Comments on: T.I. and…MAIL CALL!!! http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/ The takeover. The break's over. Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:14:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Ed R http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/comment-page-1/#comment-270718 Ed R Tue, 11 Mar 2008 01:08:22 +0000 http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/#comment-270718 It is difficult to compare various guitarists, using only one or two different criterias. I am not a musically trained professional, so my opinion is only my opinion. Many of the live recordings of Hendrix were wreck by poor auditorium acoustics, tape recording problems, and equipment failure. When Hendrix was fatiqued or angry, he would sometimes not tune, between songs, or even diliberately. Contrary to the old days bull crap out there, Hendrix was not an alcoholic or a drug addict. If he drank more than two beers or one joint, his playing quality went down a little, and he would blend songs together. He was not concerned about being unsloppy at times. But to say he was a sloppy guitarist or not technically proficent would be a mistake. Watch the Double DVD definitive Woodstock Concert. You will see just how amazing he is. This guy could play with either hand, with the guitar either way or with the strings either way. He used unconventional strings on some of his guitars. Though not a classical guitar, he had to had studied almost every style. Listen to Instrumental Improvisation. Some people claim he was just a lead guitarist, however, I have heard him do rhythm guitar, and I have compared it with Djanjo Rienhardt, and I believe he has surpassed him slightly in that. His innovative work with feedback, wha wha, etc. is also unsurpassed. Though Segovia was the best on Classical guitar and in perfect execution notes and could read the music and trained himself, if you took all that Hendrix could do on the guitar and did, I don't think that either could beat each other, they would be opposite orange. I believe from some accounts that they were better than Pagainni. Some people are saying that he is not the fastest guitarist, I have heard extensive hours of Hendrix, I have never heard anyone play so fast and at the same play more than one thing. I got songs, I have put along DiMeola, and others and they simply cannot keep up. The emotion, intensity, the power, is incredible. Hendrix thought that Segovia was the greatest guitarist and that B. B. King was the best Blues Guitarist. He called them the real masters. Segovia made a statement one time, according to something I read on the internet where he thought that Hendrix was better than him, after comparing everything. When he plays, like at Woodstock, he uses all the parts of his fingers, almost all of it unconventional. He uses the callouses on the bottom of his fingers, the sides of his fingers. He consolidates notes. He runs his fingers up and the fret board, these big hands, like a hummingbird, and then you notice that he is just looking out at the audience, doing it effortlessly, sometimes like it's all inside of him. I would defy any guitarist to try to do that. They simply can't yet. I never forget him. Listen to Drifting, Jam 292, Easy Blues, Berkeley Hear My Train Set 1, Isle of Wight Redhouse, Isle of Wight In From the Storm, Woodstock Purple Haze, Instrumenta Improvisation, Villanova Junction Blues, Villanova Junction Jam, Midnight, Star Spangled Banner (Studio Version), Fillmore East Machine Gun Set 1 01-01-70, Fillmore East Stepping Stone, same set, Fillmore East Burning Desire, same set, L A Forum I Don't Live Today 04-26-69, Maui Voodoo Chile Set 1, Maui Dolly Dagger, Albert Hall Rehearsal Hound Dog 1 02-24-69. There are many more, but these are some good ones here. Most of these are available at the store, contrary to popular belief. It is difficult to compare various guitarists, using only one or two different criterias. I am not a musically trained professional, so my opinion is only my opinion. Many of the live recordings of Hendrix were wreck by poor auditorium acoustics, tape recording problems, and equipment failure. When Hendrix was fatiqued or angry, he would sometimes not tune, between songs, or even diliberately. Contrary to the old days bull crap out there, Hendrix was not an alcoholic or a drug addict. If he drank more than two beers or one joint, his playing quality went down a little, and he would blend songs together. He was not concerned about being unsloppy at times. But to say he was a sloppy guitarist or not technically proficent would be a mistake. Watch the Double DVD definitive Woodstock Concert. You will see just how amazing he is. This guy could play with either hand, with the guitar either way or with the strings either way. He used unconventional strings on some of his guitars. Though not a classical guitar, he had to had studied almost every style. Listen to Instrumental Improvisation. Some people claim he was just a lead guitarist, however, I have heard him do rhythm guitar, and I have compared it with Djanjo Rienhardt, and I believe he has surpassed him slightly in that. His innovative work with feedback, wha wha, etc. is also unsurpassed. Though Segovia was the best on Classical guitar and in perfect execution notes and could read the music and trained himself, if you took all that Hendrix could do on the guitar and did, I don’t think that either could beat each other, they would be opposite orange. I believe from some accounts that they were better than Pagainni. Some people are saying that he is not the fastest guitarist, I have heard extensive hours of Hendrix, I have never heard anyone play so fast and at the same play more than one thing. I got songs, I have put along DiMeola, and others and they simply cannot keep up. The emotion, intensity, the power, is incredible. Hendrix thought that Segovia was the greatest guitarist and that B. B. King was the best Blues Guitarist. He called them the real masters. Segovia made a statement one time, according to something I read on the internet where he thought that Hendrix was better than him, after comparing everything. When he plays, like at Woodstock, he uses all the parts of his fingers, almost all of it unconventional. He uses the callouses on the bottom of his fingers, the sides of his fingers. He consolidates notes. He runs his fingers up and the fret board, these big hands, like a hummingbird, and then you notice that he is just looking out at the audience, doing it effortlessly, sometimes like it’s all inside of him. I would defy any guitarist to try to do that. They simply can’t yet. I never forget him. Listen to Drifting, Jam 292, Easy Blues, Berkeley Hear My Train Set 1, Isle of Wight Redhouse, Isle of Wight In From the Storm, Woodstock Purple Haze, Instrumenta Improvisation, Villanova Junction Blues, Villanova Junction Jam, Midnight, Star Spangled Banner (Studio Version), Fillmore East Machine Gun Set 1 01-01-70, Fillmore East Stepping Stone, same set, Fillmore East Burning Desire, same set, L A Forum I Don’t Live Today 04-26-69, Maui Voodoo Chile Set 1, Maui Dolly Dagger, Albert Hall Rehearsal Hound Dog 1 02-24-69. There are many more, but these are some good ones here. Most of these are available at the store, contrary to popular belief.

]]> By: Pendejo http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/comment-page-1/#comment-117385 Pendejo Tue, 25 Sep 2007 09:26:42 +0000 http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/#comment-117385 Maaan, I thought we were all living in democracies. I guess not Maaan, I thought we were all living in democracies. I guess not

]]> By: Pendejo http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/comment-page-1/#comment-117380 Pendejo Tue, 25 Sep 2007 09:24:19 +0000 http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/#comment-117380 HMMM, why was my post removed? A little too provocative huh? HMMM, why was my post removed? A little too provocative huh?

]]> By: Pajero http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/comment-page-1/#comment-116566 Pajero Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:14:44 +0000 http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/#comment-116566 OK OK people, let's get one thing straight here. We all seem to be missing the point, and that is, the difference between pioneering greatness and playing ability. Hendrix was definitely a rock pioneer, there is no disputing this. The question is, how does he measure up PURELY as a guitar player against the greats before and after him? Let us compare him with an authentic guitar phenomenon like John McLaughlin, for example. Technically speaking, there is no comparison, McLaughlin by a country mile. Variety, again McLaughlin has covered styles ranging from Jazz, Rock, and all the way to more complex styles such as flamenco etc. McLaughlin's technique is near perfect. Hendrix on the other hand, had a very simple arsenal in comparison. There are many more examples like McLaughlin, such as Al Di Meola, Steve Lukather etc etc who have an astronomical technical advantage over Hendrix. It's funny how this always seems to turn into a Black Vs White issue with everyone on this blog, so here's a little salt for the wounds of you Afrocentrics out there. I always come across the same old worn out argument that black guitarists feel the instrument where as white guitar players are soulless, and purely methodical. Well, I do agree that white players in general tend to be more methodical and calculating, and this is evident in the fact that the most outstanding, technically impressive guitarists tend to be white. As far as "feel" is concerned, well, this is another generalisation. Pulling funny faces as you hit a bum note is not "feel" in my books, that's just a fuck up if you ask me. To this day, the most soulful guitar playing I've ever encountered has come from the fingers of white guitarists, so that argument is dead as far as I and many other guitar lovers are concerned. I've also noticed a close correlation between "feel" and sloppiness. It seems to me that many players out there have used the term "feel" in an attempt to mask limitations, or laziness. This is certainly the case with the likes of Hendrix, who in reality was a sloppy guitarist. He was a great composer, songwriter, and incredible performer though, and let us not forget, a great singer. THESE are the qualities that elevated him as a musician as far as I'm concerned, and in turn elevated him into immortality as an instrumentalist. In a way, it complemented his guitar work, and compensated for any limitations in his playing. OK OK people, let’s get one thing straight here. We all seem to be missing the point, and that is, the difference between pioneering greatness and playing ability. Hendrix was definitely a rock pioneer, there is no disputing this. The question is, how does he measure up PURELY as a guitar player against the greats before and after him?
Let us compare him with an authentic guitar phenomenon like John McLaughlin, for example. Technically speaking, there is no comparison, McLaughlin by a country mile. Variety, again McLaughlin has covered styles ranging from Jazz, Rock, and all the way to more complex styles such as flamenco etc. McLaughlin’s technique is near perfect. Hendrix on the other hand, had a very simple arsenal in comparison. There are many more examples like McLaughlin, such as Al Di Meola, Steve Lukather etc etc who have an astronomical technical advantage over Hendrix.

It’s funny how this always seems to turn into a Black Vs White issue with everyone on this blog, so here’s a little salt for the wounds of you Afrocentrics out there. I always come across the same old worn out argument that black guitarists feel the instrument where as white guitar players are soulless, and purely methodical. Well, I do agree that white players in general tend to be more methodical and calculating, and this is evident in the fact that the most outstanding, technically impressive guitarists tend to be white.

As far as “feel” is concerned, well, this is another generalisation. Pulling funny faces as you hit a bum note is not “feel” in my books, that’s just a fuck up if you ask me. To this day, the most soulful guitar playing I’ve ever encountered has come from the fingers of white guitarists, so that argument is dead as far as I and many other guitar lovers are concerned. I’ve also noticed a close correlation between “feel” and sloppiness. It seems to me that many players out there have used the term “feel” in an attempt to mask limitations, or laziness.

This is certainly the case with the likes of Hendrix, who in reality was a sloppy guitarist. He was a great composer, songwriter, and incredible performer though, and let us not forget, a great singer. THESE are the qualities that elevated him as a musician as far as I’m concerned, and in turn elevated him into immortality as an instrumentalist. In a way, it complemented his guitar work, and compensated for any limitations in his playing.

]]> By: D-Wil http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/comment-page-1/#comment-20688 D-Wil Sun, 15 Apr 2007 07:39:20 +0000 http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/#comment-20688 Only crackers and non-musicians would think Eric - "i tried all my life to play like Robert Johnson but just can't do it" Clapton is a better guitarist than J.H. In fact, James Patrick Page and Hendrix are THE only two geniuses of their genre and time. Imagine Clapton trying to play (Have You Ever Been to) Electric Ladyland or any number of Jimi ballads.... Just like imagine Clapton trying to play "Black Mountain Side" (which is stolen from Bert Jansch's "Black Water Side") or Bron-Yr-Aur.... It's Not Happening! Clapton could never, ever play with such soul - not even the folk soul of his own region..... And if you wanna get really deep, you need to check out Jansch and Django's cousin on "Dizzy Plays Monaco" because there you'll find the roots of "Voodoo Child." As far as you Bomani, since when did being a music critic make a person an expert in music? I mean, if you said I play or played so-and-so instrument, then okay.... it kind of like the sportwriter trying to relate to readers what goes on in an athlete's mind without allowing an athlete to attmept to relate the feeling. As a musician and a sportswriter who has played professional sports I'v'e always found music critics like the ones at Rolling Stone who forever panned Zeppelin and sportswriters who've never played sports the worst. TELL ME if you know what it feels like to hit a not that makes you cry. TELL ME if you what it feels like to be down match point after having missed your first serve.... if you can't don't talk for me. It's kinda like white people who attempt to write of black experience - they funny, man - funny. Only crackers and non-musicians would think Eric - “i tried all my life to play like Robert Johnson but just can’t do it” Clapton is a better guitarist than J.H. In fact, James Patrick Page and Hendrix are THE only two geniuses of their genre and time.

Imagine Clapton trying to play (Have You Ever Been to) Electric Ladyland or any number of Jimi ballads…. Just like imagine Clapton trying to play “Black Mountain Side” (which is stolen from Bert Jansch’s “Black Water Side”) or Bron-Yr-Aur…. It’s Not Happening! Clapton could never, ever play with such soul - not even the folk soul of his own region…..

And if you wanna get really deep, you need to check out Jansch and Django’s cousin on “Dizzy Plays Monaco” because there you’ll find the roots of “Voodoo Child.”

As far as you Bomani, since when did being a music critic make a person an expert in music? I mean, if you said I play or played so-and-so instrument, then okay…. it kind of like the sportwriter trying to relate to readers what goes on in an athlete’s mind without allowing an athlete to attmept to relate the feeling.

As a musician and a sportswriter who has played professional sports I’v'e always found music critics like the ones at Rolling Stone who forever panned Zeppelin and sportswriters who’ve never played sports the worst.

TELL ME if you know what it feels like to hit a not that makes you cry. TELL ME if you what it feels like to be down match point after having missed your first serve…. if you can’t don’t talk for me.

It’s kinda like white people who attempt to write of black experience - they funny, man - funny.

]]> By: Dan http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/comment-page-1/#comment-20152 Dan Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:37:19 +0000 http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/#comment-20152 the Jimi comparison is fitting. Jimi is more than Rock music. Jimi is an icon. Hendrix was more Rock and Roll than Rock and Roll ever was or ever will be. He's the human incarnation of music. Tiger might not be on that level, but I get it. Tiger is more than Golf. Tiger is a brand. Tiger is an icon that surpasses golf. I'm not sure I'd go so far as to call him the perfect incarnation of the sport, but I aint nitpicking. Tiger is more an icon than Federer. Federer is only dominant in the world of tennis. He's confined by it. Tiger isnt. And neither was Jimi. the Jimi comparison is fitting.

Jimi is more than Rock music. Jimi is an icon. Hendrix was more Rock and Roll than Rock and Roll ever was or ever will be. He’s the human incarnation of music.

Tiger might not be on that level, but I get it. Tiger is more than Golf. Tiger is a brand. Tiger is an icon that surpasses golf. I’m not sure I’d go so far as to call him the perfect incarnation of the sport, but I aint nitpicking. Tiger is more an icon than Federer. Federer is only dominant in the world of tennis. He’s confined by it. Tiger isnt.

And neither was Jimi.

]]> By: Rex http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/comment-page-1/#comment-20016 Rex Wed, 11 Apr 2007 21:50:42 +0000 http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/#comment-20016 mdcase: I think R.S.'s poll is ONLY rock or mainstream guitarists. Yes, George Benson was absent as well as other great jazz guitarists like Earl Klugh and Stanley Jordan. And to REALLY let you know what a puffed up list it is, there was no Andres Segovia, Django Rinehardt, Leo Kottke nor Michael Hedges. Calling that list the "Greatest Ever" without the disclaimer "...in rock guitar" is like the NBA champs calling themselves the "World Champs," or any US sports franchise (they all do it, even though we compete only amongst ourselves). Thaps: There was a great Rolling Stone article two summers ago, with Jimi on the cover, about his first trip to England. Interesting read... It was all about Clapton, Townshend, and Beck's reaction to this Yankee coming over there and asking one night at a bar, "hey, can I play with you guys"--before they knew who he was. Based on his manager's rep, they let him. It was the last time he needed his manager's rep to get him anything... I've also heard stories about Stephen Stills and Jimi jamming late at night (they were tight) and the cops always being called on them, and then the cops staying to listen while the music got even louder! Stephen Stills, now THERE'S an underrated guitarist if there ever was one. mdcase:
I think R.S.’s poll is ONLY rock or mainstream guitarists. Yes, George Benson was absent as well as other great jazz guitarists like Earl Klugh and Stanley Jordan. And to REALLY let you know what a puffed up list it is, there was no Andres Segovia, Django Rinehardt, Leo Kottke nor Michael Hedges. Calling that list the “Greatest Ever” without the disclaimer “…in rock guitar” is like the NBA champs calling themselves the “World Champs,” or any US sports franchise (they all do it, even though we compete only amongst ourselves).

Thaps:
There was a great Rolling Stone article two summers ago, with Jimi on the cover, about his first trip to England. Interesting read… It was all about Clapton, Townshend, and Beck’s reaction to this Yankee coming over there and asking one night at a bar, “hey, can I play with you guys”–before they knew who he was. Based on his manager’s rep, they let him. It was the last time he needed his manager’s rep to get him anything…

I’ve also heard stories about Stephen Stills and Jimi jamming late at night (they were tight) and the cops always being called on them, and then the cops staying to listen while the music got even louder!

Stephen Stills, now THERE’S an underrated guitarist if there ever was one.

]]> By: mdcase http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/comment-page-1/#comment-19967 mdcase Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:51:04 +0000 http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/#comment-19967 I'm sorry but I have to end my lurking for a moment and speak up for a second because guitar and great guitarists are one of my passions. Any greatest guitarist discussion that does not mention George Benson is inherently flawed unless, of course, you guys are only referring to rock guitarists (one list up there has blues artists too). I like everyone that was put foward here but very few of these people have both the combination of speed, technical skill and improvisation ability of a Benson. If you have not heard Benson either on record or concert, I suggest you do so because you are missing an important part of your education...I'm through. I’m sorry but I have to end my lurking for a moment and speak up for a second because guitar and great guitarists are one of my passions. Any greatest guitarist discussion that does not mention George Benson is inherently flawed unless, of course, you guys are only referring to rock guitarists (one list up there has blues artists too). I like everyone that was put foward here but very few of these people have both the combination of speed, technical skill and improvisation ability of a Benson. If you have not heard Benson either on record or concert, I suggest you do so because you are missing an important part of your education…I’m through.

]]> By: Thaps http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/comment-page-1/#comment-19832 Thaps Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:58:37 +0000 http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/#comment-19832 Hendrix and Clapton did collaborate, but they never made it to wax. There are rumors out there of drunken jams in bars during pub crawls. Hendrix did play onstage with Cream once; Clapton felt insufficient enough during "Killing Floor" that he left the stage and watched Jimi play. Frank Zappa did something similar and the mustached dude had chops too. I feel lucky to be watching Tiger and Roger play. We are watching two men compete at such a high level that they will more than likely go down as "the best to ever play [their games]". Hendrix and Clapton did collaborate, but they never made it to wax. There are rumors out there of drunken jams in bars during pub crawls. Hendrix did play onstage with Cream once; Clapton felt insufficient enough during “Killing Floor” that he left the stage and watched Jimi play.

Frank Zappa did something similar and the mustached dude had chops too.

I feel lucky to be watching Tiger and Roger play. We are watching two men compete at such a high level that they will more than likely go down as “the best to ever play [their games]“.

]]> By: Mr. Rite http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/comment-page-1/#comment-19791 Mr. Rite Tue, 10 Apr 2007 19:41:46 +0000 http://www.bomanijones.com/blog/2007/04/09/ti-andmail-call/#comment-19791 Looks like the Dukie consensus was about the same as yours on the TI performance... they're considering legal action -- http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=9046 Looks like the Dukie consensus was about the same as yours on the TI performance… they’re considering legal action —

http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=9046

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