I couldn’t think of Robert Cray’s name the other day, so I Googled “great blues guitarists.” I came across a list of someone’s top 100 blues guitarists. Cray was right up there at a very respectable No. 22.
Lists are always a lot of fun, so I’ve formulated one of my own.
I’ll call it “Inspirations of Modern Music.” My list focuses heavily on songwriters, but not entirely. It’s just a handful of folks who inspire me. I didn’t put numbers on them, and it’s certainly not comprehensive. I’m hoping others will comment and add their own favorite artists who inspire.
One element all of these people have in common: When I think of them, they make me feel good.
So here goes:
• Bob Dylan. He’s the Mozart of our times. Go to his Web site and just read lyrics if you want to experience great poetry. But there’s something that goes well beyond that — it’s the way the lyrics fit the music. It’s a brilliance that can’t be explained. When other artists take on his songs, the songs absolutely soar. Some go see him in concert these days and go, “whaaa?” They can’t understand his voice, and it appears he’s not even trying. But in terms of the music he’s already created and is still creating, there aren’t enough books or films to be made to calculate the importance. If you’re new to Dylan, I suggest “Highway 61 Revisited” (older); “Desire” (middle period) and “Love and Theft” (more modern).
• John Lennon/Paul McCartney/George Harrison/Ringo Starr. The catalog is so amazing I’ve come to think that someone else (aliens?) were involved. The Beatles got in and wrote almost every great rock/pop song before anybody else could get to them. How could they sit down and, so quickly, write perfect song after perfect song? And people underestimate how excellent they were as musicians. The harmonies and chord progressions are stunning. Harrison’s guitar playing is perfection in terms of complementing the song. Even Ringo’s rhythm — what more would you want? One concession: there are a few duds out there. I’d be OK if I never heard “Wild Honey Pie” again in my lifetime.
• Neil Young. Singular voice. A brave wind of truth blows through his music like a giant front moving across the Canadian prairie. There’s a reason (beyond drugs) why Robbie Robertson and Rich Danko are in such ecstasy when joined by Neil on “The Last Waltz.” He’s a titan among titans.
• Keith Richards/Mick Jagger. What is rock ‘n’ roll? Rock ‘n’ roll is Keith Richards’ rhythm guitar and Mick Jagger’s swagger. People go see the Stones today and say it was the hottest thing they’ve ever seen. It’s been like this for four decades. Just think about the opening riffs on “Brown Sugar” or “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” Done.
• Jimi Hendrix. He made even Eric Clapton and the Beatles reconsider what they were doing. All paths of rock guitar lead through Jimi at some point.
• Stevie Ray Vaughan/Jimmy Vaughan. Who knew this Texas family would have such an impact on the blues? Dedication and fairly friendly brotherly rivalry can take you a long way.
• Jerry Garcia. What I’ve come to realize is Jerry’s music went so far beyond just the Grateful Dead. Yet once you’re on the bus with Deadheads, you say things like, “If I only had one band to listen to the rest of my life it would be the Dead.” And you actually mean it. Jerry weaved in and through and beyond so much great American music. I’m not sure anyone loved music more than Jerry Garcia.
• Johnny Cash/Willie Nelson/Merle Haggard/Kris Kristofferson. I’ll just go ahead and package my four favorite country artists right here. Cash – the soul of America. Willie – the outlaw gypsy we’d all like to be. Haggard – the poet of the common man. Kristofferson – the thinking man’s humble soul of America.
• Gram Parsons/Emmylou Harris. I can’t stop listening to the father of alternative country. Partly because he sings with HER. I crown them King and Queen. Emmylou has the most incredible voice I’ve ever heard. When I hear her live, it cuts through my entire being like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. That’s why she’s harmonized with almost everyone on this list and hundreds of other greats.
• Lucinda Williams. She belongs firmly with all the names mentioned on this list. Her songwriting, voice, rawness and angst make her one of the all-time greats. She’s also an inspiration because she didn’t “make it” until quite a bit later in life.
• John Prine/John Hiatt. I can’t decide who I like more between these two great songwriters. Prine will make you laugh and smile, or completely melt your heart. Hiatt has this type of working man’s soul (and he can also melt your heart). Both are so genuine.
• Jeff Tweety/Jay Farrar. They were in a band together, but I don’t even know Uncle Tupelo’s music. I am learning how brilliant they’ve gone on to be. Tweety with Wilco. Farrar with Son Volt and his solo albums.
••••••••
Well, I could go on forever, and it would lead me through names like Bob Marley, Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, Freddie King, Chuck Berry, Bruce Springsteen, Robert Plant/Jimmy Page, James McMurtry, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dave Alvin, Lyle Lovett, Chrissie Hynde and others. But I need to turn this blog over to others and see who they would name as inspirations.
Sound off, now, ya hear?
