[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Mark Knopfler, Frank Zappa, Richard Thompson, Walt Becker, Larry
> Carlton, Jorma
Richard Thompson -- I was wondering where people think he fits in the guitar
god pantheon. To me his guitar playing is amazing, and usually sounds like at
least two guitars being played, one for the steady bassline and another with
intricate notes all around that and not always following the same beat. And
then sometimes he also taps the wood of the guitar for a percussive sound --
how many fingers does that man have? And then hearing sounds like the bells of
Big Ben -- where did they come from?
Last Monday I saw THE MAN himself in a solo performance, him and his guitar
non-stop for over two hours. And from five rows away in a little theater I
still couldn't figure out how he did all of that at the same time, and
gracefully too, and sing too! The whole show blew me away.
(And then having a chat with him after the show that ended with him saying
"... a convert. Bless you" and patting me on the arm. Sweet. There's nothing
quite like talking to a hero from four inches away, a first for me.)
Hearing him play Woodstock at Joni's tribute woke me up to appreciating the
sound of a guitar, to the point of focusing mostly on that now. For years I've
given almost all my attention to the lyrics of songs (without realizing it)
and no one can match Joni for the precision, beauty and subtlety of her
lyrics, but Richard's guitar playing, wow, that's a whole new language, so
visceral I'm completely smitten.
And after hearing him, all of a sudden Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana
captured me too. Dave Matthews did also because his guitar is a living being,
especially when he plays with Tim Reynolds. In fact, at least on Luther
College, the guitars are the main voice, and some of Dave's singing sounds
like he's trying to mimic it. Mmmm.
Not that I'm deaf to the words now, and certainly not to the singing, but
hearing guitars at the forefront is a wonderful new way of hearing music.
(Apparently I'm giving my analyzing brain a rest these days, maybe, finally.)
Debra Shea
NP: Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, Live at Luther College, Lover Lay Down,
hot and sweet at the same time, wonderful..... I could listen all day and hear
new sounds each time.
