Thread: what are you listening to???

Originally Posted by aberdien

Jimmy Page: Fine guitarist, among the goats. In terms of technical skills, better than Prince. But Prince's style, originality, and showmanship blow him out of the water.

Prince's version of the song? Not my favorite. His guitar skills on the song? Superb.

In all seriousness, you have this absolutely backward. Jimmy Page’s electric work was sometimes sloppy. He did shine on acoustic, especially in traditional styles. Prince was a technical wizard he just didn’t show it very often.

That said. Jimmy Page, e’ryday, all day over Prince.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

In all seriousness, you have this absolutely backward. Jimmy Page’s electric work was sometimes sloppy. He did shine on acoustic, especially in traditional styles. Prince was a technical wizard he just didn’t show it very often.

That said. Jimmy Page, e’ryday, all day over Prince.

You know, I think there is actually something of a contest here. It would be hard to arbitrate because they are in different millieu. It's like asking a reggae person what they think of Marley version of a folk ballad, or a bluegrass/chazzy type person what they think of Murder by Death doing a Marley cover.

Originally Posted by Hawgdriver

You know, I think there is actually something of a contest here. It would be hard to arbitrate because they are in different millieu. It's like asking a reggae person what they think of Marley version of a folk ballad, or a bluegrass/chazzy type person what they think of Murder by Death doing a Marley cover.

Prince could shred. He chose not to.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

Prince could shred. He chose not to.

Right, and that's fine. But shred is not all that a musician can do.

What I'm saying is that if we want to be conclusive on this matter, let's do it right. Let's set the rules and adjudicate the affair properly so the outcome can never be revisited.

After my research: I'm too tired for this. They both were great guitarists. I prefer Prince's style and swagger. I prefer Jimmy's killer riffs. Since Prince is a better musician, I will allow Jimmy to be known as the better guitarist.

But call me when Jimmy Page starts playing badass solos while running around the stage in high heels.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

In all seriousness, you have this absolutely backward. Jimmy Page’s electric work was sometimes sloppy. He did shine on acoustic, especially in traditional styles. Prince was a technical wizard he just didn’t show it very often.

That said. Jimmy Page, e’ryday, all day over Prince.

Yeah, I just watched a couple of Page vids on youtube...very sloppy. It's been a while and I'm quite underwhelmed.

Prince's solos....they make me feel things.

Originally Posted by Hawgdriver

Right, and that's fine. But shred is not all that a musician can do.

What I'm saying is that if we want to be conclusive on this matter, let's do it right. Let's set the rules and adjudicate the affair properly so the outcome can never be revisited.

No. I’m aware. Abe was talking about guitar skills, so that’s what I was responding to. I think it’s quite clear Prince was a better songwriter, for example.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

No. I’m aware. Abe was talking about guitar skills, so that’s what I was responding to. I think it’s quite clear Prince was a better songwriter, for example.

I'm also not sure how high heels contributes to a musical experience.

Originally Posted by Hawgdriver

I'm also not sure how high heels contributes to a musical experience.

Well, neither do I, but I am in a decent mood and I was trying to give Abe his Prince glory because I called him a midget Stevie Wonder wannabe the other day.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

Well, neither do I, but I am in a decent mood and I was trying to give Abe his Prince glory because I called him a midget Stevie Wonder wannabe the other day.

Prince was the first musician in my lifetime that was totally my own--I found him, I loved him, all that. I moved on and actually distanced myself dramatically from Prince from about '90 on. But a little while ago I've come to appreciate him more, especially the songwriting. I'm giving him the proverbial fair shake. He actually is 'all that'.

I'm can't recall the genesis of this friction. Abe said 'Page take a bow' and BF said 'not so fast'. Prince's performance was ... well, that's *a performer*. I might like Zep doing Zep's music better.

Well, that's a lot of words to not really move the discussion forward more than an inch or so.

Originally Posted by Hawgdriver

Prince was the first musician in my lifetime that was totally my own--I found him, I loved him, all that. I moved on and actually distanced myself dramatically from Prince from about '90 on. But a little while ago I've come to appreciate him more, especially the songwriting. I'm giving him the proverbial fair shake. He actually is 'all that'.

I'm can't recall the genesis of this friction. Abe said 'Page take a bow' and BF said 'not so fast'. Prince's performance was ... well, that's *a performer*. I might like Zep doing Zep's music better.

Well, that's a lot of words to not really move the discussion forward more than an inch or so.

I took to blues rock more as a teenager when I found Zeppelin and Clapton. I grew up on John Denver and Rubber-Soul-Revolver era Beatles (like the middle Beatles). I found rap in middle school and then rock early in high school with Bush and Stone Temple Pilots. But, like maybe you with Prince, it was Zeppelin and Cream that was the real eye opener for me.

Originally Posted by Hawgdriver

You know, I think there is actually something of a contest here. It would be hard to arbitrate because they are in different millieu. It's like asking a reggae person what they think of Marley version of a folk ballad, or a bluegrass/chazzy type person what they think of Murder by Death doing a Marley cover.

Originally Posted by Hawgdriver

Right, and that's fine. But shred is not all that a musician can do.

What I'm saying is that if we want to be conclusive on this matter, let's do it right. Let's set the rules and adjudicate the affair properly so the outcome can never be revisited.

This is what I'm also saying. It's hard to compare. And what are the criteria at play here? There's plenty of amazingly talented guitarists who can shred their brains out, but when they play I'm like "ok who gives a **** this is boring." So surely there is an element of showmanship that needs to be accounted for.

My more honest and potentially hot take is that Prince could play anything Jimmy Page could play, with better everything else that makes guitarists great.

I submit my case with 3 videos:

 

I honestly still just can't believe Prince went up on that R&R HOF stage and kicked that much ass. Did people think he was a good guitarist before that? I'm too young, IDK.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

Well, neither do I, but I am in a decent mood and I was trying to give Abe his Prince glory because I called him a midget Stevie Wonder wannabe the other day.

Your sacrifice is appreciated.

Originally Posted by Hawgdriver

I'm also not sure how high heels contributes to a musical experience.

I think just in terms of being able to play the guitar that well while running around like a lunatic putting on a show, it's pretty impressive. I've not seen enough old Led Zep clips to see how much movement and showmanship was involved while Page was up there kicking ass.

Originally Posted by Hawgdriver

Prince was the first musician in my lifetime that was totally my own--I found him, I loved him, all that. I moved on and actually distanced myself dramatically from Prince from about '90 on. But a little while ago I've come to appreciate him more, especially the songwriting. I'm giving him the proverbial fair shake. He actually is 'all that'.

I'm can't recall the genesis of this friction. Abe said 'Page take a bow' and BF said 'not so fast'. Prince's performance was ... well, that's *a performer*. I might like Zep doing Zep's music better.

Well, that's a lot of words to not really move the discussion forward more than an inch or so.

I think my comment was more of a "Prince, based on his swagger on stage and his skills, is putting himself above JP."

Maybe he wouldn't have put himself above JP. But on stage and when performing and embodying that persona, he believes it. I think there's few people with that sort of quality. Like "I don't know if I really am the best guitarist and performer in the world, but I'm gonna go out there and act like it anyway."

Alright. This got real. Found this quote:

“Jimmy Page was cool, but he couldn't keep a sequence without John Bonham behind him.” - Prince

Shots fired. Now we have to settle this.