The first Wah-wah I heard was Eric Clapton on Disraeli Gears and I thought it was cool. His approach was on the beat with an accent hear and there, and after a few listenings I started to miss the wonderful tone from Fresh Cream.
I relegated the Wah-wah to, "novelty" status until I heard Jimi Hendrix's incredibly supple articulations on "Axis Bold As Love". Wow!...THAT's expression! His seemingly effortless ability to use the Wah-wah as an extension of his mind remains for me well, mind blowing. Just listen to any of the recent Experience Hendrix approved live recordings, especially "Winterland". When I listen to these performances I feel in the presence of a true genius who's emphasis on extracting every ounce of expression and emotion from his rig hasn't, for me, ever been matched. Thank you Jimi!
I have to give a shout out to the late, great Pete Cosey who anchored the lead guitar spot in Miles Davis' great acid rock "On The Corner" band. I saw Pete several times in this band and his use of the Wah-wah for pure effect is the closest I've heard a guitarist approach, "Phasers On Stun!". He could make the guitar sound like it was literally falling apart. Beautiful Pete!
Frank Zappa. Talk about totally unique. Developing his style to suit what he was writing for The Mothers Of Invention, Frank invented an inimitable feel for the Wah-wah. Zappa's ability to articulate triple "Wah" inflections while executing hellacious 32nd note rapid-fire staccato attack leads is so uniquely audacious I have never heard anyone else, even Zappa's lead break transcriber Steve Vai. Eat Frankie's dust all you Cali GIT-Heads!
Who are your favorite Wah-wah players?
No comments:
Post a Comment