#GuitarHeroes
I was lucky enough to grow up with a wealth of music of all varieties around me in the form of records, tapes and CDs being constantly played, jam sessions with friends and family, and being very much encouraged to get out and see live music wherever possible; including being taken to see some very sophisticated musicians from a young age. With all this in mind, it's hard to say definitely which musicians were the first to make the biggest impact on me. Probably the closest I had to a first musical idol was Gabriela Quintero of Rodrigo y Gabriela. Not only did she play a classical guitar (like me) and strum with her thumb rather than a plectrum (like me) but she's probably the best rhythm guitarist I've ever heard. And she was one of the first people I ever saw use the guitar body percussively. And she can seriously rock!
I was lucky enough to grow up with a wealth of music of all varieties around me in the form of records, tapes and CDs being constantly played, jam sessions with friends and family, and being very much encouraged to get out and see live music wherever possible; including being taken to see some very sophisticated musicians from a young age. With all this in mind, it's hard to say definitely which musicians were the first to make the biggest impact on me. Probably the closest I had to a first musical idol was Gabriela Quintero of Rodrigo y Gabriela. Not only did she play a classical guitar (like me) and strum with her thumb rather than a plectrum (like me) but she's probably the best rhythm guitarist I've ever heard. And she was one of the first people I ever saw use the guitar body percussively. And she can seriously rock!
Next in line of heroes that I discovered is an artist who probably still remains my all-time favourite musician to this day. I first saw her on a Nick Drake tribute concert on BBC iPlayer. I was listening to it while writing up my research project in one of the university computer rooms which had become a second home at that point. Most of the other acts faded into background music as they performed pleasant but not especially ground-breaking versions of the musical genius' songs (look up Nick Drake too, you won't be disappointed!). However, when Krystle Warren started to sing 'Time Has Told Me' I knew there was something special going on. She grooves. There's not many times when a cover manages to go further than an original but this may just be one of them (the pianist Zoe Rahman was pretty phenomenal too). You'd be hard pushed to find a singer more soulful and an artist who gives more in every performance.
Thus my great Krystle journey began. Her album 'Circles' with her house band The Faculty became standard listening - and each time I found something more in it. Through Spotify I found her collaboration with Eric Legini & The Afro Jazz Beat, 'The Vox' which again blew me away and proved how versatile her voice was. Although she's often pictured with a guitar, I was as yet not aware of her talent outside of vocals. But earlier this year I was lucky enough to discover this first hand - and boy, can she play! Her tour promoting a second album, 'Love Songs - A Time We May Embrace' finally brought her to our green & pleasant land. At the Komedia in Brighton she enchanted the entire room, just her and her guitar and...well, words, don't really describe it! Here's an example or two...
'Year End Issue' from the album 'Circles' on Jools Holland
'Eleanor Rigby' cover, live
One last thing about Krystle - she doesn't do things by halves. Love Songs came about when she decided to record an album entirely live; all the musicians playing each track together, all the way through. And it works...Watch all the videos! But especially this one - if it doesn't move you, and convince you that you're watching one of the most phenomenal musicians of our generation, I don't know what will!
'Buddy' from the Love Songs Sessions
Another great story-teller and fantastic guitarist to come from the USA is Suzanne Vega. You're probably familiar with her hits such as 'Luka' and 'Tom's Diner' (which is, incidentally a useful tool for teaching English as a foreign language!). But her real genius comes out with her trusty acoustic guitar on stage, for example: 'Gypsy', live (with Richard Thompson - a folk music guitar hero!). What's more her story telling isn't only enthralling when set to music, as is seen (or heard) in her entry on the fantastic site 'The Moth', here: Stage Fright.
Over this side of the Atlantic is probably one of the best guitarists of our generation: Anna Calvi. Master of reverb and with a fluidity unparalleled in anyone I've yet seen, her self-titled album has the same feel as Jeff Beck's keystone album 'Grace' but with her own unique style. Furthermore...she ROCKS. Some tracks of choice:
'Rider to the Sea'
'Blackout'
'Year End Issue' from the album 'Circles' on Jools Holland
'Eleanor Rigby' cover, live
One last thing about Krystle - she doesn't do things by halves. Love Songs came about when she decided to record an album entirely live; all the musicians playing each track together, all the way through. And it works...Watch all the videos! But especially this one - if it doesn't move you, and convince you that you're watching one of the most phenomenal musicians of our generation, I don't know what will!
'Buddy' from the Love Songs Sessions
Another great story-teller and fantastic guitarist to come from the USA is Suzanne Vega. You're probably familiar with her hits such as 'Luka' and 'Tom's Diner' (which is, incidentally a useful tool for teaching English as a foreign language!). But her real genius comes out with her trusty acoustic guitar on stage, for example: 'Gypsy', live (with Richard Thompson - a folk music guitar hero!). What's more her story telling isn't only enthralling when set to music, as is seen (or heard) in her entry on the fantastic site 'The Moth', here: Stage Fright.
Over this side of the Atlantic is probably one of the best guitarists of our generation: Anna Calvi. Master of reverb and with a fluidity unparalleled in anyone I've yet seen, her self-titled album has the same feel as Jeff Beck's keystone album 'Grace' but with her own unique style. Furthermore...she ROCKS. Some tracks of choice:
'Rider to the Sea'
'Blackout'
Another master of the hammer-on/pull-off technique and all round inspiring guitarist is Kaki King. Seriously impressive! As much so as Anna, though on an acoustic guitar (a very lovely Ovation, in fact, and now her own signature guitar) as opposed to Anna's kick-ass beaten-up Telecaster. So many tracks to choose from, but here's an example of what she can do: 'Bone Chaos in the Castle'.
A quick word about a recent discovery: Dota Kehr. I haven't been able to find out too much information (will have to brush up on my German!) except she originally learned to play the saxophone before turning to Bossa-style guitar, has a degree in Medicine and is known for her controversial lyrics - what's not to like?! Playing under the name 'Kleingeldprinzessin' ('Little Change Princess') with a band she calls the 'Stadtpiraten' ('Urban Pirates') in an impressive array of languages, here's a track from her live album 'Taschentöne', 'Kleingeldprinzessinnen'.
To finish, a tribute to some of musicians to which we are all indebted ,whether we realise it or not. I have a theory that all good music has it's roots, however deep, in the Blues (or Jazz which developed around the same time). One of the pioneers of Blues guitar is a name that is often missed when rolling of the list of those normally attributed to the roots of the genre - Blind Lemon Jefferson, Robert Johnson, Charley Patton etc. - but worthy of being placed among her peers as can be seen in tracks such as her 1930 single 'Bumble Bee'. This is none other than Memphis Minnie - now you know her name, make sure you add it to the list!
Finally, a Blues musician and activist against racism, sexism and homophobia, Gaye Adegbalola. The more you read about her, the more inspired you'll be. And then you'll listen to her play slide on a steel guitar -and you'll wonder why some people in this world seem to have all the talent...She is one of the main inspirations for creating this blog, and the composed of the song which is the source of it's name, 'Hungry Woman'. Thanks, Gaye, I owe you one!
A quick word about a recent discovery: Dota Kehr. I haven't been able to find out too much information (will have to brush up on my German!) except she originally learned to play the saxophone before turning to Bossa-style guitar, has a degree in Medicine and is known for her controversial lyrics - what's not to like?! Playing under the name 'Kleingeldprinzessin' ('Little Change Princess') with a band she calls the 'Stadtpiraten' ('Urban Pirates') in an impressive array of languages, here's a track from her live album 'Taschentöne', 'Kleingeldprinzessinnen'.
To finish, a tribute to some of musicians to which we are all indebted ,whether we realise it or not. I have a theory that all good music has it's roots, however deep, in the Blues (or Jazz which developed around the same time). One of the pioneers of Blues guitar is a name that is often missed when rolling of the list of those normally attributed to the roots of the genre - Blind Lemon Jefferson, Robert Johnson, Charley Patton etc. - but worthy of being placed among her peers as can be seen in tracks such as her 1930 single 'Bumble Bee'. This is none other than Memphis Minnie - now you know her name, make sure you add it to the list!
Finally, a Blues musician and activist against racism, sexism and homophobia, Gaye Adegbalola. The more you read about her, the more inspired you'll be. And then you'll listen to her play slide on a steel guitar -and you'll wonder why some people in this world seem to have all the talent...She is one of the main inspirations for creating this blog, and the composed of the song which is the source of it's name, 'Hungry Woman'. Thanks, Gaye, I owe you one!
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