OFF: Is Guitar Rock Dead?

[Guido Vacano]

"lil ab" says--

> One of the Guitar magazines has a cover story about the lack of
> imaginative guitar playing in todays modern music scene.

Whoever wrote the article must not be aware of the efforts of Robert
Fripp, Adrian Belew, The California Guitar Trio, Fred Frith, David Torn,
Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, Vernon Reid, etc. If he or she is referring to
such a lack in Top 40, I'm in full agreement. Screaming guitar has been
replaced by screechy "vocals".

> Didn't read
> the  whole thing but several people suggested that Techno-dance music is
> about to take over in a big way and that rock may be leaving the scene
> all together (fat chance).  Still there is a huge gap in todays music as
> none of the newer bands seem to care or are able to perform the old
> standard flaming guitar solo.  Any of you professional out there have an
> opinion on this?  Have we seen the last of virtuosos like Buck, Ted
> Nugent, Frank Marino, Robin Trower?

I think Robin Trower's _20th Century Blues_ (a great album btw) is his
most recent album (1994), but I don't think we've seen the last of him. As
for Ted Nugent, I suspect we won't hear anything interesting from him.

> I know there are several young guys who can play but they don't appear
> enamored with the mosnter solo.  Thoughts anyone?

Monster solos aren't popular anymore (except for bits of explosive
billion notes per second stuff from the likes of Satriani, Vai, and Van
Halen). A bastardized style based on '50s and '60s folk music is what's in
these days. :-P But "Imaginative Guitar" is not dead! Like jazz, it just
smells funny! :-)

Guido

--
If nothing is done, then all will be well.  -- Lao Tse