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Greatest Guitar Band

I thought just before Christmas I'd get a good thread going. IMHO,the greatest guitar band was the Yardbirds, not because E Clapton,or J Beck, or J Page was in it but because Chris Deja, and Paul Samwell-Smith were great rhythm and bass guitarists that could rock and keep up with the above. Plus Jim McCarty the drummer could keep the group in line and fine harmonica work from Keith Relf(ok not the greatest vocalist, more of a finesse singer).They had it all, I cannot think of another band that had three great guitarists in the band at one time(J Beck, C Deja, P Samwell-Smith). In 1967, when J Beck and J Page were in the band togther as co-lead guitars, they were the lead in band for the rolling stones, they just blow them away,ok, that is not a fair comparison considering the rolling stones still cannot play their instruments very well. But in comparison to say Led Zepplin, LZ did not have a rhthym guitarist(except J Page would overdub that part on recordings). That made them sound not as well rounded live as far as guitar work is concerned. I am not saying LZ was a bad band on the contrary,they put on probably the best show ever, but I do not consider them a guitar band per se. Besides, J Page stole vitually from his former band anyway. Remember "How Many More Times" is a repackaged version of the YBs "Smokestack Lightning", a Howlin Wolf tune. YBs version is in my mind the best rock song ever. So what do you think????
shubertmaniac
mikec
199 posts
 
Sirvette, if you like Wheels of Fire by the Cream, which is a great album (Cd). Try the Album "Blind Faith" by Blind Faith (track "Do What You Like") cut from the same mold. I noticed alot of favorite albums suggested above were recorded LIVE at the Filmore East in NYC (Village). Which i believe has alot to do with the accoustics of the Filmore East and recording equipment used. Many great Live albums were recorded at Billy Grahm's Filmore East, long gone. P.S. Dekay, Garfish turned me on to the CJs a while back.
shubertmaniac OP
350 posts
 
Saw Cream and Blind Faith; Only the live album from wheels of fire and really only two cuts : Crossroads and Spoonful. Blind Faith album was an incredible bore and the concert was a waste of money. Clapton knew it was a waste of time; then worked with Delaney and Friends for another waste of his talent. For being Guitar God he has wasted so much time and talent. Should have stuck with the Yardbirds,of course, we may have never heard of J Beck and J Page;maybe things happen for the best.
jayboard
301 posts
 
Steely Dan ought to be on this list. I'd say they're among the giants of post-60's rock. Maybe Royal Scam is their best in terms of being a guitar band, but they've done lots of excellent guitar stuff. Walter Becker with studio compatriots like Denny Dias, Jeff Baxter, Larry Carlton -- wow!
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Well everyone has given their take on the rockers and blues guys and I would give a ditto on most of the above, particularly the Dead and Allman Brothers prior to the untimely death of Dwayne of course. Saw them both before and the very first concert they did after his death. And so far as Country Rock who could forget Poco in their early incarnation. With Jim Messina, Ritchie Furay and Rusty Young on steel pedal they could rock the house down and electrify a crowd with the best of them and they could really harmonize, great group. Seatrain is another great concert group from that era (1968-1972, their albums unfortunately never translated as well as their live performances. But the greatest guitar assemblage (not band) I've EVER heard (I'm talking pure talent and the performance of a lifetime) is the "live" San Francisco concert of John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola and Paco DeLuca. The moon lined up with the stars on that night. Oh no I wasn't there but can hear it anytime because it is available on CD. The recording is as spectacular as the performance.
shubertmaniac OP
350 posts
 
Just to let you know, the Yardbirds have reformed again. They are set to play in England soon with a real possibility of coming to States. No EC,JB,JP. Also Jeff Beck is coming out with a new album and will tour this summer. Now if you could get a double billing of Jeff Beck and the Yardbirds maybe they could jam on a few tunes together........... nice dreaming...........
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