How bad ass is John Norum on this live show?

[Kapo_Polenton]

Given that a lot of guys are getting older and losing their chops, I love how kick ass Europe still is and John in particular. What a huge tone! His chops are frigging off the charts. I've been slowing down some of his solos and while never complicated from a technical perspective, the phrasing and vibrato are insane. This guy is easily in my top players of all time. He has got to be playing with the tone knobs on his LP's because he gets some really cool in between sounds with his axe. They def. tune lower now, but nice that Tempest can still carry a tune unlike some... cough cough DON DOKKEN cough cough..enjoy!

 

[Mark Day]

He kicks a little bit of ass I'd say. Wow.

 

[Enjolras56]

Thanks for sharing that. Yes, Tempest sounds really good still and damn... Norum's playing and tone!!! Always loved his sound, although I can't claim to know much more about their catalog other than the MTV hits they had back in the day. Are the pre-Final Countdown albums worth picking up?

One of my favorite solos from the late 80's was on Superstitious, which I believe Kee Marcello did.' interesting that Norum played most of it just as Marcello did.

 

[Michi]

Oh yeah Norum !

He's all over the place and then some! The tones he's getting from his setup are great as well.

At least this show was tuned down only a half step, eb (had to check it out haha!).

 

[Code001]

Watching this video, it kinda hit me. In the past, when the lights went dark, everyone would hold up their lighters. Today, everyone holds up their phones.

Also, does he ever play his old strats in this? I skimmed through it, and it seemed like it's all Gibson. His solo CDs when he played strats were the best.

 

[Wayniac3]

He was a monster with Don Dokken, as well as the tour I saw him with Doken (prior to Reb).
Great player, awesomee tone, and love his phrasing and feel.

 

[MrDan666]

Norum is a total bad-ass, one of my biggest influences on my playing for sure!

@ Tommy : he rarely ever uses Strats these days... Most of the time in interviews he says that his prized posession is still his old '65 Strat he did all the Europe albums with, but he says how he thinks most strats sound bad and he much prefers the tone of Gibsons now ... As much as i think Norum rocks on an LP, i still associate him way more with Strats as that was always his trademark sound IMO.

 

[glip22]

I know for his solo album Album "Another Destination" he used Cameron's Aldrich mod. The same amp Aldrich used as well. Mark actually cut the entire album with John as they are freinds. It was done mostly in one take with a strat. His tone and playing is always great. Great underated guitarist. Mark told me awhile ago that John sounds like he is playing through an amp while he is playing dry for whatever that meant

 

[5150clone]

Love Norum. One of my favorites. Very underrated. I wish there was some videos from his solo stuff. Like from his face it live tour. Great tone great player

 

[Metalone72]

Awesome tone! Norum is awesome!

 

[Ultron]

John may be one of the tastiest players out there. I love his solo stuff and his covers of Thin Lizzy tunes.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I think for earlier Europe, it all depends on whether you can handle the catchy sometimes poppy choruses.. personally, I dig that. They had some more aggressive stuff too earlier on but the best thing to do is to look at a discography and then youtube a few songs and see if you like it. For me, anything with Norum on it, I love. It's like he is using the same box or pentatonic scales the rest of us are using but like Shenker, he makes it sound like so much more than it is! Also the timing and feel for the bends are a huge part of his playing. He's gone a little more bluesy these days and less shreddie, but i like that too. Either way, i never get sick of hearing him play and it is nice to see they haven't resorted to dropping their tuning past Eb..

 

[Blix]

Always been a big fan of Norum. Europe is doing a gig here in November, going to see him again.

I really really wish he could break out his strats again, he had such killer tone using them.

 

[glip22]

Here with the Cameron Aldrich

 

[Blix]

As a fun contrast, Norum in 86'

He was quite Gary Moore-ish back then, with some Yngwie-itis sneaking in

Love the solo tone, all single-coil awesomeness.

 

[rupe]

He was a monster with Don Dokken, as well as the tour I saw him with Doken (prior to Reb).
Great player, awesomee tone, and love his phrasing and feel.

Agreed. I was surprised that he took a back seat to Billy White on the Don Dokken solo album/tour...he was kinda like Reb is now with Whitesnake.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Yeah, love that 86 concert too. He was a perfect blend of Moore/Shenker/ Yngwie back then with those strats.

 

[tripstan]

Geez monster chops!
I kinda feel like a boob cause I've never heard of him before. But it is also cool to find somebody new to you that will inspire yourself to get better. Thanks Kapo

 

[shred-o-holic]

Fuck yeah! Always been a fan.

 

[Blix]

Something for use gear-heads to ponder, his rig is so simple, just a couple Marshall 2205's (yes, the JCM800 channel-switcher)a Roland Delay, Boss CS-5 and a standard Crybaby That's it!


Cool track from his first solo album, with a fantastic solo!