Travis of Trav's Thoughts has invented this delightful meme called 5 on Friday. The rules are simple..
1. Grab the banner, make your post title Five on Friday, and be sure to link back here.
2. Go to Playlist.com to make your play list of five songs. You may choose a particular theme to share with us, or post random tunes if that's your vibe for the day. You can simply post the play list, or you can add a little summary about what you are sharing.
2a. Don't feel restricted by the tracks listed on Playlist.com. You're welcome to use any type of media to share your Sets.
3. Be sure to sign Mr Linky so everyone can visit your Set.
4. No tags, but feel free to invite your friends to play along if they need a post topic on a Friday
Rolling Stone ranks Ry Cooder as number eight of the 100 top guitarists in the world. I would have given him the number four place after Duane Allman, BB King, and Eric Clapton, but then I would have quibbled with several of the placements on that list since I prefer the fast but melodious pickers to the feedback and wail rockers. It's not that Cooder can't make a guitar scream for mercy, it is that he can make it do anything. I've tried to give you a taste of all the genres where his instrument is showing the world how it should be played, but then left one clip for the end so you can listen to all ten and make up your own mind.
First the solo from the movie "Crossroads" with Cooder playing for the actor portraying Robert Johnson. If you have never seen this movie, you have missed Steve Vai and Ry Cooder tearing up the room warring for the Devil (Vai) and fighting for the soul (Cooder)
Since my mother's name was Mary Ellen, I've always been fond of the song Maria Elena. Here Cooder plays it in the film "Ry Cooder and The Moula Banda Rhythm Aces: Let's Have A Ball"
Now for a little bit of soul with "At The Dark End of the Street"
Folk Guitar with the Chieftains playing Dunmore Lassies as each musician takes turns playing the lead on the theme.
And to finish off: The top ten guitarists according to Rolling Stone in ten little minutes: Counting down backwards: Keith Richards, Jimmy Page,
Ry Cooder, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Chuck Berry, Robert Johnson, Eric Clapton, BB King, Duane Allman, and in the number one spot: Jimi Hendrix
6 comments:
Whereas I'm not disputing that Jimi Hendrix was a phenomenal guitarist, I'm not sure that I would list him as the number one guitarist of all time. Of course, that's probably because that type of guitar music doesn't appeal to me anywhere near as much as that of Eric Clapton or Stevie Ray Vaughn. Of course, having no music talent at all, I am always impressed by those who can take an instrument like a guitar and make it sing and tell a story. Obviously Ry Cooder does that very well - my favorite out of this week's five would be Elena Maria followed closely by Dunmore Lassies even though the maker of the video spelled Cooder's name wrong!
"It's not that Cooder can't make a guitar scream for mercy, it is that he can make it do anything."
And THAT is the mark of a great musician.
I enjoyed listening to the last video with the comparisons back to back. I think I might have to mark this one for future reference. You are a great teacher today, Miss Jamie.
OK, so you made me smile when you did not put Mr. Cooder before the greatest guitar player IMHO...Mr. Duane Allman.
I do love Mr. Cooder...but can not see the videos here
Oh and that is because they block video at work..no other reason
I loved that Rolling Stone compilation clip. I totally grooved on that last Jimi Hendrix piece (I had Voodoo Child on an early 5 on Friday!)
As an east coast gal, the Chieftains with Ry Cooder was my favorite, favorite, favorite.
The compilation clip is interesting because you can hear the distinct "voice" of each player. I've never really been a fan of Hendrix though, because I don't hear it well...it just sounds like noise to me.
But Mr Cooder...his versatility is what draws me to his music. He, Clapton, and Stevie Ray are my favorites from this particular Top 10 list.
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