1 Like
Was lucky enough to see these two perform this live a few years back. Morello takes this Woody Guthrie style “folk” song and turns it on its head.
Wish I could play half as well as him!
3 Likes
Pseudo-rock released by classical musicians likewise. Does anyone remember the group classical guitarist John Williams founded called Sky? He’d just had a big hit with the _ Cavatina: Theme from ‘The Deer Hunter’_ and was as hot as classical music artists got at that point.
For about three years (1979-82) they pulled very large audiences and had a UK top ten hit.
This was 1981 so as with everything released that year Toccata was completely of its dreadful time:
3 Likes
Rock artists that have completely committed successfully to a parallel course of their career in classical music aren’t two a penny. Zappa, Costello and Jonny Greenwood come to mind amoung those that have created substantial works.
1 Like
I remember that tune but never made the connection with John Williams. Cavatina is a favoutrite to be honest and brings back memories of trying to learn it. It was way above my level, still is. Maybe one day.
There seems to be a little bit of a resurgence of that finger style guitar in all honest. Probably my social media feed giving me that perception but still there’s some stunning work out there now of people playing well known tunes in that finger style, playing both the guitar parts and vocal lines at the same time on guitar.
2 Likes
The appreciation of any particular guitarist / guitar style is an entirely subjective matter.
For my part I start and finish with this man:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsPTRa0804I
Clapton attempted to emulate this recording, but required a little assistance from Doyle Bramhall to get close:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPFOUk0Xcdk
5 Likes
Billy Joel ( If you consider him a rock artist) wrote and released a classical piano album - Fantasies and Delusions - Very tough gig to transition between the two.
I was kind of hoping someone would get back to some of the old founders of Blues guitar. Johnson is a truly a fascinating tale where the reality is likely to be far more boring that the legend itself.
Note the length of the fingers. I dont care what anyone says, it helps. Only yesterday I was listening to a discussion on some Van Halen stuff where it was mentioned that one solo he played had a 3 finger stretch with the first finger on the 12 fret, second on the 16th and then pinky on the 19th. I tried that last night. Not a hope in hell with my sausage fingers and stumpy pinky.
I can confirm that the thought of me playing anything by Van Halen remains a pipe dream.
2 Likes
I read somewhere (probably apocryphal), that in addition to having exceptionally long fingers, Johnson’s fingers were double jointed.
As for the story, regarding his proficiency with the guitar stemming from a midnight meeting at the crossroads of highways 61 and 49, undoubtedly romantic nonsense, but still a good yarn.
I tried selling my soul to the Devil, but there were no takers. 
2 Likes
All you guys mentioning names of who you think are the most legendary and gifted guitarists but not one of you have mentioned that guy Pete from Cardiff.
1 Like
I thought you were married to Boudica?
The missing songs etc. is another fascinating aspect to the whole story. But the Crossroads thing is interesting from the aspect that he progressed as a guitarist in a very short period of time. All of it pretty well unseen / over night (as legend goes).
Just to add some further spook. Look at his facial expression. He always had one eye narrower than the other.
It’s a shame that the recordings aren’t clearer in many ways. His ability to play a melody and lay down a rhythm at the same time is something i honestly aspire to. I am years away, but there is a small crossroads just down the way 
1 Like
Why do you think I tried selling my soul to the Devil?
3 Likes
Eh, unless it’s a reference to Townshend and Who… and think he’s a londoner btw…
Who else is a guitarist from Cardiff ?
And I see you guys mentioning Eric Clapton with no mention of Duane Allman ? I mean Clapton’s great and all but Duane Allman was on a totally different level
I assume your ambitions of conquering all of England and driving out those pesky Romans have gone by the wayside then?
Taking the easy way out again.
You do realise that selling your soul to the devil could result in a life time season ticket at Old Trafford?
2 Likes
I leave the conquering and driving out to Boudica. As for the Romans, I can take them, or leave them; after all apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what did the Romans ever do for us?
I would have been happy just playing the guitar a fraction as good as Johnson.
Ah! That might explain why there were no takers? 
Lets face it there are some truly awesome guitarists out there - the bastards - how I wish I had even 10% of their talent - Keb Mo, Gary Clarke Jnr, Robert Cray Tommy Emmanuel all not mentioned yet and this guy - I am not worthy.
1 Like
They take our fish and bring in all them Belgian slaves.
We demand that British slaves should be used. All them Belgian slaves are taking jobs from our own British slaves. The fact that those Belgian slaves are happy to work for a slice of bread a day is irrelevant. No way I’m getting out of bed for less than 3 slices of toast, with marmalade and a good cuppa.
Still they did give us
Nice
Surprised no mention of John Mayer yet who I think is an exceptional talent
I love this rendition, especially with the passing of Tom Petty.
1 Like