Johnny Marr on guitar

[pocaloc]

When I watched this video it literally made my heart ache for my sold jetglo 330:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm1e4DnRiAM

[collin]

Yeah, Marr really is a wizard on guitar.


It's not even technical perfection either, the man is brilliant because he writes/plays in textures, which really made each Smiths record stand out and sound unique.

Why he isn't held in the same high regard as guitarists like The Edge, I have no idea......I think he's even far better.

[pocaloc]

Yeah, I totally agree with you. I might say he's on par with the Edge, but can understand why someone would say he is better. If you listen to The Smiths album of the collected singles it's like one amazing classic riff after the other. Perfectly realized and recorded. I seem to like him as a person too.

I think Morrisey is the reason that people don't give him the respect he deserves. A lot of people have a problem with what Morrisey is all about, or they don't like his crooning singing style, or even his lyrics. I think Morrisey is great, but totally can understand why people would find him annoying. A lot of people can't open their minds up to get past his tendency to be effeminate. The funny thing is Johnny Marr is offering up some really muscular and/or brilliant guitar riffs and these people are missing out.

[collin]

Matt, I couldn't agree with you more.

Moz fans are......well, Moz fans. They are just as bad as the Morrissey detractors, as they think Morrissey was The Smiths, and I think he played a much smaller part than Marr, at least musically. They think that Morrissey's witty lyrics are what made those singles great, and it just isn't true....they would have been nothing without those great hooks and melodies.

Yeah, and then there are the people that single Moz out for his flamboyant characteristics and never make it all the way to appreciating Marr (and Andy Rourke, who wrote some pretty incredible basslines, I think).

[jingle_jangle]

The Edge doesn't play guitar.

He plays a pedalboard.

[pocaloc]

Some of video's I've seen of the Edge on youtube make you think that he could literally launch a rocket to the moon from his pedal board. I still love him though, and think that his guitar work always sounds like a guitar, even if it is sent through a million effects pedals.

[collin]

The Edge doesn't play guitar.

He plays a pedalboard.

Yeah, that's made even more apparent in that It Might Get Loud documentary he did last year. While Jack White and Jimmy Page wail on the blues, all minimalism etc.....The Edge is going on about his effects.

Then again, there is merit in being able to manipulate the sound and still "Create" interesting parts. Doesn't have to be technical playing to be an innovative guitar player.



Marr could do both though!

[jingle_jangle]

It Might Get Loud (another topic...).

I was a bigger Jack White fan when it ended. Not so with Jimmy Page and Mr. The Edge.

[pocaloc]

I might have to rent that tonight.

[paologregorio]

Matt, I couldn't agree with you more.

Moz fans are......well, Moz fans. They are just as bad as the Morrissey detractors, as they think Morrissey was The Smiths, and I think he played a much smaller part than Marr, at least musically. They think that Morrissey's witty lyrics are what made those singles great, and it just isn't true....they would have been nothing without those great hooks and melodies.

Yeah, and then there are the people that single Moz out for his flamboyant characteristics and never make it all the way to appreciating Marr (and Andy Rourke, who wrote some pretty incredible basslines, I think).

+1 on all counts.

I often tell people I like Morissey, but I like to make fun of him even more...I like to call him Morississey. I've considered making bumper stickers. Hey, might even be a good name for a Smiths/Mirrissey cover band.

[DOUBLEUman]

When I watched this video it literally made my heart ache for my sold jetglo 330:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm1e4DnRiAM

What a great vid. Now I want a 330. Must have one soon!

[cestlamort]

The Smiths records were stunning. Even after 20 years, I still check the Sm section every time I'm at the record store, just to see if there's *anything* new.

Marr's guitar playing is one of the reasons I first started trying to learn guitar (buying the "louder than bombs" songbook to start -- not the best choice for a beginner).

Sadly, his work since then has been spotty at best. Or it fits so well, that one doesn't even notice he's on there.

[thedanielwilliams]

Have you heard Marr on some of the recent Pet Shop Boys records? He plays on Release, and it's fantastic. "Home and Dry" in particular, has some awesome Johnny Marring.

[Kekke]

Yes, I have a hard time finding decent tabs of his guitar lines.

Does someone have some accurate tabs laying around for me maybe?

[suedehead71]

a huge Marr fanatic. yes, also a Morrissey nut, but The Smiths and Marr's work with them is some of the finest songwriting i've ever had the pleasure of hearing. his style is almost instantly audible on anything he plays on. i've seen, even when he's just laying down a harmonica track for Everything But The Girl. some notable non-Smiths recordings for those who might want a listen: Marr is all over Kirsty Maccoll's "Kite" album, and a few cuts on "Electric Landlady." his work on The The's "mind bomb" and "dusk" is worth tracking down, as well as Electronic's three releases. another fellow mentioned the Pet Shop Boys material, which i second as well! his new release "Ignore The Ignorant" with The Cribs has some serious Smiths style guitar work (though much of it is a little buried in the mix) and is worth buying. i've had the pleasure of seeing him wield his Rickenbacker once in person, and also meeting and conversing with Marr on two occasions, even being invited in to meet the family. he is truly one of the most gracious and humble musicians i've ever encountered. love him.