The Logic Off Topic list

Wilson Zorn wrote:

> Hmmm, I think that the whole virtuoso machismo "I'm-better-than-you"
> mentality is what has turned me off to a lot of mainstream guitarists,
> particularly the flashy ones.  Since I don't intend to reproduce, maybe
> that's why given this line o f thought...

This is wrong. Most of what you are talking about is invented by the press
or by people who just go around saying daft things like 'Richie Blackmoore
is better than Eddie Van Halen' etc etc, and most of the time they don't
know what they are talking about. I know there are one or two exceptions,
but of course you can apply that to sportsmen, politicians, actors...anyone.

I have spoken to three famous guitarists (back stage party after a Roger
Waters concert) and all of them had nothing but praise for their fellow
musicians, and all three of them were raving about Waters. They were (not
wanting to names drop, but then again who cares) Mike Rutherford, Jeff Beck
and Snowy White. Oh Mike Batt was there as well to name but one of many
familiar faces (Fish, yes he was there and in fact so were the rest of
Marillion). They all talked like over enthusiastic fans about other people
in general and what they were all doing, who was working with who etc etc.

Also, One man's lack of detection of emotional content in someone like
Satriani's playing does not mean he isn't an emotional player. It means the
listener has not detected any, and in fact a lot goes over their head. You
don't need to play slow to be emotional. I can hear lots of emotion in his
playing, as well as Steve Vai. Gary Moore is probably one of the most
emotional players of all time, along with Dave Gilmour, but they are both
totally different. Moore can sound emotional whether at lightening speed or
slow blues. In fact it is often a challange for him to restrain himself.

One of the simplest chord sequences and riffs of all time to the ear is
Alright Now (Paul Kossof, Free). Most (in fact everyone I've ever heard in a
pub/club) plays it wrong. Most of the time they are simply playing the wrong
notes or missing some vital ones, and the rest of the time they are missing
the emotion or phrasing. Joe Punter would never detect it though.

Now, let me just get down from my pedastal. Alright now, baby it's a alright
now......