Week 1: What Makes Francis Rossi guitar playing special?

[rockinronnie]

OK, thinking here of the solos and riffs that Frame creates. I suppose we are specifically talking of album work (We don't want a discussion about overbending or who wrote the solo, or even whether he played it on the album.)

So is it the tone, the scales, the melody, or something else. Also what is your favourite?

In my opinion, the reason why I love Frames solos are because of the story telling. To me, it is not just random notes, the solos seem to tell a story, fit perfectly with the whole song melody and tone. Not just a random selection of electrifyingly fast notes, but really a song within a song. How any of his solos can yo actually sing? Probably most of them.

So for me it is all about the melody of the solo - like Don't Waste My Time - Classic!

Over to you

[rockinronnie]

Jan 16, 2015 21:40:36 GMT gatesheadbanger said:

Hey I never set up that avatar!  Did I?     Is it randomly generated?  

No, we don't have any fixed avatars. It will be carried across perhaps from other forums you are a member of on proboards

[rockinronnie]

Jan 16, 2015 21:39:39 GMT gatesheadbanger said:

Bottom line is - Rossi is instantly recognisable - he has his own sound - which is surely the holy grail for all guitarist?

Amen to that!

[quomanuk]

Fro me it has be the great melodic feel. Classic example All the reasons that just sticks in mind. Not easy , Roll over lay down the intro lick !

Caroline great intro riff, and POMM. Francis has it in abundance and style sticks out.

Like when i heard Jam side on the radio , i missed the presenter and thought that sound like quo. Then vocs kicked in.

BEL oh classic example of pure rock n roll quo style. The basic blues texas lick for A chord bit. The freshess of it and fillers in between.

No two ways they are the Masters of rock n roll.

IMC works great with a slide , that wins it for me

[FreeWilly]

The melody of his solos and his unique sound.

He makes the guitar sing. Unlike the likes of Angus Young, where most of his solos are just based on pentatonic scales, that are fast fills

[Hardcorequo]

Rossi is unique in that he was writing some very catchy songs and lead breaks at a young age that were different from the competition of the time. He had his eye on a shuffle beat that was known but had the vision from his late teenage years with something that was unique. Add Rick and indeed, the rest is history. Rossi was an innovator and to a certain extent still is. Alan Lancaster had a similar vision as a song writer and he has the right to claim his place in history along with JC as being part of the greatest shuffle beat band the world has ever known.

[Amp Tech]

He`s a unique player. His style is clearly not one that was taught in a machine like sterile way. I personaly think it`s a mistake to learn guitar in such a manner. The individuals style is what makes them different and in many a famous guitarists case, makes them instantly recognisable.

Having heard a zillion cover versions Francis Rossi solos, there isn`t one that sounds like him. You can say the same about others like Angus Young. Tony Iomi. Steve Via and so many others.

[quomanuk]

Nov 29, 2015 15:17:00 GMT Amp Tech said:

He`s a unique player. His style is clearly not one that was taught in a machine like sterile way. I personaly think it`s a mistake to learn guitar in such a manner. The individuals style is what makes them different and in many a famous guitarists case, makes them instantly recognisable.

Having heard a zillion cover versions Francis Rossi solos, there isn`t one that sounds like him. You can say the same about others like Angus Young. Tony Iomi. Steve Via and so many others.

From memory the was a program talking about the Gibson Guitar.  kk downing( of Judas Priest ) was saying the same thing, he was trying to emulate his heros at young age, but he was disappointed that he sound like himself and felt put off by it. Well KK has a unique style.  We can try and copy but we will sound like ourselves.

Like Rossi is unique to Rossi. An interview with iron maiden said the same thing " If Adrian Smith plugged his Guitar into dave murray amp settings, he would still sound like himself".

From my own experience I have tired to capture the magic of Blind Willie Johnson Dark was the night. And never be able to capure that drive and feeling. Then if look at youtube and every time it sounds diffenet to each person playing it.

The only thing I can say we are unique and that is good. As if we all sounded like Rossi playing then it would not be unique.