I've been doing a considerable amount of walking these last few weeks, wearing my headphones and listening to some of my favorite music. As an aside and stating the bleeding obvious, headphones really allow me to hear the nuances of the guitar in tunes I've listened to countless times, reminding me that I've either been playing something wrong or incompletely all these many decades. As I was listening to the Blind Faith album this morning I really listened to the guitar parts and I had an epiphany: most of my favorite passages were performed by one Stephen Lawrence Winwood. I think most of us can agree he's an accomplished keyboardist and though I can't play any keyboard instrument, after the guitar my favorite instrument is a Hammond B-3 winding up a Leslie speaker. And how did a 14 year old kid from Birmingham get a voice like Ray Charles? But as a guitarist he may not be a virtuoso but he's an interesting player. I have no idea who his guitar influences were but it certainly doesn't appear to have been Clapton because he's not what I would consider a bluesy player. If anything I would say he was more influenced by Dave Mason than Eric (if he was influenced by any of his contemporaries at all). He's also got some very memorable riffs and interesting phrasing on the Low Spark of High Heeled Boys album (factoring out a bit of the overuse of a fuzz pedal). I've liked everything he's done since Spencer Davis, all of Traffic and his various solo albums. I think he's under appreciated as a guitarist. Give him a listen in that context. Stay safe.
Steve Winwood as Guitarist, an Appreciation
- Thread starter DaveGo
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tubegeek
Friend of Leo's
You are stating as opinion something which is a STONE COLD FACT!
I had the same epiphany about the Blind Faith album - by now we all kinda know what Clapton sounds like, right?
Well, all the OTHER guitar parts are just outstanding on that album - and they're by Winwood. The thing that tends to obscure it is the ferocious game of Pass The Leslie on that album that they play. Lotta Leslie.
I had the same epiphany about the Blind Faith album - by now we all kinda know what Clapton sounds like, right?
Well, all the OTHER guitar parts are just outstanding on that album - and they're by Winwood. The thing that tends to obscure it is the ferocious game of Pass The Leslie on that album that they play. Lotta Leslie.
mally
Tele-Afflicted
been saying that for yonks !
memorex
Poster Extraordinaire
One of my favorite Winwood solos, and one of his worst, it starts around 1:48.
He played a blue non-reverse Firebird in Traffic, and you can see it briefly sitting on top of his organ at the Blind Faith Hyde Park Concert video. But he doesn't play it in video edit.
I think there are some old Traffic videos of him playing it.
One talented guy!
I think there are some old Traffic videos of him playing it.
One talented guy!
Mr. Winwood has always been a fine all-rounder!
WingedWords
Friend of Leo's
Some lovely guitar playing on the live Traffic album "On the Road".
cmm71
Tele-Meister
I caught Traffic live touring behind their album "Far From Home" when they reunited in the mid-90s. I had the same epiphany when I saw Winwood craft a short but perfect solo on Here Comes A Man. He doesn't get the respect he deserves. As I recall, he came out on stage alone and played John Barleycorn Must Die on a Martin dreadnought. First time I'd ever seen a superstar stand in front of an audience all by himself and carry the show. I'd seen Clapton twice by that point and he was never on stage alone. Anyway, I was star-struck by Steve Winwood...I think its the only time I've ever been star-struck. He's the real deal.
Steve has LONG been a favorite guitarist of mine. I believe he played a lot of guitar with Spencer Davis (Keep on Running, etc.?) as well as Traffic. His lead work is generally understated.....not very flashy, but extremely apropo to the song. For many years now, his band of choice has no bass player, so he plays bass lines on the Hammond, and then his woodwind player covers the keys and bass when Steve switches to guitar. (along with, usually Jose Neto) He has grown into a terrific, mature player.
3-Chord-Genius
Poster Extraordinaire
Pretty sure he plays the guitar solos on this.
I've seen Winwood *rip it up* on guitar. He can shred when he wants to, but he always plays what the tune requires and nothing more. He's one of the best team players ever.
Another guy like this is Christopher Cross, of the 70's 'yacht rock' genre. The guy can really sing, he plays several instruments very well, and he can flat-out rip on guitar.
Another guy like this is Christopher Cross, of the 70's 'yacht rock' genre. The guy can really sing, he plays several instruments very well, and he can flat-out rip on guitar.
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tubegeek
Friend of Leo's
OK, that was news to me. Huh.
A couple tidbits on Christopher Cross.....he has a birthday coming up on May 3.....and he tested positive for (and is recovering from) Covid 19. While he's dropped off many people's radar, apparently he's still active musically. According to Wikipedia, he was invited to play with Steely Dan at one point, and supposedly covered guitar with Deep Purple in concert when Blackmore fell ill. Take that as you wish....but he's a VERY talented guy.
I've read SRV's "Number 1" Strat was previously owned by Cross, who traded it in at Ray Hennig's--which is where Stevie got it.
Excuse my repeating myself.....
I saw Traffic's gig at the Birmingham Town Hall, in '74. Steve Winwood played the single most emotional guitar solo I have ever heard, at a show. I've seen most of my favourite players, including Muddy, Jimi and Ry- but this performance stays with me, from 45 years ago......
Many lesser players/musicians, from that era are venerated, in ways that Winwood isn't. Seems crazy, to me.
I saw Traffic's gig at the Birmingham Town Hall, in '74. Steve Winwood played the single most emotional guitar solo I have ever heard, at a show. I've seen most of my favourite players, including Muddy, Jimi and Ry- but this performance stays with me, from 45 years ago......
Many lesser players/musicians, from that era are venerated, in ways that Winwood isn't. Seems crazy, to me.
tubegeek
Friend of Leo's
Really strangely underrated, although he has had his share of hits through the years to keep himself in buttons and bows. I agree. I would like to see him live, I bet he's terrific.
Steve is not exactly underrated as a guitarist - it's mainly that he is much better known as a brilliant keyboard player and a superb singer... I first watched Steve singing, playing Hammond organ, and amazing guitar on a Harmony Rocket with Spencer Davis (usually with a thumbpick in those days.) - he was still in his teens, but his talents were well known even then. Later I also watched him at at an outdoor festival with Traffic - one of my favourite bands ever and one of the best live sets I have seen. Steve is a unique guitar player incorporating double stops and chordal work - almost like piano arrangements played on a guitar... (He is also a brilliant acoustic player!)
Here is a very good example of his early electric playing with Traffic... (This was actually a B side)
Here is a very good example of his early electric playing with Traffic... (This was actually a B side)
SnidelyWhiplash
Poster Extraordinaire
SW is an amazing musician. EC rates him highly as a guitarist.
RnR Stew, indeed...
RnR Stew, indeed...
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