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01 Mar 02 - 03:02 PM (#660779) Subject: Opinions on U2... From: Crunchie My object here is not to determine who thinks U2 makes folk music (wouldn't touch that can of worms for a million bucks) but simply to ask this: Can one safely refer to The Edge (U2 guitarist) as a "real" musician because while he plays the guitar, he regularly employs processors and effects that are not naturally possible or obtainable on that same guitar without the machines hooked up to it. I am of the humble opinion that while any jackass can plug into a machine, the idea is no different that any jackass being able to slap paint on a canvas. The difference is, one has an eye and a heart for creating beauty, the other is using the "paint" because they couldn't make a picture worth shit using a plain old pencil. See what I mean? I think the ones who really have something to say can communicate their ideas with these "sound paintings" while others need the electronic crutch to mask the fact that they can't play any really skillful guitar to begin with. Well? Have fun, Crunchie
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01 Mar 02 - 03:52 PM (#660821) Subject: RE: BS: Opinions on U2... From: Lonesome EJ The late guitar giant Jimi Hendrix pioneered the mating of electronic effects with virtuosity, and he was as skilled at manipulating effects pedals and amplifiers as he was at the instrument itself. Using Hendrix as example, I don't believe that the two skills are mutually exclusive. I believe that there are those whose mastery of the musical instrument needs no enhancement, ie Django Reinhardt, and others whose mastery of the effects masks a lack of basic skill, ie Green Day. As for the Edge, I would not count him among the guitar virtuosos. He is mainly a rhythm guitarist with a style defined by the effects he employs, a style that has been very influential, by the way. And I prefer the very early U-2, when the sensitivities were closer to punk, than the latter day "baroque" U2, who seem to be stylized to the point of self-parody. |
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01 Mar 02 - 04:01 PM (#660825) Subject: RE: BS: Opinions on U2... From: JenEllen There was a day when I'd have walked a mile over broken glass for the Edge, but it was never because of guitar virtuosity. *g* I agree with Leej, the eariler musical attempts are more palatable. The same accusations/arguments could be made for Peter Buck of REM. Cute as all hell in the '80s, but whoever told that man that a mandolin was a good idea should have been shot. ~J |
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01 Mar 02 - 04:04 PM (#660830) Subject: RE: BS: Opinions on U2... From: Jerry Rasmussen Gee, I dunno... I heard U2 for years because my youngest son really loved them. I never bought a CD of theirs, myself, although at times I was tempted. I too like their pre-circus days better. But for rock guitar, I don't know many who can measure up to The Edge. Creativity is creativity. You can be enormously creative using whatever you have as a pallate to work with. To give another example besides Jimm Hendrix, what about Spike Jones? Only kidding slightly. I don't think it's a question of whether electronic gimmicks can replace creativity. All you have to do is listen to lousy rock guitarists to know that.
My favorite rock guitarist is either Keith Richards or Mark Knopfler. I listen to Knopfler more, but the Stones would have been a far lesser group without Richards. Jerry |
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01 Mar 02 - 04:58 PM (#660869) Subject: RE: BS: Opinions on U2... From: GUEST,jack the sailor (baywop) I just read in Time Magazine that Bono is trying to save the world. Or Africa at least. Also their latest album is heavily capitalizing on the events of Sept.11 right down to the list of victim's names shown during concerts and the Superbowl halftime. Love 'em or hate 'em, they got balls! |
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01 Mar 02 - 06:03 PM (#660917) Subject: RE: BS: Opinions on U2... From: Clinton Hammond 10 years ago... U2... pretty good band... the last decade... musical drek... Effects... well, as the proud owner of a Boss ME-10 effects peddle, I have only this to say... occcasional use is a hell of a lot of fun... Self-indulgent wanking? Ya, maybe... but who said that was a bad thing?? :-) |
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02 Mar 02 - 09:45 AM (#661267) Subject: RE: BS: Opinions on U2... From: alanabit I don't listen to U2 much these days, but I don't listen to much other rock music either. I think Dave Evans is of some passing interest for folkies, because he used to be one of us - plying his trade with an acoustic guitar. I always felt that a lot of the U2 sound was built around drones, which could be hypnotic (if you liked them) or tedious (if you didn't). Some folk guitarists like to use a drone effect by letting the top and bottom string resonate (when playing in standard or open tuning, for instance) and then playing up and down the middle strings of the instrument. It is a very simple technique - the sort I like best. I would say that Dave Evans used electronic effects to get a comparable effect with the electric guitar. For me it sounded very interesting and different. It is easy to snipe and successful bands and then take cheap shots at them as being "worthy". U2 is not my favourite band, but they have tried to progress musically and have always behaved with a fair sense of basic dignity and decency. That is not something I can accuse all rock bands of! |