Review: Fretkillr on You Tube

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: John Hardly
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 01:22 PM

I don't have any problem believing that fretkillr is a "nobody". He's a good guitar player and I really enjoy his vocals, but I know some of the arrangements he uses and they aren't his own -- they're culled from songbooks (or careful observation of the original -- just the way we all learn 'em). For instance, he uses James Taylor's idiosyncratic guitar arrangement for "Walkin' My Baby Back Home".

Fretkillr is good, but he's not even in the same league with Pat Donohue, guitar-wise. I know any number of guys who play as well as fretkillr and they aren't even professionals (or they are semi-pro).

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: PoppaGator
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 02:41 PM

Yeah you right, John.

One thing about Fretkillr that I DON'T believe is when he tells us he's never learned anything from either tablature or sheet music. Of course, like you say, "careful observation of the original" is another way to cop someone's arrangement, but there are tab and/or "dots" transcriptions available for a hell of a lot more songs than there are videos.

I was pretty intrugued watching him play "Lakes of Pontchartrain." He writes that he learned it from Paul Brady's playing, and his playing of the song sounds very much like Brady's . . . BUT ~ this song is one only two* for which Brady provides tablature on his website, and Fretkillr does it quite differently, evidently using a different tuning to produce pretty much the same notes and chords. Brady's arrangement is in open D Vastapol (DADF#AD) and I've learned it pretty well; I can clearly see that FK is not using the same chord shapes, not fretting the same strings in the same places, etc.

I can only conclude that FK is playing in some other tuning ~ open G, maybe, or DADGAD, or maybe even standard. (I am very much a novice when it comes to alternative tunings, so I can't offer an informed opinion.) If FK figured out a whole different way to get the same (or very similar) result, my hat's off to him.

* The other song tabbed on PaulBrady.com is Arthur McBride, in open G "Spanish" tuning.

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: Gulliver
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 08:28 PM

Like John said, I too know a number of guys, and not too old either, who'd be technically as good as Fretkillr, and have as good a voice. But I don't think they'd be able to package it as well as Fretkillr. His guitar has a great sound, sings with feeling, clear enunciation, good rhythm, etc. Really nice, IMO.

Don

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:39 AM

I think one of the reasons Fretkillr appears so good is that he is being compared to the millions of wannabes on Youtube. Don't get me wrong, I love his vids. However, how good would Paul McCartney or James taylor(say) sound in a similar vid scenario ?

Anyway, God bless him. I've learned a lot from watching his vids.

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Feb 09 - 02:23 PM

Some comments were made early in this thread about his recording sounding so good. I have noticed in a few FK vids that a cord is hanging by his side, so he must have a head mounted mic on, yet I don't see any cords on the guitar, so that's still a mystery.
Anyway, as I am a beginner guitar player, I am in awe of his skill.

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 05 Mar 09 - 02:18 PM

Honestly, his version of some songs are superior to the originals. He's a fairly good guitarist, but his voice is excellent.

I've travelled quite a bit, and I've heard probably thousands of live musicians/bands. His talents warrant notice, but so do countless other unknowns.

If I was to take a wild guess as to who this guy is, I would guess he's a contracted backup musician for a star that is not as good as he is.

Off-the-cuff name guesses: Ralph Banuelos, Stockton, CA., Barry Enwright, Cynthiana, KY.

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: GUEST,Guest, jukkagy
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 04:59 AM

I must confess to being just as intrigued by this incredible talent as the rest of you who've bothered to post here. And unlike any other blog I've read, each and every post has been worth a read. This speculation bit is just too much fun.

So far, the illustrious fretkillr has been surmised to be a bedroom recluse, mental patient, contract musician, (but better that the person he's backing up), average Joe with a day job, did I miss anything! After listening to
this gem I am leaning in the direction of contract musician. Absolutely flawless combination of guitar, harp and vocals. Does it get any better?

Whoever this guy turns out to be, I will be eternally grateful for the gift of his music - and all the swell free lessons ;-)

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: GUEST,dzjc
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 01:28 PM

For all you naysayers, why even bother commenting on something you don't like? Haven't you got better things to do? Fretkillr has some obvious talent that touches people in the right way, and if he'd rather not show his face, so what?

Yes, there are probably lots of players on Youtube that are better guitarists and vocalists, but so what? This is not a contest! People are just trying to enjoy his music. If you don't like it, don't listen to it. Is that so hard?

Dale

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 11:04 AM

Fretkillr by a country mile, man! Isaac fella can't sing!

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: keyofzed
Date: 30 Apr 10 - 06:06 AM

Where's Fretkillr gone? His youtube account appears to be suspended.

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 30 Apr 10 - 06:32 AM

Evidently he did too many covers and got pulled on copyright infringement. Pity.

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 30 Apr 10 - 08:47 AM

another piece of idiocy on the part of Youtube.

copyright infringement, my arse.

the man never made a penny out of any of these videos, and showed a lot of people how the songs should be played.

fortunately, one of his fans has recorded all his videos, and is uploading them again.

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: PoppaGator
Date: 30 Apr 10 - 03:13 PM

I'm sorry to heaf that FK's stuff got pulled, and encouraged that someone is trying to put it all back.

I haven't thought about him for a while, but I certainly enjoyed watching and listening to many of his offerings, and learned a thing or two in the process.

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: Richie
Date: 30 Apr 10 - 07:57 PM

I got one of my videos pulled for copyright infringement on youtube even tho it was a PD song.

It was because I said something about a copyrighted song.

Richie

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: GUEST,slumpondslim
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 10:03 PM

I vote John Sabastian from the Lovin Spoonful... Listen to DayDream from both of them....

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 11:17 PM

Looks as though folks have been busy putting fretkillr's videos back on youtube...I've missed them.

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 11:34 PM

Wow. Good listening. I watched one after another- hard to pull oneself away.

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: Melissa
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 02:25 AM

St Anne's Reel is hot!


Did his original videos say he's a man?

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: Melissa
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 02:27 AM

Ha..duh..his VOICE implies that he is!
I forgot about that one little detail..got distracted by the thick shirt and right wrist.

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: olddude
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 04:54 PM

i am pretty sure i know who he is. I have all but got him to admit it but I won't say ... he is florida boy however :-) He is on another site and left his myspace link .. we became friends on the other site and exchange music ... 99.9% sure ... and he sure got quiet and bashful when I call him on it ... nice man also

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 05:21 PM

Very nice too...

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: olddude
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 05:25 PM

He is an amazing musician and as good on an electric as acoustic ..

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: GUEST,Chloe
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 03:28 AM

On Fretkillrs YT page he said that his parents were baby boomers and he grew up listening to their music. His fingers look younger than a baby boomer's to me. In one video, he's wearing an ESPN jacket. I went to the ESPN website to look at the jackets for sale. The ones for sale to the public didn't look remotely like the one he was wearing, which was black with ESPN in small block letters, multi-colors, on his upper left chest. I don't know, but it looked "official."

As someone who was taught vibrato, and has also taught vibrato, I don't believe anyone taught him vibrato, which he most probably would have been taught if he had taken guitar lessons. He has a vibrato of a sort but it's not what you learn from a professional.

I sure hope he gets back on youtube.

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: Jayto
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 03:31 AM

That was great man I really enjoyed it. The talent on this site never ceases to amaze me.

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: olddude
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 06:23 PM

Well even after a number of requests I won't tell ya who he is but I will give ya a photo

fretk

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 10:35 PM

Oh, hellO! Thanks for that olddude...just as handsome as his picking and voice! Any hopes of him putting out a CD?

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: olddude
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 12:24 AM

I am pretty sure Kat but it would be under his real name. He is guarding this thing really well and I don't know why ... just having fun with it I think.   He does a lot of rock and modern country also .. but then sits down and cranks out these old favorites to relax and have fun .. some of the songs I heard that were original were brilliant .. more towards the rock and country genre ..

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: olddude
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 12:37 AM

guitar rag

Son and father are the same by the way

Subject: RE: Review: Fretkillr on You Tube
From: olddude
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 12:44 AM

And you may also want to check out lightning thumbs ... LOL
look familiar
lightning thumbs