Yeah, so this is a lazy playlist (click the playlist button bottom left for full set) or some of my favorite acts of axe heroism. Haven’t been in the mood to listen to much lately, stuff on my mind to sort. But Shane’s list last week (sorry love, i will get there, just haven’t had the brain space to give it the attention it deserves) reminded me that it’s probably time to get this series up and going again.
So free dates – claim as you wish. Repeat offenders welcome if you have new stuff to share.
Jan 15
Jan 22
Jan 29
Feb 5
Feb 12
Feb 19
That ought to get us started. Tech help available for any who need it.
Feel free to treat this as a challenge and post your own favorite selfless acts of axe heroism.
sorry to go off on a tangent on the first comment, but I was listening to the “Paranoid” LP at the weekend and thinking: is there a better, more rifftastic A-side in the history of rock?!!
“Warpigs”, “Paranoid”, “Iron Man”…..we’ll forget about “Planet Caravan”…..well, is there??!
No! But Paranoid is still such a perfect solo isn’t it!
I know you’re insanely busy these days, but would love to see a list from you if you can ever find the time…
incredible set there Amy, not a lot to fault, but definitely lose Joe Bonnamassa on the purely superficial grounds that all those ponytails, bandanas and ‘serious musician’ tortured face pulling seriously grossed me out!
I actually love that Joe Bonamassa cover. I think it’s actually him sort of covering Eric Johnson covering Hendrix. I don’t much like Eric Johnson’s though. He goes for the hippy dippy vibe and leaves out the Hendrix heaviness, and to his credit doesn’t even attempt to ape Hendrix’ sexy voice. But it still sort of leaves me cold.
Bonamassa could have gone for the deeper vocals and a closer to Hendrix version if he wanted to. But he sticks to the grooviness and absolutely kills that first solo. I could do without the gratituous girlies in the video though.
For a change, quite a lot of these are familiar – which actually makes it harder because it means I’m listening through a layer of prejudice – such as the fact that I’ve never liked CSNY, though that’s a nice bit of geetar. Free pass for Sabbath, Hendrix, Stones, Cult, Zappa, Funkadelic; enjoyed the Black Keys, willing to tolerate Page/Crowes and Bonnamassa. I remain completely unconvinced by the White Stripes – a cruder but more pretentious version of the John Spencer Blues Explosion without their energy and enthusiasm, as far as I’m concerned – so they’re for the chop.
yeah, the White Stripes solo is marmite. I almost included the live Seven Nation Army from the MTV awards, the best version i’ve heard yet, the solo nearly makes me weep in that one too. But i think i’ve posted it recently.
That Ohio solo is damn near perfect – but it has to be this one from 4-Way Street, not the studio version on Deja Vu.
Probably should have put in the live version of Immigrant Song instead of Page / Crowes, but i post that too much too.
Can I be mean ( yes ! I can) and say “Ditch them all”.
The only good guitar solo is a dead guitar solo, IMHO.
I’d rather hear someone play the spoons.
( Do have a soft spot for Paranoid though, so maybe keep that one).
Yeah, you can ditch them all. I said it was a lazy list, and most are going to be pretty familiar. And I imagine that an hour’s worth of axewank (axeholery?) isn’t going to be up everyone’s alley. Not going to be offended if people skip the list or toss them all.
No axetastic list would be complete though without Hocus Pocus, but that was on Ali’s list. She Sells Sanctuary was on Fintan’s. Probably would have put up Voodoo Child over Catfish, but i put that on Chris’ birthday thread. Might have tried to sneak on Pavement’s Summer Babe, but that made my own list.
Do need some volunteers for future lists though…
O.K.
Stick me down for one.
pick your date, they’re all open at this point.
I’ll do the first one, then.
Jan 15th.
You can ditch all mine in revenge !
No, no revenge necessary. And i loved your last list.
Next week is all yours then.
yay, the Love Removal Machineaya is my winner in a hard set to beat. I can’t say I’ve never got Joe Bonnamassa, but I did quite like that cover, so I have to drop Frank Zappa, I’m glad that he existed, but I can live without hearing him.
Great selection, Amy
visuals on Love Removal Machine didn’t hurt either
But i do think that Billy is a vastly underrated guitarist.
If no objections, i think i’ll grab Feb. 12 for meself. Hopefully i’ll be able to listen to some music before then.
I will listen to these when I’m in the right mood (though that may take a while
).
I’d like to volunteer for one of the empty slots, though I’ve already had a turn so don’t want to push ahead of anyone.
On another note, has anyone else noticed the weird variety of spam showing up on old posts?
No need to listen if you’re not in the mood, Barbryn. It was sort of slapped together because i just wanted to put up a sign up sheet. Pick any week you want, it’s yours. Pairubu has next week, and i have the 12th of Feb). We have a whole spring’s worth of slots upcoming so you’re not taking anyone else’s slot. Trying to get some new recruits from the mothership as well. Maybe Mr. Blimpy will even take a turn?
Yes, i’m noticing that i’m getting emails for comments on some very old posts.
You should see the amount of spam that DOES get caught in the spam filter by the blog elves. The spammers have grown cunning of late, and we did get a massive spamstorm recently.
yes, kind of random spam, comments that don’t relate to anything. Wonder why we’re attracting that kind of attention? And can anyone delete them?
I’ve been marking the one’s on my posts as spam or trashing them – I think you have to delete the one’s connected with your own posts.
Don’t know why they are getting through – the spam catcher looks like it’s on – but I don’t have the keys to this blog so don’t rightly know.
Blimpy! Where are you?
Right, I may not last much longer than barbryn, but here goes…
Black Sabbath: Well, it’s a classic, no? Sort of undeniable. And really rather listenable (even if Ozzy’s vocals are a bit ho hum). Keep.
CSNY: Less keen on this. Yes, I know it’s another classic. And probably a very important protest song, etc. It’s just a bit nod-plod-nod-plod rhythm-wise. But it sounds like they mean it. So keep. Probably.
The White Stripes: I still don’t really get what’s so good/original about them. But this is sort of fun. And brief. Keep.
Jimi Hendrix: I’m afraid I’ve never thought he made a very appealing noise (impressive, raucous, energising even, yes; appealing, no). And I don’t really like the blues. So this is on a hiding to nothing for me. And it’s too long. And now there’s a drum solo. Of all things. Might be one for the dumper. (Sacrilege, etc!)
The Black Keys: Are these just The White Stripes under a slightly different name? I can’t help picturing listeners nodding meaningfully in time as they stroke their beards. Probably wearing too much stonewashed denim. But I preferred it to Jimi. Keep.
Rolling Stones: Well, this is so much better than anything since Sabbath. (And much better than that too.) Keep. Obvs.
Black Crowes: Do we have them here, the Black Crowes? I only really know them from the singer being the ex Mr Kate Hudson (I think). And that cover of Hard to Handle, I suppose. Well… it’s OK. I can’t hear what he’s singing, but maybe that’s not the point. I’m not going to make it to 7.51, I’m afraid. This is making me ache to hear some simple, honest, unshowy synthwork. Yazoo’s “Only You” may have to be a palate cleanser before the next batch…
“I’m afraid I’ve never thought he made a very appealing noise (impressive, raucous, energising even, yes; appealing, no). And I don’t really like the blues”
Oooh ! You went there !
I totally agree. I don’t find Mr H at all listenable, I can admire his dexterity ( a lot of it was tricks and volume though) etc but he doesn’t make a noise that appeals to me.
The Blues I like/don’t like according to mood. I just wish they’d cheer up a bit !
Funnily enough, if you think about it , the Chicago blues guys ( and gals) were actually the success stories. They had escaped from the grinding drudgery of the rural South ( and exchanged it for the grinding drudgery of the industrial Mid-West).
I don’t see why they had anything much to moan about.
Definitely a case of “Cheer up, mate, it could be worse”.
Hendrix totally hits the spot for me, and i love his sounds. But i’ve been listening to his blues lately – some i love, and some aren’t all that at all, i don’t think he’s much of a bluesman at heart actually. He’s kind of a rocker to the core i think. (Never wanted to get into this on the mothership, but i’m actually with Chinny there as opposed to Webby, i think he’s the first heavy metallist too. But Webby knows a lot more than i do.)
That’s better! Right, where were we?…
The Cult: Ooh, I know this one. It’s The Cult’s upbeat song, isn’t it? (It’s not “Edie, Ciao Baby”, basically.) Does he keep saying “prime mover”? I find myself thinking of Zodiac Mindwarp. And that doesn’t happen very often. Keep. If only cos Billy Duffy used to be hot. “Last chance to boogie!” Ha ha ha ha ha!
Frank Zappa: Oh no, I had to listen to this one in Rodents week. Really not my thing. Sorry Frank.
Maggot Brain: 9.53, Amy? You lure me in with your 1.21 White Stripes freakout blasts and then start trying to slip these lengthy noodlefests past me? Tsk. Better than Frank. I’ll give it that. I bailed at 4.30 – did I miss anything?
Joe Bonamassa: 15.23?!? You are shitting me. I always assumed this chap was black. Not really sure why. OK, I don’t like guitar solos much but that’s a good guitar solo. But I’m quitting while I’m ahead with Joe (around the six-minute mark).
I’m afraid I’m zapping Zappa too. I’m sure he was a good thing but I don’t really want to put my ears through him. Or put him through my ears. Now for a quick spot of Human League…
Not (in general) my kind of thing either.
However:
Loved Paranoid and Ohio. Always have, always will.
Liked the White Stripes and Hendrix.
The Stones – this has never been one of my favourites but it kind of evokes its period of time.
Hate Zappa’s later stuff and don’t like many of the earlier tracks despite liking his schoolmate Captain Beefheart and his protégé (?) Larry Fischer. This was ok – ish. Went on too long though.
Maggot Brain, I’d not heard before. I much prefer Funkadelic to be funkier than this but it had its own appeal once I’d got used to the thing – and I had plenty of time to do that.
Didn’t like the others at all. Joe Bonamassa was interminable and I found the Cult, the Black Crowes and Keys a bit boring too.
I think if push came to shove I’d shove Joe Bonamassa.
Sorry to be so negative. Like you say this kind of music isn’t everybody’s flagon of mead. All of them sounded better the second time around since you ask.
Thanks to everyone for listening. Feeling pretty bad about that actually – i really didn’t expect anyone to except for maybe DsD,Beth, Carole and Panth! Figured most people knew them already. Was really just to post a sign up sheet!
I guess i should figure that maybe you all listened because you miss the series? That’s what we’re here for then.
Promise my real playlist in a few weeks will not be so insufferable – might even be some Barbryn frienly stuff on it!
Awww !
I feel bad now !
It’s not about you, amylee, honest, it’s me…..I just can’t get on with show offs ( guitarwise).
It’s a “punk” thing , for me, there was nothing more reviled in ’76 than a guitar solo.
I even thought the Ramones “sold out” with the lengthy guitar solo on Don’t Come Close, a great betrayal ( at the time).
Personally I don’t think the guitar makes a great solo instrument. I prefer to treat mine as “drums with strings” ( it’s not that I’m a totally rubbish player or anything, of course).
If nothing else I appreciate the efforts of anyone who posts here.
Pairubu, don’t feel bad! Please! I meant it to be a sort of joke playlist (even though i personally think it rocks!) I know it’s not up most people’s alley, and if i was serious about posting a guitar playlist that i had hoped and expected others to listen to thoughtfully, i would have put some more effort into it.
I really hope Barbryn doesn’t feel obligated to listen!
I actually do listen to other stuff, and my real playlist in a few weeks will hopefully reflect this…
I feel a bit bad too – only mitigated by knowing/feeling that Amy has a thicker skin than me and can more than take it! I was actually surprised by how much I found to enjoy. I’ve never chosen to listen to “Paranoid”, for example (although I have heard it before). Doing so deliberately, it turned out to be pretty enjoyable.
Put it this way guys -
Pairubu could have easily put up a list of the likes Wing and Heino instead of Syd and the Queers, and my reaction would not have been dissimilar to the one he had to my axewank. And Bish could have easily put up a list of electronic dance disco and Adele and Paris Hilton – ditto.
True true…
Late, sorry. Right up my street really as a playlist, although can’t say I’m a big fan of Black Sabbath,The Stones or Frank Zappa but I grew up with them and don’t feel that I dislike them. The White Stripes, however, are a different matter and they can go into the recycling bin for me. No regrets on that one.
I’m getting spam comments too, have just deleted them?
Thanks Amylee, I don’t mind doing another list sometime if people can stand it but later rather than sooner, if you have spare dates.
Ali -
Take any date you want, and if you want later, don’t feel tied to the ones i have up there. Take any Tuesday after those that you want, if those are too soon.
Here’s a thing: I like riffs. So “Paranoid” and “Gimme Shelter” can definitely stay. I like the White Stripes a lot, though wouldn’t say this was their finest 80 seconds. “Ohio” is a good song, but the axery doesn’t contribute anything for me.
The rest I can easily live without – the one that got most on my wick was Jimmy Page with the Black Crowes, so that goes.
I’ll take the Jan 22 slot, shall I?
You shall, the 22nd is yours!
I almost kind of agree with you on Page / Crowes. He just had too much pent up there i think. The live Immigrant Song with Led Zep would have been a much better call.
Anyone doing the 29th? I could have another go then. Or 19th Feb. But there’s probably people further up the queue than me, so feel free to bung me down for whenever, Amy! x
It’s a good idea to have a listen to the kind of music that isn’t really “up your street” now and then. I feel worse when I don’t listen or comment on a post because it’s not really my thing.
Incidentally, if I’d just seen the list of artists I would have said that I wouldn’t like the Zappa track at all and would probably love Funkadelic.
The fact that both assumptions were wrong made it worth coming along for the ride.
I quite like the (very) occasional guitar solo myself. Neil Young, Dave Gilmour and John Martyn generally do it for me.
Oh and if I come up with another playlist of my own can you bear the thought of doing all that technical stuff again??
Of course i can do that tech stuff, that’s why i’m here.
It’s a really good idea i think to listen to stuff that’s not up my street, that’s why i’m here! Although i’m pretty open to most stuff, it’s especially nice to find from the likes of Aba and Nilpf that i really do like some jazz more than i thought i did. And i pretty much discovered post-rock stuff from people on here, dunno if i would have ever stumbled on it otherwise.
I’m in situations in real life via jobs that i’m forced to compromise with others on music. It can be a challenge because i generally work with people a lot younger than myself. A few jobs ago, 90′s grunge was where we all compromised. Last job, we had to listen to godawful pop shit when the place was open, but after hours we were all happy with classic vinyl, Deadjams, or soul.
Current job now is a bit tougher. One guy around 30 and i are very happy with blues. The college kids like a range of stuff from techno dance shit to Nashville country (both anathema to me). Blessedly one girl and i are both happy with Alice in Chains and Nirvana. But we all seem to be pretty happy with the likes of classic rock, Brucie, and the Dead. They know this stuff from their parents. And even if i’m maybe gritting my teeth when i work with the country guy (not him, he’s a dear, but the tunes), he also mixes in some Deadjams and Phishjams in there that are certainly more than agreeable to me.
Amy – has anyone taken Feb 19th yet? I’ve got an assignment due Feb. 15th, so I’ll be busy up until then, but putting together a playlist will be a good way to wind down after that……
Ok, then – for now we have -
Jan 15 – Pairubu
Jan 22 – Barbryn
Jan 29 – Bish
Feb 5 – open – maybe we can get Beltway in here? Or Severin?
Feb 12 – Amy
Feb 19 – Panther
Feb 26 -
March 5 -
March 12 -
March 19 -
March 26 -
I’ll do Feb 26th, all being well.
it’s yours!
what an excellent and fun set, lazy or no–thanks…I have many guitar solos I am fond of (and feel obliged to mention Duane Allman here) but am also inclined to really fine rhythm guitarists–Lou Reed is one of my favorites.
you know, i certainly thought of Layla – also i b-listed Moe Tucker’s Fired Up a few weeks ago, with some seriuosly fine axework by Lou…
Came to me when i did my guru stint that Robert Smith was quite a fine guitarist too.
Amy,
Sorry for not getting round to this, but I’ve found it almost impossible to listen to anything other than Richard Hawley since a copy of Standing At The Sky’s Edge finally hit my speakers last week. Now if you want a collection of ace solos …
Anyroadup, if there are no other takers, I’ll have Feb 5th, but as we’ve changed the player, I may have to go back to asking for help posting the tunes.
Can we not still use the old player if we want to? I don’t know how to do the new one either…
It’s basically the same method, but everything comes with html, which you have to strip out before adding the [audio ] part.
I’ll write up new instructions if you like.
I’ve just done a test player, bishbosh, and it came out the same as always. It’s just the uploading process that’s a bit different. So I still don’t know how to use the new player, but as the old one is still working I’m fine!
Been a bit run down & pressed for time lately but this axe fest picked me up some. I was going to go for utter sacrilege & toss Gimme Shelter, based solely on the Let It Be version being so perfect I can only hear omissions on the live versions. Thankfully Jimmy & the Black Crows have rescued me from that precarious perch & it’s they can take me dive off the cliff. I’m up for Feb. 5th if it’s open.
Well we all need someone we can be on
And if you want it, you can be on me…
D’oh! Here’s some letters I found lying a bout *le*d. Told you I was tired. Does give it a less dire image though. March 19th it is then.
Hope you and Murph are having fun on the slopes.
Sorry folks, i’ve been really lax about my checking emails here. So an updated list – If ok, let us know, if you want a different date, ditto.
Jan 15 – Pairubu
Jan 22 – Barbryn
Jan 29 – Bish
Feb 5 – DsD?
Feb 12 – Amy
Feb 19 – Panther
Feb 26 – Ali
March 5 – Severin?
March 12 – Punky?
March 19 – Fintan?
March 26 -
I went by times posted…first called, first served…
Updated update -
Jan 15 – Pairubu
Jan 22 – Barbryn
Jan 29 – Bish
Feb 5 – DsD?
Feb 12 – Amy
Feb 19 – Panther
Feb 26 – Ali
March 5 – Severin
March 12 – Punky
March 19 – Fintan
March 26 – Beltway
April 2 -
April 9 -
April 16 -
April 23 -
April 30 -
happy new year Amy … enjoyed this while cooking .. grand list …