Jake E. Lee playing on TMS

[Badronald]

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

Well, for me it's a title that follows even after retirement, like Dr. or a political title. Once a guitar hero always a guitar hero.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

is there a link to the video?

Jake is a cool player but I was expecting more from him when he came out but that was based off Ozzy overselling Jake as the next greatest thing in guitar playing...which he was far from. Bark at the Moon is a great album though.

 

[H Golf Sport]

It's easy to armchair quarterback. Quite another to be on the spot and pull off perfection 100% of the time.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

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

Stripes? Whatever, I know lots of folks like Badlands, but while I liked some of the Ozzy stuff I found that project unlistenable. I think if people were forthcoming you would find resumes that are far beyond the basement. Regardless, Jake is not so accomplished that he is immune to criticism- especially when warranted...unless you have undying fanboi loyalty. I think it irks me because this guy squandered opportunity that we all dream of...really closer to washed up has-been than rejuvenated hero and it is sad to see. This guy had 24/7 to become accomplished at his craft and clearly chose other activities

 

[marvcus]

It's easy to armchair quarterback. Quite another to be on the spot and pull off perfection 100% of the time.

Yup. You can be prepared going in, but man, live, once the adrenaline hits and you are in the moment, you could've practiced it 100 times perfectly and flubbed it live. Look at all the people who forget the words to the National Anthem at sporting events -- it happens.

Out of practice or not, one hesitation can lead to another, which can lead to panic, which leads to this. Performing musicians have it tougher now than ever. They know going in that they can/will wind up on Youtube and the forums and, eventually, get picked apart by the armchair posse and the multi-take camera mic brigade.

 

[TrueTone500]

Brad Gillis is just pure-evil!

 

[Carol-AnnAmps]

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!

Be nice if you quoted it in context and bothered to include the entire sentence.

I don't give a crap if people don't like it, I deal with the good the bad and the downright fucking ugly in the guitar world every day of my life. Things are what they are.
If people reflect my generalized statements on themselves then I'm not responsible for that.

On a side note, What pisses me right off is that I can't speak straight up on these sort of sites without someone coming back and bringing up my business and attempting to use it against me like some sort of gag device. If you don't like me and what I have to say and you think that somehow electronically morphs in to my work and customer service, then fine, no-ones forcing you to buy anything from me. It's the last thing on my mind when I'm posting as a GUITAR PLAYER !!!! I have opinions, such is life.

 

[Jdguitar]

I'm enjoying listening to some Jake while I read this discussion. I consider what he has accomplished to be legendary!

 

[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

Well, for me it's a title that follows even after retirement, like Dr. or a political title. Once a guitar hero always a guitar hero.

Ok that might work... Can somebody confirm if Jake is in the Hero video game?

 

[Carol-AnnAmps]

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.

How did 'most people' become 'we' ? Most people is most people period, not all people who post on an internet forum called rig-talk. It wasn't a pointed statement.

Yeah I'm with you, I was disappointed too, gutted in fact, guess that's why I'm wanting to give benefit of the doubt and feel bad for the guy.

 

[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

Stripes? Whatever, I know lots of folks like Badlands, but while I liked some of the Ozzy stuff I found that project unlistenable. I think if people were forthcoming you would find resumes that are far beyond the basement. Regardless, Jake is not so accomplished that he is immune to criticism- especially when warranted...unless you have undying fanboi loyalty. I think it irks me because this guy squandered opportunity that we all dream of...really closer to washed up has-been than rejuvenated hero and it is sad to see. This guy had 24/7 to become accomplished at his craft and clearly chose other activities

It's the music business. Of course. THere's bound to be pro players on here and some that don't want their identity be known even. I know that for a fact actually.
My statements were not aimed at rig-talk as a whole, of course they weren't.......but there are certainly some that the cap fits. I highly doubt a pro player would make disrespectful statements on a forum about another pro player. Just as I wouldn't comment directly or passive aggressively on another builder. So it makes it very easy to figure out who isn't exactly professional !!

 

[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?

I could have done this response better.

Steve

I probably could have too, the difference is I already did it !!!!

 

[Anonymous]

It's easy to armchair quarterback. Quite another to be on the spot and pull off perfection 100% of the time.

How about just not sucking?

Steve

 

[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

I probably could have too, the difference is I already did it !!!!

I think you may have missed my attempt at levity based on the old guitarist joke:

Q: How many guitarists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

A: 6. One to actually screw in the lightbulb, and five to stand around with their arms folded saying how they could have done it better.

Steve

 

[TrueTone500]

I'm just happy to see the guy playing again. It may not be Wembley Stadium, but I'll take what I can get. I wish they would do an actual sit-down interview with him.

I played an EVH amp at GC, and just couldn't get a sound that clicked for me... Maybe he's not comfortable with the tone? Does Jake play an EVH amp exclusively?

 

[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!

Be nice if you quoted it in context and bothered to include the entire sentence.

I don't give a crap if people don't like it, I deal with the good the bad and the downright fucking ugly in the guitar world every day of my life. Things are what they are.
If people reflect my generalized statements on themselves then I'm not responsible for that.

On a side note, What pisses me right off is that I can't speak straight up on these sort of sites without someone coming back and bringing up my business and attempting to use it against me like some sort of gag device. If you don't like me and what I have to say and you think that somehow electronically morphs in to my work and customer service, then fine, no-ones forcing you to buy anything from me. It's the last thing on my mind when I'm posting as a GUITAR PLAYER !!!! I have opinions, such is life.

There it is

 

[rupe]

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

Well, for me it's a title that follows even after retirement, like Dr. or a political title. Once a guitar hero always a guitar hero.

Ok that might work... Can somebody confirm if Jake is in the Hero video game?

From Wikipedia:

Bark At The Moon is a song by Ozzy Osbourne, off the 1983 album of the same name. It is the final song in Career Mode in the first Guitar Hero

 

[Anonymous]

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.

How did 'most people' become 'we' ? Most people is most people period, not all people who post on an internet forum called rig-talk. It wasn't a pointed statement.

Yeah I'm with you, I was disappointed too, gutted in fact, guess that's why I'm wanting to give benefit of the doubt and feel bad for the guy.

Well... you did address people in this thread who said they could have done better, so some may be taking that personally. I found your response about phallic full stacks in the bedroom funny, but it could certainly be inferred that you were saying that those stating they could have done better ARE people who were pretending to be guitar heroes in their bedrooms with said phallic stacks... Although I said I believed I could do better, I took no such offense to your amusing comment.

That said, my comments still stand. I've played live plenty in the past although it has been many years. I don't claim to be 1/1000th of the guitarist that Jake E. Lee was in his Ozzy hey day or currently either. All I'm saying is that I believe I could have done better coming up with 4 or 5 ten second snippets of guitar playing and executing them in that environment than what he did. Based on what I heard, I couldn't have done much worse... Of course, we'll never get to prove this out because I don't think TMS will be calling me anytime soon to play on the show. One might think this makes all this easier for me to say, (and it probably does ) but there isn't much I can do about that... I also stand by my comment that any number of other rig-talk guys I've actually seen/heard play could have done better... Hell, Curt (Chubtone here) played probably 12 hours over two days in my room at the LA Amp Show and he was amazing throughout. I'm 100% sure he could have easily mustered 50 seconds of guitar playing on camera at TMS that would have been more entertaining than JEL...

As far as whether anything anyone would have played would have sounded good on the TV show, I believe there is less control over that, but as I said, I hear tons of high gain amps compressed on YouTube recorded through distorting camcorder mics that sound 100 times better.

If JEL was nervous or out of practice or whatever, why not just skip the gig? If he was required to be there to promote the upcoming record, he should have prepared better. It's obvious to me he didn't prepare at all.

Another comment you made kinda raises a bigger question. You mentioned not making disrespectful statements about a pro player. Are we supposed to not have opinions on things we see and hear to preserve the fragile egos of the Jake E Lees of the world, or are we here to discuss gear and playing and music based on our subjective opinions? I say the latter. When I post a clip of my playing or amps here, I know that I could possibly get a lot of negative feedback, but I choose to let the chips fall where they may. I don't get offended if people think it sucks. Neither should Jake (and I really, really doubt he gives a crap what any of us think or say even if he reads it).

Some people think my amps look stupid/lame and they would never play them because of the cherry cutouts in the grills. Whatta ya gonna do? - can't please everyone and I certainly am not going to cry about them saying they think it looks shitty...

Just some thoughts...

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

I'm just happy to see the guy playing again. It may not be Wembley Stadium, but I'll take what I can get. I wish they would do an actual sit-down interview with him.

They did a sit down interview with him on the TMS show a week or so before he actually played...

Steve

 

[Bob Savage]

On a side note, What pisses me right off is that I can't speak straight up on these sort of sites without someone coming back and bringing up my business and attempting to use it against me like some sort of gag device. If you don't like me and what I have to say and you think that somehow electronically morphs in to my work and customer service, then fine, no-ones forcing you to buy anything from me. It's the last thing on my mind when I'm posting as a GUITAR PLAYER !!!! I have opinions, such is life.

Not sure if you're referring to me, but I'll respond anyway.

Nobody said you "can't" do anything. My comment was simply that most MI business owners don't make comments like that because it could be taken negatively by a large portion of their user base.

If you want to post as a guitar player only you may want to consider NOT posting as "Carol-AnneAmps." How else are you to be perceived except as a business if your forum name is the name of your business?

Say what you mean and mean what you say. That's a good thing and not nearly enough these days do it. Just don't get "pissed off" if it's in some way associated with your business when you're posting AS your business name.