. In other words: do you go wheedily deedily deedily really, really fast and a few other "guitar player" type geezers go: AAAHHH?? Or do you make MUSIC. I prefer the latter.
Regards
RDV
I can't second the Prince thing. He may not be the most top flight guitarist ever, but the guy can play. His performance on the MTV Video Awards (yeah yeah I know but I'm 99% sure it wasn't synced to a tape) reminded me that he can pull out some chops when needed (and be confident enough to sling the guitar behind his back when the chops aren't needed, which is equally important IMO)
Yeah, my satellite TV company (DirecTV) periodically does "Freeviews," where they have live concerts playing 24/7. They've had the Allman Brothers Band (with the amazing Derek Trucks- simply incredible) and others. But anyway, Prince or (http://www.utu.fi/erill/saarmeri/symbol.gif) or whatever was on a while ago, and I was quite impressed with his guitar playing. Maybe it's because it was live, and he doesn't show his ability on his recordings, who knows? But I liked him. :)
I agree with the general "rap" vote.
WARNING: RANT AHEAD: I can't fathom the infatuation of today's white suburban youth with the "gangsta" culture (which in my opinion is very much an idealized, over-marketed, and very false image). Argh! It makes my blood boil! "Hip Hop" and similar musical styles require only an intimidating glare, various muttered profanities, and the supposition that the "artist" is from "da hood," and high-school and college kids around the nation will buy it up (sorry, I only know how it is in the US). And the genre only perpetuates the racism by which it claims to be oppressed. AAAARRGGHH!!!
Sorry for the unnecessary rant. And I know I sound like I'm an old geezer talking about those darn "kids these days," but I'm 18 and college kid too!
Alex
I've had a good think on this & I have to say that Kurdt Cobain got the most mileage on the least guitar technique ever.
I loved his playing. Loved it, but it had nothing to do with any muso technique or MIT or practicing scales 12 hours a day. All feeling.
I think that talent is not exactly definable. I think all the boy bands have talent, they sing like birds, and can dance like they're on fire. But do they rock?? Hell NO!!
Regards
RDV
I agree on the Cobain thing - I thought his name would pop up early. but it raises an interesting thought - does technique equal ability? I mean if BB King is in his own "horrible on chords"and can't sing and play at the same time yet no-one woulsd deny his ability.
One name I'd like to throw in is both prats from Oasis
I'm probably going to be decapitated for this, but I'm gonna say it anyway:
The Rolling Stones!!
I can't stand them :evil: . I could go on and on about this, but I think it's better not to....
Jimi Hendrix!
Ok I messing with you! Sheesh have a heart attack :D
What matters is you have something to say with your instrument and somehow you get it across.
The rest is just extra notes.
Quote from: Ge_WhizFor my money, the artist formerly known as Prince.
Ge,
This question is rife for conflict but I have to wholeheartedly disagree with this.
I can't think of a single guitarist that Prince can't at least hang with and most he can flat out blow away.
Whatever the case, you can not say he doesn't have talent.
Arno I agree with you. I never understood the stones. Jagger disgusts me physically and with his stage presence (come on... the "strut"?) and Keith Richards is more a medical curiosity that he has lived this long than an impressive guitar player. Actually it amazes me that he can still play, but anyway I digress...
Incidentally, what IS that sound at the beginning of "Satisfaction"? I always thought it was a kazoo.
Quote from: runmikeyrunIncidentally, what IS that sound at the beginning of "Satisfaction"? I always thought it was a kazoo.
FUZZ.
RDV
Again, I love Leslie West's tone and style and feel, but technically???
I'm sure SRV could play circles around most folks, but I don't care for his tone or his Hendrix rip offs. Go back and listen to the real deal.
That will piss of some folks for sure. He just didn't do it for me.
The Stones are a great R&R band, but couldn't hardly play their way out of a paper bag. I think song writing and ripping off other peoples style is there talent.
Talent can be expresses in many different ways. Does Al DiMeola Rock???
Dylan??? Maybe he should have stuck with being a poet.
Who doesn't do a Dylan song better than him???
My son's middle name is Dylan
Who does a Beatles song better than them or Hendrix???
Plenty of people will say Jimi Page can't play. Compared to Beck who can?
Anyway I think in the eyes of the pulic, it's more important how a guitarist stands than how he plays
That is why Page is so cool & the fact that he comes up with the most amazing stuff. 8)
I'll add another vote for rap.It's absolutely the worst form of music, if you want to call it that, to ever be produced.As far as guitarist go I would have to say Neil Young, who I actually think is an incredible singer/song writer.
As spoken of before sometimes creative genius and technical ability are estranged from one another.What it all boils down to is the song, whether it's a complicted jazz arangement ,or a three chord rock tune, it all comes down to connecting with people on an emotional level.
what, exactly, is the question? Is it who has the lowest ability/fame ratio but deserves to be a star (ie has talent), or lowest a/f and *doesn't* deserve to be a star (ie has no talent but has managed to bs their way to the top)?
If the former then probably Bob Dylan - lol he can't sing either but I love him just the same!
the first famous dude I saw that made me go Duuuuuh ! when he played guitar was Bolen from T-Rex, I'm here to tell ya he looked as bad as Robbie did in the Fairwell to the Band video, and I'm a big Doors Fan, But early Krieger was also a joke, they had a good guitar player in Mark Benno, who they let slide away after the first couple of album's, I've teched for Mark and he's a Super guy, gave me a pic. of him and Jim in the studio doin L. A. woman, also let me hear a unreleased recording of him and SRV when they had a band in L.A. He's try'in to get this released and I hope he do, cause there is some great stuff on it by SRV for those that do dig the Texas StrataBlaster.Blowed me away to get hear that one.
and last but not least is Jimmy Page, I've paid big bucks to see him 6 time's in my life and every time his tone Sucked or he just was not into it and out of the set maybe 1 or 2 song's he nailed it, He's a great guitar player but I think maybe has to many gear problem's when on the road, the last three time's I saw him he was playin rental equipment so I did'nt expect to see the real Jimmy Page,
JD
Quote from: Alex C"Hip Hop" and similar musical styles require only an intimidating glare, various muttered profanities, and the supposition that the "artist" is from "da hood," and high-school and college kids around the nation will buy it up (sorry, I only know how it is in the US).
You might want to try actually listening to some Hip Hop other than what is played on the radio. The wealth of talent is staggering. Listen to Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Blackaliscious, Aesop Rock, The Roots and Common just to name a few. Hip Hop is a continuation and celebration of the tradition of Black Music, containing elements of jazz, soul, R&B, funk, blues and rock. I can see not enjoying Hip Hop, but claiming there is no talent involved is absurd.
As far as claiming Prince has no talent...the mind boggles.
Guess there's not too many *folks* round here
Kerry M
Quote from: bwanasonic
You might want to try actually listening to some Hip Hop other than what is played on the radio... I can see not enjoying Hip Hop, but claiming there is no talent involved is absurd.
Yeah, I know...but doesn't it feel good to rant? :)
I actually do appreciate some music in this style with good lyrical content and I really like good rythym/flow/beats, etc. (what we call "music"). You're right, my tirade was a little narrow-minded, because I can only refer to that with which our generation is constantly inundated (ie. what's on the radio, in commercials, blasted at the record store, etc). It just boggles my mind that so many people (stupid kids - all around me all the time!) like it and accept it and strive to be part of it.
Okay, you're right. :) I just listened to some De La Soul (Me Myself and I) and Tribe Called Quest (Scenario) and I like 'em both! I listened to Scenario about three times. :) Thanks.
Okay, so we need a way to distinguish between quality hip-hop (I don't even know the right lingo to describe the genres) and "the stuff on the radio." Any ideas?
Alex
Quote from: Jay Doyle
I can't think of a single guitarist that Prince can't at least hang with and most he can flat out blow away.
I can. Prince cant hold a candle to Michaelangelo. The fastest, burningest, dual-guitar wielding mutha of supa shred. I may not care for his music, but DAMN its nice to watch him playing both guitars at the same time with technique to spare! He'd be my nomination for the least recognized highly talented guitarist. As for least talented highly recognized...Just turn on the radio. There's a million to choose from. It seems like the less talent you have these days, the more records you'll sell.
Rap is the audio version of pornography.
Exquisitely suited to the modern attitude.
It's also an extremely powerful progaganda tool.
An "enemy" has been decided upon and the "artist's" basic intent is to damage it.
Like all good propaganda it appeals to the lowest common intelligence threshold, wraps itself in an air of spiritual legitimacy and never, ever doubts it's own presuppositions.
I don't consider it music at all.
I do consider it a force to be reckoned with.
Quote from: csjRap is the audio version of pornography.
Exquisitely suited to the modern attitude.
It's also an extremely powerful progaganda tool.
An "enemy" has been decided upon and the "artist's" basic intent is to damage it.
Like all good propaganda it appeals to the lowest common intelligence threshold, wraps itself in an air of spiritual legitimacy and never, ever doubts it's own presuppositions.
I don't consider it music at all.
I do consider it a force to be reckoned with.
I find that profoundly ignorant. If you are going to make proclamations of this sort, make sure you have listened to a broad cross-section of the music in question, and have a good understanding of the roots and origins of that music. Either you are listening to shitty rap, or you are not listening. If the only rap and hip-hop you know is from commercial radio, then you don't know enough about rap and hip-hop to make this kind of assertion. Your post sounds disturbingly like what the Nazis said about jazz music.
Kerry M
If you listen to the radio, you're not going to hear a good representation of any modern music. That's just the commercial reality of it.
I don't listen to rap on any kind of a regular basis and I don't own any rap in my CD collection, but from my experiences there is some GREAT rap out there that takes serious talent to write and perform. It's still not the stuff I would listen to on a regular basis and I would rather listen to a lot of other stuff instead, but I still recognize the amount of talent it takes to pull it off well.
What I've heard in that category (including clubs, highschoolers working toward tinitus, and working in clubs) has been 2% Rap and 98% Crap. I still have to recognize that 2% as the real deal. A very real and unique art form.
There is a lot of rap that expresses the general feeling of living in an economically depressed area in the 1990s and 2000s just as there was a lot of punk rock that expressed the same feelings in the 1970s and 80s. I relate to the punk to a degree and there's a lot of awful punk too. At the same time, punk will always be one of my favorite forms of rock thanks to the good stuff.
I was always VERY un-impressed with Eminem until I heard "White America". I dig that tune. Lots of truth in it, and a great example of the modern spirit of well done punk. It may have plenty of shock, but it's HONEST.
You just can't generalize 100%
BTW: RUN-DMC put on one hell of a good show back in the late 1980s.
take care,
-Peter
Rap as we know it wont last-- itll warp into something else further down the line--Im not a fan-as im not a fan of many art works--but what matters is that someones enjoys it. Many of the "so called" technical /more snooty/serious writers--believe Stephen King is a joke--but many enjoy his books--i do..
anyway...
Rolling stones--great many original tunes--better redone by others! Jagger--eeww ugly huge mouth!! flapping in the wind!!!
GnR --jumping jack flash-, Janes Addictions-Sympathy for the Devil.
all did better versions as an example
Dylan- Hendrix's do-overs of his--watchtower. Though Dylan was/is very creative! GnR re du of Knocking on heavens door even better--clapton killed--not in a good way- that along with bob marley's I shot the Sheriff!!
Prince-- i liked purple rain! He is a he right? a thing? symbol?
Eminem--good at what he does i guess--I believe white/corporate america wanted someone to fill those shoes..though they would have eventually found someone to represent new/ current culture if it werent him. all bout the $$$$...Still creative though.
I feel bad saying this--but i agree about the kreiger comment--i never really thought he was all that great--at all--Morrison woulda made it with or without him..still a fan though. just realistic.
Courtney Love-- killed Cobain--all i have to say bout that..
Quote from: Peter Snowberga great example of the modern spirit of well done punk. It may have plenty of shock, but it's HONEST.
Punk is a great example of making a whole artform out of, or in spite of one's *inablity*. I came up in the era of fusion and virtuoso *shred*, and I can solo in the super-locrian mode at 150bpm and all, but damn if I don't love going to a club to see *kids* transcend there so-called *inabilty* and just play and have fun and ROCK. Especially the ones who don't give an F about *stardom*.
At the Abbey most friday nights...
Kerry M
When talking about a sufficiently short timespan (specificially the past 14.5 minutes of fame), I would say William Hung (http://www.williamhung.net/)
i tire of peoples critism of kurt cobains style if you listen to all of his material you would know he can pull of crazy and yes intricute solos that would blow your mind not to mention his phenomonal control of feedback without a tremelo i might add.but he put as much guitar in his songs as was needed for the songs he was writing.
sorry but like him or not prince kicks butt at several different insturments.
people like satriani and vai could learn from these two. like how much is to much and when.
as far as bad guitarists i dont know they're names so ill name the bands
korn slipknot disturbed limp bizkit lincoln park sum 41 blink 182 and all others within this vien.oh yeah and i hate tom morrelo but considering the fanfare there must be something hes done outside of rage against the machine i havnt heard.
im not normally a prick im just tired
Quote from: bwanasonicYou might want to try actually listening to some Hip Hop other than what is played on the radio. The wealth of talent is staggering. Listen to Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Blackaliscious, Aesop Rock, The Roots and Common just to name a few. Hip Hop is a continuation and celebration of the tradition of Black Music, containing elements of jazz, soul, R&B, funk, blues and rock. I can see not enjoying Hip Hop, but claiming there is no talent involved is absurd.
If you hadn't said it, I would have.
Much of the comments in this thread about 'rap' have been particularly ignorant. Others have occaisionally been on the money but fail to make some important distinctions.
Bwanasonic has mentioned so really great Hip Hop already, please don't get it mixed up with 'gangsta' rap or anything along those lines. 50 cent is a vain neanderthal - Blackaliscious rule. :D
Quote from: freeradical24oh yeah and i hate tom morrelo but considering the fanfare there must be something hes done outside of rage against the machine i havnt heard.
He's currently playing with "Audioslave," which is if I remember right, Rage Against the Machine without the frontman (Zack de la Rocha?) and with Soundgarden's singer instead (forgot his name).
He does some decently cool stuff with effects, and I've listened to their only album a few times (self-titled, Audioslave). The Whammy solo on Like a Stone is pretty cool for how simple it is. Aside from that it's more or less standard fare, similar to what I've heard on Rage albums (not that I listen to much RatM).
I might be missing something too, I don't see how Morello keeps getting so much praise. I think some well-known magazine voted him player of the year or something.
Anyone who's listened to people like Mic Geronimo, The Pharcyde, Souls of Mischief (especially 93 till infinity), De La Soul, RUN DMC will understand what true hip hop is about and where it originated from. If people listening to the radio hear Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent et all then that's all they are going to know. You've got to dig deeper than that my friends.
To epitomise the current mainstream hip hop scene, especially here in the UK (and fellow Brits will know who i'm on about) I mention Tim Westwood, possibly the most narrow minded, pretentious rap DJ ever. We've only got one national rap show here in the UK, and if he's the only one to listen to, it's no wonder hip hop is misunderstood.
As far as lack of talent - fame goes, i'd have to say the guys from Oasis are probably the most retarded, talentless around, and I still can't believe they have the arrogance to think they are important anymore.
Cool Britania indeed.
Jim
Morello: Listen to the first RATM cd. There are some really groovy tunes on there. Morello does some original tricks with his effects (mimicking record scratching etc.). Very recognizable.
Korn: In the beginning they were pretty original as well, before everybody else started tuning down to B. They have a pretty original sound, listen to their first albums. Also very recognizable. I too hated them, but when I saw them live..... oh man.....
Blink182: I just love them. They wrote some really good pop songs. No bragging there. Very recognizable sound.
I'm glad people agreed with me on the Rolling Stones, but one band that really makes me sick is Good Charlotte, especially the song "Lifestyles of the rich and the famous". AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRHHHHHH. They claim to be punk... YUK.... And you have to see how their dressed..... They're just a boy band doing rock songs...
All music, art-forms can only be gauged by the positive ,or negative impact they have upon people and societies.We can only see this impact by the commercially popular form of that music, art.The negative impact of todays commercially successful rap on society is indisputable;and I think that's why people have such strong negative fellings about it. Music ,or art should incite people to appreciate life,not degrade it.Those who say there are some talented rap artists out there fine,could be, but when people criticize *rap* they're speaking about what is seen on MTV.
By the fourth or fith post this thread was moot. Prince can play, Kurt wrote beautifully catchy songs, the Stones can do it all.
Ok, Fred Durst......he and Wayne Brady need to switch skins, and Fred would still have no talent.
Jered
Quote from: bassybertAnyone who's listened to people like Mic Geronimo, The Pharcyde, Souls of Mischief (especially 93 till infinity), De La Soul, RUN DMC will understand what true hip hop is about and where it originated from. If people listening to the radio hear Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent et all then that's all they are going to know. You've got to dig deeper than that my friends.
i cant agree with you enough there, the current "hip hop" scene in britian is so pretentious and prefabricated.
other names id like to throw in are busted, and the darkness
I agree with the good rap/bad rap thing. Some of the bands mentioned are fantastic - you just never hear them. Which is typical of any medium. You've gotta go digging for the good stuff.
Rolling Stones?? I will respectfully disagree with the Stones "bashing". Listen to the Mick Taylor years. Great guitar player - very tasty. They really screwed up when they let that guy go. Sticky Fingers !!! ... Exile on Main Street is one of the very few albums that IS an album. You could pick out more popular (or maybe better) songs on other Stones albums but front to back that album has a "feel" to it that I can't put a finger on. It's just ... great - but you can't listen to one song - you have to listen to the whole album in one setting. The only other album I can think of that has done this for me is The Clash - London Calling. (OK that was my rant)
As for the "who blew it" original question?? Hands down my vote goes to the Replacements. What a wasted oppurtunity. If there was ever a reason NOT to drink this band is it. :(
AL
..ok, I know you gonna hate me now...Kirk Hammet....has he ever been able to play in tune? or is he just tonedeth?...sloppy wah, out of tune....it makes me..argh..cant listen....and reportedly, he wasnt good enough to play rythm on the first few Metallica albums he played on ( after replacing Dave Mustain )..but still consider guitarhero?....AAARGH..must scream now...
Johan
Quote from: axisAll music, art-forms can only be gauged by the positive ,or negative impact they have upon people and societies.
And you feel qualified to make this judgment? Particularly in the midst of the rap "movement" if you will? The Rite of Spring caused riots when it opened.
Quote from: axisWe can only see this impact by the commercially popular form of that music, art.
So the rebellion and vitality and aggressive indivualism of punk rock is meaningless now that Green Day and Blink 182 have co-opted it? The bland ubiquity of Mona Lisa reproductions erases the work of DaVinci?
Quote from: axisMusic ,or art should incite people to appreciate life,not degrade it.
Says who?
Quote from: axisThose who say there are some talented rap artists out there fine,could be, but when people criticize *rap* they're speaking about what is seen on MTV.
I have to imagine you wouldn't be saying that about tiresome Led Zeppelin retreads. If someone listened to Poison and Enuff Z Nuff and went out to rail against rock music you'd hit the damn roof. Try listening to some decent hip hop instead of Bill O'Reilly.
Quote from: Johan..ok, I know you gonna hate me now...Kirk Hammet....has he ever been able to play in tune? or is he just tonedeth?...sloppy wah, out of tune....it makes me..argh..cant listen....and reportedly, he wasnt good enough to play rythm on the first few Metallica albums he played on ( after replacing Dave Mustain )..but still consider guitarhero?....AAARGH..must scream now...
Johan
:)
Quote from: axisThe negative impact of todays commercially successful rap on society is indisputable
Of course it's disputable. The same thing was said about rock & roll in the 50's . The claims throughout history of the decadent negative influence of a given artform are generally just good for chuckles for later generations. You can find quotes from antiquity that sound an awful lot these claims about rap music.
Kerry M
forgot i posted this before, haha
Ooops!!! I read the first question wrong so I'm clarifying my statement (not that anyone cares).
The Replacements "blew it" in a big way BUT they had potential. On the other hand - people who made it with no talent - hmmmm?? I don't have that much time to make that list.
AL
Quote from: bwanasonic
The claims throughout history of the decadent negative influence of a given artform are generally just good for chuckles for later generations. You can find quotes from antiquity that sound an awful lot these claims about rap music.
Kerry M
Spot on, Kerry
Quote..ok, I know you gonna hate me now...Kirk Hammet....
I've been thinking about this and actually you are right, live his playing can really suck. I've seen him a few times play on stage and that isn't really impressive.
I wanna bring up Eric Clapton. There are songs were he justs sounds like a 2nd rated player. But there are other ones here he can almost drive me to tears :oops: (Holy Mother)
I think there are lots of guitarists that demonstrate that you only have to get it right once when it counts, in the studio (or you can hire someone to do it for you). Live doesn't make or break you anymore. Your video is more important.
Actually, with computers, you don't even have to get it right at all, they can "fix" it. 8)
Quoteand I'm a big Doors Fan, But early Krieger was also a joke, they had a good guitar player in Mark Benno, who they let slide away after the first couple of album's, I've teched for Mark and he's a Super guy, gave me a pic. of him and Jim in the studio doin L. A. woman, also let me hear a unreleased recording of him and SRV when they had a band in L.A.
I wanna hear more about that!! please..Are u saying They needed someone else to help with the guitar work cause Kreiger couldnt cut it?
Funny how (a) my personal opinion of Prince caused so much controversy, and (b) how I personally disagree with almost every opinion given in this thread! :lol:
There must be judgements as to things of value in society and things that are contemptible, or else there are no standards. It's stange how today everything has to be accepted no matter how base or vile as redeeming.If you think the purpose of music is to condone the degradation of women, and foment violence and hatred that's sad.If you listen to hip hop that strives to unify and uplift, great.
Comparing the rebelious attitude of the music of the fifties to the nature and attitude of todays violent rap is ridiculous.
I'd hate to have to accept a world that values a Rembrandt as much as it values a paint by numbers, wouldn't you?
QuoteLuke, you're going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.
Guitar players that can dance don't usually fair very well.
Quote from: WGThickPresenceGuitar players that can dance don't usually fair very well.
No worries here. Ricky Vance can't dance.
RDV
Quote from: axis
Comparing the rebelious attitude of the music of the fifties to the nature and attitude of todays violent rap is ridiculous.
Only that's not what I was comparing. I was comparing alarmist claims that <insert form of music here. Lyre playing, Serial Compositions, *Race* music, etc.> would cause the decline of civilization as we know it. You can find the degradation of women and celebrations of violence in a lot more genres than rap. I don't think you should accept anything you find *base or vile*. I find American Idol and Nashville Star completely base and vile, but I don't throw the *baby* of pop music and country, out with the bath water. There were plenty of 3rd rate 17th century Dutch painters, but I don't dismiss Rembrandt and Dutch painting because of them. Listening to a song desrcribing something you find morally repugnant is not embracing or accepting those morals. Reading Crime and Punishment is not an endorsement or acceptance of criminal deviancy. Reading Lolita is not an acceptance of sex with minors. Watching Taxi Driver is not endorsing psychotic behavior. Etc,
Art Happens
Kerry M
hmmm, kirk hammet,
Quote from: johan..ok, I know you gonna hate me now...Kirk Hammet....has he ever been able to play in tune? or is he just tonedeth?...sloppy wah, out of tune....it makes me..argh..cant listen....and reportedly, he wasnt good
but he IS a good guitarist
Quotebwanasonic wrote: Listening to a song describeing something morally repugnant is not embracing or accepting those morals.
Maybe not, but purchasing the material endorses and perpetuates it's existance,violence begets violence, hate begets hate.
bwanasonicwrote: You can find the degradation of woman and celebrations of violence in a lot more genres than rap.
Even remotely justifying an act of violence just becuase there are similar acts of violence occuring at the same time is invalid and apathetic.
The only way evil can exist is when good men do nothing.
I agree with you completely about American Idol!
After thinking about this some more I decided that it's me.
Have any of you heard a solo from Greg Ginn from Black Flag? That's some of the funniest stuff you could yank from a six string. He gets points for originality, though. I also am not too impressed with the nu-metal style of guitar playing-just tuning down to B and playing that low B chord like it's a rhythm instrument is pretty stupid. Iommi tuned that low at times and made it sound great and musical, so what's with these chuckleheads? Kids from the suburbs trying to act tough.
Wow, LP.. you had to bring up Greg Ginn, didn't ya?
<story mode ON>
I was the house engineer for a club in the mid-90's.. cool place, got lots of good smaller national acts (had 311 before they were big, etc).. and one night - I had the Greg Ginn band..
weeeellll.
They load in - three piece outfit - drummer has these MASSIVE oversized drums.. covered in animal skin and what looked like bones. Greg and the bass player each had a Sansamp rack mount, a Crown MACRO-TECH 1200, a 4x12 and a 1x15..
oh my... it was SOOOO loud, that by the 3rd song, I'd pulled everything out of the PA except vocals.. the PA was CRANKED, and you could hardly make out singing over the din.. eventually - i left it and walked out.. couldn't even be in the room (with earplugs IN)..
Nice guys, though.
<story mode OFF>
"-)
as far a s tom morrelo and ratm goes.being handy with a digitech whammy does not make you a good guitarist.
i thought this was about guitar technique so thats why i chose the bands i chose. none of them display any kind of impressive guitar technique.
Quote from: SamuelI can't second the Prince thing. . . His performance on the MTV Video Awards. . . reminded me that he can pull out some chops when needed
I, too, remember those awards and thinking, "Prince...that?! Not bad..." I was impressed. Plus, I hear he can play almost any instrument you hand him.
There are two issues: those who make it far with little, and earn our respect (ex. Kurt Cobain), and those who get far with little and make us say, "Then...there really ISN'T a God, is there?" (Chad Kroeger). Now, in defense of Kroeger, I've never heard him wail live, so that maybe isn't fair. But even if he's not bad, I'd still take Tom Morello over Kroeger for skill because TOM MORELLO DOESN'T BORE THE LIVING <excrement> OUT OF ME!
I would have to say, even though I like Green Day's old stuff, Worst Successful Giutarist Award goes to A tie between Billy-Joe Armstrong of Green Day and Noodles of the Offspring. If you can drop-d and play powerchords with your @$$, you can tour with them live.
Kudos to Prince-He is one of the few modern pop composers to keep funk music alive and in the forefront in this era of prefabricated crap maquerading as funk. His guitar solos are insane-what, are you detractors #$%&'n deaf? I don't really like his poppier stuff either, but it can't be denied that he is keeping a great art form like funk alive.
the numetal nonsense.. oh my god... its everywhere. but prince, yes, wow. kurt too. i swear, if i was a chick, id probably be infatuated with them. hell, i am. just not... sexually.
Staind. Apparently cheesy love ballads are now acceptable if you're hunching over your A-tuned guitar and Fred Durst accompanies you.
uuuugh :!:
I saw Pince on Tape and he was HOT. Threw his tele into the crowd and strutted of stage. Nice hat. You all are going to have to bash someone else for guitar playing that is really half ass. 8)
Clapton is coming to town, but he has (I hate to make accusations and be negative, at least in print) sold out so bad and how many time is he going to do another blues album? He needs to do a Cream tour before Jack Bruce dies. Great guitarist though, still. :)
i don't like ...Kirk Hammet. , after master of puppets[i dig that cd] he just
seems to rehash the same lead w/ a wha. and the new cd makes a great beer mug coaster.
dreamtheater has a new live cd that covers MOP's live. i use to have a bootleg. it's pretty bad ass.
- tom