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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
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,554 posts
 
Yes, saw Alvin Lee quite a few times (Ten Years After) also remembering Johhny Winters and Rick Deringer as being good on stage. Lee's performances were not very consistant and were either great or very sloppy. Saw Deryk and the Dominoes after Duane Allmans death and thought they were great. Also always enjoyed the Allamn Brothers live and Creedence Clearwater (much better live than their albums). Hated Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes but always enjoyed Ry Cooder and some of the bands that Taj Mahal put together. My favorite rythem players were Jim Gordan, James Keltner, Charlie Watts, Carl Radle (Mr. Taste) and John Entwistle whos bass playing was remarkable when seen live. Also Keith Moon before his demise. Zepalin got on my nerves and I did not care that much for them until they came out with Houses of the Holy, just my personal taste. Saw Cream as well and did not like EC's work except for Badge, liked him before and after though. Two others that I saw once live, both in bars in Iowa City, Ia in the early 70's, were Bonnie Raite and Asleep at the Wheel (some of the best steel and slide guitar ever), very clean but "out there" playing. One other good band were the Faces that played with Rod Sterwart. The only CD's that I own from this era are "Blow by Blow" and "Layla" on MFSL, it would be nice to add some others.
shubertmaniac OP
350 posts
 
It is kind of funny that you name LZ's House of the Holies as the first album of theirs you liked. Me too!! As I said before their first album was a rip-off of the 1968 version of the Yardbirds. After that it was pure stadium rock which could be fun once in awhile but I could not take in large doses. As far as the others you mention most of them I would individually call either great or very good. But to me a guitar band had to have a very energtic rhthym guitarist and a very involved bass player that is why the Yardbirds were great. Something was always happening whether upfront with J Beck or C Deja or Samwell Smith. J McCarty gave the best impression of a martial band drummer with K Relf wailing away on harmonica. From my username I am really a Schubert nut but the Yardbirds are the rock equals of the Emerson Quartet recording of a Schubert string quartet, always something happening musically. If you are remotely interested, most Yardbird records /CDs were recorded ok for the 60s. Lots of distortion intended or otherwise,lots of dynamic compression, some recorded mono. But to me there was nothing like them. Lots of people wonder why they are in the RnR Hall of Fame,maybe because the insiders knew of all the 60s groups the Yardbirds could play their guitars and play them well.
axomoxa
36 posts
 
The Grateful Dead. Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and Phil Lesh has been smokin' everyone about for the last 30 years. They are even still smokin' them with Jerry long dead. Go check out Dicks Picks volumns 1-18. All live recordings, all very different, all make with love and care. They will keep on truckin' long into the future. You can even see the remaining members live here in the BAy Area. Two new years eves shows, Phil and Friends at the HJK in Oakland (site of the numerous New Years show for the GD)and Ratdog at the Oakland Arena. Hmmm, which of the above bands can you go see??? Evolution my freinds!
ramstl
342 posts
 
Ditto for the Dead!
rosstaman
455 posts
 
The original Allman Brothers Band (especially, Live at the Filmore East) was to me the best guitar band of that era. I lived in Greenwich Village and saw tons of shows at the Village Theater (which later became the Filmore East). I must mention Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck. Both were miles ahead of any guitarist of that era. The original Paul Butterfield Blues Band featured Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop. The Yardbirds, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, were great leaders in British blues/rock. Humble Pie in the early days were a great blues/rock guitar band. I saw the Cream during there first tour of the US, they were part of a Murray The K Show in New York City and completely "blew my mind." Ten Years After was awesome when they first appeared as a blues/jazz band, but I thought they sucked as a rock band (how many times can they play "I'm Going Home!!!) Roy Buchanan was one of the great unsung heros of blues guitar. I'm sure I'll wake-up around 3:30AM and remember others.
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