Why is Hendrix so revered amongst guitarists?

richardhomer

ICBM;451602" said:

But I'm OK with that .

Obviously I'm not....

ICBM

That bait was meant for koneguitarist, sorry .

Philly_Q

I'm not even going there on Roy Buchanan.  Suffice to say I take the opposite viewpoint to ICBM...

What is interesting reading this thread - well, some of it - is the realisation that perceptions have changed so much.  I was born in 1964, starting getting interested in music around the late '70s, and I just grew up with the received widom that Hendrix was the greatest guitar player of all.  I'm not saying I regard that as a "fact", I never thought about it much, but I guess I always had a vague assumption that he was at least respected by just about everyone.

But that was less than a decade after his death... another 30 or 35 years have passed and of course the world has moved on.  It's only in the last couple of years that it's struck me we don't hear Hendrix much any more (except maybe "Crosstown Traffic" in car adverts or news items about road congestion) and he isn't talked about much in guitar magazines or forums.  

I also realised it had been quite a few years since I'd actually listened to his music, so I recently bought a load of it on CD.  Still sounds good to me.

ElectroDan

Garry Moore is on sky Arts right now playing Jimi songs

Lixarto

ElectroDan said:

Garry Moore is on sky Arts right now playing Jimi songs

I like some of Gary's stuff (the Celtic rock, not the blues) but had to turn this show off.

So dull.

robinbowes

ICBM said:

I could ask "why is Roy Buchanan so revered among guitarists?", because I genuinely don't understand why his hideous squealing meandering unmusical soloing is considered good. But I'm OK with that .

I'll see your Roy Buchanan and raise you a Rory Gallagher.

R.

Lixarto

robinbowes said:

Rory Gallagher.

Him I like

koneguitarist

I Don't like Jazz, Punk, Classical, Funk, but I can see why people like it and it's relevance in music.

I just get the feeling with Hendrix that he is the best because every one said so at the time, so it must be true. 

We are allowed to look back in retrospect, and the real greats are still great. 

The truly great pieces of music are great for their composition, not for their time, hence Beethoven, Berry and the Beatles. 

ICBM

But Paganini is also remembered, for his playing and not really his composition. He was something of the Hendrix of violin, by contemporary accounts - I think he even smashed a violin on stage, although I don't think he set fire to one.

It's very interesting to read this (from Wikipedia) and compare to Hendrix...

"The Israeli violinist Ivry Gitlis once referred to Paganini as a phenomenon rather than a development. Though some of the techniques frequently employed by Paganini were already present, most accomplished violinists of the time focused on intonation and bowing techniques. Arcangelo Corelli (1653–1713) was considered a pioneer in transforming the violin from an
ensemble instrument to a solo instrument. In the meantime, the polyphonic capability of the violin was firmly established hrough the Sonatas and Partitas BWV 1001–1006 of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). Other notable violinists included Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741) and Giuseppe Tartini (1692–1770), who, in their compositions, reflected the increasing technical and musical demands on the violinist. Although the role of the violin in music drastically changed through this period, progress in violin technique was steady but slow. Techniques requiring agility of the fingers and the bow were still considered unorthodox and discouraged by the established community of violinists.

Much of Paganini's playing (and his violin composition) was influenced by two violinists, Pietro Locatelli (1693–1746) and August Duranowski (1770–1834). During Paganini's study in Parma, he came across the 24 Caprices of Locatelli (entitled L'arte di nuova modulazione – Capricci enigmatici or The art of the new style – the enigmatic caprices). Published in the 1730s, they were shunned by the musical authorities for their technical innovations, and were forgotten by the musical community at large. Around the same time, Durand, a former student of Giovanni Battista Viotti (1755–1824), became a celebrated violinist. He was renowned for his use of harmonics and the left hand pizzicato in his performance. Paganini was impressed by Durand's innovations and showmanship, which later also became the hallmarks of the young violin virtuoso. Paganini was instrumental in the revival and popularization of these violinistic techniques, which are now incorporated into regular compositions.

Another aspect of Paganini's violin techniques concerned his flexibility. He had exceptionally long fingers and was capable of
playing three octaves across four strings in a hand span, an extraordinary feat even by today's standards."

There's a lot there which goes along with what's been said about Hendrix not necessarily being a true innovator of all the things he did, but bringing them together in one package. Paganini is still by far the most famous non-contemporary violinist - probably the only one most people have heard of, in fact.

I think Hendrix will be remembered in 200 years as well.

Phil_aka_Pip

koneguitarist said: I Don't like Jazz, Punk, Classical, Funk, but I can see why people like it and it's relevance in music.I just get the feeling with Hendrix that he is the best because every one said so at the time, so it must be true. We are allowed to look back in retrospect, and the real greats are still great. The truly great pieces of music are great for their composition, not for their time, hence Beethoven, Berry and the Beatles.  I think you should listen again to the way in which Hendrix redefined the songs he interpreted - from Johnny B Goode thru several of Dylan's to Sgt Pepper - and if you still don't get it, then maybe you should stick to country "music". 

Gassage

This is just my view- I can genuinely take him or leave him as a solo guitarist.

However, when I hear his rhythm fills and chops are utterly astounding and some of the best I have ever heard.

That's when I, personally, really 'get' Hendrix.

Lixarto

Phil_aka_Pip said:

and if you still don't get it, then maybe you should stick to country "music". 

Alternatively, he could continue to state His Opinion.

Phil_aka_Pip

Lixarto said:

Phil_aka_Pip said:

and if you still don't get it, then maybe you should stick to country "music". 

Alternatively, he could continue to state His Opinion.

To which he is as entitled as anyone else

EricTheWeary

Lixarto said:

ElectroDan said:

Garry Moore is on sky Arts right now playing Jimi songs

I like some of Gary's stuff (the Celtic rock, not the blues) but had to turn this show off.

So dull.

I quite like Gary and I quite like Jimi but that show is bloody awful.

Lixarto

Good.

Given the state of casual bullying so prevalent on this forum, it was worth saying.

Drew_TNBD

Lixarto said:

Good.

Given the state of casual bullying so prevalent on this forum, it was worth saying.

You're one of the main proponents of that you bloody hypocrite!

shaunm

Not everything Jimi did was groundbreaking and that is what I believe gets on people's nerves, the fact that as a guitarist you are almost expected to worship each note he played. He did some stuff that's just tedious but he also wrote and played some of the most groundbreaking guitar music written. 

When he was on form he was the most entertaining and forward thinking guitarist of his generation.

Greatness could be measured by influence and it's at this point where Jimi has few peers. 

Another reason could be that he is quite like Mohammed Ali in that in the politically turbulent 60's he transcended race, he was a seen as a guitarist and not a black musician. To many he was the embodiment of the 60's. 

All of these points contribute to why he is so highly thought of. Yes there are better guitarists playing today just as there are no doubt better boxers than Ali but nobody truly transcended thier art like those two did. 

Fusionista

Drew_fx said:

Lixarto said:

Good.

Given the state of casual bullying so prevalent on this forum, it was worth saying.

You're one of the main proponents of that you bloody hypocrite!

Bans mate innit ?

Wis for ICBM's last. Love Paggers.

Fusionista

shaunm said:

Not everything Jimi did was groundbreaking and that is what I believe gets on people's nerves, the fact that as a guitarist you are almost expected to worship each note he played. He did some stuff that's just tedious but he also wrote and played some of the most groundbreaking guitar music written. 

My proudest moment was when we were watching a vid of Jimi playing in Hawaii and basically getting a bit tedious and self-indulgent (similar to the "We're just jammin' " comment at Woodstock, which itself followed the greatest moment in guitar music history - yes, I'm talking about his utterly awesome, artistically groundbreaking rendition of 'Star-spangled Banner") and my brother said, 'You could do better 'n that."

koneguitarist

Phil_aka_Pip said:

koneguitarist said:

I Don't like Jazz, Punk, Classical, Funk, but I can see why people like it and it's relevance in music.

I just get the feeling with Hendrix that he is the best because every one said so at the time, so it must be true. 

We are allowed to look back in retrospect, and the real greats are still great. 

The truly great pieces of music are great for their composition, not for their time, hence Beethoven, Berry and the Beatles. 

I think you should listen again to the way in which Hendrix redefined the songs he interpreted - from Johnny B Goode thru several of Dylan's to Sgt Pepper - and if you still don't get it, then maybe you should stick to country "music". 
I have listened to his version of Johnny B Goode, and maybe people are right in how he influenced so many ( Pub guitar god wanna be's mainly ) guitarists.

I still don't get it, love country music, but I also love Rock are you only allowed one choice? 

:-\"