SRV or Jimi H??

archon

Ive noticed more and more that people seem to prefer Stevie over Jimi Hendrix, im hearing a lot about how SRV was the greatest guitarist who ever lived and so on - i love SRV's music but he wasnt exactly one for experimentation or pushing back the boundaries - he only used one scale and most of his tracks sound pretty much the same, he had feel and he was amazing to listen to but better then Jimi????? the guy who made Clapton burst into tears? = c'mon!?!?!?!?! - it hurts me when people say SRV's renditions of Jimi's tunes are better - Hendrix was the man!!

so im organising this little poll to see where the forum sits on this issue - i may organise another for all the children out there who think Jimi is crap because he didnt have a floyd rose and never used tapping or A Dorian type Legato....... 8)

ps if you prefer Zakk Wylde to Jimi Hendrix = just shoot yourself and save me the bother

ednrg

Even though Jimi deserves his place in history, by modern standards, he probably would not make it out of his garage. He was a player from a different time. Would he have continued being called a guitar hero if he didn't pass away? We'll never know. He was a legend in his time, and in his death, he became a legend forever.

archon

i see where you are coming from and i get your point but you rule out the potential for development!

Ive been listening to Tony Iommi's radio program on PLanet rock.com and he gets his peers in to talk about their favourite acts (people like brian may and glen tipton and many others) - they all tip their hats to the beatles, they consider Clapton Ground Breaking becuase he developed the one note solo over driven sound - but they think Jimi was from another planet! - when the assorted greats from the 70s all speak in reverential tones you know there's something there.

Clapton is a tidy player now - back in cream he was ground breaking but would he be considered world class now? = doubtful!

also you should never judge a guitarist by his solos = listen to the rythm and harmonies and strange chordal ideas and ingenious harmonies Hendrix came up with - inventive is not the word its like he had musical tourettes! If he had lived long enough to follow current fashions he'd still be teaching Satch new tricks! ever heard dylan's version of \"All along the watch tower\"? like two different songs... when lennon heard \"are you experienced\" his jaw hit the floor - that would take some doing to the guy who just made sergeant peppers lonely hearts club band - wich at the time was the most ground breaking album ever recorded.

ok - i like Jimi = you get the picture, i'll shut up now...

insideout

This is going to sound pathetically middle of the road... but... my opinion is that technically, SRV is the better guitarist, and for creativity, innovation, and originality, Jimi is best!

thehootman

\ednrg\ wrote:

Even though Jimi deserves his place in history, by modern standards, he probably would not make it out of his garage. He was a player from a different time. Would he have continued being called a guitar hero if he didn't pass away? We'll never know. He was a legend in his time, and in his death, he became a legend forever.

Very well said

iliace

\ednrg\ wrote:

Even though Jimi deserves his place in history, by modern standards, he probably would not make it out of his garage. He was a player from a different time. Would he have continued being called a guitar hero if he didn't pass away? We'll never know. He was a legend in his time, and in his death, he became a legend forever.

Now, can anyone else confirm having heard of the rumor that, shortlly before his death, JH was in negotiations with ELP to join them and become HELP?

\insideout\ wrote:

This is going to sound pathetically middle of the road... but... my opinion is that technically, SRV is the better guitarist, and for creativity, innovation, and originality, Jimi is best!

I dunno... I think too many people discount Jimi for his playing. His work in the studio was very professional, and his knowledge of guitar in no way inferior. Don't get me wrong, I don't come anywhere close to worshipping him by any stretch of imagination, but he deserves his dues every here and there.

archon

:roll: tbh i find it ridculous that anyone can say that hendrix was a bad musician - i think these people should have their ears confiscated! they are obviously mis-using them!

- if you say he cant play i must ask = have you ACTUALLY heard hendrix?????? :shock:

insideout

dunno... I think too many people discount Jimi for his playing. His work in the studio was very professional, and his knowledge of guitar in no way inferior. Don't get me wrong, I don't come anywhere close to worshipping him by any stretch of imagination, but he deserves his dues every here and there.

I thought that by saying he was more creative, innovative and original, I was giving him his dues.

I am not in ANY way saying I think JH was a bad guitarist, or musician. In fact, I believe his influence on modern music rivals that of the Beatles, EVH, Sabbath and Zepplin. That doesn't happen if you suck.

The reason I said I think SRV is better technically is because I believe he took JH's style and pumped it up on steriods. Like sports, music is evolving, and each era gets better and better. Technically, Petrucci,Vai and Satch are better than SRV. Asking which is better is like asking who's better - Babe Ruth or Mark McGuire? It' an age old question that has no right answer. The playing field has evolved and changed.

shredd

Also, I think there's times where you're comparing apples n oranges, even when the guys play the same category or style. It's especially true when you're talking about different eras...not only is the equipment different, but the musical \"environment\" can have an effect too.
To illustrate this - think about the \"Johnny B Goode\" scene from the movie Back To The Future...the kid took crappy ol' 50's equipment and wailed in a style no one had thought of yet.
This probably happens a lot. Jimi was breaking a lot of new ground, going his own way, following his own influences. Go 20 years later to a guy like SRV, he's not only got Jimi as an influence, he's got better equipment, a different music scene/corporate environment/drugs/etc etc.
So even though Jimi and SR were a lot alike, they were also different and it's pretty hard to compare the two...you gotta give them both their props. Then it gets weird - like if you were to actually compare apples to oranges, like \"who's better, Jimmy Page or Steve Howe?\" Or \"Randy Rhodes or Neil Schon\" or \"EVH or Steve Morse\" or \"Alex Lifeson or...\" Wait. No one is better then Alex Lifeson. If I could play like that maybe I could get l**d!!!

philflood

Jimi - its not even close. Stevie was fine for a white boy, but listen to any real blues player, and Stevie comes up way short.

Manitou

I voted Jimi. I was there when he first came on the scene. He was so awesome compared to others around him. His stage presentation was as innovative as his style and music. When I first saw him play the guitar with his teeth, and light it on fire....you would have had to been \"back in the day\" to know how much he set us all \"on fire\" and changed us. You could say he broke the mold....if you weren't well versed with other guy's on the scene...like Chuck Berry, or Buddy Guy, and many others...whom Jimi drew from.
I'd like to think if he were alive today...he'd still be showing us his wealth of innovation and style...and setting us \"on fire.\" Satch was moved by Jimi...as are many today who show the Hendrix influences.
I'm not comfortable with this choose this fellow over that fellow stuff....because as individuals...we all have our own gifts to offer. I don't like every song one artist puts out....but...it's easier on the soul to find the good and go with that.

THANK GOD....Jimi and Stevie are not the same. I know what moves my soul....and if I have to choose one over another...it's Jimi.

Also...I really like archon's attitude. Archon say's what he means...and means what he says. So...because of that...I won't strattle the fence, instead...I'll make the hard choice. :?

ednrg

When you ask for people's opinions, you shouldn't be annoyed that they differ from your own.

archon

ednrg??? you're annoyed by everything!! :twisted:

SlashNBurn99

SRV is my favourite guitarist by far, but he wasn't the most original.

Jimi is the most popular guitarist ever.

Jimi's tunes are still played on the radio today,he had some good tunes which weren't just 5 min guitar solos.

Technique has nothing to do with music IMO (even though I spend alot of time on it) it's how you affect the listener with overall good tunes.

Jimi had good tunes, Vai and them don't IMO.

When we become guitarists I think we forget about the music overall and tend to just analyse the guitarist.

Hendrix was totally original.

If we are talking duels then thats a different.

Just my opinion.
8)

ednrg

\archon\ wrote:

ednrg??? you're annoyed by everything!! :twisted:

Not at all, I was just responding to your post below:

\archon\ wrote:

:roll: tbh i find it ridculous that anyone can say that hendrix was a bad musician - i think these people should have their ears confiscated! they are obviously mis-using them!

- if you say he cant play i must ask = have you ACTUALLY heard hendrix?????? :shock:

ednrg

\SlashNBurn99\ wrote:

... Jimi had good tunes, Vai and them don't IMO. ...

I agree. Vai is a great guitarist. His songs seem more like \"guitar gymnastics\" than songs (except for a few ballads).

partch

I think all great guitarist have there signature. Thats what makes them the best. There not trying to sound like someone else per say they have there own unique style, tone, techique etc.. I think when you talk about the greats those who have that vision and God Giftedness, when \"WE\" say one is better than the other, or Hendrix is the best ever, or Vai etc.. these are just personall opinions I think all the greats are on kind of the same plane musically, inspirationally, etc.. the thing that makes us feel strongly one way or the other is our background, our prefferences etc.. then we by nature think that guitarist the best. And to us this is a very true statement. Just my 2 cents
God Bless!!!
Partch

shando

Hendrix for me.

archon

\ednrg\ wrote:

\archon\ wrote:

ednrg??? you're annoyed by everything!! :twisted:

Not at all, I was just responding to your post below:

\archon\ wrote:

:roll: tbh i find it ridculous that anyone can say that hendrix was a bad musician - i think these people should have their ears confiscated! they are obviously mis-using them!

- if you say he cant play i must ask = have you ACTUALLY heard hendrix?????? :shock:

hey - its ok im sorry man! what i said about people being mad if they think hendrix was a bad musician - that wasnt even directed at you or inside out - it wasnt in response to you rposts its just something i wanted to say for a long time to loads of people!! it was more a continuation of my original post if anything no offense meant.

and SRV is a genius - i remember the first time i heard texas flood - i think i know who Stevie would vote for in this poll - i think he'd vote for Mr H

oh and ednrg! - you ARE annoyed by everything - thats why i like you your just one ornery outspoken - dont give a shit refuse to conform kinda guy and i respect that 8)

Mike B

Thought I would throw in on this. I never got to see Jimi live, but like everyone else I have seen films and heard his recordings. What an awesome talent, and he charted waters in music no one had thought of.

Now I did get to see Stevie in 1989, in Dallas, at Fair Park, that night Jeff Beck played also. Stevie had sobered up, his body and mind was purged of foriegn substances, and he was playing in his hometown. As I listened and watched that night it became apparent to me that I was witnessing someone who was a complete master and was one with his guitar and music. To me it was incredible.

Not having seen Jimi, I can only imagine what he would have been like live. I bet it would have had a similar effect. I don't know who was better but I voted for SRV because I saw him play.

dean

They were both self indulgent and drug addicted. And now they are dead. But that’s pretty normal for guitarists. I guess the only thing better about Stevie was that a helicopter got him, so at least his mother can say it was an accident.

It seems to me that the highly artistic often carry heavy demons in their personal lives