I personally think that his solo's within the songs are still pretty good, but the actually solo spot in the live gigs has become... well "tired" really. Its got to the point where I think he should either ditch it all together and make space for another couple of songs or shorten it a bit so that its less of a bore. Sorry :(
That said though, I would still listen to Brians playing now (even though age might have dulled his ability a bit) rather than those "metal shredding 900 notes a second" yawnfest guitarists anyday...
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[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]redspecial85 wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I think in the beginning he was solid and breaking through into new things as Queen begun its career, on News of the World (It's Late), we hear him tapping (Which actually is the first recording of tapping on an electric guitar contrary to popular belief that Eddie Van Halen did it first on record)...like people have said before[/QUOTE]
You're partially right. Steve Hackett of Genesis was tapping on Selling England By The Pound in 1973. Not many people know that, because Genesis wasn't a commercial band then. This was released a month before the ZZ Top album referred to above.
The fact is this: the "innovators" are the ones who happen to be in the mainstream. With that in mind, I think Hendrix is horribly over-rated. Before Hendrix, Jeff Beck was doing stuff in the Yardbirds and on his own that Hendrix was doing, and much more. Beck, however, didn't do it on a commercial level, so that's why he isn't recognized or appreciated. But it still makes one wonder what directions Hendrix would have taken in the 70s, had he survived. Would he have gone the way of Santana, playing the same licks over and over again, or would he have tread new ground?
[QUOTE]To be honest Jimmy Page is grossly overrated...his licks are nothing more than post-depression (1930-1960) delta blues licks incorporating Middle Eastern scales. There's nothing original about his soloing or songwriting.[/QUOTE]
I agree. Page did write a lot of fantastic songs, even though they weren't always completely original... but his genius is production. Listen to Led Zeppelin II, then listen to any other album from 1969. Nothing, with the possible exception of The Beatles' Abbey Road (it was George Martin, after all) matches it. The quality of sound and production is exceptional.
You're partially right. Steve Hackett of Genesis was tapping on Selling England By The Pound in 1973. Not many people know that, because Genesis wasn't a commercial band then. This was released a month before the ZZ Top album referred to above.
The fact is this: the "innovators" are the ones who happen to be in the mainstream. With that in mind, I think Hendrix is horribly over-rated. Before Hendrix, Jeff Beck was doing stuff in the Yardbirds and on his own that Hendrix was doing, and much more. Beck, however, didn't do it on a commercial level, so that's why he isn't recognized or appreciated. But it still makes one wonder what directions Hendrix would have taken in the 70s, had he survived. Would he have gone the way of Santana, playing the same licks over and over again, or would he have tread new ground?
[QUOTE]To be honest Jimmy Page is grossly overrated...his licks are nothing more than post-depression (1930-1960) delta blues licks incorporating Middle Eastern scales. There's nothing original about his soloing or songwriting.[/QUOTE]
I agree. Page did write a lot of fantastic songs, even though they weren't always completely original... but his genius is production. Listen to Led Zeppelin II, then listen to any other album from 1969. Nothing, with the possible exception of The Beatles' Abbey Road (it was George Martin, after all) matches it. The quality of sound and production is exceptional.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]redspecial85 wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I think in the beginning he was solid and breaking through into new things as Queen begun its career, on News of the World (It's Late), we hear him tapping (Which actually is the first recording of tapping on an electric guitar contrary to popular belief that Eddie Van Halen did it first on record)...like people have said before[/QUOTE]
You're partially right. Steve Hackett of Genesis was tapping on Selling England By The Pound in 1973. Not many people know that, because Genesis wasn't a commercial band then. This was released a month before the ZZ Top album referred to above.
The fact is this: the "innovators" are the ones who happen to be in the mainstream. With that in mind, I think Hendrix is horribly over-rated. Before Hendrix, Jeff Beck was doing stuff in the Yardbirds and on his own that Hendrix was doing, and much more. Beck, however, didn't do it on a commercial level, so that's why he isn't recognized or appreciated. But it still makes one wonder what directions Hendrix would have taken in the 70s, had he survived. Would he have gone the way of Santana, playing the same licks over and over again, or would he have tread new ground?
[QUOTE]To be honest Jimmy Page is grossly overrated...his licks are nothing more than post-depression (1930-1960) delta blues licks incorporating Middle Eastern scales. There's nothing original about his soloing or songwriting.[/QUOTE]
I agree. Page did write a lot of fantastic songs, even though they weren't always completely original... but his genius is production. Listen to Led Zeppelin II, then listen to any other album from 1969. Nothing, with the possible exception of The Beatles' Abbey Road (it was George Martin, after all) matches it. The quality of sound and production is exceptional.
[/QUOTE]
Definitely agree. But to state the extreme obvious (which you have clearly stated yourself) - being a great producer doesn't make him a great guitar player. I like Led Zeppelin, but unlike a lot of bands, I find some of their stuff (and I own all their albums) terribly unlistenable. I just can't get into it. I find that Page simply often does not play for the song, but seems to play for himself, which ruins it for me. Though, you get people like Brian who want to do the best for the song (most of the time at least, the odd bit of ego here and there never hurt!).
You're partially right. Steve Hackett of Genesis was tapping on Selling England By The Pound in 1973. Not many people know that, because Genesis wasn't a commercial band then. This was released a month before the ZZ Top album referred to above.
The fact is this: the "innovators" are the ones who happen to be in the mainstream. With that in mind, I think Hendrix is horribly over-rated. Before Hendrix, Jeff Beck was doing stuff in the Yardbirds and on his own that Hendrix was doing, and much more. Beck, however, didn't do it on a commercial level, so that's why he isn't recognized or appreciated. But it still makes one wonder what directions Hendrix would have taken in the 70s, had he survived. Would he have gone the way of Santana, playing the same licks over and over again, or would he have tread new ground?
[QUOTE]To be honest Jimmy Page is grossly overrated...his licks are nothing more than post-depression (1930-1960) delta blues licks incorporating Middle Eastern scales. There's nothing original about his soloing or songwriting.[/QUOTE]
I agree. Page did write a lot of fantastic songs, even though they weren't always completely original... but his genius is production. Listen to Led Zeppelin II, then listen to any other album from 1969. Nothing, with the possible exception of The Beatles' Abbey Road (it was George Martin, after all) matches it. The quality of sound and production is exceptional.
[/QUOTE]
Definitely agree. But to state the extreme obvious (which you have clearly stated yourself) - being a great producer doesn't make him a great guitar player. I like Led Zeppelin, but unlike a lot of bands, I find some of their stuff (and I own all their albums) terribly unlistenable. I just can't get into it. I find that Page simply often does not play for the song, but seems to play for himself, which ruins it for me. Though, you get people like Brian who want to do the best for the song (most of the time at least, the odd bit of ego here and there never hurt!).
Sir GH, on which song(s) did Hackett tap on Selling England by the pound?
He's playing tapping on "Musical Box", the title track.
Some interesting points have been brought. To add something and sum up:
- I haven't seen the tours with Paul (and I'm proud of that), but judging by Amsterdam, Pavarotti & Friends, the Jubilee and other things, I consider Brian's still a good guitarist but of course not "on top form". In the same vein as Page, Clapton and even (mostly) Malmsteen, he's become merely a satire of himself.
- Neither Brian nor Eddie invented tapping
- Hendrix was overrated (of course, he died!)
- Page was overrated (as were everybody in that band). Still I think Zeppelin were the best band ever, but they weren't gods.
- Brian's guitar playing during late 80s and early 90s was brilliant (check albums, tours, tribute and legends)
- I'll always wonder how far would have Roger gone as a guitarist: during the 70s he played ok, during 80s quite well, and we can actually see him improve gradually during The Cross. Had he kept that route, I think he could have been at the same level of Dave Grohl on mid-90s. We'll never know...
- Page was an extraordinary songwriter, a good producer (perfect for the kind of music the band had) and a nice guitarist.
- I haven't seen the tours with Paul (and I'm proud of that), but judging by Amsterdam, Pavarotti & Friends, the Jubilee and other things, I consider Brian's still a good guitarist but of course not "on top form". In the same vein as Page, Clapton and even (mostly) Malmsteen, he's become merely a satire of himself.
- Neither Brian nor Eddie invented tapping
- Hendrix was overrated (of course, he died!)
- Page was overrated (as were everybody in that band). Still I think Zeppelin were the best band ever, but they weren't gods.
- Brian's guitar playing during late 80s and early 90s was brilliant (check albums, tours, tribute and legends)
- I'll always wonder how far would have Roger gone as a guitarist: during the 70s he played ok, during 80s quite well, and we can actually see him improve gradually during The Cross. Had he kept that route, I think he could have been at the same level of Dave Grohl on mid-90s. We'll never know...
- Page was an extraordinary songwriter, a good producer (perfect for the kind of music the band had) and a nice guitarist.
Brian said he stole tapping from Billy Gibbons, who stole it from some obscure guitarist in Texas in the early 70s. It's like trying to find the creator of a joke, impossible to find the first person who tapped with their right hand.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Sebastian wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
- Hendrix was overrated (of course, he died!)
[/QUOTE]
Say what??
- Hendrix was overrated (of course, he died!)
[/QUOTE]
Say what??
Brian, in my opinion has remained as impressive as ever- I think he needed to get warmed up for QPR - I saw Brixton, and was awestruck even whilst noticing mistakes, but by Manchester he was on fire.
Off topic- but Hendrix not only invented modern guitar playing in terms of lead, but listen to some of his Experience stuff, and wonder to yourself who was playing fairly complex rhythm while he was singing....thats just him.
I cant even play bog standard open chords and sing along comfortably - my brain doesnt work that way, but Hendrix was something else.
Off topic- but Hendrix not only invented modern guitar playing in terms of lead, but listen to some of his Experience stuff, and wonder to yourself who was playing fairly complex rhythm while he was singing....thats just him.
I cant even play bog standard open chords and sing along comfortably - my brain doesnt work that way, but Hendrix was something else.
Regarding the "of course, he died" comment, I'm sorry if it was misunderstood, but I still think that a large portion of his legendary status is the fact he died at the top of his career. Had John Travolta died in 1979, he'd probably be considered one of the best singers ever.
Interesting thoughts on Hendrix, Sebastian. I'm not a fan, think he's overrated, but my guess is that if we were 14-25 years old in the late 60s, and saw a guy do this crazy shit with his guitar, that no one had done or seen before, we'd be blown away. This was counterculture's prime, Vietnam was happening, people didn't trust their parents or authority, there was some heavy stuff going on, and Hendrix I'm assuming represented freedom for a lot of people, and he sure wasn't playing guitar like the Ventures or other white guitarists of the day. Brian May was my first experience with heavier music, and the joy and awe I had from hearing that power has stayed with me to this day. I imagine that's what it was like for Hendrix fans.
Yes that's a very valid point. And it happened to me when I was a teenager and regarded Zeppelin as the beginning and end of everything. And when I heard KISS for the first time I thought the twin-solo in 'Detroit' was something unique.
Hendrix was a great guitar player, of course, but he wasn't that sort of God many people say. IMO he didn't invent anything but he didn't need to, his playing was very creative on its own sake; I mean, I don't know why some people are so obsessed with "who invented what?" ... hadn't Bob Dylan "introduced" electric guitars to folk music, somebody else would have done it some months afterwards ... hadn't The Beatles "invented" (put a Beatles first here), somebody else would have ... hadn't Zep or Sabbath "created" metal, somebody else would have done it (Iron Butterfly or whoever) some months later ... and so on.
Hendrix was a great guitar player, of course, but he wasn't that sort of God many people say. IMO he didn't invent anything but he didn't need to, his playing was very creative on its own sake; I mean, I don't know why some people are so obsessed with "who invented what?" ... hadn't Bob Dylan "introduced" electric guitars to folk music, somebody else would have done it some months afterwards ... hadn't The Beatles "invented" (put a Beatles first here), somebody else would have ... hadn't Zep or Sabbath "created" metal, somebody else would have done it (Iron Butterfly or whoever) some months later ... and so on.
I think people need a 'landmark' to say they were there, or 'this started here.' Hendrix's playing was unique, Brian and Freddie idolized him, but maybe for what he represented rather than pure skill. Roger says Freddie did drawings of Hendrix as a guitar-toting spaceman, so maybe Jimi represented what Freddie wanted as a person, but not in a musical sense. Pure speculation of course!
Very interesting thoughts on Hendrix in this topic.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Sebastian wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
- Page was overrated (as were everybody in that band). Still I think Zeppelin were the best band ever, but they weren't gods.
[/QUOTE]
Bonham is anything but underrated. His drumming is such a breath of fresh air; few people would have played the unusual rythmns to 'basic' time signatures as he did.
And the best proof is any Moby Dick solo.
- Page was overrated (as were everybody in that band). Still I think Zeppelin were the best band ever, but they weren't gods.
[/QUOTE]
Bonham is anything but underrated. His drumming is such a breath of fresh air; few people would have played the unusual rythmns to 'basic' time signatures as he did.
And the best proof is any Moby Dick solo.