Job searching takes up the large bulk of my time. And by large bulk, I mean almost all of it. When I'm not searching, sending resumes, or talking on the phone with people about jobs, I either play guitar or read. Since my fingers can only take so many nightly hours, in the past week I've read two books - both autobiographies - and each one set me to thinking.
The first one I read - purely for trashy entertainment - was Jenna Jameson's autobiography: How to Make Love Like a Porn Star, A Cautionary Tale. I'll tell you a few things about this book:
No Surprise: Its filthy
No Surprise: Its depressing
No Surprise: Jenna has had led a very difficult and tortured life, battling lots of personal demons
BIG Surprise: Jenna Jameson isn't as dumb as you think she is.
People (myself included) don't approve of her lifestyle at all. However, this book is very interesting in two ways. On one side, you read about the tragedy that is her personal life. At one point I found myself saying: Come on! Give this girl a break! The overall depressing aspect is that the reader knows know in his/her heart - although she tries to end the book on an upbeat note - that she'll never conquer her inner demons, and will never have a normal personal life.
On the other hand, the reader - no matter who you are - has to give some credit to her business sense. In a seedy, sexploitation industry where most girls are dried out, addicted and broke by the time they are 25, Jenna Jameson still pulls in roughly $30 million a year...and she's been retired from film making since 2001. Sure, she learned her business sense while dancing at the Crazy Horse II in Vegas, but give the lady some credit: rather than being dogged out, she turned her name into a brand and is the most recognizable adult actress in history. While I wouldn't suggest it to Oprah's Book Club, I'd say give it a read. Some parts are definitely a little too much and a little too over the top, but the overall picture it paints is a very interesting character study of a girl who is laughing all the way to the bank.
The Second biography I read was the newly released autobiography by Eric Clapton. In my opinion, Clapton is the greatest guitarist of all time. By reading his biography, we're offered an excellent look at how seriously he has always taken music and you get an idea of who he likes and dislikes as an artist. Did you know that for a long time he thought Bob Dylan was a weirdo? Did you know that Bob Dylan is still a weirdo? Did you know that he's a sellout for doing Victoria's Secret commercials? What was I saying? Anyhow, reading as Clapton talks about the 60s and 70s - unmatchable decades of music - I tried to think of who, today, we can count as some of the top guitarists out there. Here is my list and your feedback, as always, is appreciated.
I will caution you that this is NOT an all-time list. So don't freak when you don't see Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman, Jeff Beck, or Jimmy Page.
1. Eric Clapton - still the best after all these years. He has been the centerpiece of some of the most talented bands of all-time. Clapton is a true blues guitarist and he still gets his sound with minimal equipment, foregoing 90 pedals at his feet, bars, etc. His sound comes from the most gifted hands to ever pick up a guitar. He admittedly says that he's lost much of his speed, but at 62, he's still the best. Oh yeah...he can't read music either.
2. Derek Trucks - fronts The Derek Trucks Band and takes the place of dearly departed Duane Allman when the Allman Brothers tour these days. At 28, he's got a sound that no one can touch. He played lead guitar for Clapton during his Crossroads Tour and, like all the best guitarists, is strongly rooted in the blues. And like Duane, he's a master on the slide.
3. John Frusciante - lead guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their albums clearly suffered during the periods when Frusciante was not with the band, battling a heroin addiction for 5 years. When he returned in 1997, the RHCPs cut Californication, By The Way, and Stadium Arcadium. All terrific and highly successful albums. If Trucks is the new Allman, Frusciante is our generation's Jimmy Page.
4. Luther Dickinson - is the lead guitarist for the North Mississippi All Stars. He's got hands of fire and if you haven't heard a good blues guitar album in a while, pick up the NMAs and check out this blues pickin'. Dickinson, son of Memphis Record Producer Jim Dickinson, can only be compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan. He's a master of the fret board and his impromptu solos provide a sound that fits right in with the Masters of the Delta.
5. Leroy Powell - was until very recently, the lead guitarist for the 357.s He recently left the band to pursue a solo career and currently plays for Gina Gershon's project. (That reminds me, I need to watch Bound again) He's a terrific mix of rock, country (he can play pedal steel), blues and what some might call psychedelic rock. He really defies comparison, because he is a master of several styles. He's a brilliant song writer to boot.
Honorable Mention: Jack White (The White Stripes), Dan Tyminski (Union Station), and John Mayer.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
There's no question that Clapton is nothing short of fantastic. He's one of the few rock guitarists who can also move to other genres. Most can't or not very well.
Don't limit yourself to rock guitarists. Try Chet Atkins. Have you ever heard anyone play Yankee Doodle & Dixie at the same time? Atkins moves through virtually any style with ease. Try Charlie Byrd (recently deceased and I think he's still dead). His jazz trio (not far out jazz) was extraordinary for the range of songs and his arrangments. Try Les Paul -- the chap who invented the elctric guitar in the late 40's. His playing and his duo with his wife Mary are classics. Most songs are from the early 50's & 60's but remember he had no one to emulate and what you hear is solely his. Then there's Leo Kotke who excels on both 6 & 12 string and almost always sound like someone else is playing behind him. Finally, if you like Dan Kaminski listen to Doc Watson (don't listen to his singing its leathal. Watson is blind which makes his sounds all the more fantastic. He was the first to emulate fiddle playing on the guitar with incredible riffs. His style continues to be copied by every country or blues player worth his salt.
Expand your horizons and listen to some of these guys. You won't be disappointed.
Lou F.
Post a Comment