Keep on Jammin’

I just wish that I had the opportunity to see the legend live!

Keep on Jammin’

By the way, my favorite guitarists (in no particular order) are Phil Keaggy (stunning melodic creativity), Russ Freeman’s older work with the Rippingtons (speed and amazing creativity) and Larry Carlton (is there a more exquisite practitioner of the electric guitar anywhere??).

I know hands down Bruce is the superior player to Gordon, without a doubt in my mind. I should have used a better way to phrase that one to everyone. Sometimes I’m wish that I was a bit more, how should I say, articulate! Just ask my wife about that one.

Maybe I should have put like “Canada’s best simple man’s guitarists song writer of all time.” and I do not mean to use it in a derogatory way let be be clear on this one!!!

I tend to judge guitarist on their level of playing their instrument. This may sound mean to some music lovers who may not be musicians in their own right, but this is how I grade musicians/writers.

Every player has a distinct sound and technique that only they can reproduce. Take Paul Simon for example. He makes my head spin around from time to time. His approach to playing seems simple until you start trying to figure out all of his playing idiosyncrasies.

Scarborough Fair sounds simple doesn’t it? Now go out and try to take apart the song and play it live in front of people who take listening to players, playing live, very seriously. God speed on that one. It took me around 1 month solid to get everything just right on that song. Years before I thought that it was just this pretty and very simple song, but boy was I wrong on that one!

So I hope to have explained myself a little bit this time around. Sometimes when you write a post on your blog you think it sounds great to you, but get someone else to read it and you may come across as if your speaking Klingon or something like that. It’s like reading some of those crazy manuals that you get when you buy something and have to put it together? I always seem to have a few extra parts left over and my wife looking at me saying in her mind, way to go Einstein!

Keep on Jammin’

My favorite lick of his is simple but very effective. It’s the Edmonds Fitzgerald solo.

If you listen to it, and let it take your mind adrift, I find you get the sensation of floating in a boat during a storm. That’s just me and I’m sure this solo conjures up other feelings or emotions to others.

For years I just played technical songs and never ever gave the simple ones a second thought. Now a days, I include them on my play list.

Keep on Jammin’ Mike

That’s a pretty big statement. I’m not Canadian, but while Gordon had some success and was well-respected, I think Bruce Cockburn is probably a much better singer/songwriter. And in terms of success (albums sold), The Guess Who’s Burton Cummings has to have way outsold Gordon.

It would be interesting to see some figures/polls on this matter.