Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian McAllister
The problem with the internet is that it's easy to misinterpret others. csason, in no way was I implying that other posters had named Kirk to score points, and I apologise if you felt that way. I hadn't in fact read your post.
Ian
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Wow..
I guess you are totally right about the first statement, in that I myself
named Kirk, and for the same reasons you did...not to 'score points' but because I actually believe it...
In fact,
Any of those who may have named Kirk..or me..
as one of the five best slide players of infinite, unchangeable time..
I am sure had
ample reason to do so...he is very good..
You know..I was thinking of the contributions I believe some of my favorites have made..
The old timers were awesome..
Of them, I think Robert Johnson and Son House stand out..
RJ, especially because he was such a profound natural writer and composer (albeit simple 'black man's' blues) that the legend of the
'devil's deal' is still considered a possibility by many. His technique, while extensive and complex, was somewhat 'noisy' by today's
standards- Son House just seemed to come along a few years later
and remind everyone of the strength of RJ's legacy.
Another huge contribution I think of is Ry Cooder's.
He added a strange twist to the 'aura' of the 'slide sound'...Oftentimes, Ry might olay a minimal role in his compositions,
lending instead to his backup and bandmembers for the song in question's main content- and using his slide abilities in quite tasteful
'cameo' type appearances. Ry Cooder is a master in the studio.
When he does solo slide work, he is at his most artful mastery, in my opinion- because it seems he uses his guitar to paint the entire picture, musically, that he wants us to hear... I love Vigilante Man, it is a perfect example of what I mean...
Ry, in my opinion, added 'the extremely well placed, tasty lick' to
the Slide's history. (not including the Weisenborn-Indian crowd..I have no idea about that stuff...)
The last two are Duane and Kirk..
Duane Allman was, in my opinion...mesmerized by how to get a slide to sound good on those Les Paul's he loved so much..
Jesse Ed, gave him a piece of the puzzle he had been looking for, and
he gave us a full blown-high volume-CLEAN- (emphasize clean) slide
lead.... Using an open tuning on his most popular songs, he left no
'dead' space between notes- and when he used multiple string cresendos (as is typical of open tuning players) it was strictly for
emphasis or as an ending.
He was NOT able to perfect this for all of his songs, and many of his
were just assembled riffs, as during his Muscle Shoals days.
Then along comes (so far) Kirk, who has perfected a standard tuning
or if you prefer dropped D (as he does) technique WAY suitable for
studio-
Now I am not suggesting he is the only one who plays that way..
Or that he is the end all..
He is the only one I know who knows enough about it, to be teaching it..and I have heard his stuff on commecials and watched some very talented players start to incorporate and mimic his technique.
One of the toughest songs I have ever heard or seen is
Begin the Beguine by Kirk L'Orange. It is awesome, and incredibly
done..and he deserves a damn grammy for it.
Oh yes.. A word about Derek..
Derek has amazing strength and dexterity..and he has worked so hard to master the slide using his tuning and such that I guess he has done well to 'spark' an interest in slide playing that deserves merit...However, the problem I have with Derek's playing is that for
all of his awareness of scales and so on, again..
in his tuning...
He is awfully..awfully noisy with those incessant placement drags (the sound of the slide) in between him hitting those notes..
It has it's own distinct 'coolness' but as a self-proclaimed expert, I find it lacking...
Of course, to each his own...
I base most of my observations and opinion on the
Search for the Sound that can be made with the slide..the sound almost of a voice- those long sustain tones..
I think that 'sound' is what separates the slide as a tool, from fretting the board.
Regardless, my friend in music....
I meant nothing in a directional way towards any of your comments..
I was agreeing with you !
