Jazz for aficionados

Steve Turre

//Oh was not aware that you live in the Balkan’s. Shipping from there would not be worth it.//

Lol, that was funny. Man, we are in the middle of nowhere...

Thanks Ale for the good words.
Alex’s invitation/proposal for you guys, stands for me too, if you would be anywhere near Split, Croatia, feel free to contact me. I will gladly welcome you/show you around.

Thanks mary jo,

Looks like everyone over here in the states went to bed early last night!

pjw, you asked me for my thoughts on your three favorite guitar players:

Three great players. Also three extremely different players whose playing I admire a great deal. I say admire because I can’t honestly say that I always like (cover your eyes now, inna) MacLoughlin’s style. It’s not that I particularly dislike it, but I find his propensity for the use of those blazinginly fast note flurries to not always be my cup of tea; and not always appropriate for the style of music at hand. Sure, in the context of the high energy fusion style of Mahavishnu Orchestra from the 70s it definitely works and is very exciting, but when playing something not so high energy (acoustic) it doesn’t work for me. Still, amazing player and amazing technique. Just a personal feeling and preference. Of the three, the one with the most “jazz” chops by a long shot.

I have followed their careers to somewhat similar degrees although Beck remains for me my favorite of the three overall. Please note that I am not saying that I think he is the “best” of the three. I don’t believe in that kind of designating when you have players that play at that high a level. They each have their own voice and it becomes apples to oranges.

My point is perhaps better explained by pointing out that what they each do best, neither of the other two can do at the same level. Can you imagine Hendrix playing a duet with Paco? Or, Beck being able to get the same level of grunge and sheer R&R abandon that Hendrix could? Or McLoughlin backing Beth Hart and getting that perfect light touch and sexiness out of one note? I kind of doubt it.

While the styles of all three can be said to be informed by jazz, I would say McLoughlin’s is the most and Hendrix obviously the least. All three styles are rooted in a Rock sensibility more so than a traditional jazz sensibility, imo. In the end all three are Rock guitarists with different levels of comfort in a jazz bag or in a style leaning in that direction. For me, Beck straddles the line between the two styles the best. Very tasty player. Of course, just my opinion.

Thanks for the great clips.

Frogman, this one is for you. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHcXDDey9Kc