OT: Prince found dead

Tunescribe · Apr 25, 2016

letekro said:
Your words, Sir:

"But his was a very narrowly defined, primarily '80s phenomenon that didn't go far beyond himself or the Minneapolis scene in terms of "influence." Adam Ant was doing something similar with the "new romantic" movement in the U.K. about that same time."

Maybe "derision" is too far, but pretty harsh, in my opinion, given the man's contributions to music. Also, demonstrably false given the number of non-Minneapolis artists that claim him as an influence and/or have covered his songs.

Did you read post No. 131, "sir"? I wrote it just for you, so you could understand and wouldn't have to post another misfired response as you have twice now. I suspect you didn't read it, so please give it a shot to sink in. If you actually did read it, then apparently ...

Tunescribe · Apr 25, 2016

Satchboogie3 said:
Yngwie completely changed the scene and really is the birth of 'shred'. Sure, there were other great and fast guitarists before him, using similar riffs, etc (Al Di Meola in the 70s, etc etc), but NO ONE had the attack and completely command as him. It's one thing to have a 'fast' line or two in a couple songs, it's completely another thing to completely showcase it on instrumentals and take it to a completely new stratosphere.

I also COMPLETELY disagree with the assertion that he was 'just speed'. He still might be the greatest improviser in neo-classical metal, his phrasing is as good as it get's for rock/metal, and he has very cool blues and hendrix-influenced playing. And then there's his vibrato/touch. I'd challenge you to find a SINGLE guitarist with better vibrato. It's a thing of beauty. If you are about to slam a legend for being one-dimensional (which he isn't), then all blues guitarists can be slammed for playing the same damn scale, licks, and chord progressions. It just doesn't work like that.

As for the list, they just don't work. A list of the most technically talented guitarists would be stupid long. You list Dweezil but not Frank Zappa, which I think is a huge mistake. No Shawn Lane? No Guthrie Govan, arguably the best all-around guitarist on the planet right now. And what style restrictions are there? Clearly if we are accepting fusion, there are dozens more guitarists that belong on the list. Tony MacAlpine, Greg Howe, George Bellas, Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson, Al Di Meola, Holdsworth, Mike Stern, McLaughlin, Kotzen, Metheny, Carlton, etc etc. None of these guys apart from Guthrie are 'contemporary'.

Edit: I completely apologize for using the word completely completely too often. That completes it.

If you bothered to read the post containing the list instead of just the list itself, you'd see it was done in a few seconds off the top of my head, was by no means meant to be comprehensive, specifically excluded jazz/fusion/classical players, and named only living players. Everyone you name belongs on the list. I also agree with what you say about Yngwie.

letekro · Apr 25, 2016

Tunescribe said:
Did you read post No. 131, "sir"? I wrote it just for you, so you could understand and wouldn't have to post another misfired response as you have twice now. I suspect you didn't read it, so please give it a shot to sink in. If you actually did read it, then apparently ...

View attachment 12767

Yes, I read it. If that had been you original comment, I would never have said anything. But it wasn't.

letekro · Apr 25, 2016

Satchboogie3 said:
Yngwie completely changed the scene and really is the birth of 'shred'. Sure, there were other great and fast guitarists before him, using similar riffs, etc (Al Di Meola in the 70s, etc etc), but NO ONE had the attack and completely command as him. It's one thing to have a 'fast' line or two in a couple songs, it's completely another thing to completely showcase it on instrumentals and take it to a completely new stratosphere.

I also COMPLETELY disagree with the assertion that he was 'just speed'. He still might be the greatest improviser in neo-classical metal, his phrasing is as good as it get's for rock/metal, and he has very cool blues and hendrix-influenced playing. And then there's his vibrato/touch. I'd challenge you to find a SINGLE guitarist with better vibrato. It's a thing of beauty. If you are about to slam a legend for being one-dimensional (which he isn't), then all blues guitarists can be slammed for playing the same damn scale, licks, and chord progressions. It just doesn't work like that.

As for the list, they just don't work. A list of the most technically talented guitarists would be stupid long. You list Dweezil but not Frank Zappa, which I think is a huge mistake. No Shawn Lane? No Guthrie Govan, arguably the best all-around guitarist on the planet right now. And what style restrictions are there? Clearly if we are accepting fusion, there are dozens more guitarists that belong on the list. Tony MacAlpine, Greg Howe, George Bellas, Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson, Al Di Meola, Holdsworth, Mike Stern, McLaughlin, Kotzen, Metheny, Carlton, etc etc. None of these guys apart from Guthrie are 'contemporary'.

Edit: I completely apologize for using the word completely completely too often. That completes it.

Great post. Agree on all points.

borg · Apr 25, 2016

Apollonia and Morris Day were the only reasons to watch Purple Rain. One was insanely hot….the other mildly amusing. Everything else screamed vanity project, akin to Jagger's and Bowie's and Madonna's epic vanity disasters.
Prince's "big sound" never won me over…much like Springsteen….but the man's musical talent was undeniable and very special.

Tony2046 · Apr 25, 2016

Satchboogie3 said:
Yngwie completely changed the scene and really is the birth of 'shred'. Sure, there were other great and fast guitarists before him, using similar riffs, etc (Al Di Meola in the 70s, etc etc), but NO ONE had the attack and completely command as him. It's one thing to have a 'fast' line or two in a couple songs, it's completely another thing to completely showcase it on instrumentals and take it to a completely new stratosphere.

I also COMPLETELY disagree with the assertion that he was 'just speed'. He still might be the greatest improviser in neo-classical metal, his phrasing is as good as it get's for rock/metal, and he has very cool blues and hendrix-influenced playing. And then there's his vibrato/touch. I'd challenge you to find a SINGLE guitarist with better vibrato. It's a thing of beauty. If you are about to slam a legend for being one-dimensional (which he isn't), then all blues guitarists can be slammed for playing the same damn scale, licks, and chord progressions. It just doesn't work like that.

As for the list, they just don't work. A list of the most technically talented guitarists would be stupid long. You list Dweezil but not Frank Zappa, which I think is a huge mistake. No Shawn Lane? No Guthrie Govan, arguably the best all-around guitarist on the planet right now. And what style restrictions are there? Clearly if we are accepting fusion, there are dozens more guitarists that belong on the list. Tony MacAlpine, Greg Howe, George Bellas, Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson, Al Di Meola, Holdsworth, Mike Stern, McLaughlin, Kotzen, Metheny, Carlton, etc etc. None of these guys apart from Guthrie are 'contemporary'.

Edit: I completely apologize for using the word completely completely too often. That completes it.

Someone once tried to explain to me why a toilet bowl full of gold wrapped candy displayed in the middle of a museum floor was Art.

This reminds me of that conversation.

Just kidding. Kindof but the point is a lot of this conversation is going to be subjective because some people like toilet bowls with candy in it and I don't. I do respect the opinion of those who believe that the toilet bowl is art because it's their life and they can put their candy wherever they wish.

Tune had already mentioned that he was classically trained and had written concertos which I was not aware of. I listened to a few on youtube and yes he is quite talented. He still, IMO, occasionally likes to throw in a few thousand unnecessary notes in the middle of an otherwise likable composure but I admit that it is simply a matter of my own personal taste and that should not subtract from his talent. I can understand why you and Tune would put him on the list so I stand corrected.

As far as creating a soul touching solo in which note after note is perfectly timed, bent and released there is no one better than David Gilmour. Yngwie would have turned "Comfortably numb" into "Erratically Electrocuted".

Others who had a great feel would be Mark Knopfler and Kirk Hammett.

Anyways I stand corrected. Candy filled toilet bowl on the list it is.

Satchboogie3 · Apr 25, 2016

Tony2046 said:
As far as creating a soul touching solo in which note after note is perfectly timed, bent and released there is no one better than David Gilmour. Yngwie would have turned "Comfortably numb" into "Erratically Electrocuted".

Others who had a great feel would be Mark Knopfler and Kirk Hammett.

Anyways I stand corrected. Candy filled toilet bowl on the list it is.

Yeah, Gilmour does have some nice solos and an amazing tone. I also agree that Yngwie and others add some 'a bit much' moments in tunes, but that's OK. Music is just an extension of personality. Yngwie has some slow, beautiful moments, but I think him throwing in fast lines even in his more 'slow soulful' compositions completely mirrors his personality. As "chill" as Yngwie, he is still a 0-100mph in zero seconds flat kind of guy. I like the diversity!

As for the 'barrage of notes' theme, I think you also have to take into account both technical proficiency and 'ear of the listener'. What might seem like a crazy lick to most listeners might be a very simple and easy lick for someone like Yngwie. I remember when I first heard some of Jerry Garcia's 'blistering' lines in late 70s/80s, EVH, etc and being blown away. Now a days they seem slow and are just a day-at-the beach playing wise. When Gambale rips out crazy sweep licks or Yngwie does a couple of runs, it's effortless and fits perfectly well if you are into that sort of thing. It's about the full dynamic range. A basic Yngwie solo is tame compared to his crazier lines/tunes, just as some of Gilmore's slow solos are tamer than when he has an edge.

Plus coming from a classical background it makes sense. Some of the most moving and beautiful pieces of classical music have some damn fast and technical playing.

RecoveringCowboy · Apr 25, 2016

Expect Adriana Huffington to use this on her lectures on getting enough sleep. Jacko did not get real sleep the last two months of his life. Now we hear Prince was up 154 hours.

Prince’s Money Update: Is Singer’s Net Worth $300M? Report Says Fortune Value Inflated, Probably Closer To $150M

reflexblue · Apr 25, 2016

I've been listening to prince for the last two hours, that's more than the last 30 years combined. The man blended funk, r@b, gossible, rock and jazz together. I never paid much attention to him during his hay day, I thought he was a brilliant guitar player but he's better than I thought. The same goes for his writing abilities. RIP Purple One.

Bella*chick · Apr 25, 2016

I have had Let's Go Crazy practically just on repeat. The lyrics to that one are really unsettling given the circumstances of his death.

OT: Prince found dead

Tunescribe

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Tunescribe

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letekro

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borg

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Bella*chick

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