Music?

[venuse]

scatman hahaha, havent heard that song in years. whats weird is that some of his other songs had a type of rap sound too them but they sounded good, and filled with a since of wonder and open mindedness. if rap was like scatman john's music i would gladly listen to it.

[Scotty]

For fans of the electric guitar mixed with an orchestra, I present to you one of the most artistic, beautiful pieces I've ever listened to, here's Steve Vai's grammy-nominated work of art: "Lotus Feet":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CfEaSmdtGU&ob=av3e

[Hikarikuen]

For fans of the electric guitar mixed with an orchestra, I present to you one of the most artistic, beautiful pieces I've ever listened to, here's Steve Vai's grammy-nominated work of art: "Lotus Feet":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CfEaSmdtGU&ob=av3e

I've never really been a fan of Steve Vai; I mean, he's one of the most technically skilled guitarists out there, but he still manages to seem a bit on the pretentious side. Plus his face somehow reminds me of Jim Varney, which is just disturbing.

So I see your Steve Vai and raise you Jeff Beck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0hk6un_VTg

[Scotty]

For fans of the electric guitar mixed with an orchestra, I present to you one of the most artistic, beautiful pieces I've ever listened to, here's Steve Vai's grammy-nominated work of art: "Lotus Feet":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CfEaSmdtGU&ob=av3e

I've never really been a fan of Steve Vai; I mean, he's one of the most technically skilled guitarists out there, but he still manages to seem a bit on the pretentious side. Plus his face somehow reminds me of Jim Varney, which is just disturbing.

So I see your Steve Vai and raise you Jeff Beck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0hk6un_VTg

I never got the perception of Vai being pretentious.  He always seemed genuine with sharing his knowledge, and honestly seems like the kind of guy you could befriend.  I can definitely understand how people may think that such a prestigious person could seem pretentious though.  He worked with the legendary Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, David Coverdale, Mike Mangini, and was taught by Joe Satriani.  He tours with a group of the most technically capable guitarists, and has a lot of recognition for being, as you said, one of the most technical guitarists of this generation.  I can understand, but I guess I like him too much to want to think that.

Your video on the other hand is full of awesome, but I think this brings up a debate on what it is that defines "best guitarist".    I'm curious as to who you think is the greatest guitarist of "all time" and why.

While I await your response, here's a live showing of Vai, Satriani, Sheehan, and Dream Theater's Petrucci jamming to La Grange.  So much win:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4DAOQXXJxU

tried listening to a band called dragonforce, although they are good, the problem is that all their music sounds too much alike especially their drummer.

I haven't listened to them in a while, as I too agree that they haven't been very innovative as of late.  I'm curious as to what their new singer is going to bring to the band.  I first heard them back in 2006, then they got popular when they were featured on Guitar Hero, and past that, it's all sounded very similar in style that they no longer really impress me.

It also doesn't help that I'm not too impressed with their live performances.  Obviously, the band is known for their extremely fast and intricate guitar playing, yet live it seems as though they're compromising a lot of what you would here off their studio albums for less intricate guitar playing live.  Sure, you get the general gist of the tone, but there's a lot of differences in their live performances that don't sound as memorable as what you hear on their albums.  I understand live acoustics are a one shot deal, and are an art form in themselves, but flat out playing differently is something different altogether.  To be frank, they have no one but themselves to blame for that perception, as they managed to hit a very high standard on their studio albums, a standard that they have difficulty maintaining on stage.  For those who have played enough Guitar Hero or listened to their hit song enough, you should be able to pick out at least several parts where you're going to say "That doesn't sound right..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCEX1WRbIHs&t=02m03s

There's another band that has an upcoming album that I find to be similar, but not so outrageous in their song-writing to make you question whether or not there's something more than raw human talent involved in the recording.  Plus this band brings more symphonic elements to the song, featuring more than what your basic keyboardist will provide.  The name is... (Wait for it...) Dragonland.  I wouldn't at all say that they are a "ripoff" band or ever intended to be one (they formed the same year as Dragonforce, as they play a much different style of progressive rock/metal.  One of Drangonland's pluses for me is the fact that I'm a huge huge fan of their guitarist Olof M?rck who's played for the likes of Amaranthe, Disarmonia Mundi, Nightrage, In Flames, and various other favorite bands of mine:

http://soundcloud.com/afm-records/dragonland-black-mare-edit

[venuse]

too me what makes a good guitar player is the ability of that person to convey meaning to each note that he plays. although playing fast takes skill and great amount of practice, if those said notes mean nothing and arent trying to convey something then all it sounds like is a bunch of notes or worse just noise which anyone can do. a truly great guitar player is one who can express his emotions through his guitar, atleast that is my opinion.

im not sure who i would call the best out of today's guitar players but for those people who are dead i would say Jimmy Hendrix or Stevie ray Vaughn. really got to say that Steve vay sounds awesome.

also that band dragonland sounds pretty dang good scotty

[Hikarikuen]

For fans of the electric guitar mixed with an orchestra, I present to you one of the most artistic, beautiful pieces I've ever listened to, here's Steve Vai's grammy-nominated work of art: "Lotus Feet":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CfEaSmdtGU&ob=av3e

I've never really been a fan of Steve Vai; I mean, he's one of the most technically skilled guitarists out there, but he still manages to seem a bit on the pretentious side. Plus his face somehow reminds me of Jim Varney, which is just disturbing.

So I see your Steve Vai and raise you Jeff Beck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0hk6un_VTg

I never got the perception of Vai being pretentious.  He always seemed genuine with sharing his knowledge, and honestly seems like the kind of guy you could befriend.  I can definitely understand how people may think that such a prestigious person could seem pretentious though.  He worked with the legendary Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, David Coverdale, Mike Mangini, and was taught by Joe Satriani.  He tours with a group of the most technically capable guitarists, and has a lot of recognition for being, as you said, one of the most technical guitarists of this generation.  I can understand, but I guess I like him too much to want to think that.

Your video on the other hand is full of awesome, but I think this brings up a debate on what it is that defines "best guitarist".    I'm curious as to who you think is the greatest guitarist of "all time" and why.

While I await your response, here's a live showing of Vai, Satriani, Sheehan, and Dream Theater's Petrucci jamming to La Grange.  So much win:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4DAOQXXJxU

Ha, I think we're just having a simple conflict of musical styles here - I tend to be more of a blues man, while you're obviously more of a fan of metal-style shredding. I have to admit You won me over pretty well with that video of Vai doing La Grange, a far bluesier song than most of his stuff. And I suppose, really, it's not so much a matter of pretentiously showing off as it is the manner of showing off - metal musicians are generally a lot more flamboyant whereas blues tends to be more on the stripped-down side.

Greatest guitarist? Ha, I could list lots of "greatest" guitarists, for the reasons mentioned above - Steve Vai, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, maybe even Eric Clapton or Jack White - they're all pretty high on their respective scales, although to be fair, not all of those "scales" have a whole lot of competition - to keep using those examples, most of Buddy guy's peers are dead by now (saw him live last Summer btw, the guy puts on a heck of a show for his age - it might as well be called "Blues through the Ages," he does everything from Muddy Waters to John Lee Hooker to Jimi Hendrix), and there aren't a whole lot of noisy garage-blues-rock musicians like Jack White.

All that said, even I have to admit that Vai, for example, would probably have a far easier time playing Clapton's songs than Clapton would have playing Vai's songs - he's sure near the top of the totem pole when it comes to technical proficiency.

Enough music philosophy, let's get back to listening to awesome stuff. On the subjects of blues jams with ZZ Top songs, multiple famous guitarists, and Jack White (small world, huh? :P), here's the Raconteurs with Billy Gibbons - I'm not positive, I may have posted this in one of the old music threads on these forums or SHO. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gRyOSEtCGM

[Scotty]

Ha, I think we're just having a simple conflict of musical styles here - I tend to be more of a blues man, while you're obviously more of a fan of metal-style shredding. I have to admit You won me over pretty well with that video of Vai doing La Grange, a far bluesier song than most of his stuff. And I suppose, really, it's not so much a matter of pretentiously showing off as it is the manner of showing off - metal musicians are generally a lot more flamboyant whereas blues tends to be more on the stripped-down side.

Greatest guitarist? Ha, I could list lots of "greatest" guitarists, for the reasons mentioned above - Steve Vai, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, maybe even Eric Clapton or Jack White - they're all pretty high on their respective scales, although to be fair, not all of those "scales" have a whole lot of competition - to keep using those examples, most of Buddy guy's peers are dead by now (saw him live last Summer btw, the guy puts on a heck of a show for his age - it might as well be called "Blues through the Ages," he does everything from Muddy Waters to John Lee Hooker to Jimi Hendrix), and there aren't a whole lot of noisy garage-blues-rock musicians like Jack White.

All that said, even I have to admit that Vai, for example, would probably have a far easier time playing Clapton's songs than Clapton would have playing Vai's songs - he's sure near the top of the totem pole when it comes to technical proficiency.

Enough music philosophy, let's get back to listening to awesome stuff. On the subjects of blues jams with ZZ Top songs, multiple famous guitarists, and Jack White (small world, huh? :P), here's the Raconteurs with Billy Gibbons - I'm not positive, I may have posted this in one of the old music threads on these forums or SHO. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gRyOSEtCGM

Fair enough.  Here's my go at it.  A lot of places consistently rate Jimi Hendrix as the greatest guitarist of all time.  I consider their definition of the word "greatest" different from mine.  In fact, as I just held down the backspace quite a bit, after realizing, I really kinda don't like seeing lists of 1 - 10 or whatever.  It's almost kinda insulting when you think about it.  They all worked their butts off and there's no way for one person to be considered the greatest since everyone is different.  I was gonna go on to say that Hendrix is the most influential electric guitarist of all time, undisputed.  Although if anyone would like to challenge that I'm more than willing to keep an open mind.

I do love me some ZZ Top.  Those guys can put some excellent bar music.  The kind you could listen to all night while shooting pool.

I'll take a style turn.  Anyone like Mexican acoustic guitar playing?  Rodrigo y Gabriela are two of some of the most talented acoustic guitarists out there.  Rodrigo plays lead guitar while Gabriela plays rhythm and percussion... on the guitar.  A very unique sound unlike anything you've probably heard before.  Really impressive to see, and can put on one hell of a live performance.  If they ever come round to your town and you find interest in their music, go check em out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27kKqwIfMC4&feature=related

[venuse]

man scotty i like alot of the music you have talked about on this and those mexican acoustic players were awesome , i think that style is called flamenco.

this guy isnt exactly flamenco but he does have a pretty cool classical guitar style . his name is Igor Presnyakov, think some one posted about him once before. playing pirates of the carribbean theme haha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z27N5wj3EUY
or enter sandman-metallica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FjJdIedl3Q&feature=related
or mam im coming home-ozzy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af6nUi5qR2Q&feature=related

[Scotty]

Did someone say Pirate of the Caribbean?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F4RmDUCo5I

:P

Oh wait... Sorry, it was Metallica... My bad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0CsLefLisE

Bah, sorry, can't find any Ozzy covers... So I'll present a live medley:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ1Y812ZUUY

I don't know what it is about flamenco musicians and metal covers on acoustic, but it couldn't be more awesome!

Oh, and if I didn't emphasize it enough, they are extremely good live, capable of getting the whole crowd going.  I don't know if it's because they are mostly an underground band and the only people that are likely to see them are the underground fans or what, but it's an awesome experience.  Here's another Metallica cover:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUJ6n7g1_u8

think i found a new band i like called van canto. they ditch guitars for people making vocal melodies, with a slightly metal opera sound.
weird song  based on runes of magic mmorpg hahaha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYdoFtPtFKU&feature=relmfu

By the by, if this sort of stuff interests you, I might suggest another symphonic act, Kamelot.  Here's one with Epica's drop dead gorgeous lead singer featuring with them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I438RH1oUJc

[Hikarikuen]

Ha, I think we're just having a simple conflict of musical styles here - I tend to be more of a blues man, while you're obviously more of a fan of metal-style shredding. I have to admit You won me over pretty well with that video of Vai doing La Grange, a far bluesier song than most of his stuff. And I suppose, really, it's not so much a matter of pretentiously showing off as it is the manner of showing off - metal musicians are generally a lot more flamboyant whereas blues tends to be more on the stripped-down side.

Greatest guitarist? Ha, I could list lots of "greatest" guitarists, for the reasons mentioned above - Steve Vai, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, maybe even Eric Clapton or Jack White - they're all pretty high on their respective scales, although to be fair, not all of those "scales" have a whole lot of competition - to keep using those examples, most of Buddy guy's peers are dead by now (saw him live last Summer btw, the guy puts on a heck of a show for his age - it might as well be called "Blues through the Ages," he does everything from Muddy Waters to John Lee Hooker to Jimi Hendrix), and there aren't a whole lot of noisy garage-blues-rock musicians like Jack White.

All that said, even I have to admit that Vai, for example, would probably have a far easier time playing Clapton's songs than Clapton would have playing Vai's songs - he's sure near the top of the totem pole when it comes to technical proficiency.

Enough music philosophy, let's get back to listening to awesome stuff. On the subjects of blues jams with ZZ Top songs, multiple famous guitarists, and Jack White (small world, huh? :P), here's the Raconteurs with Billy Gibbons - I'm not positive, I may have posted this in one of the old music threads on these forums or SHO. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gRyOSEtCGM

Fair enough.  Here's my go at it.  A lot of places consistently rate Jimi Hendrix as the greatest guitarist of all time.  I consider their definition of the word "greatest" different from mine.  In fact, as I just held down the backspace quite a bit, after realizing, I really kinda don't like seeing lists of 1 - 10 or whatever.  It's almost kinda insulting when you think about it.  They all worked their butts off and there's no way for one person to be considered the greatest since everyone is different.  I was gonna go on to say that Hendrix is the most influential electric guitarist of all time, undisputed.  Although if anyone would like to challenge that I'm more than willing to keep an open mind.

I do love me some ZZ Top.  Those guys can put some excellent bar music.  The kind you could listen to all night while shooting pool.

I'll take a style turn.  Anyone like Mexican acoustic guitar playing?  Rodrigo y Gabriela are two of some of the most talented acoustic guitarists out there.  Rodrigo plays lead guitar while Gabriela plays rhythm and percussion... on the guitar.  A very unique sound unlike anything you've probably heard before.  Really impressive to see, and can put on one hell of a live performance.  If they ever come round to your town and you find interest in their music, go check em out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27kKqwIfMC4&feature=related

Yeah, I can probably agree with Jimi Hendrix being the most influential electric guitarist, although Hendrix is to guitar as Dylan is to songwriting - they excel at one thing and the other aspects of their music suffer. I suppose that's why Jimi's cover of "All Along the Watchtower" is so popular, most people consider it to have two perfect elements :P

The only people I can think of who could possibly be considered more influential than Hendrix would be Les Paul, Buddy Guy, and Chuck Berry, but Jimi Hendrix pretty much took all they did and put it into the history books - most kids these days have no idea who Buddy Guy is, don't realize Les Paul is actually somebody's name, and if they've heard of Chuck Berry it's pretty much guaranteed to be from hearing one of his songs in a movie.

And speaking of Les Paul (watch the whole thing, or you're severely missing out): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xljfbDN0l2c

[Scotty]

Yeah, I can probably agree with Jimi Hendrix being the most influential electric guitarist, although Hendrix is to guitar as Dylan is to songwriting - they excel at one thing and the other aspects of their music suffer. I suppose that's why Jimi's cover of "All Along the Watchtower" is so popular, most people consider it to have two perfect elements :P

The only people I can think of who could possibly be considered more influential than Hendrix would be Les Paul, Buddy Guy, and Chuck Berry, but Jimi Hendrix pretty much took all they did and put it into the history books - most kids these days have no idea who Buddy Guy is, don't realize Les Paul is actually somebody's name, and if they've heard of Chuck Berry it's pretty much guaranteed to be from hearing one of his songs in a movie.

And speaking of Les Paul (watch the whole thing, or you're severely missing out): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xljfbDN0l2c

There's no denying that Les' impact on the electric guitar world is huge.  He built "The Log" as one of the world's first electric guitars.  The Les Paul model guitar is one of, if not the most popular guitar out there; I love mine.  I'll admit that my definition of greatest guitarist was ignorantly wound down to playing, and not invention.  As far as that field goes, we can't discount all the pioneers who actually built the guitars.  Heck, if it weren't for Leo Fender, what would Jimi have played?  If it weren't for Paul Bigsby, the current style of electric guitar playing would sound tremendously different as we may never have had the tremolo arm.  I also dare say that Without Chuck Berry, Jimi may never have come to be known, since his musical style is a direct reflection of Berry's innovative guitar rifts.  So yeah, there's no way in my opinion to say that one is better than all the rest, they all seemed to have stemmed from some prior inspiration that is a legend in it's own right.

That is a most excellent video of Les' capabilities. 

Speaking of influences, this guy writes his own instrumental music, all the tracks, performs, produces, publishes, and damn is he good!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57--LRvGgKQ

[Scotty]

Just wanted to update with regards to a previous song I posted.  Dragonland has released their new album back on the 18th titled "Under The Grey Banner".  It takes a medieval tone in the writing of the album.  Probably the best way to put it is, if Lord Of The Rings or Game Of Thrones had a metal soundtrack to them, this would be it.  Typically this amount of symphonic tone in music is one I don't take much interest in, but this album is refreshing to me.  There's lots of metal aspects to it, the drumming, fast guitar shredding, guitar solos (Olof doesn't disappoint), and soaring melodies among the vocals and symphonic instruments.  For those who took interest in my previous clip of theirs, check out the album, I find it very refreshing to listen to:

Dragonland - Under The Grey Banner