Scott Henderson Discussion

tribalfusion · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 45

Hey Scott,

I happened to be reading about a benefit for Cliff Cultreri that happened a few years back and I noticed that you were on the bill with Vai, Satriani etc.

Did you play with those guys and how did that go? Were they aware of your playing before that and how did your playing fit in (I assume you sat in on their tunes)?

I know their music isn't exactly your thing but how did that go more generally?

I've seen Paul Gilbert cite you a few times; did you have any interaction with him perhaps at MI and have you ever had much interaction with the shred guys or had any come to you for lessons through the years?

Thanks!

Scott Henderson · The Man Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 2135

I think it was more like 15 years ago - I don't remember who was on stage during the one song I played. We played a rock tune - I think it was one of Joe's.

I had some interaction with Paul when he was a student, but that was in the 80's. To be honest, I'm not a shred fan - I appreciate how much practice it takes to develop those kind of chops, but the music doesn't do much for me.

tribalfusion · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 45

Scott Henderson · The Man Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 2135

I don't know if those guys ever heard of me before that night. Maybe Steve had because we have some mutual friends.

I've never had much interest in those kind of projects. I don't have extra time to write for them, and I don't want to learn other people's music, or a set of covers.

Kevin Thomas · Joined: 01 Apr 2016 Posts: 154 Location: France

Hi Scott,

Do you have any memory of what it felt like, playing with those supermegastars, when their playing isn't your cup of tea? Did you play the same way? Did you try to play in a more athletic way to impress them? Did they try to play less athletic, more inspired? Was there interplay? Or did you just play together for a right cause, but ignored each other?
I'm not a shred fan, but those guys are not ONLY shredders. Once in a while, there is something good coming out of it. Paul Gilbert writes plenty of catchy tunes, and some of his solos have more than shred to them. I have the album Satriani released in 95 or 96 (red cover with silver guitar), and there are some very nice things on it. I can't tell for Vai, I did not listen to him enough. What I mean is, though their music is too often composed with the fingers (instead of the ears), they know what good music is. So I'd like to know if you managed to make them realize what is so great about your playing... (but maybe they did not give a shit).

One last thing about writing with the fingers instead of the ears. I heard Paul Gilbert talk about a very good solo of his (It's on the Vibrato album, and I think it's the Vibrato song). He said he let his guitar and took a kazoo, because he wanted to sing it and not let his fingers do what they want. And he got this nice solo. I think it's the same process as you recording yourself in you car, isn't it?

Scott Henderson · The Man Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 2135

Sorry, but I don't remember much about it. I wasn't the least bit excited to play with any of those guys, none of them being people I listen to at all. I just wanted to do a favor for my friend Cliff. I went home when it was over and had pretty much forgotten about it by the next day - for me it was a casual. I'm just glad that Steve and Joe were able to raise a lot of money for Cliff.

dizzy · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 406

Scott

Is it true that you backed up the Mamas and the Papas in the late 90's in Vegas?

Scott Henderson · The Man Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 2135

Now THAT I'll never forget!!!

BS · Joined: 27 Jul 2016 Posts: 32

I guess a player like Stevie Ray Vaughan means more to you? Did you ever get the chance to meet him?

Scott Henderson · The Man Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 2135

Yes, I have far more respect for Stevie, Mike Landau, Kirk Fletcher, and any rock guitarist who thinks getting great tone and playing meaningful phrases is more important than playing fast. I never met Stevie, but we both share two major influences - Albert King and Jimi Hendrix.

BS · Joined: 27 Jul 2016 Posts: 32

Have you heard Pat Martino's "Blues for Mickey O" from El Hombre? I just think that's a perfect example of a guy who, despite having tons of chops, just focuses on delivering an incredibly well constructed solo. The ideas are very clearly articulated, he uses space and time very well and it swings very elegant. To me the only part where he really makes use of his extraordinary chops, is in the section that is played in octaves. But you don't really realize it's tricky before you try to play it. I think that's a much more musical way of using your chops, than the in-your-face approach of all these shredders...

Scott Henderson · The Man Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 2135

I haven't heard that album but I've seen him play a few times - great player for sure.

BS · Joined: 27 Jul 2016 Posts: 32

You have something to look forward to!! Organ trio+perc, his first, and his best album in my opinion. I think his verion of "Just Friends" is some of the most hard swinging straight ahead jazz guitar playing ever recorded!

spellbound · Joined: 13 Aug 2015 Posts: 21

Thank you sincerely for not playing with Vai and Satch again !

Scott Henderson · The Man Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 2135

ha ha - geez, I really didn't mean to put them down. I have a lot of respect for them because they're both dedicated musicians who are obviously great guitarists. Their music just doesn't appeal to me, because it seems to be mostly about chops rather than phrasing and tone, but I could say that about all "shred" artists. I grew up listening to blues, and in the guitar world, shred is about as far away from blues as you can get. However there are a few guys like Yngwie and Eddie who obviously have strong blues influences, and that comes out in their playing and tone, so I relate to them more.