My Heroes
John Lee Hooker
The King of the endless boogie, a genuine blues superstar, master of droning, hypnotic one-chord grooves.
I love to watch and hear Hooker's dark, ruminative vocals, when backed only by his own ringing guitar and insistently pounding foot. So much emotion - a one-man band taht I never tire of listening to.
I know of no other player who can make so much of so little - less is more indeed.
A good example - "Tupelo". Restrined intensity at its best.
"I'm in the Mood" - with Bonnie Raitt.
I love to watch and hear Hooker's dark, ruminative vocals, when backed only by his own ringing guitar and insistently pounding foot. So much emotion - a one-man band taht I never tire of listening to.
I know of no other player who can make so much of so little - less is more indeed.
A good example - "Tupelo". Restrined intensity at its best.
"I'm in the Mood" - with Bonnie Raitt.
Paul Kossoff
English rock guitarist best known as a member of the band Free. The first guitarist I really noticed in terms of a style of playing. Again there is a "less is more" tag, and Koss could get away with this with not just a good choice of notes but also a superlative unique vibrato that even had Eric Clapton asking him how he did it.
A favourire DVD performance of mine is a five number set that Free did for Granada TV. Ride on Pony, Mr Big, Songs of Yesterday, I'll be Creepin', and All Right Now. Despite a restrained audience Free were on fire and Koss played as well as I've seen anywhere - just one man, a Les Paul, no fancy pedals, leaning back on the speaker stack and feeling every note. Interacting and meshing perfectly with Andy Frasers melodic bass playing. Absolute magic.
"Mr Big" - Live. I love the tone of the playing behind the vocals too.
A favourire DVD performance of mine is a five number set that Free did for Granada TV. Ride on Pony, Mr Big, Songs of Yesterday, I'll be Creepin', and All Right Now. Despite a restrained audience Free were on fire and Koss played as well as I've seen anywhere - just one man, a Les Paul, no fancy pedals, leaning back on the speaker stack and feeling every note. Interacting and meshing perfectly with Andy Frasers melodic bass playing. Absolute magic.
"Mr Big" - Live. I love the tone of the playing behind the vocals too.
Peter Green
Yes, I'm firmly one of those who believe that Peter Green was the greatest white blues guitarist ever. He had a trademark haunting style, not without an influence of BB King.
Soulful phrases litter his early playing, and he favoured the minor mode and the darker side of blues. His note choices are stunningly judged and his tone from a Les Paul was breathtaking. Like I said - I'm a fan!
BB King described him as 'the only white blues guitarist who sends shivers down my spine' - I can understand why.
I remember "Green Manalishi" hit me with a huge impact when it was released - this was rock/blues music with an edge that was like a blow to the gut. His song "Man of the World" is one of the most beautiful and sad pieces of music at one and the same time. "Need Your Love So Bad" is magical, especially live - the best way to hear Fleetwood Mac in Peter Greens days.
I don't want to dwell on the dark side and his problems - it's nice to see that he is still playing when he feels the need. He has left so much of quality in his back catalogue it is not fair to want more.
"jumping at Shadows" - another stand out live track. Sound only.
"World Keeps on Turning" - solo performance - just filling in when there's a prbblem.
Soulful phrases litter his early playing, and he favoured the minor mode and the darker side of blues. His note choices are stunningly judged and his tone from a Les Paul was breathtaking. Like I said - I'm a fan!
BB King described him as 'the only white blues guitarist who sends shivers down my spine' - I can understand why.
I remember "Green Manalishi" hit me with a huge impact when it was released - this was rock/blues music with an edge that was like a blow to the gut. His song "Man of the World" is one of the most beautiful and sad pieces of music at one and the same time. "Need Your Love So Bad" is magical, especially live - the best way to hear Fleetwood Mac in Peter Greens days.
I don't want to dwell on the dark side and his problems - it's nice to see that he is still playing when he feels the need. He has left so much of quality in his back catalogue it is not fair to want more.
"jumping at Shadows" - another stand out live track. Sound only.
"World Keeps on Turning" - solo performance - just filling in when there's a prbblem.