I respect him immensely. He has transformed the electric guitar into something else, much like blues harpists did with the German folk instrument.
To me, Morello's musical approach comes closer to turntablism, sampling and electronics than rock guitar. To me it's not wanking, it's avant garde. I hear way more wanking in everyday blues rock bands.
But then again I'm a child of the hiphop era, not of blues&rock. In a way, Morello is the Jimi Hendrix of my generation. In my book he marks a paradigm shift in guitar history.
Beginning of his solo in the clip above reminds me of the soaring linear approach of David Gilmour.
J-Sin...you make an interesting observation regarding being a child of the hip hop era. Each era (age group) will have developed a relationship with certain styles of music.
Mine is 60 - 70's revolutionary free thinking era and the music from those times.
As music evolves, I still hold onto what I found validates my life experience.
This explains a lot of differing opinions here about music and style.
Since no one can claim that their particular period is superior to anyone else's, it always perplexes me when offering opinions turns into an argument about who is ultimately correct - since this concept of correctness is really a non-existent one. ---------- The Iceman
Last Edited by The Iceman on Jun 02, 2015 6:09 AM
I wouldn't dismiss Tom Morello as just a kid wanking off at Guitar Center. Myself, I'm not even sure I dig all his music, but from his forming of the very influential political/punk/noise/rap/metal/whatever it is band Rage Against the Machine, and his passionate folkie stuff as The Nightwatchman, he aint no lightweight. The guy has a definite concept of what he wants to do at all times—intellectually, musically, chops-wise. There's all kinds of music from him you can check out—from crazy experimental noise to basic folkie blues with guys like Ben Harper, and it all shares a sort of weighty poltical/historical thrust that will either make you nod your head or turn you off. But it is serious stuff. IMHO, my take on the Hall of Fame Butterfield Band thing is that they went with the idea that the Butterfield band in their era was a stepping stone for a new style of blues/rock...so they had some musicians up there demonstrating his influence and inspiration, rather than doing a straight tribute band. I mean, that's obvious from watching it...they probably had 5 minutes to blow the doors off the place and they went with that concept. I think it was a good choice, given that 85% of the people watching probably don't even know who Sam Lay is. And Jason Ricci kicked a#*
I think J-Sin is right, he's tranforming by exploration. I think he's clearly the most innovative, inventive guitarist of the last 25 years. He's moving the instrument forward, not just retreading some VanHalen solos.
I was actually surprised to see Tom and Bruce trading "traditional" licks in the beginning because as you say, his style is usually more "out there." Of course later on he does the kind of thing you would normally expect from him.
for comparison, the Rage Against the Machine cover of this song:
I'm from the "hip-hop generation" but I was never a fan of his music. However, I have infinite respect and admiration for Morello. It is so much harder, braver and more important to walk new paths and evolve music than to just replicate what others have done. Him and Jason Ricci have a lot in common. I think innovation and experimentation must always be encouraged, even if it sometimes doesn't sound good, it's part of the process and you might have to hit a few duds in order to hit the sweet spots. They also both seem like really good down to earth guys just passionate about what they do and thet give a lot of themselves. Here's a vid of Morello I like, that also shows a little more what he's about. He talks a little about his gear and his creative process and stuff like that. The video couldn't be embedded for some reason, but it's really worth watching .
I'm in the pro-Morello camp for sure, even though I never really listened to Rage (not because I didn't like it -- just never took the time). He's progressive, which is going to sound like "wanking" to some people. Not to me. But that's we all have our own ears, instead of having to share one set housed in a central location.
Morello is a skilled and trained guitarist who plays in a guitar style that goes back a ways, from the early day of jazz fusion with the original Tony Williams Lifetime and the first electric Miles Davis group, both featuring guitarist John McLaughlin, the fine work by Larry Coryell and his work with Chico Hamilton and Gary Burden as well as his own efforts as band leader, and certainly the blistering , purposeful skronk of the late Sonny Sharrock. These guitarists changed the way rock guitar was played, bring us through the Van Halen and Malmsteen years; some of the latter day speedsters are little more than a busy bee hive and jangled nerves, while others like Morello (and Veron Reid of the Black Rock Coalition and his band Living Color) synthesize the trends and take it "out", touching the edges of the Free Jazz movement. This constitutes a legitimate style that has historical precedent , a method that has developed and changed ever so in the hands of each succeeding player who took up the style. It's easy to dismiss this stuff as wanking, but it is something much more. ---------- Ted Burke __________________ http://www.yourURL.com tburke4@san.rr.com
Tom Morello is guitar player #1 for me. For me ge's Hendrix of 21 century. Prominent groove, articulation, phrasing, speed, all traditional approach for being perfect, BUT absolutely innovative sounds from guitar, e.g. turntable scratching emulation. I'm influenced by Tom and it's extremely pleasant, he was influenced by harmonica player too. ---------- Excuse my bad English. My videos.
Agree with the pro-Morello camp. I'm also of the hip-hop generation. I remember getting Evil Empire, and being totally blown away by what I was hearing. I couldn't believe those sounds came from a guitar. Don't listen to RATM much anymore (I don't get angry about the world in the same way), but it was definitely something that got me through a period in my youth. I still appreciate the expression and anger conveyed by RATM, and I think Morello is a damn musical genius.
As for his performance in the Butterfield induction thingy.. Meh. But those "let's get a bunch of disparate performers up on stage at this awards show, ask them to play music out of their genres, and see what happens" things are usually bombs. I think this one was more successful than most. ----------
Ted: never would have conflated Tom Morello and Sonny Sharrock. I'm gonna have to go back and re-listen, because that's fascinating.
On the topic of Morello: for me, having also been born in the hip-hop generation, the big test with regards to Morello is that I can listen to RATM and know that he's a really good guitarist, even though I've never even remotely liked RATM. The guitar is plainly an instrument to him, as opposed to an extension of his genitalia.
---------- Check out my music at http://bmeyerson11.bandcamp.com/
