Very interesting. Speaking as someone who laboriously picked out just about all that stuff at the time, he’s definitely got closer than I ever did. (Well, you try scrubbing out All My Loving chords on a Lucky 7…) Can’t help feeling he over-complicates it a bit sometimes, though.
I don’t like Lennon’s singing much at all except on Twist and Shout. Wish he’d done more of that. He’s quite whiny most of the time, which sometimes works but sometimes doesn’t. IMO he’s only one of the greatest singers ever if the list is a couple of thousand long. I’m a Paul man through and through, Lennon’s definitely good but a bit Blackstar, if you know what I mean.
Interesting, but I don’t need to rate Lennon as a guitarist that much, while still acknowledging his god-like genius for musical composition. Many of this guy’s examples are really nods to O’Boogie’s songwriting (e.g. Ticket to Ride).
Anyway, as any fule kno, his best guitarist work is the brilliant melody-defying, up yours McCartney, with your fancy fretwork, blocky proto-grunge solo in The End.
Read somewhere (Ian MacDonald – Revolution In The Head?) that Lennon was a bit of a lazy player and just made chords wherever it was comfortable for his fingers to rest. Coupled with using banjo chords, may well have led to some interesting/unexpected/unorthodox melodys, patterns and tunes emerging.
Was he the best guitarist in the world? He wasn’t even the best guitarist in The Beatles.
bricameron says
Christ! 😉 That was tortuous. Sorry about that. Normal service will now be restored.
Sniffity says
In his Rolling Stone 1970 interview, JL said he could “make it fucking howl.”
That’s good enough for me.
bricameron says
That’s quite a visceral response.@Sniffity.
mikethep says
Very interesting. Speaking as someone who laboriously picked out just about all that stuff at the time, he’s definitely got closer than I ever did. (Well, you try scrubbing out All My Loving chords on a Lucky 7…) Can’t help feeling he over-complicates it a bit sometimes, though.
dai says
Lennon was a genius songwriter and one of the greatest singers ever. Not really a great guitar player though.
Friar says
I don’t like Lennon’s singing much at all except on Twist and Shout. Wish he’d done more of that. He’s quite whiny most of the time, which sometimes works but sometimes doesn’t. IMO he’s only one of the greatest singers ever if the list is a couple of thousand long. I’m a Paul man through and through, Lennon’s definitely good but a bit Blackstar, if you know what I mean.
dai says
Interesting view. Certainly better in the 60s than the 70s.
duco01 says
I really like Lennon’s vocal on “Rock and Roll Music” off “Beatles for Sale”.
dai says
Yes, but really there are dozens of exceptional vocals, not sure if that can be disputed, but his guitar playing is er … functional.
Friar says
Interesting video but genius is a bit strong isn’t it?
Also the bloke’s G is flat. It put me right off.
Bartleby says
Interesting, but I don’t need to rate Lennon as a guitarist that much, while still acknowledging his god-like genius for musical composition. Many of this guy’s examples are really nods to O’Boogie’s songwriting (e.g. Ticket to Ride).
Anyway, as any fule kno, his best guitarist work is the brilliant melody-defying, up yours McCartney, with your fancy fretwork, blocky proto-grunge solo in The End.
dai says
He’s pretty good on Yoko Ono – Plastic Ono Band too …
Fintinlimbim says
Yeah, but what about Donovan’s input?
Vincent says
Never got him at all, even in The Beatles; George and Paul, however – the brains of the band.
dai says
That could be the most bizarre statement I’ve read on here.
Rigid Digit says
Read somewhere (Ian MacDonald – Revolution In The Head?) that Lennon was a bit of a lazy player and just made chords wherever it was comfortable for his fingers to rest. Coupled with using banjo chords, may well have led to some interesting/unexpected/unorthodox melodys, patterns and tunes emerging.
Was he the best guitarist in the world? He wasn’t even the best guitarist in The Beatles.