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Unheralded Sideman

There's a story from the first US tour of the original Jeff Beck Group that after a performance in Central Park's Wollman Skating Ring a PR type from the record label ran up to the group's vocalist, Rod Stewart, and said, "Great show Jeff, and your band has a really good guitarist too!" So much for the intelligence of PR reps, but there are occasions where I think the sidemen musicians are at least as interesting, if not more interesting, than the star performers. Some of my favorite sidemen are:

James Jamerson - bass, Motown house band
Jack Ashford - tambourine, Motown house band
Charlie Watts - drums, Rolling Stones
Jack Cassady - bass, Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna
Bruce Thomas - bass, EC & the Attraction

Anybody eles have their favorite sidemen?
128x128onhwy61
sc53
718 posts
 
There's this really dorky-looking guy (big black glasses and ratty longish brown hair in his eyes) who plays KILLER lead guitar for Lucinda Williams, and I think for Buddy and Julie Miller recently too. I just can't remember his name right now. But he is a genius and has absolutely MADE some of Lucinda's songs the gems they are.
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
ZaIkesman nailed it. Prior to his post I was considering nominating THE GREAT Mr."Donald Duck" Dunn with Brooker T. & The MG's in the capacity of that band playing with Neil Young on a few of his records and most importantly LIVE.

Patrick
waltersalas's avatar
waltersalas
947 posts
 
Sc53,
Are you thinking of Kenny Vaughan, who toured with Lucinda when Car Wheels on a Gravel Road came out? He's sort of a dorky Buddy Holly lookalike, but plays mean guitar. A lot of fun to watch, too, as he sometimes plays with his elbows thrust out like a lanky basketball player boxing out for a rebound.

As for sidemen, how about this "pick-up" band from The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions:

Eric Clapton
Steve Winwood
Bill Wyman
Charlie Watts

Not too shabby, as back-up bands go. Wolf sounds pretty good, too.
kasperhauser
10 posts
 
Sc53: The dorky looking guy is Kenny Vaughn. He also plays with Kim Richey and a few other "Austin City Limits" types. He is indeed a MONSTER guitar player.

My vote goes to Robbie McIntosh. Check him out with the Pretenders, Talk Talk, Paul McCartney, Daryl Hall, and on his solo stuff. The guy is light years ahead of most guitarists out there.
audioak
15 posts
 
Carol Kaye,

http://www.carolkaye.com/
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