How many guitar players in the world can you immediately recognize by just listening to a couple of notes without ever having heard the song before?
I'm talking about those guitarists who are so proficient in their artistry that they have their own voice just like your favorite singers. Jimi Hendrix of course. Chuck Berry yep. Carlos Santana uh huh. B.B. King sometimes. Eddie Van Halen why not. Keith Richards ok. How about Bill Frisell? Definitely.
According to estimates, there are 50 million guitar players in the world. Bill Frisell should be at the top of that list for you to see live in person. I've seen Bill in concert more than 15 times in the last decade and I've never seen the same show or band format twice. Bill can be subtle, challenging and powerful all in the same song. Sometimes you have to wait for it… sometimes you get knocked over the head.
Whether he's performing his own compositions or interpreting the works of other greats like John Lennon, Hank Williams or McCoy Tyner, it's always a gift to be able to witness a master at their craft. So keep practicing in your bedroom, keep watching YouTube videos of your favorite artists but when Bill comes to town, get out of your house and experience the emotional impact of live music.
I never had the opportunity to see Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Duane Allman, Robert Johnson but I've seen Frisell.
George Clanton
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