• Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Topic: Simple playing is great playing....

Last night, in a slightly stoned moment, I watched, for the hundreth time, the Blues Brothers.

I was in awe of Steve Cropper's playing. I've always been a big fan of him (who isn't!) but what a monster chop merchant. I actually bothered to learn 'Theme From Rawhide' (in A, naturally) as the solo in it is so so simple but so blisteringly perfect. And then again, when they do Jailhouse Rock in the credit sequence...Cropper absolutely smashes the solo.....what a player- so so simple, so so great.

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

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  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
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Re: Simple playing is great playing....

Agreed. There are many times where I feel like I'm just going too crazy. The key is to slow it down. Oftentimes, what sounds very rudimentary to yourself, will sound amazing to others.

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3 Reply by jakey (edited by jakey 2010-04-04 05:25:42)

  • Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Re: Simple playing is great playing....

Deezer wrote:

Agreed. There are many times where I feel like I'm just going too crazy. The key is to slow it down. Oftentimes, what sounds very rudimentary to yourself, will sound amazing to others.

Totally- think of all the truly great players we (or me certainly) look to emulate...

Kossoff
Clapton
Gilmour
Green
Joe
Cropper
Young
Hendrix
Moore

All of the above are at their best when they play with meaning, tone, soul and accuracy. (although Mr B sure can shred when he chooses!)

My fave shredder is Reeves Gabrels- jesus that man can play. Astonishing.

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

JB LP Goldtop No. 290- Aged...rather like me.
  • DAN
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  • From: Lima, Ohio
  • Registered: 2010-01-14
  • Posts: 94

Re: Simple playing is great playing....

You need to see Steve C on the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert.....playing with GE Smith,and Booker T , and Duck Dunn, and Jim Keltner as the house band for that show. His solo he shares with GE Smith, on ''Absolutlely Sweet Marie,'' done by George Harrison, is a great fluid, country tinged solo....you really hear the different STYLE of playing Copper has, compared to GE who is more in ''in your face,''....Cropper is tastefully subdued though memorable....Do the Youtube on it.
ALSO.....a must Youtube is Clapton's version of "Love minus Zero, No Limit."....The best Clapton solo ever!!!!!......This song is not found on the CD double disc, but is on the video cassette .....They need to put it out on DVD!!!
If you like slide, check out Johnny Winter, ''Highway One Revisited,'' also Ron Wood ''Seven Days." Ron's Strat tone could cut glass. I guess you should also see Clapton's version of ''Dont think twice, It's all right,'' as well.... Thanks>> DAN

79' Epiphone Genesis Custom, 89' pre-reissue Les Paul Standard, 90'Strat Plus,
02' Tele (ash), 91' Martin HD-28, Epi A-12 acoustic, Fender Hot Rod Deville 2x12
  • Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Re: Simple playing is great playing....

DAN wrote:

You need to see Steve C on the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert.....playing with GE Smith,and Booker T , and Duck Dunn, and Jim Keltner as the house band for that show. His solo he shares with GE Smith, on ''Absolutlely Sweet Marie,'' done by George Harrison, is a great fluid, country tinged solo....you really hear the different STYLE of playing Copper has, compared to GE who is more in ''in your face,''....Cropper is tastefully subdued though memorable....Do the Youtube on it.
ALSO.....a must Youtube is Clapton's version of "Love minus Zero, No Limit."....The best Clapton solo ever!!!!!......This song is not found on the CD double disc, but is on the video cassette .....They need to put it out on DVD!!!
If you like slide, check out Johnny Winter, ''Highway One Revisited,'' also Ron Wood ''Seven Days." Ron's Strat tone could cut glass. I guess you should also see Clapton's version of ''Dont think twice, It's all right,'' as well.... Thanks>> DAN


Dan I know that gig inside out! - I prefer EC playing Don't Think Twice it's Alright.

However, the best moment is when Neil Young smokes everyone off the stage (including Eric when the swap solos) at the end. Young is amazing when it comes to melodic playing.

Cropper is immense the whole night.

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

JB LP Goldtop No. 290- Aged...rather like me.
  • DAN
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  • From: Lima, Ohio
  • Registered: 2010-01-14
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Re: Simple playing is great playing....

I was gonna post my love for NY , but didnt think he fit at this forum...He is not so much blues oriented....He does it his way....love that....AND he is a FEEL player.....recording albums in a few days, rather than a few months......in the moment energy........
Yes he did great that night , and even toured with Booker T.... He definitely was there that night to relax and have fun. He was all smiles, and not full of frowns and concentration like you usually see. I love ''Just like Tom Thumbs Blues!!!"did great on ''All along the Watch Tower''....I dont think any player at that time could do this song any better tha NY...His ''Harvest'' album was the second record I ever bought....after Kiss' ''Rock and Roll Over''....for $5.50
You know NY & Steven Stills had their tension & problems....When they were just starting out...Stills wanted to be like the Beatles, and NY wanted to be Bob Dylan.....for me....if I was starting a band......It would have to be more my (Bob Dylan) way........I'm a team player. ....and like playing guitar with others....but want to be heard.....volume knob wars.....Thanks >> DAN

79' Epiphone Genesis Custom, 89' pre-reissue Les Paul Standard, 90'Strat Plus,
02' Tele (ash), 91' Martin HD-28, Epi A-12 acoustic, Fender Hot Rod Deville 2x12
  • Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Re: Simple playing is great playing....

DAN wrote:

I was gonna post my love for NY , but didnt think he fit at this forum...He is not so much blues oriented....He does it his way....love that....AND he is a FEEL player.....recording albums in a few days, rather than a few months......in the moment energy........
Yes he did great that night , and even toured with Booker T.... He definitely was there that night to relax and have fun. He was all smiles, and not full of frowns and concentration like you usually see. I love ''Just like Tom Thumbs Blues!!!"did great on ''All along the Watch Tower''....I dont think any player at that time could do this song any better tha NY...His ''Harvest'' album was the second record I ever bought....after Kiss' ''Rock and Roll Over''....for $5.50
You know NY & Steven Stills had their tension & problems....When they were just starting out...Stills wanted to be like the Beatles, and NY wanted to be Bob Dylan.....for me....if I was starting a band......It would have to be more my (Bob Dylan) way........I'm a team player. ....and like playing guitar with others....but want to be heard.....volume knob wars.....Thanks >> DAN

I love Neil. Mr Feel. I saw him with Booker T and with Pearl Jam a few times. And, if I could actually own any guitar in the world it would be 'Old Black'- it has so much mojo and is so cool.

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

JB LP Goldtop No. 290- Aged...rather like me.
  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Simple playing is great playing....

I love the way Steve Cropper plays.  Mr Stax SoulMan from Memphis.

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

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  • Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Re: Simple playing is great playing....

bigjeffjones wrote:

I love the way Steve Cropper plays.  Mr Stax SoulMan from Memphis.

As someone once said, 'more licks than a dog's home!'

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

JB LP Goldtop No. 290- Aged...rather like me.

10 Reply by DAN (edited by DAN 2010-04-04 13:11:59)

  • DAN
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  • Registered: 2010-01-14
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Re: Simple playing is great playing....

Saw NY in Cincinatti 1/91 on his Ragged Glory Tour. Social Distortion ....a great band, warmed up. S Distortion guitar solos are alot like Neil's...very linear. S Distortion de-tunes a 1/2  step down to E flat, which makes a L Paul sound great. Social Distortion solos are easy & fun.
My son got a black L Paul Deluxe wth the mini-humbuckers in 2007, threw Musician's Friend, and it arrived in great shape. They dont make the Deluxe anymore....or at least they dont make it this year. .........who knows what Gibson will come out with next......It cost him $1,800.00....Not $3,000.00, and it sounds great.

Right now he's enjoying my Martin HD-28 out on the back patio in this 72 degree Ohio sun, playing '',''Razor Love", and now he's playing ''The Old Laughing Lady."........With N Young, you either like or dislike him....but you gotta respect his, "doing it my way,'' approach....''sponsored by no one.'' >> DAN

79' Epiphone Genesis Custom, 89' pre-reissue Les Paul Standard, 90'Strat Plus,
02' Tele (ash), 91' Martin HD-28, Epi A-12 acoustic, Fender Hot Rod Deville 2x12