Overshadowed by bandmates

I recently picked up a copy of the SHF album Marty, but haven't heard it yet. The Little Village album was a little disappointing to me, considering how great they were on John Hiatt's Bring The Family album. I think it may have been because the ground rules were that no one was allowed to bring in any already written songs, the songs they recorded were written on the spot. Not necessarily the best way to write! Plus, it was too democratic---drummer Jim Keltner got to provide material, and it sucks!

I saw them live, and the contrast between their solo-written songs and those collaboratively-written was stark. But their playing was just what you would expect---world class. Cooder's solo on Hiatt's "Lipstick Sunset" was the best I've seen/heard live! He had a pile of about a half-a-dozen little combo amps and as many guitars, but, as usual, played mostly his pale-blue Strat.

Perhaps not better, or even as good, but; I've always thought Leo Lyons of Ten Years After was overshadowed by bandmate Alvin Lee.

I am in complete agreement with gdoodle and hifimaniac. Mick Taylor was way better than Woods or Richards, and Gdoodle is spot on when he states that Sway from Sticky Fingers illustrates that point.
His playing is inspired, clean and elegant. One of my favorite things solos in rock, and I'm not a Stones fan.

Bdp,

I agree that the Little Village album was disappointing on first listen - largely because I had such high expectations. As noted, I'm a big fan of Nick Lowe. Beyond that, I really like Ry Coder and was in the middle of a very intense John Hiatt infatuation at the time. I'd probably seen him a dozen times or so in the six or seven years prior to the LV debut release.

After several years, the LV record began to grow on me as a loose, fun, and engaging (if lightweight) collection. Very good, if not quite what I expected. As noted, the SHF record was IMO better than that.

BTW (per your earlier post), I do think we have a similar take on a lot of music. Half of your posts feel like they could have been written by me.

Good to see all the Mick Taylor love here, he definitely fits this thread, IMO. However, Ronnie Wood is a terrific player, too and - in some ways - may be a better fit for the Stones, IMO. He's got a kind of rambling, stumbling looseness to his soloing that fits the Stones perfectly, especially when they're in their drunken bar band mode. Mick may be the more accomplished player, but I think Ronnie's a great choice for that gig.

Wood's last studio album "I Feel Like Playing" is a great example. It won't be everybody's cup of tea, but I love it.