Live Oak Blues What happens.

I have played guitar for more years than many of you have been alive, but have never to my knowledge ever turned in what could be called a “performance.” I’m a dedicated rhythm guitarist and have never had the urge to upgrade to lead. Yet I appreciate, even revere, the gunslinger who can fire off bar after bar of blistering lead, every note landing in the ever-moving sweet spot. Check out Alvin Lee’s otherworldly performance at Woodstock to see what this sounds like at its pinnacle.

But is a Great Guitar Performance restricted to this kind of lead guitar? Nope. Check out Mance Lipscomb or Mississippi John Hurt or John Fahey or Leo Kottke. In fact, the single-note, guitar-face-inducing lead of rock and roll is a fairly recent invention and hells yes there were Guitar Gods before that. For me, a “performance” can either be live or in the studio but must be memorable to the extent that you can mention it to someone else “in the know” and s/he will nod and smile in agreement.  In other words, Great Guitar Performances create their own shorthand.

I will be investigating this phenomenon in a series of radio shows on “Left Of The Dial” on Grow Radio (Mondays from 3 to 5 Eastern). I have enlisted the help and knowledge of many music friends to pull this off and have come up with a solid first show.  Tune in or listen to the podcast and I would appreciate any other suggestions you may have.  Cheers.