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I forgot just how good these guys could play the blues!


larryp58

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Posted

Oh yeah!!

Keef shows once again that he really is a great blues guitarist. And it also shows that the 000 Martin can be a very good blues guitar. Oops, I guess Clapton proved that as well.

 

Of course, younger folks can't remember the sort of gut-wrenching dichotomy presented by the Stones/Beatles mixed loyalties so many of us felt in the early/mid-60's. You had the Beatles, coming out of the skiffle tradition, playing upbeat songs that were the direct descendants of the tin pan alley moon/june/spoon tradition (whether we like to realize it or not), while the Stones were these down and dirty guys doing songs like this one, Little Red Rooster, Matchbox, etc.

 

It's odd that it took some young British guys to re-awaken interest in the US to the great American blues tradition. Yes, guys like Elvis had a lot of country blue roots, but the Stones tapped into that rich Chicago blues tradition that grew out of the great northern migration of the 30's.

 

Beatles music at that time presented a challenge to a solo guitarist/singer. It was ensemble music, depending on vocal and instrumental harmonies that didn't always translate well to solo performance. The blues stuff the Stones did--and even the things that weren't so bluesy--depended on solo vocals (Jagger), and even, to a large extent, lead guitar instrumentals like you see here from Ronnie and Keef. They adapted much better to those of us with limited vocal range and a single guitar.

 

This stuff is still as good as it gets.

 

I love the Beatles, but oh, you Stones!

Posted

Holy cr*p! That is so incredible and we are so very lucky to have these guys be part of our life and music.

I here ya and agree grampa! At least we have THAT in common [thumbup]

 

And thanks for the clip, Larryp58 [thumbup]

Posted

Let it Bleed is one of the CDs in my changer that I listen to going to and from work many days. I love the old Stones acoustic Blues.

Posted

+10

 

One of the favorite shows I've ever been to was the Stones. You could go on a nice date with the Beatles as your sound track or you could get nasty with the Stones, if I may be so crude to pint out!

 

Keef is one of the best rhythm guys out there! Maybe not sweet and smooth but he sure can make it moan!

 

Thanks for the clip!

Posted
it also shows that the 000 Martin can be a very good blues guitar. Oops, I guess Clapton proved that as well.

 

Speaking of...

 

 

(actually the rosewood 000s are little dark and smooth, sound-wise, for this kind of thing but they get it across)

Posted

Let it Bleed is one of the CDs in my changer that I listen to going to and from work many days. I love the old Stones acoustic Blues.

 

 

Oh yeah, Let it Bleed is my favorite Stones album. I can't get enough of Love in Vain, Country Honk and You Got the Silver [thumbup][thumbup][thumbup][thumbup][biggrin]

Posted

Great musicians, loved it and agree so good to see they are still around and we can experience it.

 

But I was thinking how great it would sound if Keef was playing a vintage Gibby. I personally thought the Martin sounded just ok in terms of tone. I was hearing a Gibson ghost in my mind being played in the background instead ..

Posted

But I was thinking how great it would sound if Keef was playing a vintage Gibby. I personally thought the Martin sounded just ok in terms of tone. I was hearing a Gibson ghost in my mind being played in the background instead ..

 

An L-00 perhaps?

Posted

Oh yeah, Let it Bleed is my favorite Stones album. I can't get enough of Love in Vain, Country Honk and You Got the Silver [thumbup][thumbup][thumbup][thumbup][biggrin]

 

 

+1

 

I remember hearing it at a friend's house in Austin a few days after the album first became available. He had an old record changer as a turntable, and we left the swing arm up so it would do continual replay. Good lord. To this day, I prefer Country Honk to all their other renditions of Honky Tonk Women. I've always loved the admonition on the album cover "play this record LOUD." They were right, and we certainly followed their advice.

 

But this clip...what an absolute treasure. Thanks SO much.

 

Dirk

Posted

Keef is one of the best rhythm guys out there! Maybe not sweet and smooth but he sure can make it moan!

 

 

I'll second that one, he knows how to play the right things at exactly the right time and never overplays.

Posted

I also have always loved the Stones' take da bluz. Keef's version of "32-20 Blues" is really cool. The guy remains the heart of rock and roll.

 

Clapton - a great technician but his acoustic stuff is just too sterile sounding for me.

Posted

 

Clapton - a great technician but his acoustic stuff is just too sterile sounding for me.

 

I think it may be those upscale Martins causing the problems. [smile] Would to hear him playing and old L-series--maybe even a 30's archtop--to get a more vintage vibe. "Sterile" isn't the word that comes immediately to mind. He can't help it if his technique is superb, as it is on this clip. Don't know about that funky, fancy 000, however. Is that painted white, or what?

 

Some of his stuff with both John Mayall and the Yardbirds is pretty straight-up raw Chicago electric. But of course, that's electric. (I know I'm preaching to geezers like you and me when I talk Bluesbreakers and Yardbirds stuff, but the younger guys will eventually catch on when they search it out on Youtube.)

Posted
Clapton - a great technician but his acoustic stuff is just too sterile sounding for me.

 

Interesting. Keep in mind though, that solo country blues is not what EC routinely plays. He worked up these numbers for the RJ session and admitted he was not fully at home with them. On his preferred turf, electric urban blues, he's right at home.

Posted

Yea, the Stones could really bring it. I know this one ain't acoustic, but the Gibby's are really rockin'. I think this is the only time that Jagger was "upstaged" singin'!!! Dem black girls sho' can sang!!!!! (Lisa Fisher is her name)

 

 

 

 

Posted

A good one, Larryp..!! I like this current Stones Lovefest... [thumbup]

They were definitely masters of their craft! Ron and Keef "weaving" in 'an' out and Watts steadily driving them.

Indeed, great performance by Mick and Lisa....

Posted

And Ron on the slide aint bad. Saw the stones only once, 1972 Tuscaloosa, Alabama (ROLL TIDE!!!) when both of us were young .... can't say I remebmer much because, like the sixties, if you remember a Rolling Stones concert from that era, you probably weren't there. Great post.. thanks.

Posted

A good one, Larryp..!! I like this current Stones Lovefest... [thumbup]

They were definitely masters of their craft! Ron and Keef "weaving" in 'an' out and Watts steadily driving them.

Indeed, great performance by Mick and Lisa....

 

 

+ 10 [thumbup]

Posted

Great musicians, loved it and agree so good to see they are still around and we can experience it.

 

But I was thinking how great it would sound if Keef was playing a vintage Gibby. I personally thought the Martin sounded just ok in terms of tone. I was hearing a Gibson ghost in my mind being played in the background instead ..

 

Wondering why Keith stopped using the H-Bird [sad] . I mean he played it on Lady Jane up to Angie and maybe even later on. Mick is still playing a great looking vintage Bird once and a while [smile]

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBq3fnyJX3A

Posted

Being brought up in a northern English town in the 50s my first introduction to rock music was via a friends father who was a sailor and sailed from Liverpool to Mobile USA. He would bring home records and we would listen to them in the basement of his house whilst the adult family celebrated dads homecoming upstairs. I still remember the excitement of the music even now.

 

Liverpool was a mecca for things USA in those days and I'm sure this is where The Beatles and others found their inspiration.

 

In the early 60s I was in London at college. I saw The Stones many times at The Marque, this is when it was under the Academy cinema on Oxford street.

The Marque was a jazz club but on Thursdays (the slowest night of the week) it was Rhythm and blues night.

The Stones were just one of many playing there, certainly not head liners but good, Manfred Man with the great Paul Jones on vocal was the resident band most nights The jazz club venues such as The Marque lead to a more blues driven influence in the London bands rather than the rock/pop influence of Liverpool.

 

When the Beatles and Stones became big latter in the decade the two bands huge out together even the Stones recording Lennon and Macca songs. Certainly as far as fans were concerned you could be a fan of both and not loose face.

Posted

Oh that is a great clip, thanks for sharing. Didn't know Mick could play the harmonica, nice one.

 

Also, Ive never been able to master the art of keeping a ciggie in the mouth while playing at same time, tried it once and almost choked to death.

 

Read in Slash's biogrphy that he once had a smoke hanging out and right in the middle of the frentic end solo to Paradise City it fell out of his mouth and fell into his crotch .... but being the profressional he continued with the solo. Legend.

 

Wondering why Keith stopped using the H-Bird [sad] . I mean he played it on Lady Jane up to Angie and maybe even later on. Mick is still playing a great looking vintage Bird once and a while [smile]

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBq3fnyJX3A

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