Enthusiasm for Hendrix' technical ability - Those under (edit: 80)...who's your guitar hero?

[anaerobe]

This is a famous old vid, and I'm sure many of us have seen this, but felt its worthy of posting - if simply to watch how he did his dive bombs.
JH once said that he never played a song the same twice, on purpose. Unbelievably talented person...

If there is there anyone (younger crowd? - Kebabage?) who hasn't seen this, here you are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLKKGHrGMxQ

[hendrik]

You're quite right. Everything started right there, more or less.

But our young folks have their own hero's too, which we older fellas should take into account.
And start listening to!
To be honest I'm not so much a 60's or 70's men, only a few from this time still touch my senses.
Which are Keith and Pete. And Neil for shure! And F.Z. (R.I.P.), the Grateful Dead's, Jerry and Bob.
Who to name from the seventies, I don't know ? Yes Mr.Page and Mr. Gilmour. Jeff Beck. But then.... ?
The 80's brought the Edge, the 90's some fellas from Seattle. Santriani and Vai. And the last ten years, Mr. White.
And F.Z. son, Dweezil.

I forgot my favourite English guitar player, started in the 90's and is even better now, Graham Coxon of Blur.

I know I missed a few, some by purpose (Eric Clapton), some by accident.
Help me out, who did I not mention.

But Hendrix put the level high.

And to all young fellas, can you recommend which younger guitar players we should listen to?

H.

[anaerobe]

I'm not very young, but my son like Dinosaur Jr... and I don't even know the guitarists' name from that band, but he can rip it.

Its a start!

[hendrik]

Dinosaur Jr. and Sonic Youth, yep, as the English would say, exactly my cup of tea.
Seems your son is a good fella.

H.

[Warrn]

That was really hard to listen to, yeesh. The Star Spangled Banner with a bunch of random squawking? Hendrix is a great guitar player, but that just hurt my ears, I've heard him do a lot better. Or maybe I need to toke up first?

As far as great guitarists of the present day go... I don't know, I go for bands with funky basslines and horns which usually only have rhythm guitar, so... I guess the guy in Suburban Legends can pull some sweet solos out of nowhere, but I don't think anyone here would like a band that combines disco and ska with purposely cheesy lyrics. My favorite band is Less Than Jake, but the spotlight there is pretty much entirely on the bass, the guitar is rhythm rhythm rhythm.

[anaerobe]

Random squawking... ?? I'd better put a cup on before I throw out my personal prefs...

[DuoFuzz]

I know they aren't exactly a 'newer' band but would like to mention the Red Hot Chili Peppers and guitarist John Frusciante. This guy has an old school playing style and sound, and I believe he is one of the most underrated players out there.
His rhythm technique is staggering especially when he goes into his full on funk mode.
Some say their songs can end up sounding the same as each other, but if you haven't listened to them much I reckon you should go for their last album Stadium Arcadium. It's makes a great chill out record that I like to listen to when I'm travelling.

If I can choose an older guitarist and my favorite player ever, I'm going with Peter Green. Back in the day he I think was the best of the '60s blues explosion' guitarists and was way more expressive and soulful than Clapton, Page and Beck etc.
Sadly it didn't last and the rock star life style caught up with him. One spiked LSD sent him a bit loopy and he spent the next 20 odd years in and out of hospital with mental problems. He was given electric shock treatment and and was kept over medicated for years.
He is now back on his feet and working again but has never tried to the guitarist he once was.

DAN.

[Warrn]

Random squawking... ?? I'd better put a cup on before I throw out my personal prefs...

I'm sorry, but it was just bad. I may not be able to play the Star Spangled Banner on guitar, but I can certainly play random notes that sound better and clearer than the noise he was making. I had to take my headphones off a couple times...

I like Hendrix, but not enough to be able to appreciate that bit of improv. I'm sorry if that's blasphemy, I listen to music that most people don't like as it is.

[anaerobe]

No problem. You are free to your opinion, and you don't need apologize for that, especially to me.

Sense of wonder argument: If I may make the suggestion that its not so much about _what_ the song is (and I am no fan of the star-spangled banner), but simply the tech used and the sheer skill involved to coax the noises that he did out of his guitar. To me, its an amazing bit of art. Could I listen to it on the way to work? Nope. Could I try to play it? Yes. Would I be successful? Not a snowball's chance in Kiwistan. Everybody says "Oh, Hendrix is great", but very few appreciate the depth of the skill the man held. Did you notice him tuning up in the midst of the start of the Banner? As my son would say.... that's SICK.

Like Frank Zappa, Hendrix' music rouses out some strong emotions from people, positive or negative. That alone is interesting. Why is that? I like thinking about those conundrums.

When I was younger, I really had no interest in Hendrix. Mainly the stuff that gets all the airplay is actually among the most mundane of his work. I came around to his stuff (Are you Experienced?, etc), and found that the guy can get some very subtle licks out of his axe. After monkeying around for years playing just about every genre you can think of, I think I can see what all the fuss is about and the genius in what he did.

Art is subjective...even how your day at school or work went may influence what you will like to listen to. At least in my case.

Ian

[Warrn]

Well, if you want to speak technically, what he played really was amazing. When I say it was bad, what I mean is that I don't think it sounded good. I don't want to listen to it again. But for him to be able to play it really is outstanding.

[anaerobe]

Brother, thats where I was going. Your observation did cause me to edit the title to reflect the technical basis of my enthusiasm.

[anaerobe]

Hendrik,

Yeah, he's only 12 but he has a healthy respect for all things guitar. He's going through phases ... many of those, but has enjoyed Dinosaur Jr for more than a year now, and its great stuff. He is also becoming fond of some of the older Radiohead (The Bends, Kid A etc). I think that guy uses a ....telecaster?? I believe, but he creates a good bit of different sounds through that.

He was bugging me to see a new release called "This could get loud" IIRC with the Edge, White and Page - that could be fun. I haven't looked at any reviews of it.

Ian

[hendrik]

Anaerobe,

grab your son and a have big evening in the movies.
He will look at you, with different eyes. That's my dad.
The only bad thing for you, your son will have at least another guitar and few pedals for Christmas.
And you have to extend the soundproof installation in your garage or cellar, where he is usually practicing.

H.

Radiohead is actually one of my favorites. But not the old records, the newer ones starting from Kid A.
But I really can recommend Graham Coxons solo records, great guitar work.

[anaerobe]

Will do that Hendrik.

Story about Keith (son). He has his pick of my a fair number of guitars to play/practice. He and a bunch of buddies did a rendition of "Sunshine of your love" for their grade 6 finale last spring.
Like a lot of youngsters, he's attracted to play the Gibson LP...little kids and Gibsons are magnetically attracted.
BUT, when it came down to it:
He picked up my white Westone Spectrum DX to play in the actual performance before the school. I loved that (because I try to keep my opinions to myself)! "Sounds right, Dad" was his comment.

+++++++++++++++

Dan,

Eclectic list! I forgot about those guys... both amazing players.

[Frenchy]

Being in my forties....

You seemed to have missed some large names and influences so far in the guitar greats....

Some of my influences for guitar include:

Brian May (large sound for a 4 piece band)
Randy Rhoads (a god in his short lived carreer)
Angus Young (what a sound and impact on Rock music!)
Eddie Van Halen (the modern rock Hendrix)
Tony Iommy (the Dark Lord )
Gleen Tipton and KK Downing (the roots of Metal)

P.

[DuoFuzz]

OK I'm back, this is a second bite of the cherry. My brain cells managed to recall some more guitarists I like and admire. Sorry some of them are paired together, I couldn't split them up!

Slash - How does he nail so many cool blues/rock solo's.
Jack White - Born in the wrong decade, catchy riffs aplenty. Listen to The Raconteurs 2nd album Consolers Of The Lonely, amazing.
James Hetfield & Kirk Hammett - James is the riff machine and kirk has been one of the best thrash metal lead guitarists for 28 years!
Dave Murray & Adrian Smith - Harmony guitar work at it's best. How does Murray play so well and make it look like he's not struggling!
Lonnie Johnson & Eddie Lang - Fretboard shredding '30s style! A blues/ragtime/jazz duo with unbelievable talent. If your into this kind of stuff give 'em a listen.

DAN.

[grogg]

I knowJeff Beck got a mention in this thread but recommend listening to the album "You had it coming" to see what amazing sounds someone can get out of a guitar (strat). Have a look at this, I cant even imagine being able to play it http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jeff+beck+nadia&search_type=&aq=f

[hendrik]

Hi again.

I will never understand why people are saying Slash is good guitarist.
As long a hear some older G'n'R songs, I hear Izzy Stradlin, IZZY, IZZY...
And a boring solo by Slash.

This guy, Izzy Stradlin, is also one of the highly underestimated players.

I recommend his solo work.

And let me add to more Brits to the list:

Noel G.
Sergio Pizzorno
George Harrison

H.

[anaerobe]

I have to admit - George Harrison is way up there. His riffs have a hallmark simplicity with extreme catch... like a lot of the best hypotheses in science.

++++++++++++++

Grogg - the JB video is outstanding. I can't see how he strikes the string to get those phrases.

++++++++++++++

Dan - I enjoy Jack White.. he seems like a throwback in many ways. When he was in Winnipeg last summer he took his guitar and a little squawkbox amp jammed with anyone who would listen in the downtown.

In that line how 'bout Curt Cobain. - some serious genius from that guy. Nirvana's unplugged album had hints of the great.

++++++++++++++

Frenchy - Angus Young definitely should be in there! AC/DC were in my town last week - a giant train is the backdrop of their gig.

How does Angus achieve that sound? It might be simple... but I dunno??? Just cranked volume, clean, with Marshalls? Nothing in between?

O... and Tommy Iommi is utterly fantastic - you are right on that as well. Like Harrison, he was all about taking a simple group of notes and messing with it until it was perfect.

[kebabage]

Hey, ofcourse I have seen this video! I was very close to buying the dvd once!
As for my favourite guitarists:
J Mascis - Dinosaur Jr, not the best singer but my fave guitarist of the generation, screaming solos!
Stevie Ray Vaughan, really soulful song writer, not so original but amazing at what he did, brought some good music to the 80's
Mike Mcready - Pearl Jam, along with Stone Gossard they made some incredible songs, especially from the Ten album. Great at solos too
Jack White, though I prefer his voice over guitaring. I like his unique selection of guitars and sound. He seems to be good live and started off with alot of bluesy licks.
Jimmy Page - Had a phase of being a big Led Zep fan, but since moving from humbuckers to single coils, I've listened and played along with them less lol
Neil Young - Seen him twice and each time hes blown me away, his guitar old black crashes like thunder on stage!
Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins - Back in the day when he had hair and recorded albums Gish and Siamese Dream - he distinguished two unique sounds, the first album being more tinny, the other punchy. He also devised some amazing, unforgettable solo's!

At the end of the day, they are all somewhat inspired by Hendrix, who was inevitably the best guitarist of his generation. There are much better guitarists than him around today, but they owe it all to him for starting off the scene.. The new sound, unique chords, solos, phsychadelic riffs and setting guitars on fire!