I Want To Tell You

This friend of mine told me he had read some posting on the Internet about the top ten guitarists of all time and remarked on how there were so many comments arguing about the list.

My response was that, based on intimate personal experience, guitarists were a rather opinionated group.

After which, not waiting to hear his list, I proceeded to give him mine.

Strumming With The Rhythm …

My favourite rock and roll songs are:

1) Johnny B Goode 

2) Roll over Beethoven 

3) The last (rock and roll) song I heard by:

• The Beatles 
• Led Zeppelin 
• Tom Petty 
• AC/DC
• The Who 
• The Kinks 
• The Police 
• The Rolling Stones 
• Queen 
• U2
• Chuck Berry, obviously 

Oh, or Elvis, CCR, Buddy Holly, Springsteen, Dire Straits or ...

No Time To Stay The Same

When I listen to Country Girl by CSNY, I can’t help but wonder how Neil Young next two or three solo albums would have sounded if he had recorded those songs with Crosby, Still and Nash.

Carry That Weight

I belong to too many Facebook groups, the consequence of which is that I am regularly subjected to posts declaring that The Beatles were overrated- if not downright awful.

To which I say this: If you were between the ages of ten and twenty in 1964 you are entitled to your opinion (even if you’re wrong).  If you are younger, you will never understand, because you weren’t there.  You didn’t experience those magical years.

You Stole My Heart

Whenever I hear the opening strains of Maggie May by Rod Stewart, I always think:  Oh no, not again.  I mean, it’s been, like twelve million times, right?  And I’ve always thought the lyrics were, I dunno, a bit lazy or something.

But then, by the time the guitar solo comes around, I think: Actually, this is a pretty good song.

Then when the mandolin kicks off the coda I realize all over again that I’ve been listening to a masterpiece.

There’s So Much You Have To Know

If Cat Stevens added a verse or two to Father and Son, and added the perspective of the grandfather, well  …  I’m old enough to also relate to that.

But I’m still pulling for the son.

Well I Realize I’ve Been Hypnotized

OK, I know Hendrix played the Chitlin’ Circuit, and near the end he was getting into funk and all, but Jimi Hendrix did psychedelic, right?  I mean he embodied the words Far Out.

But listen to Gypsy Eyes.  Underneath the trippy exterior is a Motown song.  It could have been done by The Temptations, right?

That’s what’s so cool about great artists, great recordings, and great songs.  They keep giving up something new.

Hurry Hurry Hurry

I have this friend ...  he says he loves Rock and Roll, but he thinks punk is rubbish, and he can’t stand heavy metal, which - according to him - is exemplified by Led Zeppelin and AC/DC.

Yes, he is older than me.

I try in vain to explain to him that Zeppelin and AC/DC are Rock and Roll bands, but he won’t have it.

I say: “Listen.  There is no difference between You Shook Me All Night Long and Communication Breakdown and I Want To Be Sedated and Roll Over Beethoven (either The Beatles or Chuck Berry, take your pick).

The sound may differ, but it’s the feeling, right?

Take A Breath

I’ve been trying to think of something nice to say about the saxophone for most of my life, and I finally got it: on some of David Gilmour’s best guitar solos, you can tell that he also plays the sax.

It Happened Just The Other Day

I have been guilty of saying some unkind things about David Crosby, but I will say this: Almost Cut My Hair is one powerful tune.  Every single time I hear it, I stop what I’m doing and think: ‘Damn Right!’

I couldn’t even say what part of the lyrics grabs me ‘cause I’m not even sure I get them – but I’m not giving in an inch either if I can help it.