Originally posted by Jolly McJollyson
If by smooth, classy, and heartfelt you mean dry, repetitive, and feel-less, then yes, Santana is all of those. I say he is feel-less because his solos are all the same damn concept. Playing a spanish scale over a blues backing...whoopdy cock. "Feel" my ass, Santana can bend all the notes he wants, REAL feel is writing a solo that catches your ear, drawing you to the next note naturally with the appropriate musical devices. Santana has yet to write more than one solo, so I guess we can't technically rate him as anything but boring.
have you ever listened to any of his live stuff? some of it is really nice
and "Playing a spanish scale over a blues backing" is a pretty interesting concept I think, sure it get's a little repetative, but thats his style
and on the topic of repetative guitarists, what guitarist isn't somewhat repetative? Jimmy Page, Toni Iommi, Jimi Hendrix, Yngwie, Zakk Wylde, Jason Becker, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson the list goes on....... It's called a style, I love all of these guitarists, but because of their style they get a little repetative
"REAL feel is writing a solo that catches your ear, drawing you to the next note naturally with the appropriate musical devices." so I guess by hiting one note after another starting from the root of the key, you will have feel, because that would be just hitting the next natural note
no, watch Santana play when he's in a groove, you will see he has more feel then he needs
don't get me wrong, Im not saying he's my favorite, not even close, but he's not bad and he's very ear pleasing, image sitting on the lawn with a beer and a big cheese burger on a cool summer's eve listening to Santana.. almost heaven
Alas Gandalf lives, Middle Earth is again safe...
