Greatest Guitar Band


I thought just before Christmas I'd get a good thread going. IMHO,the greatest guitar band was the Yardbirds, not because E Clapton,or J Beck, or J Page was in it but because Chris Deja, and Paul Samwell-Smith were great rhythm and bass guitarists that could rock and keep up with the above. Plus Jim McCarty the drummer could keep the group in line and fine harmonica work from Keith Relf(ok not the greatest vocalist, more of a finesse singer).They had it all, I cannot think of another band that had three great guitarists in the band at one time(J Beck, C Deja, P Samwell-Smith). In 1967, when J Beck and J Page were in the band togther as co-lead guitars, they were the lead in band for the rolling stones, they just blow them away,ok, that is not a fair comparison considering the rolling stones still cannot play their instruments very well. But in comparison to say Led Zepplin, LZ did not have a rhthym guitarist(except J Page would overdub that part on recordings). That made them sound not as well rounded live as far as guitar work is concerned. I am not saying LZ was a bad band on the contrary,they put on probably the best show ever, but I do not consider them a guitar band per se. Besides, J Page stole vitually from his former band anyway. Remember "How Many More Times" is a repackaged version of the YBs "Smokestack Lightning", a Howlin Wolf tune. YBs version is in my mind the best rock song ever. So what do you think????
shubertmaniac

Showing 6 responses by mikec

You guys are great (the baby boomers). What about Big Brother and The Holding Co especialy W/Janis - raw and great. I have most of what has been mentioned on Cd and had on Lp. Oh how i miss my TT and that sound !!! Thanks
Nobody mentions Stevie Ray Vaughan, hard to say what G Band is was the best but alot of great music mentioned here. Great post SM
Hi Craig, yes so so many and yes the Yardbirds are one of my special favorites Shubert. I've spent over 40k just to make this music come alive in my livingroom and boy do i enjoy the music. Thanks all
Dekay SRV's recordings are all so good you can pick anyone but if you want to get to meet his music start with his "greatest hits", it has a great retake of Hendrix's Little Wing or try "Live Alive" and listen to his take on Hendrix's Voodoo Chile. Another great artist we lost long before his time. All his material is good. Bet if you try anyone you will be back for more. Mike
Dekay i remember playing ELL by JH for the first time back in 68 on one of those old huge cabinet console TT and was just blown away listening to what Jimi was doing with that guitar. The bands were excellent at that time and were coming out fast. How bout The Doors even today still great sound, timeless. As far as i'm concerned that was by far the Golden Age of Music and the crap thats out now isn't even concidered music. Pitiful- the best music has to offer now is far and rare. I guess all around its modern jazz for most of anything new. Find myself keep playing the Classics for the real thing and the tuner for any new crap. Sorry but my feelings about most new material.
Sirvette, if you like Wheels of Fire by the Cream, which is a great album (Cd). Try the Album "Blind Faith" by Blind Faith (track "Do What You Like") cut from the same mold. I noticed alot of favorite albums suggested above were recorded LIVE at the Filmore East in NYC (Village). Which i believe has alot to do with the accoustics of the Filmore East and recording equipment used. Many great Live albums were recorded at Billy Grahm's Filmore East, long gone. P.S. Dekay, Garfish turned me on to the CJs a while back.