Friday, April 12, 2013

Influences and Inspirations: Pat Travers



April 12: Happy birthday Pat Travers.

Wow, what a big influence in my early guitar playing years, the late 1970's-early 80's. This was quintessential hard rock of the day but with a healthy dose of of funk; unique and ballsy guitar tones; great songs; a powerful voice; and top notch musicianship. But beyond that, Pat put forth a remarkable combination of musical qualities that was rare for that "hard rock" genre. He could do gorgeous multi-tracked guitar harmonies like few others (outside of Brian May) would dare attempt. He was one of the only guys besides Rush who could write songs in odd time signatures that still kicked ass. And I didn't mind one bit that his songs would have extensive instrumental sections. All the above are in evidence in this great tune, "Heat in the Street," from the superb album of the same name:



Pat always fills his band with incredible musicians and generously gives them plenty of room to stretch out and flex their musical muscles. The classic live album Go For What You Know is a powerful example of that.



And of course I have a soft spot for instrumental rock; Pat produced a great one on his classic Puttin' It Straight album, called "Off Beat Ride."



Puttin' It Straight is a personal favorite. This whole album has a great vibe, with a magical combination of great songs, musicians and production. I first heard of Pat through this album, shortly after it came out in 1977. Once I discovered it, I just couldn't stop listening to it, and I still do.

Pat is still around, playing shows and kicking ass; check him out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pattraversband. He keeps his schedule updated there, and regularly posts about his influences and inspirations!


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Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Influences and Inspirations: Brian Setzer

April 10: Happy birthday Brian Setzer.



I always liked the Stray Cats vibe. And I truly admired Brian Setzer, after the Cats broke up, for committing to a huge big band that enables him to go deep into the all the branches that intertwine with the rockabilly that he started out on: country, swing jazz, rock and roll. A great bandleader and entertainer, he has never stopped becoming an even better guitar player, as this rendition of Sleepwalk surely shows.



I never get tired of his ability to seamlessly blend all his influences into a hugely entertaining package that is raucous fun and high energy, while never skimping on musicianship and marvelous sophisticated band arrangements.

http://www.briansetzer.com/


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Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Influences and Inspirations: Steve Gadd

April 9 - Happy birthday Steve Gadd.



What, I'm reviewing a drummer? Yes, well, the fact is, great drummers have always excited and inspired me. And all of them respect and admire Steve Gadd. He is, of course, most often heard doing the famous drum riff on Paul Simon's "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, " and the brilliant drum solo on Steely Dan's "Aja."

I heard and absorbed Steve's utterly unique style back in the late 70's from a number of albums by Chick Corea and Al Dimeola that Steve was on.

The song "Nite Sprite," from Chick Corea's Leprechaun album shows that Chick knew what kind of mega-talent he was working with, and gave him some very demanding music to play. Listen to the clip below to hear how Steve rose to the challenge. Awesome, musical and beautiful drumming. http://www.drstevegadd.com/




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Influences and Inspirations: Carl Perkins

April 9 - Happy birthday Carl Perkins.



Perkins was one of the earliest, best and most successful in the style known as rockabilly. That makes him one of rock's founding fathers, people. He hung with dudes like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. He scored a massive hit with his song "Blue Suede Shoes," selling more and charting higher than Elvis's later version. I know it might sound quaint and tame today, but you have to listen and imagine, in the bland pop culture of the 1950's, how electrifying it was to hear something like this for the first time. Elvis may have been the superstar celebrity, but Perkins was a genuine musician who influenced and inspired the likes of The Beatles, Eric Clapton and need I say, Brian Setzer. So give some props to an essential early rock icon.

Here's a cool 3-minute mini-documentary on Carl Perkins, with some discussion of his classic song, "Honey Don't."



Blue Suede Shoes, Rock Around The Clock, Roll Over Beethoven - these and other early rock and roll classics had a huge influence on those who followed, and opened the floodgates for generations to express their creativity, their rebellion, the sheer power of youth. Musicians I love, like Clapton, Hendrix and the Beatles, were not shy about paying tribute to their early rock and roll heroes, while at the same time boldly pushing the music forward in new and unexpected directions. For example:

Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart, "Jailhouse Rock," 1969:



and Jimi Hendrix's incendiary live version of "Johnny B. Goode," 1970:



Rock and roll, everybody.

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Monday, April 8, 2013

Influences and Inspirations: Steve Howe

April 8 - Happy birthday Steve Howe.


It's hard to know where to start when discussing a guitarist whose influence on me has been as huge, and whose best work still inspires me as much as Steve Howe.

Steve Howe was the first guitarist who firmly implanted the idea in my mind that being stuck in one genre was neither interesting or even necessary, but also, that whatever you decide to play, you must do it the best you can and with as much feeling and commitment as you can. Steve played in a rock band with symphonic inclinations, but his big influences were jazz guitarists like Barney Kessel, and country legend Chet Atkins. And he allowed those influences, and others, to show as much as he wanted. Add in some classical, flamenco and ragtime, a penchant for unusual instruments, and a flair for pedal steel guitar, and you have a guitarist with amazing creative energy that was always turning in unexpected directions. This led to him being voted Best Overall Guitarist in the Guitar Player magazine's reader's poll, five years in a row. The only others to accomplish that happened to be two other genre-defying guitar giants, who I also rank among my biggest influences: Steve Morse and Eric Johnson.

For me, as a classical guitar student all the way back to high school, "Mood For A Day" and "Roundabout" were ingrained in my fingers very early on. But I have equally admired his genre-busting creative energy always flowing in so many directions; and his early performances, with their high intensity just-go-for-it vibe, are still riveting.

The song below, "Sound Chaser," from the Relayer album, captures all that for me in one stunning song.

UltimateClassicRock.com has a pretty good "top 10 solos" list for Steve Howe, with some very well written commentary. Click here to read and listen. I concur with most of their choices but would have to add a few others. How about you?

I have happily labored over a great number of Steve's guitar parts for many years, and been blessed with the chance to play a number of Yes songs with my band Hectic Red over the years; most recently we unveiled a Yes medley. I definitely play them in tribute to Steve. http://www.stevehowe.com/




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