Subj : Jazz guitar
To : Martin Ridgley
From : Paul Lawson
Date : Sat Jul 22 2000 06:22 am
Martin Ridgley wrote in a message to Paul Lawson:
-=> Paul Lawson wrote to Martin Ridgley <=-
MR> True. I'm no authority on music history either, but it seems
MR> that for some reason, during that same period, there was a lot of
MR> interest in jazz amongst the college and university crowds. Now
MR> it seems to be mainly alternative pop/rock.
I think at the time jazz was the cutting edge of non-conformity, ouside
the box and all that. I think that's the primary appeal to the college crowd.
MR> I'm afraid I'm in much the same boat that you are, Paul. I'm
MR> not really up to date with many of the more recent players on the
MR> scene. I actually asked the question in the hopes of getting some
MR> tips and opinions on some of them from *you*!
Most of the people I know who listen to jazz prefer the "smooth" or pop
jazz varieties. Hrd core jazz and fusion lovesae damned hard to find. Most of
the players I know about I found from bying CDs blind. It's been a long time
since I've bought anything unknown. Too many CDs in the buy cue as it is these
days..
MR> Let's see... of the players you mentioned above, I've really
MR> only listened to Metheny, Holdsworth, and McLaughlin. I do have
Metheny is my favorite player. If his name is on the liner notes, I'll
buy it.
MR> one album by John Scofield - "Time On My Hands" (1990) - which I
Tt' pretty indicative of most of his playing. I like Scofield and buy
most of his CDs when I see them. His earlier stuff is more fusiony. Of his
early stuff, my favorite is "Still Warm". I recently picked up (what I
believe) is his latest called "Scofield A Go Go" f I recall. Very funky, very
reminiscent of his older material.
MR> quite like. I heard some of Al DiMeola's early work, but his
MR> playing didn't do much for me and I haven't paid much attention to
Yeah he has that effect on lots of people. I just love his early stuff!
Very firey player and the technique is scary! Cuts like "Dark Eye Tango"
(Casino) and "ritmo de la noche" <sp> (can't recall which CD) are high water
marks in latin style fusion IMHO.
MR> him since the '70s. Several people have recommended Stanley
MR> Jordan to me, but I have yet to hear him. Care to suggest a good
Jordan is interesting if nothing else for his technique. he literally
plays guitar like a piano. I saw him on Austin City limits several years ago.
He had a guitar strapped on and another on a keyboard type stand and was
playing both at the same time. He plays bass rythum and lead at the same time
tapping with both hands. Comparing his tapping technique to VanHalen is
roughly akin to comparing a toddlers finger painting to a Monet. His tone
blows, very tinny, I think due mainly to the technique employed though but he
has done some very nice stuff. I have his first two CDs and prefere his first
(self titled).
MR> is Birelli Lagrene. Can anyone here tell me anything about his
MR> style, and/or suggest an album?
I'm not familiar with his playing at all but the name is familiar...
MR> Put like that, it sounds kind of amusing, but I have to agree.
MR> I'm a fan of Joe Pass too, but I find Lenny Breau's solo playing
MR> much more fluid and 'musical', if I can use that rather vague
MR> term.
That's something I'll have to look for.
MR> Anyway, in recent years not many people in my social circle have
MR> been into jazz - one reason why I'm not up on some of the new
MR> players on the scene - so it's great to be able to chat with
MR> someone about it.
As I said above, I'm about in the same boat. I used to exchange cassettes
of favorite players/pieces with a guy on the echo years ago. It was a lot of
fun and I picked up a group of new players that way. Technology marching on, I
can now do the same with CDs. If you'd be interested, I'd be happy to exchange
some favorites with you. My E-mail is
[email protected]. Drop me a line
with your address and I'll put a CD togetherof some of my favorite
players/pieces.
Paul
--- timEd 1.10.y2k
* Origin: Paul's point, Salt Lake City, Utah. (1:218/704.16)
