Continuing my favourite artists and albums of 2009:
4. J. J. Cale
I think Last.fm recommended J. J. Cale to me originally, and thank God it did. I was really surprised to find out that some great songs I knew from other artists were originally by him, like Call Me The Breeze (covered by Lynyrd Skynyrd), After Midnight and Cocaine (both covered by Clapton). Typically his songs are technically pretty simple but so effective, and I reeeeeeally love his laid-back guitar playing style. Finding him was pretty refreshing, hearing a bluesy/cajuny/swamp-rocky artist playing pretty stripped down music, which is still catchy as fuck and retains clear individuality. A nice reminder that music doesn't need to be technically or melodically complicated to be awesome.
5. B. B. King
I don't care if it makes me look like a massive noob to say how good B. B. King is. My dad played me one of his songs when I was about 12, and I really liked it but never took my enjoyment any further by listening to him again until I got into blues. Another artist on the list with a really clear style; B. B. alternates between playing licks and singing- his playing isn't particularly hard; but his ear for melody, with those perfectly executed bends and powerful voice (I personally prefer his voice and general sound when he was younger; I think there can be a bit too much going on in later recordings) make him someone who I enjoy immensely.
6. The Allman Brothers Band
I never stop going on about it, but I fucking love slide guitar. I also love southern rock. Both are perfectly exemplified by Duane Allman and co. I got a slide for Christmas and have been messing about with Statesboro Blues with it, and it is really fun to play, but a lot harder than it sounds. When I listen to them, it always sounds like they're having a great time, which makes me enjoy them even more. Shamefully enough my introduction to The Allman Brothers Band came from Midnight Rider at the start of The Devil's Rejects, and Ramblin' Man on Guitar Hero, haha. Whenever I listen to the latter on public transport I get the urge to stand up on my seat and start dancing whilst singing "rolling down Highway 41" and wailing along with the slide guitar at the very end. One of these days I will actually do it.
7. John Mayer- Where the Light Is
I saw this fine fellow at Hammersmith Apollo on Monday, and he was seriously good. He might be perceived as a bit mainstream and poppy compared to the rest of his list, and literally all of his licks are stoled from Stevie Ray Vaughan and B. B. King, but introducing blues rock to a new generation is not something to be sniffed at, and who am I kidding, he is a great guitarist, and I secretly love his cheesy stuff too.
This album is his finest by a country mile, as far as I'm concerned he should play with Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino all the time- they reaaaaally pull off the funky blues sound well, as exemplified by Come When I Call, Vultures, Out Of My Mind, and I Don't Need No Doctor. On Monday he really surprised me as I hadn't previously enjoyed his new album, but he's such a good live player that I suddenly loved all the songs I previously just though were okay. Well done Mayer.
8. Guthrie Govan
This guy isn't such a prominent artist as all the others I have mentioned, but he is one of the best guitarists in the world (people bandy that term around all the time, but it is definitely appropriate here), technically brilliant in so many different styles. I've seen him a few times over the past year as he lives near me and plays a regular slot in a local bar when not doing world tours as a session guitarist or tuition weekends and stuff. I'm completely blown away every time I see him, it takes me a few minutes to stop staring at his hands completely gobsmacked before I can fully appreciate the music. It's not a particular style of playing or genre of music that he excels in, which makes him such an interesting chap. He's got incredible speed but doesn't waste it playing shred; he uses his ridiculous speed to churn out amazing rock, prog and jazz licks without compromising on musicality, still utilising powerful slow licks and stunning rhythms. His band, Erotic Cakes, are probably best described as jazz-fusion, and I would highly recommend seeing him if you ever get the opportunity as he is even more amazing live than on record.
This concludes my run-down of a selection of my favourite artists in 2009; there are others who have been thoroughly rinsed over the past year, but I couldn't write about them all. I hope you have enjoyed my rambling adorations, and well done if you actually read this far.
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