Robben Ford Discussion

grant420

Aeolian,

I like where you are coming from, with your eloquent posts, but at least get the facts straight about Stevie Ray Vaughan, man. "Lenny" was released in 1983 on his first (successful) LP, Texas Flood. So he wasn't "stretching in new directions" then, they were musical paths he was always following ('83 was relatively early in SRV's career). I agree that both Lenny and Riviera Paradise are similar in that they show a different side of SRV.

You probably consider SRV to be less of a guitarist (and I assume you think he doesn't deserve his spot as a guitar "legend") because of his lack of knowledge of music theory. Hell, the man himself even said he couldn't read a note of music, and practically didn't even know what key he was in. Instead, he claimed in an interview (from his recent Box Set release, the one with the extra DVD) that he literally "felt" his way through songs, playing what he wanted to hear - what was coming from his heart and soul. The man was so good at playing what he was feeling at that moment, it was like listening to his soul.

Of course, Robben has all that PLUS serious amounts of knowledge of theory, harmony voicings, etc. Very Happy

I LOVE Robben's music, but NO ONE plays or played with as much exuberance, energy, and soul than SRV (at least no one I've heard). There're reasons he's immortalized in the form of a statue, and that he was vastly more popular than a lot of other guitarists.
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telefunk1 · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 6:41 am Post subject:

Hi Grant:

Not that A needs defending, but I think you are misreading his comments somewhat. I don't think he thinks less of SRV because of his lack of musical training, his comments about availing oneself to theory should be read more broadly. And his comment really speaks to the SRV clones, not the man himself.

As a self taught, non-theorist, myself, I don't criticize players based on what they know or don't know, but what they deliver. And my reaction to SRV has always been based on his output, not his lack of any formal training. Some people like him, some don't. Life goes on!