Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.
This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.
We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.
RE: Jon Gomm... serious playing!! No... (in reply to avimuno)
Can't stand these open tuning, tapping and guitar slapping one trick ponies that hide their lack of ability to create more than 1 interesting composition with the novelty technique. And people are still impressed. Worst offender: Andy McKee.
Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
RE: Jon Gomm... serious playing!! No... (in reply to Munin)
Munin - that's a rather sweeping generalization, don't ya think? I've studied with Andy, and despite what you think he is no one trick pony. If you take the time to listen to his albums, there are lots of interesting and unique compositions that are very musical and well thought out. He does not rely on flashy techniques, but rather uses them occasionally to add texture to the composition - at least that's how I see it. You're entitled to your opinion, but I think you're missing out on a lot of great music. Just curious, which non-flamenco fingerstyle players interest you?
I know almost nothing about Jon Gomm, but I respect what he's doing. That's an awful lot of sound coming from one guy and his guitar!
RE: Jon Gomm... serious playing!! No... (in reply to avimuno)
Maybe I am generalizing a bit and it is a taste thing of course too, but sometimes I just think WTF is everyone getting so hyped about. Take that song that made McKee famous, Drifting - you really think it would still be getting 50 million views on YouTube without all the tapping and holding the guitar funny stuff?
Mind you, it's not bad, but all these (okay, let's say many) Candyrat artists (and related) just all sound the same after a while. DADGAD tuning and some slightly melancholic/bittersweet melodies, some percussive slapping and voila, seems like you got yourself a record deal.
My favourite traditional steel string guitarists are Tommy Emmanuel and Ed Gerhard, I guess. They both employ some of these techniques at times, but at least they don't build their entire career around them.
Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
RE: Jon Gomm... serious playing!! No... (in reply to Munin)
Oh sure, I agree about Drifting. But you know, it is a cool tune if you can look past the flashy percussive stuff. That having been said, it's probably my least favorite of his tunes. In the 5-6 years I've been a fan, I've probably listened to it as many times. The good thing about it is that he has gotten an amazing amount of exposure because of that video. He has been selling out shows all over (especially in Europe), and I think a lot of people probably come out to see him just because of his youtube exposure. Once they're in the door, he gets a chance to show what he can really do. I think that's great personally, because I know how tough is it for these guys to make a living. For some more melodic stuff by Andy, check out tunes like She, Dependant Arising, Nakagawa-san, Rylynn, For My Father, Shanghai etcetcetc. His baritone and harp guitar compositions are pretty great as well IMO.
In this genre, I think we're really lucky to have guys like Andy, Jon Gomm, Antoine Dufour etc pushing boundaries first explored by guys like Michael Hedges and Don Ross (my 2 personal favorites). When it comes to Tommy E, I respect his talent for sure - seems like the guy can play just about anything. But for some reason his music leaves me cold.
Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
RE: Jon Gomm... serious playing!! No... (in reply to avimuno)
Something else I find interesting is that a lot of people tend to shut down when they hear someone start to tap a guitar, I find myself hearing the composition as a bigger creation with other instruments and lots of layers. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Have you checked out Antoine Dufour? IMO many of his tunes find just about the perfect balance of melody and rhythm:
Printable Version
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread