Jake E. Lee playing on TMS

[Motorpud]

Let me start by saying I'm a fan of Jake's...but man did his "performance" suck balls I was disappointed to say the least.

 

[skoora]

Hate to say this and hope its not the case but Jakes playing in this weeks show as well as the last one when observing closely is very "fat fingered" clumsy and uncoordinated in a way much like Jimmy Page got after his heavy addictions. Watch his left hand and the motors skills and coordination just don't seem right for a guy who played ith such strong chops in those other clips in the Ozzy vids. Unless he's seriously out of practice but again when I watched I was looking closely and his technique just looks very awkward, it was kind of hard to watch. Also seems quite out of tune at times too, another trademark I saw in Jimmi's playing too. Not comparing the two other than just that particular observation

I think Jake is seriously out of practice. That's pretty obvious by watching him. As far a Page goes, I can only say I saw him on the Page Plant tour in 95 I think it was? He blew my fuckin mind. Sure it wasn't like he was in 1970 but he killed it and owned the stage . The sound of that show still is the most powerful overwhelming thing I've ever experienced.

Amen to that...I saw that tour at The Gorge here in Washington and it's one of the best, if not The best, large scale show I've ever seen and heard.

 

[nevusofota]

Hate to say this and hope its not the case but Jakes playing in this weeks show as well as the last one when observing closely is very "fat fingered" clumsy and uncoordinated in a way much like Jimmy Page got after his heavy addictions. Watch his left hand and the motors skills and coordination just don't seem right for a guy who played ith such strong chops in those other clips in the Ozzy vids. Unless he's seriously out of practice but again when I watched I was looking closely and his technique just looks very awkward, it was kind of hard to watch. Also seems quite out of tune at times too, another trademark I saw in Jimmi's playing too. Not comparing the two other than just that particular observation

I think Jake is seriously out of practice. That's pretty obvious by watching him. As far a Page goes, I can only say I saw him on the Page Plant tour in 95 I think it was? He blew my fuckin mind. Sure it wasn't like he was in 1970 but he killed it and owned the stage . The sound of that show still is the most powerful overwhelming thing I've ever experienced.

You are right sir!! That Page/Plant tour in the mid 90's was probably the best show I have ever experienced. It was so R&R. We had seats on the left side of the stage so we could see behind the curtain. The lights in the house dimmed, a limo pulled behind the curtain (no one in the house could see this except for our section), Page and Plant got out of the back seat and was handed a guitar and mic. They walked right up on stage and started jamming. The sound and energy was incredible.

 

[Carol-AnnAmps]

While I agree, Jakes playing and tone was bizarre, seems to me there's a lot of people making statements like 'I could have done better'. 'I've been playing for 35 years blah blah blah'.....well guess what....
While most people are pretending they are guitar heroes with their huge stacks like phallic symbols in their bedroom or basement , Jake IS a guitar hero. He has the stripes. His tone on Badlands is one of the most definitive Marshall rock tones every produced.

If your playing has never fell apart in your life in front of people, you've never played live. He looked crazy nervous. If you've not been playing as much as you used to, you get rusty and second guess yourself. I think that's the case here. The difference is, bar physical or mental issues there's no reason he could not get back to where it was. Either that or he was going for some off the wall shit and it all went wrong.
I think it's easy to sit on a forum and judge another person, but you are not in their shoes, you don't really know whats going on in that studio or in the players head.

As for his tone, clearly there was some issue with the recording of it. As much as I don't care for the EVH amps, it's hard to get them to sound THAT bad. Jake has the T-Shirt for consistently great tone. He's forgotten more than most people know.

As for other players, I don't think many really shine at their best in that situation for whatever reason. John 5, Doug and the legendary MS consistently have done a great job, but I honestly think that intimidation of the situation may be a factor for some players. It doesn't matter if you play to 20,000 people a night in a band, this is a whole different deal.

Sure you can decide and practice and come up with something, but have you never learned a cool solo note for note that you can play it in your sleep, then fuck it up live and default to noodling some crap?

 

[Bob Savage]

While most people are pretending they are guitar heroes with their huge stacks like phallic symbols in their bedroom or basement , Jake IS a guitar hero. He has the stripes. His tone on Badlands is one of the most definitive Marshall rock tones every produced.

LOL... don't hear amp makers going there very often since it's generally an insult to a large percentage of their user base and potential user base.

 

[rupe]

have you never learned a cool solo note for note that you can play it in your sleep, then fuck it up live and default to noodling some crap?

I skip the note-for-note stuff and go straight to the crappy noodling...it makes for a more consistent performance

 

[Anonymous]

While I agree, Jakes playing and tone was bizarre, seems to me there's a lot of people making statements like 'I could have done better'. 'I've been playing for 35 years blah blah blah'.....well guess what....
While most people are pretending they are guitar heroes with their huge stacks like phallic symbols in their bedroom or basement , Jake IS a guitar hero. He has the stripes. His tone on Badlands is one of the most definitive Marshall rock tones every produced.

If your playing has never fell apart in your life in front of people, you've never played live. He looked crazy nervous. If you've not been playing as much as you used to, you get rusty and second guess yourself. I think that's the case here. The difference is, bar physical or mental issues there's no reason he could not get back to where it was. Either that or he was going for some off the wall shit and it all went wrong.
I think it's easy to sit on a forum and judge another person, but you are not in their shoes, you don't really know whats going on in that studio or in the players head.

As for his tone, clearly there was some issue with the recording of it. As much as I don't care for the EVH amps, it's hard to get them to sound THAT bad. Jake has the T-Shirt for consistently great tone. He's forgotten more than most people know.

As for other players, I don't think many really shine at their best in that situation for whatever reason. John 5, Doug and the legendary MS consistently have done a great job, but I honestly think that intimidation of the situation may be a factor for some players. It doesn't matter if you play to 20,000 people a night in a band, this is a whole different deal.

Sure you can decide and practice and come up with something, but have you never learned a cool solo note for note that you can play it in your sleep, then fuck it up live and default to noodling some crap?

I could have done this response better.

Steve

 

[Bob Savage]

I could have done this response better.

Steve

Braggart!

 

[Badronald]

Huh....forgot more than we'll ever know?
What is this, brain surgery? It's playing the guitar.

Either your chops are up to snuff or they arent. Mine go through ups and downs. I'm on vacation now and haven't played in quite a while. If I had to go on TV next week, I'd hit it hard and be ready. That's all.

We all know Jake is a guitar hero, and we all love the guy. That's why we're dissapointed. I'm sure the album will kick ass and he'll kill it when he get's on tour.

 

[Anonymous]

I could have done this response better.

Steve

Braggart!

What... I'm confused... As a guitarist, I thought this was always supposed to be my response...

Steve

 

[Bob Savage]

What... I'm confused... As a guitarist, I thought this was always supposed to be my response...

Steve

I have retort.

 

[Badronald]

I could have done this response better.

Steve

Braggart!

What... I'm confused... As a guitarist, I thought this was always supposed to be my response...

Steve

Don't be critical. He's forgotten more than you'll ever know.

 

[Anonymous]

I could have done this response better.

Steve

Braggart!

What... I'm confused... As a guitarist, I thought this was always supposed to be my response...

Steve

Don't be critical. He's forgotten more than you'll ever know.

Oh yeah, well I remember more than he's ever forgotten... or something...

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

What... I'm confused... As a guitarist, I thought this was always supposed to be my response...

Steve

I have retort.

Me no understand.

Steve

 

[gibson5413]

I don't get the apologists here...doesn't matter if the pickup fell in, the amp was too quiet, the amp wasn't mic'ed up, or how many Grammies are on the resume. We watch, we see crap, & it confounds & angers us. Yes, many if us could outplay the performances noted. Am i better than Kotzen? No way, but i could outperform that drek with a blindfold. Yes, it is an unnerving situation that is quite different, but that's the gig. Own it.

Prepare something, make sure your gear is right, be proactive & get gear that will translate to my tv. It's not rocket science here, but it seems the only mic on the amp are the room mics. If you can't get a 57 up close, then grab a Kemper or fractal or eleven rack and send that to the board.
A whole group of people are falling short here, but in the end Joe Guitar hero takes the fall.

Damn straight!

Me an crankyray volunteer for the guest guitarist slots for next week's show and then you can tell us how much we suck...

I'm also volunteering Chubtone, gainfreak, chad (gibson4536272 or whatever), ant, Savage, rvs and a million other previous and current rig-talkers...

Steve

+2

This thread sure took on a life of its own.

 

[gibson5413]

The whole "I can do it better" or "He isn't playing it note for note" argument comes from lack of maturity (IMO). That's the kind of minutia that I and my friends used to argue about back when I was 9th grade. Either way, my Dad's stronger than yours and I have better gear.

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

I can't watch it. I speed through the show, and then stop to hear the guest player. Seeing three 40+ year old adolescents dressed up in concert tee's from the 1980's is enough to creep anyone out! The audience is another story altogether... The term 'heavy metal' alone floods the mind with visions of RJD bantering about in a sheep's wool vest and Claymore... Or was that Joe Elliott?

I think any one of them could have been Stewart, I like Eddie the show would probably be better without the other 2 guys.

 

[TrueTone500]

While most people are pretending they are guitar heroes with their huge stacks like phallic symbols in their bedroom or basement...

Bad form Mr. Carol-Ann... Bad form!

 

[rupe]

While most people are pretending they are guitar heroes with their huge stacks like phallic symbols in their bedroom or basement...

Bad form Mr. Carol-Ann... Bad form!

Perhaps not the PC thing to say in this overly sanitized and pussified world we live in today, but DEAD ON accurate IMO. I say kudos for having the balls to say it like it is.

Obviously it's a blanket statement and doesn't apply to everyone, but as a former music store manager, I totally get it. I heard more playing, equipment, and tone opinions (often presented as fact) from hack players than I ever did from the local pros and accomplished players who shopped there. Those who can't play seem to talk the best game.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

IS a guitar hero? WAS, as in 25 years ago...& that's being generous, it's debatable how "great" he was even in his prime. A handful of cool tunes does not = hero