Wow!! Check this guy out!!!

[boneyguy]

I've never heard of him before but then again I don't really listen to alot of country music but I do love that chicken pickin and this guy is one of the best I've heard.

I had a quick look around his website and there's some good stuff there.

BTW I have no affiliation with this guy or his site. Just thought I'd better say that.

Yee Haw

[refin]

Smokin'!

[gtech]

He's been mentioned a few times here.

I have all his DVDs and I only need to practice now...

Gilles

[AnthonyV]

Anyone could see that this guy plays great, but does he really sound that different than other great current Tele players or more specifically any of todays lead country pickers who play in basically the same style and get the same type of sound?

Maybe it's me but nothing sounds that original in this guys picking where I'd be able to say "Oh yeah, now that's ------- playing the guitar!" like you would with Don Rich, Roy Nichols, and James Burton? If you didn't know who this giy was, would anyone really be able to identify him over todays other country pickers?

[boneyguy]

Originally Posted by AnthonyV

Anyone could see that this guy plays great, but does he really sound that different than other great current Tele players or more specifically any of todays lead country pickers who play in basically the same style and get the same type of sound?

Maybe it's me but nothing sounds that original in this guys picking where I'd be able to say "Oh yeah, now that's ------- playing the guitar!" like you would with Don Rich, Roy Nichols, and James Burton? If you didn't know who this giy was, would anyone really be able to identify him over todays other country pickers?

Yeah I hear what you're saying. I kinda had the same thought when I first posted this. It seems in every style there's only a handful of really distinct voices at the top of the pile and then there's a whole pile of very talented players who don't really have a singularly unique 'thing' going on but can play like the dickens.

I still like it though and even when I'm critical of a style or lack of originality I try to acknowledge that a guy like this is obviously commited, disciplined, motivated, demanding of high standards for himself and has worked his ass off to get that good.

Those behaviours alone put him head and shoulders above me and most other players I know.

[art027]

Originally Posted by AnthonyV

Anyone could see that this guy plays great, but does he really sound that different than other great current Tele players or more specifically any of todays lead country pickers who play in basically the same style and get the same type of sound?

Maybe it's me but nothing sounds that original in this guys picking where I'd be able to say "Oh yeah, now that's ------- playing the guitar!" like you would with Don Rich, Roy Nichols, and James Burton? If you didn't know who this giy was, would anyone really be able to identify him over todays other country pickers?

Sometimes i get the feeling that the better someone plays the more critics he deserves/gets. Why is that?
Why is it that every guitarplayer needs to be original? I think every guitarplayer needs to have fun
It sounds like, ''well how dare you to be this good'' and then you just have to find an aspect to critisice.

I enjoyed this clip a lot and i surely could learn a lot from it.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by art027

Sometimes i get the feeling that the better someone plays the more critics he deserves/gets. Why is that?
Why is it that every guitarplayer needs to be original? I think every guitarplayer needs to have fun
It sounds like, ''well how dare you to be this good'' and then you just have to find an aspect to critisice.

I enjoyed this clip a lot and i surely could learn a lot from it.

I don´t want to critisice either but I do agree that this kind of playing can be a bit boring after a while. It´s great to watch and God knows I can´t play stuff like this! This guy is amazing and his chops are smoking hot, but when the solo is over I don´t feel a thing. I remember the first time I heard Brent Mason and I will never forget the day I first saw his Hot Licks video. That was a moment that changed my life! But when Brent plays you hear that it´s him! It´s his chops guys like Doug Seven is playing. You know it´s Albert Lee when you hear him, or James Burton.

Brad Paisley is a guy with extreme talent who has definatly made his own thing out of country-shred playing. He is interesting and fun to listen to! I only wish more great pickers would try and make something new and unique.

Here is a video I find very inspiring. Kenny Vaughan (This has been posted here before but I think it´s worth watching again!)

[Scotland]

Whether or not he is original, he is still an awesome player ! Who is original anyway ? Every player without exception has copied another one in one form or another. If a player is good..and this guy is, I appreciate it regardless of style or originality.

[cowboytwang]

I like it.
He's fairly fluid and does a few nice little licks in there.

Now if he could just learn a few more double stops and add some more compression to his tone, then he could sound like the rest.

[sean79]

He has posted here a few times... went by the name "mother_plucker"...

[boneyguy]

This is interesting and in one way or another I can agree with everything that's been said but it leaves me with some questions.

1. Is anyone really original? You can take your favourite original player and hear all kinds of other players in their playing.

2. If you use only originality as your main judgment how much of your record collection would be left on the shelf for you to listen to. I'll bet alot of records would have to go that you really enjoy.

3. What about the other instruments? What's Brent Mason's bass player doing while Brent is being 'original'? Probably doing I - V on 1 and 3 that's what. Would Brent want him to be more 'original'?
In general and of course there are exceptions, behind every unique player you will probably hear fairly basic backup that doesn't detract from what the 'unique' guy is doing. Should they be criticised as well?

4. If the only players that are rewarded with recording contracts or gigs etc. had to be totaly unique and original how many of us would be working? How many records would be put out each year? Who would be playing all the cocktail lounges, bar rooms, subways, house parties, weddings, campfires, birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, Fourth of July , Canada Day etc.

5. I would say that from my experience most people who love music that are not players (ie. the people who allow us to make a living at it - audience, record buyers etc.) don't use 'uniqueness' or 'originality' as there sole or even main way of judging the value of music.
And thank god for that I would say or there wouldn't be a music industry. Unless we were all just playing to impress ourselves or other players.


6. I wonder how other musical cultures perceive originality? How much importance do they put on it? Do they even consider it?


7. Why stop at guitar players or music? Here's a challenge. Every morning for the next month take an 'original' way to work.
Tell your wife you're looking for someone more 'original'.
Stop eating the foods you like in favour of more 'originality'

Even though I search for it as well, maybe 'originality' is not always the most useful or important criteria when judging something or someone.

[boneyguy]

I was just talking to a friend of mine on the phone and she brought up a really good point.

She is a musician, a very talented singer , and when I was discussing with her what we have been talking about on this thread her response was that she wasn't so concerned with originality as much as the soul or spirit that someone brings to their playing. Or their life in general for that matter.

I think this is a good point and to me is probably more important than originality.

[Guitarzan]

That's "Doug Seven."

He is a member here, and posts rarely as "motherplucker."

He has a country players forum, and several guys here check in on it.

[Oskar]

I have to admit I'm not much of a country enthusiast, but the guy is quite good. Then again, so are a lot of shredders, and perhaps I'm just not getting it, but players like this guy, as well as the really good technically skilled shredders tend to bore me.
It's all in what we like and what we enjoy playing and listening to. There is no way I would ever be able to play like this fellow Seven. Then again, it's not necessarily a style I would want to learn.
I know many have derided Yngwie, but he is an extraordinary player, as is Seven. Neither is my cup o' tea.

[rotren]

I bought Doug's DVD's too. Pretty good material, although I have trouble playing some of them in my DVD player.

He is a very good country picker and I am learning some ideas from him.

[fltpkr]

Not everyone can be a Roy Nichols, Albert Lee, etc. Doug is a great player and a decent human being. He's also doing what he can to share his knowledge and experience while trying to earn a living from making music. His videos certainly opened some doors for me.

[emu!]

IMO, Doug Seven has to be one of the best unknown chicken pickers around. He impressed me enough to make me purchase his DVDs. I had always wanted to learn that chicken picken thing, and he looked like he knew what he was doing. With his finger dexterity, I bet he can play other styles pretty good too. Maybe one day he will put out an instrumental CD.

[TheGoodTexan]

I could absolutely hear some originality there....within the context of his playing style as presented.

Was he recycling some old licks that everyone else plays too? Sure.

Was his tone just a standard blueprint for chicken-pickin'? Sure.

Can I ask and answer any more of my own questions? Sure.

But there were certainly some original licks in there that would help me to identify him as a the guitarist next time I heard him play. Lots of fresh takes on standard banjo-rolls and pedal-steel licks.

I liked it.

[Twangmeister]

Apologies up front for any perceived hijacking of the thread or unsolicited self-horn tooting, but my current project is about taking some "shred" type playing and weaving it into actual songs. Not to detract at all from Doug's playing, which is phenomenal in terms of technique and tone, but if you're interested in another approach to that kind of playing, check out "Shake Your Hair Down" on my music link below. Halfway through the tune we decided to turbocharge it in terms of service to the song and showcase some "lickage."
I think Brad Paisley and Keith Urban (to a lesser extent) found a great balance between guitar geekdom and broader appeal. Maybe I'll change my name to Keith Suburban, since I do drive a mini-van.

Again, not to shamelessly self-promote, but I think there's a way to do this so that non-players can dig it and it doesn't go on endlessly,

[ibobunot]

Originally Posted by art027

Sometimes i get the feeling that the better someone plays the more critics he deserves/gets. Why is that?

Any time you title a thread with effusive praise (like Wow!!!) bring an umbrella cause the rain is gonna fall on your parade...

It's like waving a red flag in front of a bull...

[boneyguy]

Originally Posted by Twangmeister

Apologies up front for any perceived hijacking of the thread or unsolicited self-horn tooting, but my current project is about taking some "shred" type playing and weaving it into actual songs. Not to detract at all from Doug's playing, which is phenomenal in terms of technique and tone, but if you're interested in another approach to that kind of playing, check out "Shake Your Hair Down" on my music link below. Halfway through the tune we decided to turbocharge it in terms of service to the song and showcase some "lickage."
I think Brad Paisley and Keith Urban (to a lesser extent) found a great balance between guitar geekdom and broader appeal. Maybe I'll change my name to Keith Suburban, since I do drive a mini-van.

Again, not to shamelessly self-promote, but I think there's a way to do this so that non-players can dig it and it doesn't go on endlessly,

I think the contexts that you're comparing are different in that the video clip from Doug is focused on the promotion of his instructional DVD/downloads.

You say:

I think there's a way to do this so that non-players can dig it and it doesn't go on endlessly

It seems to me the last people he is trying to attract are non-players. These are guitar instructional videos.

To my mind if you want to attract consumers that are strictly guitar players than you had better pull out all the stops and display some awesome technique. Walking the talk.

Whereas the context of the music on your new cd (which I listened to some of the tracks of and I like it) is not strictly geard toward such a narrow audience as only guitar players. Your cd is a showcase of songwriting and that is a whole different ball game I think.

When Doug is playing with his band I would imagine (hope) that his playing is a little more tempered like yours is. I don't know him and have never heard him play with a band so I could be wrong.

So I don't think it's a fair comparison. But it is good promotion.

[Twangmeister]

Any time you title a thread with effusive praise (like Wow!!!) bring an umbrella cause the rain is gonna fall on your parade...

Could not agree more with your assessment. Seems particularly acute among musicians, especially in a "shark tank" like LA. The more secure the player, the more supportive he/she seems to be in my experience. Otherwise, you may be subjected to one of the following:

1) Sour Grapes Syndrome- "Ah, I coulda done that."
2) Ego-Driven Historical Amnesia- "Yeah, I did that back in the day."
3) Stay In The Barrel With The Rest of the Crabs Syndrome- "Who does he think he is?"
4) Myopic Reductive Complex- "Yeah, that cat's great, but I heard (Insert Famous Player Name Here) last week at the Baked Potato and he's got that dialed in."
5) Questionable Motive Complex- "Dude's amazing, but it used to be about the art. He ain't the same since the CD blew up."

Still, as Teddy Roosevelt pointed out, better to be battling in the arena than pointing from the peanut gallery.

[Twangmeister]

So I don't think it's a fair comparison. But it is good promotion.

An excellent observation, and point well taken. Notwithstanding, the market for player-oriented product (CDs,DVDs, etc.) is awfully narrow, and very difficult to sustain a living from. I made a conscious decision (or if you will, in more pretentious terms) an artistic decision to not do an all-instrumental album because, as you corrrectly pointed out, I have things I want to say lyrically, as well as the economics of it. Most A-Team players need to work with writers and vocalists to make a living, as there is more demand for songs than for instrumental music (absent soundtracks, commercials, etc.). I look at Danny Gatton and Roy Buchanan's struggles for mainstream audiences as being emblematic for many "non-name" players who also have families to feed and mortgages to pay. Danny's frustrations are well-documented, yet he was committed to his muse even while losing gigs with Roger Miller and some others.

Hope this response doesn't seem to off the mark. I agree 100% that Doug is a killer player and has much to teach. I know from experience that being an effective teacher is itself a real art. That he can do both is a testament to his talent, whether or not some people see him as "unique" and/or "original." Of course, this is all just my .02.

Anyway, the fact that you dug his stuff and mine in the same day proves what excellent taste you have!

[boneyguy]

Originally Posted by Twangmeister

Anyway, the fact that you dug his stuff and mine in the same day proves what excellent taste you have!

And the fact that you recognize my excellent taste only shows exquisite taste on your part my friend.

Hey no matter how you dice it it's a b*tch to make a living at music and I think it only helps to have your fingers in more than one pie at a time. I mean there's gotta be some middle ground between what Danny and Roy stood for and what Brittany and Justin represent right?

I listened to all the tracks you have available on your website and I do really like what your up to. I wish you luck with it.