Solo instrumental acoustic guitar thread (with occasional vocal & duo exceptions)

Ok, not quite unplugged, but here's another cover from LZIV and jay-sus this is good. A cover of a cover, technically. This might break your eyeball levees...

 
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TheVat said:
Ok, not quite unplugged, but here's another cover from LZIV and jay-sus this is good. A cover of a cover, technically. This might break your eyeball levees...

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Back then the critics didn't seem to apprehend what LZ was even doing adapting those old country-blues classics. It's not like the Stones and all sorts of Blues inspired rock bands in the prior decade hadn't done that occasionally, including with old folk songs ("House of the Rising Sun"- The Animals).

JJ sort of rewinds it back to Minnie's non-plectrum guitar style, but with the raw edge and riff that LZ added in the 70s, along with his own multi-faceted techniques and improvisation.

"Memphis Minnie was known for her exceptional fingerpicking guitar style, which combined intricate licks and rhythms that influenced the development of blues music. She was a pioneer in blending traditional country blues with electric sounds, showcasing her versatility throughout her career."

Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe
 
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C C said:
Back then the critics didn't seem to apprehend what LZ was even doing adapting those old country-blues classics. It's not like the Stones and all sorts of Blues inspired rock bands in the prior decade hadn't done that occasionally, including with old folk songs ("House of the Rising Sun"- The Animals).
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Traveling Roadside Blues is another one the early Zeppelin critics didn't get, either. It was so underrated they didn't bother to release it on vinyl, and seems largely ignored. Like other LZ tracks which had spectacular instrumentals and vocals and most other bands would be happy to call their best work. Yeah it's funny that bands like CCR were reviving all sorts of American roots motifs, building up a swamp rock genre, and the critics (especially over in the UK) seemed to act like LZ should stay more in their rock lane. Wondered if it was partly the sexuality dripping from Plant, as in the "squeeze my lemon" stuff in TRB, seemed too much of "black music" for their prim and proper tastes.
 
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TheVat said:
Traveling Roadside Blues is another one the early Zeppelin critics didn't get, either. It was so underrated they didn't bother to release it on vinyl, and seems largely ignored. Like other LZ tracks which had spectacular instrumentals and vocals and most other bands would be happy to call their best work. Yeah it's funny that bands like CCR were reviving all sorts of American roots motifs, building up a swamp rock genre, and the critics (especially over in the UK) seemed to act like LZ should stay more in their rock lane. Wondered if it was partly the sexuality dripping from Plant, as in the "squeeze my lemon" stuff in TRB, seemed too much of "black music" for their prim and proper tastes.
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Although electric guitar tracks were added, Page also used an acoustic slide guitar. (Tuned to Open G like Robert Johnson's version, though I guess LZ's song is more a tribute to Johnson rather than a reflection of the original TRB). If that doesn't shakily qualify it for the thread, then another Justin Johnson solo can do it: JJ - acoustic fingerstyle blues guitar cover

Speaking of Robert Johnson, I'm glad one or more YouTube channels have slowed his songs down to what might be the actual, normal speed. Lessens the caterwauling effect of his voice due to those shellac records raising the pitch of everything so as to fit all the music on their limited space.

Travelling Riverside Blues
_
 
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C C said:
Speaking of Robert Johnson, I'm glad one or more YouTube channels have slowed his songs down to what might be the actual, normal speed. Lessens the caterwauling effect of his voice due to those shellac records raising the pitch of everything so as to fit all the music on their limited space.
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That's helpful. YT generally allows track speed adjustments, but baking in a specific tempo restoration is probably better than just guessing and clicking 0.75 speed for playback.

And I hasten to correct my error in calling it "Roadside." Riverside! o_O:oops::)
 
Yah, this is nothing more than a kind of Bob Dylan "Don't Think Twice" level of pattern fingerpicking for backing up a non-melodic vocal narrative (excluding the very end).

To be honest, I've never even heard the Johnny Cash version. This is the 1975 original, that I first heard some years back on National Public Radio's broadcast of the The Folk Sampler. (Mike Flynn apparently retired now.)

Let Him Roll (Guy Clark)
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While in that Guy Clark vein, also from 1975 is this footage of the legendary (and tragic) songwriter who wrote one of the The Highwaymen's hits.

Pancho and Lefty (Townes Van Zandt)
 
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TVZ may have been tragic in terms of bipolar disorder and self-medicating with booze, but when Bob Dylan goes around telling people he's a big fan of somebody, they've likely made a dent.

Here's Big Bill Broonzy - a shimmering uncut diamond at around 2:45.

 
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