there is a really interesting post below along the lines of jimi vs. prince on the axe... one of the pro-jimi lines seems to be that he was a true innovator, which of course he was. it was of course his soul and innovation which lead him to be so well respected - there are many, many technically better players around.

but does any1 not notice just how innovative and aggressive prince's lead work has become lately? the man is covering new and unchartered territory on the axe at the moment and folk are barely noticing here cos orgers are all cryin into their richard dawkins books about 'why does he have 2 b fuckin preachin' man', 'i hate Jehovahs witnesses man', 'why cant he jsut sing about fuckin again man'.

Well why cant y'all just listen 2 the damn music he's makin at the moment? TRC has xciting axe-work all over the place and that xpectation disc is undeniably innovative and technically superb. His live work is on a different plane and he has complete mastery over a large range of diverse styles, which he has started 2 mix 2gether increasingly with jazz to create new soundscapes and xperiences.
he has been xperimenting with some new fx (as he has done regularly through his career) of late, that uber-distorted noise he makes on TRC song and other recent work is incredible.

whether he is holding down a groove with some tastful chords, vibing over some jazz in an unusual timing signature r just UNLEASHING some mind-blowing solo, Prince is a man inspired at the moment, just like jimi was back then, but of course he has the technique, chops and knowledge of a top jazz player back up the soul and spirit of innovation...

just a few thoughts...
ak

Don't know if he's really "innovating", but besides that, I agree with you!

huh huh huh ... well said

Could somebody who knows more about the axe, as an instrument, than I do explain how Prince's work is different from anybody elses? I'm happy to believe that he is doing new and innovative work, but I can't hear it, because I don't know how it's usually used.

calldapplwondery83 said:

I think the word is "innovative".

well if you take stevie ray vaughn as an fucking incredible guitarist, it is easy to hear how great he is, but he does very little innovating. He plays directly from the bibi king/hedrix/page/howlin' wolf book of blues rock tricks. He is one of the best at that 2 and i love it.

innovation on the axe can be heard if u listen to john mclaughlin, jimi, tom morello, john abercrombie... these chaps r makin new sounds and creating new styles, still in the same ball park as what we knew and loved b4 them but different.

i think prince is makin some new noises of late, especially with cool new effect he uses on TRC song, the initial lead work on Xpedition and i think he is experimenting with loosening up the form of his solos to be more loose, interesting and improvised.

damn xcitin if u ask me!

ak

i think that prince's innovation lies in his abilty
to bland carlos santana,steve vai,jimi hendrix and lately george bensons style of playing in to uniq sound
that is prince.
i could always recognise prince style when i hear his guitar playing.
im a guitar player and i must say that a lot of people there play boring guitar lines
people like aerosmith's guitar player-quite boring way of soloing.
guitar players that i listen and i found them innovative are:jimi hendrix,prince,steve vai,santana,frank zappa .
eddie van helen is of course innovative but he is way to mehanic thought he was great on first van haLEN ALBUM.
THEE HE WAS ROARING ON HIS GUITAR,very emotionaly there he played.
george benson and gran green are my favourite jazz guitar players.