Finally going to see John Prine on June 30th down in Rochester,MN. Great song writer. Lost some singing power d/t CA of the throat a few yrs ago. Have every CD of his. Just saw Storyhill last Monday night in St.Cloud!
Joy is a great teacher, but so is dispair. Wonder is a great teacher, but so is confusion. Hope is a great teacher, but so is disillusionment. And life is a great teacher, but so is death. To deny yourself any of those in any aspect is not experiencing life totally.
My next door neighbor where I grew up as a kid, Prince Rogers Nelson AKA Prince p.s. He and a guy named Alexander Oneil where always at my house trying to talk to my sister Debbie .
" I want to know Gods thoughts , The rest are details " Albert Einstein.
Like Dicecup, I love John Prine and have been listening to him faithfully since 1971.
But as for "all around" talent in the popular music realm, I have to go with Lyle Lovett. He writes, sings, plays, arranges, and controls every aspect of his recordings. Most of which are complex arrangements with large multi-piece bands, and no two of his songs sound the same. Just a couple of good ones below.
If your asking for newer Musicians? - Old Crow Medicine Show - Hayes Carll - Todd Snider - Xavier Rudd To name a few." You are speaking my language coilcove:
Ha! Slim Whitman and Boxcar..........no way! How about Red Sovine? awbrown you made my day. I need to download some una paloma blanca.........right now. What a gas!
- Andrew Bird - Arcade Fire - Atmosphere - Band of Horses - The Black Keys - Bon Iver - Calexico - Dan Auerbach - Fleet Foxes - The Hold Steady - Iron and Wine - Lateduster - Low - M Ward - Mason Jennings - Mike Doughty - Mofro - Morcheeba - My Morning Jacket - The National - Neko Case - P J Harvey - Ray La Montaigne - Thievery Corporation - The White Stripes - Yo La Tengo - 16 Horsepower
i didn't answer the question with my earlier post. i might agree with others that prince might be the most talented musician today, but i can't stand his music. don't own any of it. can't listen to it. it's too "pop"-y for me.
quote cinna: "Prince is a hell of guitarist and dancer, but can he clog and fiddle? I don' think so." I'm guessing he can play the fiddle. He can play at least 25 instruments. I don't care for some of his stuff too, it's too pop 80's for my taste, but some is good.
WOW! Forgot about John Prine. Saw him live at Bogart's. Great folk writer. Paradise, Settled in the Rain, Hole in Daddy's Arm...nearly forgot. Have few cassettes somewhere....must look them up! Sorry, what century Jan? :)
As badly as I hate to say it, if the topic is best all-around, I gotta get on that Prince bandwagon. Not a giant Prince fan, but the little bastard can dance his ass off, holds his own with a couple of instruments, and does a little singing, too.
"Old Nashville still has a song and dance, and the Florida girls still wear no underpants.
And we all get drunk at the football game, yeh the new south, thank God is still the same" Hank Williams, jr
quote rmessner: "Didn't Aldo Nova do all instruments on his album songs and then compile everything together?" I know Todd Rundgren used to do that.
"Old Nashville still has a song and dance, and the Florida girls still wear no underpants.
And we all get drunk at the football game, yeh the new south, thank God is still the same" Hank Williams, jr
My favorite balladeer (Drive All Night), rocker (Born to Run) and folk singer (Highway Patrolman) are all the same guy: Bruce Springsteen on guitar, vocals, and piano. Chris Theil, formerly of Nickel Creek, is ungodly.
I was lucky enough to see him back in the mid 80's in St. Paul playing under a full moon (some annual summer fest, cannot recall the name). Incredible on numerous instruments, and so full of soul!!
"He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious." Yogi Berra
Low, mc I like it. My friends band played with them when they first started out. They played gigs often at a coffee shop called urban ground in Duluth.
Eric Clapton Buddy Guy Bonnie Raitt Stevie Ray Vaughan
Best live concerts by individual performers that I've been to are Buddy Guy and Ray Charles.
Best live concert festivals were the Mole Lake Great Northern Bluegrass Festivals. Bands I saw at them included Earl Scruggs (and family), Bill Monroe, John Hartford, Benny Martin, Vassar Clements, Doc and Merle Watson, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Marshall Tucker Band, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, New Grass Revival...
"You guys might not know this, but I consider myself a bit of a loner. I tend to think of myself as a one-man wolf pack." - Alan Garner, The Hangover.
quote Frenchy19: "quote mr.barley: "Van Morrison gets a my vote."
I was lucky enough to see him back in the mid 80's in St. Paul playing under a full moon (some annual summer fest, cannot recall the name). Incredible on numerous instruments, and so full of soul!! " You are a lucky man, Mark. My wife and I have wanted to see him for years. Last time he played in the twin cities he sold out the Target Center in a few minutes. He's currently on tour, but all dates are in Europe so far.
quote Basspro69: "My next door neighbor where I grew up as a kid, Prince Rogers Nelson AKA Prince p.s. He and a guy named Alexander Oneil where always at my house trying to talk to my sister Debbie ."
That is WAY cool. Prince is a master of his craft!!
"Best all aroundmusician?" How about someone like Roy Clark. I know I saw him play at least 5 different instruments well. These are the guys who amaze me. Talent with mutiple tools as opposed to being a master of one.
The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!
Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, 1945
How do you evaluate an all-around musician? To me, an all-around musician would need all the musical skills. I'd weight those skills in this order. 1. composer 2. arranger 3. instrumentalist 4. vocalist 5. lyricist 6. performer. If you accept this scale, no musician of our time or any time comes close to Paul McCartney. For the benefit of younger readers, McCartney was a member of the Beatles, a quartet from Liverpool, UK, which flourished in the 60's. Later he formed a group called "Wings." A distant, but noteworthy second on the list would be Jeff Lynne, founder of ELO.
quote burntsider: "How do you evaluate an all-around musician? To me, an all-around musician would need all the musical skills. I'd weight those skills in this order. 1. composer 2. arranger 3. instrumentalist 4. vocalist 5. lyricist 6. performer. If you accept this scale, no musician of our time or any time comes close to Paul McCartney. For the benefit of younger readers, McCartney was a member of the Beatles, a quartet from Liverpool, UK, which flourished in the 60's. Later he formed a group called "Wings." A distant, but noteworthy second on the list would be Jeff Lynne, founder of ELO. "
quote burntsider: "How do you evaluate an all-around musician? To me, an all-around musician would need all the musical skills. I'd weight those skills in this order. 1. composer 2. arranger 3. instrumentalist 4. vocalist 5. lyricist 6. performer. If you accept this scale, no musician of our time or any time comes close to Paul McCartney. For the benefit of younger readers, McCartney was a member of the Beatles, a quartet from Liverpool, UK, which flourished in the 60's. Later he formed a group called "Wings." A distant, but noteworthy second on the list would be Jeff Lynne, founder of ELO. "
quote mc2mens: "quote burntsider: "How do you evaluate an all-around musician? To me, an all-around musician would need all the musical skills. I'd weight those skills in this order. 1. composer 2. arranger 3. instrumentalist 4. vocalist 5. lyricist 6. performer. If you accept this scale, no musician of our time or any time comes close to Paul McCartney. For the benefit of younger readers, McCartney was a member of the Beatles, a quartet from Liverpool, UK, which flourished in the 60's. Later he formed a group called "Wings." A distant, but noteworthy second on the list would be Jeff Lynne, founder of ELO. "
I am in complete agreement!" Totally.
"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after" ~ Henry David Thoreau
quote mc2mens: "quote Beaverjack: "Man, did we even include Bonnie Ryatt on the best guitarists thread? She's certainly up there (well ahead of Neil Young for sure)."
I mentioned her - Bonnie Raitt that is. Not sure I'd place her well ahead of Neil Young though. But hey, different strokes for different folks."
As a guitarist who has mimicked whomever my meager talent will allow since the early 70s, I can say without reservation that Bonnie Raitt's elegant slide guitar is harder to duplicate than Neil Young's three finger fret bouncing. I won't say an ape could play guitar as well as Neil Young, but if the brow fits........
quote Beaverjack: "quote mc2mens: "quote Beaverjack: "Man, did we even include Bonnie Ryatt on the best guitarists thread? She's certainly up there (well ahead of Neil Young for sure)."
I mentioned her - Bonnie Raitt that is. Not sure I'd place her well ahead of Neil Young though. But hey, different strokes for different folks."
As a guitarist who has mimicked whomever my meager talent will allow since the early 70s, I can say without reservation that Bonnie Raitt's elegant slide guitar is harder to duplicate than Neil Young's three finger fret bouncing. I won't say an ape could play guitar as well as Neil Young, but if the brow fits........ "
Hahaha - you're crackin me up BJ. He may not be great in many minds, but he's one of my favorite songwriters and I do like the way he plays. It's memorable. I can think of dozens of sounds from his guitar at any time. Cinnamon Girl, Down by the River, Heart of Gold, Cowgirl in the Sand, Sugar Mountain, Cortez the Killer, Winterlong, Comes a Time...
quote mc2mens: "quote Beaverjack: "quote mc2mens: "quote Beaverjack: "Man, did we even include Bonnie Ryatt on the best guitarists thread? She's certainly up there (well ahead of Neil Young for sure)."
I mentioned her - Bonnie Raitt that is. Not sure I'd place her well ahead of Neil Young though. But hey, different strokes for different folks."
As a guitarist who has mimicked whomever my meager talent will allow since the early 70s, I can say without reservation that Bonnie Raitt's elegant slide guitar is harder to duplicate than Neil Young's three finger fret bouncing. I won't say an ape could play guitar as well as Neil Young, but if the brow fits........ "
Hahaha - you're crackin me up BJ. He may not be great in many minds, but he's one of my favorite songwriters and I do like the way he plays. It's memorable. I can think of dozens of sounds from his guitar at any time. Cinnamon Girl, Down by the River, Heart of Gold, Cowgirl in the Sand, Sugar Mountain, Cortez the Killer, Winterlong, Comes a Time... " Lets not forget Ohio and Needle and the Damage.
Bonnie Raitt may play the slide but can she slide and play the Didgeridoo too?
I didn't say I didn't like his songs. Harvest is a fine album in the folk rock genre. Some of the stuff he did with CS&N was good too. I don't think he really fit with them because of his need to punk-up from time to time. Harvest was his peak. He's been riding the wave since. Still singin' like a girl, too.
For all around musicians I'd say Eddie Vedder deserves a nod, drummer in Nirvana, lead guitar and vocals in Pearl Jam, and a whole ukelele album. McCartney is also a great all-rounder, in an average concert he'll play bass, guitar, and piano.
The creation of a thousand forests is in a single acorn- Ralph Waldo Emerson
quote L.T.sully: "For all around musicians I'd say Eddie Vedder deserves a nod, drummer in Nirvana, lead guitar and vocals in Pearl Jam, and a whole ukelele album. McCartney is also a great all-rounder, in an average concert he'll play bass, guitar, and piano. "
Dave Grohl was Nirvana's drummer. Eddie Vedder is talented but I can't understand what he is saying half the time.
quote mc2mens: "quote Beaverjack: "quote mc2mens: "quote Beaverjack: "Man, did we even include Bonnie Ryatt on the best guitarists thread? She's certainly up there (well ahead of Neil Young for sure)."
I mentioned her - Bonnie Raitt that is. Not sure I'd place her well ahead of Neil Young though. But hey, different strokes for different folks."
As a guitarist who has mimicked whomever my meager talent will allow since the early 70s, I can say without reservation that Bonnie Raitt's elegant slide guitar is harder to duplicate than Neil Young's three finger fret bouncing. I won't say an ape could play guitar as well as Neil Young, but if the brow fits........ "
Hahaha - you're crackin me up BJ. He may not be great in many minds, but he's one of my favorite songwriters and I do like the way he plays. It's memorable. I can think of dozens of sounds from his guitar at any time. Cinnamon Girl, Down by the River, Heart of Gold, Cowgirl in the Sand, Sugar Mountain, Cortez the Killer, Winterlong, Comes a Time... "
Neil Young is definitely one of my favorites. His guitar style could be labelled "sloppy" or "grungy", but is still masterful. Young himself never regarded himself as a great guitarist. The cool thing about the guitar is there is almost no limit to number of ways you can play it.
quote arctic: "quote mc2mens: "quote Beaverjack: "quote mc2mens: "quote Beaverjack: "Man, did we even include Bonnie Ryatt on the best guitarists thread? She's certainly up there (well ahead of Neil Young for sure)."
I mentioned her - Bonnie Raitt that is. Not sure I'd place her well ahead of Neil Young though. But hey, different strokes for different folks."
As a guitarist who has mimicked whomever my meager talent will allow since the early 70s, I can say without reservation that Bonnie Raitt's elegant slide guitar is harder to duplicate than Neil Young's three finger fret bouncing. I won't say an ape could play guitar as well as Neil Young, but if the brow fits........ "
Hahaha - you're crackin me up BJ. He may not be great in many minds, but he's one of my favorite songwriters and I do like the way he plays. It's memorable. I can think of dozens of sounds from his guitar at any time. Cinnamon Girl, Down by the River, Heart of Gold, Cowgirl in the Sand, Sugar Mountain, Cortez the Killer, Winterlong, Comes a Time... "
Neil Young is definitely one of my favorites. His guitar style could be labelled "sloppy" or "grungy", but is still masterful. Young himself never regarded himself as a great guitarist. The cool thing about the guitar is there is almost no limit to number of ways you can play it."
Good point - grunge guitar. Pearl Jam credits Neil Young for inspiring the band in Cameron Crowes Pearl Jam 20 documentary.
quote L.T.sully: "For all around musicians I'd say Eddie Vedder deserves a nod, drummer in Nirvana, lead guitar and vocals in Pearl Jam, and a whole ukelele album. McCartney is also a great all-rounder, in an average concert he'll play bass, guitar, and piano. "
I agree Luke - big Eddie Vedder fan here. Talented songwriter, instrumentalist and performer.