My five
Guitarists I like
First of all, these are not rankings. Just five guitarists I like.
It kicks off with The Boss. Bruce Springsteen is justifiably lauded for music, his epic stage shows and his relationship with the E-Street Band and his fans.
However, his guitar skills are often overlooked. Just listen to the intro to “Prove it All” night above and you can hear the tenacity and desire of the song’s narrator to do so.
“Kitty’s Back” is one of my favourite Springsteen songs. He doesn’t play it live, often enough for my liking. While it is a workout for just about the entire band, a little bit of patience will give you some great guitar work by Springsteen. Make sure your you listen all the way through. https://music.amazon.co.uk/albums/B08LK7HW7X?marketplaceId=A1F83G8C2ARO7P&musicTerritory=GB&ref=dm_sh_Zmg3pdwTb9P0UYWfThnY0iJRL&trackAsin=B08LKQHZJ8
Of course, with Nils Lofgren in the band, Bruce might not be the best guitarist in his own band.
Mark Knopfler is still best known as the leader of Dire Straits and probably their best-known song is “The Walk of Life.” In my opinion, this song does little to show off Knopfler’s style. I believe Knopfler is underrated. He’s not flashy, he fingerpicks. Most of the time, he’s very subtle and almost understated. But, when he stretches out as he does on “Telegraph Road” and other extended pieces. It’s something to behold, especially live.
Probably mostly known for his windmilling arm, guitar smashing and his excellent songwriting, Pete Townshend is often overlooked as a guitar player. Roger Daltrey has said nobody can sing Pete’s songs like he can. Nobody can play Pete’s songs like the man himself.
From “My Generation to “Going Mobile” and so many others Pete shows a lot of versatility from power chords to more subtle work, especially on some of his solo work, such “Let My Love Open the Door” it seems Townshend can just about play anything.
I’m not going to post any links, call it homework, you can look it up and tell me what you think of Pete.
Getting down to the nitty-gritty with my last two picks.
It’s hard to believe Joe Strummer has been dead for nearly 20 years. (He died on 22 December 2002.) However, the music he made with The Clash, still possibly the only band that matters, as well as his solo work and with the Mescaleros still lives on and still sounds as vital as ever.
Nobody has ever claimed, Strummer is a virtuoso. It’s the feeling and touch his fretwork brings to the music, whether he’s playing lead or rhythm guitar.
If you haven’t listened to The Clash or any of Joe’s work, shame on you. Go and do so right now. You won’t regret it. If you are familiar with it, listen to it again. There wasn’t it wonderful.
Finally, last but not least, a quintessential English singer and songwriter, the Modfather himself - Paul Weller.
He first became known as the leader of The Jam, which had a string of hit singles in the UK, including “Going Underground,” “Eton Rifles, “A Town Called Malice,” and “Beat Surrender.” The last single released by The Jam.
Weller has a huge range of influences, starting with The Who and The Beatles (He and Bruce Foxton both played Rickenbackers on stage. Both The Who and the Beatles used Rickenbackers extensively in the 1960s.)
Weller and The Jam started a Mod-revival with Weller riding a Lambretta Scooter. There’s no information whether he ever went down to Brighton on it, though.
After playing mostly playing power guitar like early Townshend, Weller shifted gears and broke up The Jam. His next project, The Style Council had a more jazzy feel and Weller’s playing became more restrained. His solo work is a mix of styles.
He has often been showered with praise from critics and music writers. Even such a bastion of the right-wing establishment The Daily Telegraph praised him, writing
Apart from David Bowie, it’s hard to think of any British solo artist who's had as varied, long-lasting and determinedly forward-looking a career.
Admittingly, political views did play a big role in my choices. All of them are left-wing or leaning that way. Just remember, I judge right and left by British standards, not those in the USA. Like Weller, I supported Jeremy Corbyn and ended up leaving the Labour Party and finding a new political home.
After some searching, I did and it’s The Breakthrough Party.
It stands for what the Labour Party used to do when it truly represented working people and fought for the downtrodden and to make in Roddy Frame’s words - “A life that’s fit for living.”
Another day, I could pick a different five. There are only two kinds of music to me - good and bad. And, what I think as bad may surprise you. Perhaps another post sometime.
Just to let you know, I will be setting a paid subscription option in the next few days. Most of my content will be free and I’m working on what I can offer for paid subscribers. My first thought was a night on the town with me, but I don’t think I could find time to be fair to all the female subscribers.