Neocon,
I am not evaluating Eddie or Mozart in terms of ability on any specific instrument. I never thought of Mozart as a "piano/harpsicord player", but rather a composer. The exact same with Eddie. Its the ability to create timeless melody that interests me. So the Jordon analogy does not exactly fit for me. Eddie also received some classical training on the piano. It funny that the public always credited Eddie as a great solo player. He certainly was quite good in that area, but I never considered that his strength. Often overlooked by those that just want to hear the trademarked two-hand tapping, is his ability to center both the melodic and rhythmic content in a three piece band.
I would like to send you an email with some attachment, or better yet a burned disc. Let me know if you are interested by PM.
Satriani is just a very interesting and gifted player. His music is complex but still very melodic. I really like him, and recognize him as an evolutionary link in the guitar progression. He is at least Eddie's equal from a technical perspective, but I would never think that he would have been a peer of Mozart.
Its too bad, but one of the things I really looked forward to was Eddie getting older and shifting gears to some other form of music. An acoustic album has always been a dream of mine. Maybe he will surprise us, or maybe years of abuse have diminished his abilities. Certainly there are interesting things on the albums that follow the first six, but none that equal any of those first efforts. I would guess that alcohol had something to do with this.
Hedges is not to be missed. He was classically trained and discovered the acoustic as his true voice. His first album on the New Age label, Windham Hill, is a marvel. Highlights include a homage to French guitarist Bensusan, that is more Bensusan-like than Bensusan himself! Also one called, "Hot Type" which is the sound of an IBM selectric typewriter interpreted through Hedge's ear. The first three cuts on that album are nothing short of amazing. Even more so when you read the liner notes and realize this was recorded direct on to tape....without a single overdub of any kind. Most people cannot, or will not, believe this. Hedges might have been a genius. He drove his car off the road in Palo Alto a few years back and ended up killing himself. I don't think he was a boozer or druggy. Just a sad freak accident.
Napster is an interesting topic. It is ironic, but one friend who earns the least is the most opposed to Napster. He is also a fellow guitar player. He is the kind of guy that will not even consider "borrowing" software from you. He considers it exactly the same as stealing. I have enjoyed Napster, but IMO it is clearly stealing. The grey area is that, if you were so inclined, you could sit by the radio and tape what you wanted. I am not too good with the legal issues, but IMO, it is the direct distribution system of Napster that pushes the issue. I have mixed emotions regarding it, but I never expected it to last in its current form anyway.
I'll toss some Hedges and Satriani on that disc too.
HAGO
TH |
